Compare/Wheel Horse 500 Special vs Wheel Horse A-51

Wheel Horse 500 Special vs Wheel Horse A-51

Verdict: Wheel Horse 500 Special vs Wheel Horse A-51

The Wheel Horse 500 Special and the Wheel Horse A-51 are both lawn tractors — here is how they stack up on the figures that matter. Wheel Horse 500 Special leads on rated power with 6 hp against 5 hp. Wheel Horse A-51 is the newer design (1978 vs 1968). In short: choose the Wheel Horse 500 Special for outright pulling power, or the Wheel Horse A-51 if a tighter budget and lighter footprint matter more. Compare the full spec tables below before booking a demo.

Tune the fit score

Tell us about your operation

Acreage600 acBudgetMain crop / use

Fit & specs

Wheel Horse

Fit score

Best match

Clear

Wheel Horse

Fit score

Best match

Clear

Rated power

6 hp

5 hp

Confidence

40%

Guide price

—

Overview

Manufacturer

Wheel HorseReference

Existing documentation indicates that a recoil-start H60 was the only engine offered in the 500 Special by the factory. A number of 500s have been found with electric-start Kohlers, suggesting that it was a popular swap, either by the original dealer or early in the tractor's life.Reference

air-cooled vertical-shaftReference

Steering

manualReference

—

Engine

Displacement

13.53 ciReference

12.57 ciReference

Bore/Stroke

67 x 64 mmReference

65 x 62 mmReference

Power

4.5 kWReference

—

Starter type

manual recoilReference

Power (gross)

—

3.7 kWReference

Transmission

Wheel Horse Uni-Drive 5053Reference

Peerless 724AReference

Gears

3 forward and 1 reverseReference

5 forward and 1 reverseReference

Dimensions

Front tire

4.00-8Reference

11x4.50-5Reference

Rear tire

6.00-12Reference

13x6.50-6Reference

Lawn/turf front

4.00-8Reference

11x4.50-5Reference

Lawn/turf rear

6.00-12Reference

13x6.50-6Reference

Wheelbase

—

102 cmReference

Weight

—

153 kgReference

Length

—

137 cmReference

Height (steering wheel)

—

101 cmReference

Shipping weight

—

153 kgReference

500 Serial Numbers

1968

1-3631 (model code)Reference

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32" Mower deck

Type

gearReference

belt-driven gearReference

Cutting width

81 cmReference

Overall width

—

102 cmReference

PTO & Hydraulics

Mid PTO

—

independentReference

Clutch

—

mechanical idler pulleyReference

Attachment overview

Fit score weighs budget, operation size, crop match and data confidence against the details above. It’s guidance, not advice — always confirm with a dealer demo.