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Had the 314 out yesterday plowing & it kicked azz The brake pedal conversion worked great, the new chains bit without spinning once & the flashing taillights kept me safe ( as if they couldn't see my fat azz on a big red tractor, but better safe than sorry ) Yea I know the drill ...pics...pics...pics Brake pedal & linkage removed New brake linkage install on clutch arm & adj. up. A return spring added to help the cheesy damper thingy Click on video of lights Its a little different working out of a wheel chair, but we gotter done !!!! Chasm

They aren't necessarily at WOT as they are limited by being "against the governor" - where they have been designed and tested to make the most power. That also gives a smaller engine a quicker recovery time if the load increases suddenly. A fellow member here at RedSquare pulls with a Command engine and leaves the line @ 9500rpm. That being said, you're only running at 1/3 throttle. Yes, a 20 - 22hp engine can be operated at a lower throttle position compared to an 8 or 10hp engine, but I'd still stay at or above 3/4 throttle to keep the hydro happy. An engine that's lugged will suffer more wear / damage than one that's operated in the upper rpm range. Lower flow and pressure in a hydro unit can cause more heat and "jerky" operation. P.S.> leaded gasoline plugs up catalytic converters.

This past summer while on vacation in Minnesota I picked up a single stage blower for my 310-8. After much work replacing bearings, chain, and adding an impeller kit, we finally had enough snow for me to give the machine a try. We ended up with 4" or so of dry fluffy snow, now I'm curious to see how it works in a heavier snow. I also decided I need to put some sides on my homemade cab!

I've been moving snow for the better part of a week now...almost every day...and sometimes twice. Today will be another 2 timer. Craig's right...have to do it before our 3 days of way below zero start. I heard in Minnesota, they could be looking at minus 70 degree wind chill...now that is dangerous cold. We in Chicago land are looking at minus 30 degree wind chill. What a Great Winter!!! :) :) I give it 4 smiley faces...so far.

Better move today's snow accumulation asap... while you still can.

Steve I'm not saying he will not have to tear the trans apart both times this happened to me it was because of worn parts not just the shift lever ball. the teeth on one of the cluster gears and/or 1st thru rev gears mike needs to remove the shift lever and look and see if the shifting forks are in there correct position(forming the small square for the shift lever ball to fit in) for neutral I believe what happens is one of the shifting forks moves to far and gets the trans stuck between two gears . the shift lever wont move out of gear as the fork has moved to far and the shift lever ball is ether almost out of the small square between forks so the angle is bad enough it cannt get it back in to position Brian Same thing happened to my 603 last summer. The set screw on the shifter worked loose... allowing the forks to be moved too far out of position, which locked up the rear. Pull the shifter handle, rock the tractor forwards and back to relieve the pressure on the forks... reach down in the top of the trans, realign the forks back to the neutral position... reinstall the shifter, tighten the set screw... gods willing, you'll be good to go.

I know I'm not the only one in the Midwest getting this freak storm today and the crazy cold temps to follow. How are you all experiencing it? Snow is coming down pretty decent now, but nothing like what they say is coming. We are predicted to get 9-14", then have close to 48 hours straight below 0. Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk

Well it started snowing here around 5:30 am today. I cleaned off the drive about two hours ago and you would not know I was even out there when looking out the window! I used the 1963 Wheel Horse 633 and she amazed me several times when pushing a very heavy load of snow!

Another vote for the hand warmer packs. I don't really know why but the last few years my hands start to ache like hell when they get cold. The hand warmers help a lot, as does a liberal dose of Jack Daniels afterwards.

you're looking at the empty popcorn bowl! You old fellers really should wear your glasses more often!!

Rob, I get caught up in the thinking of the average guy. I'm no scientist, nor am I ever going to be inclined to get so deeply into the subject of WOT and experimenting the way you do. Hat's off to you on that count. However, I don't have a twin cylinder hydro GT either, so I tend to think more in terms of the single cylinder Kohler operated tractor group to which I belong. As you and others here have said, winter weather isn't as much of a concern for air cooling of even an 8hp Kohler. However WOT on these engines provides optimal oil slinging lubrication, which is another reason to open her up. So I suppose the thing to do is for you to run yours at half throttle and I'll run at full throttle and while I predict no significant harm will come to either of our tractors in the short term, I will definitely use less gas then you. Jim

The title of the thread says when an "electric pto" is used. I would use WOT to engage that pto to prevent damage to the engine over time engaging it at a low rpm. That's another area where the common sense portion of the debate comes into play. There is no gradual engagement with electric pto's.

Rob,I'm with you in your questioning of "The Authority".I never run mine wot.I adjust the throttle as needed per job,air temp and power needed.They claim the air cooled engines need that wot to ensure proper cooling through blower shroud is all I can assume and that recommendation is safe enough to keep the idiot out of trouble?I mean what does Kohler really care if you damage a ten year old engine,It just means you buy another sooner?I believe the man. Recommendation is put forth to make it dummies proof,to honor and protect a great product but common sense has to abide.I will continue to adjust the throttled as needed.

Lucky grandson, the two of you can build a lasting memory and have a lot of learning opportunities along the way. I know how close my grandfather and I became by working togather. A Lawn Ranger may be a good fit, lots of them around and front engine (a bit safer ). Good luck and keep us posted.

The truth is, the GT14 is NOT a Wheelhorse! It is actually a WORK-HORSE! Yesterday VS Today! Yesterday: Today:

I don't know, I think there's been 13 of em so far...

Made my annual run to the after holiday RIte Aid toy sale. Picked up a few goodies for the kiddies next year

Looks awesome... how'd you modify the lights to flash?

The "electric" part of the PTO clutch is the method of engagement. It's an electromagnetic clutch - and once power is applied to the coil, it is (supposed to be) locked at the same speed as the engine crankshaft. Engine rpm is directly relevant to the attachment rpm. The only exception to that would be if the air gap is too wide or the clutch is just worn out - then it will slip. An out-of-spec air gap can also cause failure of the coil. I doubt you see unacceptable heat in the hydro - even in the summer - unless you are really working the tractor. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I won't pursue the lead topic..... I have a 7.3 IDI diesel and can burn almost anything except water.

If you're going to change to the new spec trans fluid/10w30 oil drain the system, change the filter or at least take off and drain it and reinstall for the first change, refill the system start and run the trans and cycle the hydraulic lift system several times until warm, then drain and refill the system 3 more times using a new filter each time after the first time. These hydrostatic transmissions are all hydraulic with no clutch packs that will harmed by a small amount of another oil and addative contamination. the biggest enemy is dirt and enough heat to break down the lubricity of the oil

I run my tractor where I think the engine generates the most torque. I think for my M16 that's somewhere around 26-2800 rpm. WOT for me is supposed to be 3600 rpm. I've noticed the engine rpm does not fall off as much at 3/4 throttle as compared to WOT which makes me think I'm where I should be . My Hydro works fine. I've run 5W40 now for 3 years, year round. Cooling in winter has never been an issue for me. There isn't a place on the engine I can't touch with bare skin including the muffler when the temps get below freezing. I'm amazed at how cold this engine runs in the winter.

My 10 yr old has a lawn ranger, still a hair big for him but a good fit and he loves cutting grass and plowing snow. Video games and the tv don't stand a chance. The wife even says that she can't compete with the tractor for his attention!

I know he said Mike, I know he did, I know he did!!!

Ouch!

I'm just across the river from St Louis,we are getting 12-15.It started about 3am and it is really blowing now with quarter size flakes. I'm ready with the 417-A,hope it will be ok with no weights,I do have chains

Nah, it's a doughnut hole.

Happy new year Lane we are getting rain over here. Pushed a little snow sat. morning . Hope you and Ken stay dry and warm.

Challenge accepted. Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk

Mike, I am looking down at ya in the basement. Is that a bald spot I see???

Just starting the freezing rain here in S/C PA Was going to go out & plow the yard but I don't think so Guess I'll head out to the garage & freeze my azz off out there for awhile Chasm

I'd think... both of 'em would be pony motors.

Would one of the engines be a "pony" engine....get it, Pony...Horse....Wheel Horse....Oh well, Can't wait for the build thread!

i forgot to add. The parts tractors i got for this project were a 310-8, a 312-8, and what im pretty sure is a c-145 automatic. i have to strip the engines, and one of the front axles for the 165 because the one on it is completely shot. i have another 12 sitting in my garage so im thinking 2 twelves, or if i can find a magnum 10 i will throw that at it. This tractor will only be functional for pulling anything via the hitch, tractor pulls, and im going to make it tow other tractors using a wheel lift tow bar. I am going to have to take out the lift mechanism to facilitate both engines, and possibly move the dash back a couple inches. follow this post for more updates soon. craig i was acually thinking about that, put the twelve in the back and the ten in the front to "help it" along. it would be a 22 horsepower beast

Steve I'm not saying he will not have to tear the trans apart both times this happened to me it was because of worn parts not just the shift lever ball. the teeth on one of the cluster gears and/or 1st thru rev gears mike needs to remove the shift lever and look and see if the shifting forks are in there correct position(forming the small square for the shift lever ball to fit in) for neutral I believe what happens is one of the shifting forks moves to far and gets the trans stuck between two gears . the shift lever wont move out of gear as the fork has moved to far and the shift lever ball is ether almost out of the small square between forks so the angle is bad enough it cannt get it back in to position Brian

Since I'm "locked in the basement", I'll make the first donut run!

Wish I had a better video. Tough to run a hydro, blower,lift and camera all at the same time. Marvin died right after I shot this. Had to push it into the shop. New fuel pump coming in a few days. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmQH_wAsnGQ

this is what I'm using!

Yes... 8 inch plow 12 inch plow The finished garden...

I'm sure I wasn't in the coldest spot in New England but this is what my car was telling me at 9:50am today. And the sun is out! I have no idea what it was at 6am before the sun came out when the dog had to go outside ! Mike............ PS....I know, check the tire pressure!

Well Steve, I'd say the odds are that you'll get your tie. Why? Cuz I picked the other team in all three remaining games.

Brrly and I will be playing 2 handed Canasta!

I like my rubber tire chains a lot. especially since I got them off CL for $15!!

RUBBER TIRE CHAINS What are they? Do your tire chains tear up or scratch your driveway? Our ASTA rubber tire chains will help you gain the traction you need without scratching your driveway or walkway. Link: http://www.rubbertirechains.com/

Heres an old shot from last year. Maybe a couple years back. I agree they are nothing but beast of a tractor. Actually my favorite

Nice looking wh, Trent. Welcome to RedSquare. I am also in PA, south central parts. Yup, you will need lots more lumber to expand your barn for all the "other" Wheel Horses you don't have yet.

This swap is real easy on a 520 with the swept axle no mods at all, Moat trailer shops will carry 1" hubs my local TSC has them, only thing I had to buy extra was a few 1" shim washers so when the castle nut was adjusted a cotter pin fit in the slots in the nut, then I bought golf cart rims that are 5 3/8" wide like the stock rims, these are centered for the offset but you can get other offsets, I have done this to a couple 520's, well axles that is, this set up is on my C-195 diesel project but has a 520 axle in it.

John, Let us know how well it scrapes the icy stuff. I put a UHMW on and it does save the blacktop. On packed down/icy stuff, it doesnt do as well as the metal blade. No worries!

Use the tractor and plow today to the max.... performed absolutely flawlessly love the way it bites and moves the snow.... gearing perfect moved the snow effortessly...... LOVE IT..... Thanks to all

Last project of 2012