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Wheel Horse 8HP 4-Speed vs Wheel Horse B-81
Verdict: Wheel Horse 8HP 4-Speed vs Wheel Horse B-81
The Wheel Horse 8HP 4-Speed and the Wheel Horse B-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 B-81 is the lighter machine (181 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 B-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.
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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
The Foote 4000 was used on the Wheel Horse B-81 during 1979 model year production.Reference
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
3500Reference
Starter volts
12Reference
12Reference
Oil capacity
1.9 LReference
0.7 LReference
Fuel tank
—
5.7 LReference
Power (gross)
—
6.0 kWReference
Starter
—
electricReference
Sparkplug
—
Champion CJ-8Reference
Sparkplug gap
—
0.762 mmReference
Point gap
—
0.508 mmReference
Transmission
Transmission
Wheel HorseReference
Foote 4000Reference
Gears
3 forward and 1 reverseReference
6 forward and 1 reverseReference
Oil type
—
SAE 90 GL5Reference
Dimensions
Wheelbase
110 cmReference
115 cmReference
Weight
258 kgReference
181 kgReference
Front tire
15x6.00-6Reference
13x5.00-6Reference
Rear tire
20x8.00-10Reference
18x8.50-8Reference
Lawn/turf front
15x6.00-6Reference
13x5.00-6Reference
Lawn/turf rear
20x8.00-10Reference
18x8.50-8Reference
Length
152 cmReference
165 cmReference
Width
83 cmReference
87 cmReference
Height (steering wheel)
99 cmReference
—
Height (hood)
83 cmReference
—
Shipping weight
258 kgReference
—
Ground clearance
13 cmReference
—
Height
—
93 cmReference
Electrical
Ground
negativeReference
negativeReference
Battery volts
12Reference
12Reference
Charging amps
—
3Reference
Battery AH
—
24Reference
36" Mower deck
Type
belt-driven gearReference
belt-driven gearReference
Cutting width
91 cmReference
—
B-81 Serial Numbers
1978
—
82-08BP01Reference
1979
—
92-08BF01Reference
Location:
—
Tractor model codes shown.Reference
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.