Hesston Front Runner 140

[Paul B]

Now that I've bought this, does anybody know anything about a Hesston Front Runner 140? This one only has a 60" mower deck, but there were other attachments available. It was bought new in 1971-72.
Click on the pictures to enlarge them.

[junkman1946]

WOW Paul Thats a stranger to me. Good find though.When I see that my mind keeps going toward Steiger Garden tractor, ?????????????? Keep us posted. Frank

[renev]

Hi! I can't believe it! I purchased one of these, exact same model, this very summer! Mine shows 761 hours on the meter.

A backyard hacker had removed the ignition, some wires, and installed a toggle switch. I'm in the process of just trying to get it started, figure out the wiring, etc. Mine has the 48" deck with two 18" wing extensions. Sadly, this machine has been hacked a bit, but appears to be well worth the trouble if even just for mowing my own property.

I have a few questions for you.

First, where can I go to get parts or accurate parts diagrams, manual, etc.? I've come across a parts catalog from Toro for the GMT 200, which appears to be the same machine. Have you had any success in these areas?

Yours is definitely cleaner than mine. I would love to hear from you on this, especially if you've had any positive experience/s with it, advice, etc.

Thanks much in advance!

Cheers,
Rene V.
Saint Joseph, IL

[renev]

oops, sorry, mine's a Frontrunner *230* (23 hp kohler), but everything else's identical.

[Rudi]

Paul:

Interesting garden tractor. Articulated Appears so. Be a nice project for you.

Rene:

Welcome to the forums..

to Farmallcub.com Forum Family.
And you have come to the right place for all things Cub related. If you click on the Site Rules, Regulations, & Important Information,
it will point you to the Welcome Wagon wherein you will find links to many useful sites and
topics. One of which is the Cub Manual Server. Enjoy!.

As to manuals etc., for the 140 and the 230.. I would expect the best place to possibly find them is to search . Hesston Front Runner

Got these two hits:

HESSTON Brochure Front Runner GMT 160, 180, and 200



HESSTON Brochure Front Runner



A google search on Hesston Front Runner garnered some interesting hits on both the 140 and the 230.

[Eugene]

Hesston Articulated - found a hit under previous mentioned name.

Hot Line Farm Equipment Guide: "Hesston-Fiat. H-140. Year Mfd: 1972. Fuel: Gas. Make of Engine: B&S. HP: 14. Hydro. Weight: 800 lbs. Suggested List Price: N/A.

H-180. Kohler K482S engine. Hydro. Weight 900 lbs."

[krisb]

Wow that is really awesome. I have never head of those before. I am in love with Stieger and Ventracs, that looks like the grand pappy of them.


I did a quick Google search and came across this add http://wichita.craigslist.org/grd/1343785892.html for anyone that is interested.

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

When I bought my ZTR about 3 years ago, I was wanting a rig similar to that, but so far as I know, no one makes them anymore. Still wish I had found one, because I am not all that impressed with my ZTR.

[krisb]

Well Ventrac makes one that is dang close.

Ventrac 3200





The 4200 is my dream machine. Someday it will be mine



Now that is a mowing machine.

http://www.ventrac.com/

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

I suspect the payment on one of them is higher than my truck payment.

[ddclyde]

I have one of these I would like to sell for more information please call me at 1-800-543-1732 and ask to speak to BOB. Thanks

[terry2boot]

I HAVE A HESSTON H140 ALSO, I BOUGHT IT BACK IN THE 70'S AND DID A LOT OF COMMERCIAL WORK WITH IT, AND THEN I SOLD IT TO A LARGE CAMP GROUNDS THAT RAN IT FOR YEARS AND RAN IT INTO THE GROUND . I ENDED UP BUYING IT BACK AND I'M GOING TO TRY TO RESTORE IT SOME OF THE PART'S ARE MISSING. THIS UNIT HAD A 48 " MOWER WITH A GRASS VACUUM UNIT WHICH IS THE PART THAT IS MISSING THIS IS ONE WELL BUILD MOWER AND IT WILL MOW SOME GRASS... TERRY COOK

[willrross]

I have a Hesston 140 also with the front mower and bagger. Yours is the second one that I've seen in a picture. Do you have any literature or manuals on these models. If I con send you any pictures that would help you on yours let me know. willrross@yahoo.com Respectfully Wm

[Boss Hog]

Both the Hesston and the Ventrac are [ were ] sold mostly to Golf Courses, Universities and parks. I know of very few that replaced them with the same thing. Not the best type of machine in my opinion. They are do all vehicles, Not very good at any of the tasks that that were designed for. The grounds department at work bought one 3 years ago in the neighborhood of $50,000.00 with all the attachments [Ventrac] , They don't use it much and are stuck with it until it deprecates out
Still quit a novelty

Boss

[dabrbo]

http://www.agcopubs.com/productpage.asp ... ier=F-5523

Here is Hesston (AGCO) manual for this Lawn Division, which was originally designed and manufactured by Woods Corporation (Oregon, IL), Hesston purchased Woods c. 1968 and would move that portion of production to Indianapolis, IN. Hesston Lawn Division produced hundreds as a GMT (Grounds Maintenance Tractor), TT (Turf Truck), and TW (Three Wheeler.

Hesston Lawn Division was sold to TORO around 1977-78. TORO ceased production of the TT & TW, but continued production of the GMT until 1981-82.

Keep us posted as you have fun.

dabrbo