Compare/Wheel Horse A-90 vs Wheel Horse C-85

Wheel Horse A-90 vs Wheel Horse C-85

Verdict: Wheel Horse A-90 vs Wheel Horse C-85

The Wheel Horse A-90 and the Wheel Horse C-85 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-90 is the lighter machine (181 kg vs 244 kg), which helps on soft ground and transport, while the heavier model carries more ballast for traction-limited draft work. Wheel Horse C-85 is the newer design (1980 vs 1976). 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

Acreage600 acBudgetMain crop / use

Fit & specs

Wheel Horse

Fit score

Best match

Clear

Wheel Horse

Fit score

Best match

Clear

Rated power

8 hp

Confidence

40%

Guide price

—

Overview

Manufacturer

Wheel HorseReference

air-cooled vertical-shaftReference

air-cooledReference

Original price

$875 (1977 )Reference

—

Steering

—

manualReference

Engine

Displacement

19.44 ciReference

18.6 ciReference

Bore/Stroke

76 x 70 mmReference

75 x 70 mmReference

Power (gross)

6.0 kWReference

—

Starter volts

12Reference

Fuel tank

—

11.4 LReference

Power

—

6.0 kWReference

Air cleaner

—

dry elementReference

Rated RPM

—

3600Reference

Sparkplug

—

Champion J-8Reference

Sparkplug gap

—

0.635 mmReference

Point gap

—

0.508 mmReference

Oil capacity

—

1.9 LReference

Oil change

—

25 hReference

Transmission

Tecumseh 600Reference

—

Type

friction discReference

belt-driven gearReference

Gears

3 forward and 1 reverseReference

6 forward and 2 reverseReference

Dimensions

Wheelbase

107 cmReference

115 cmReference

Weight

181 kgReference

244 kgReference

Front tire

13x5.00-6Reference

16x6.50-8Reference

Rear tire

18x8.50-8Reference

23x8.50-12Reference

Lawn/turf front

13x5.00-6Reference

16x6.50-8Reference

Lawn/turf rear

18x8.50-8Reference

23x8.50-12Reference

Length

143 cmReference

175 cmReference

Height

92 cmReference

104 cmReference

Width

—

91 cmReference

Shipping weight

—

244 kgReference

Electrical

Ground

negativeReference

Battery volts

12Reference

Battery AH

24Reference

Charging system

—

alternatorReference

Charging amps

—

15Reference

Attachment overview

PTO & Hydraulics

Front PTO

—

independentReference

Clutch

—

manualReference

C-85 Serial Numbers

1980

—

-unknown-Reference

1981

—

-unknown-Reference

1982

—

-unknown-Reference

1983

—

-unknown-Reference

Location:

—

Serial number plate below dash. Model codes in parentheses.Reference

36" Mower deck

Cutting width

—

91 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.