Search
Wheel Horse 8HP 4-Speed vs Wheel Horse A-81
Verdict: Wheel Horse 8HP 4-Speed vs Wheel Horse A-81
The Wheel Horse 8HP 4-Speed and the Wheel Horse A-81 are both lawn tractors — here is how they stack up on the figures that matter. Both are rated at the same 8 hp. Wheel Horse A-81 is the lighter machine (165 kg vs 258 kg), which helps on soft ground and transport, while the heavier model carries more ballast for traction-limited draft work. Wheel Horse A-81 is the newer design (1978 vs 1973). Use the full side-by-side spec tables below to weigh the details against your own operation, and confirm with a dealer demo.
Tune the fit score
Tell us about your operation
Fit & specs
Wheel Horse
62
Fit score
Best match
Clear
Wheel Horse
62
Fit score
Best match
Clear
Rated power
8 hp
8 hp
Confidence
40%
40%
Guide price
—
—
Overview
Manufacturer
Wheel HorseReference
Wheel HorseReference
Kohler K181SReference
air-cooled vertical-shaftReference
Variants
1-0120
4-speed KohlerReference
—
1-0276
4-speed TechumsehReference
—
1-0277
4-speed TechumsehReference
—
1-0370
8-speed KohlerReference
—
Engine
Displacement
18.6 ciReference
19.44 ciReference
Bore/Stroke
75 x 70 mmReference
76 x 70 mmReference
Power
6.0 kWReference
—
Rated RPM
3600Reference
—
Starter volts
12Reference
12Reference
Oil capacity
1.9 LReference
—
Power (gross)
—
6.0 kWReference
Starter
—
electricReference
Transmission
Transmission
Wheel HorseReference
Peerless 724AReference
Gears
3 forward and 1 reverseReference
5 forward and 1 reverseReference
Dimensions
Wheelbase
110 cmReference
102 cmReference
Weight
258 kgReference
165 kgReference
Front tire
15x6.00-6Reference
13x5.0-6Reference
Rear tire
20x8.00-10Reference
15x6.0-6Reference
Lawn/turf front
15x6.00-6Reference
13x5.0-6Reference
Lawn/turf rear
20x8.00-10Reference
15x6.0-6Reference
Length
152 cmReference
137 cmReference
Width
83 cmReference
—
Height (steering wheel)
99 cmReference
104 cmReference
Height (hood)
83 cmReference
—
Shipping weight
258 kgReference
165 kgReference
Ground clearance
13 cmReference
—
Electrical
Ground
negativeReference
negativeReference
Battery volts
12Reference
12Reference
36" Mower deck
Type
belt-driven gearReference
belt-driven gearReference
Cutting width
91 cmReference
81 cmReference
PTO & Hydraulics
Mid PTO
—
independentReference
Clutch
—
mechanical idler pulleyReference
A-81 Serial Number Location
Attachment overview
32" Mower deck
Overall width
—
102 cmReference
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.