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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...

just finished a face lift on one of my 1886's. I love these tractors. they came out in 1971 and were a beast of a tractor. full hydraulics on front and rear, foot pedal hydro, three point. huge solid frame. this machine caught wheel horse with there pants down. who would of thought. bolens had those crappy tube frames. in 1971 all wheel horse had in there line up to compete was the gt14. to compete they came out with the automatic 18 (d series) both wheel horse and bolens used the 18hp kohler k482 engine. this sparked a little battle to one up each other. bolens ht20, then wheel horse d200, wh d250 then the bolens ht23 and bolens added an imported diesel model. this battle gave us so many models to enjoy. I own several of both models, I just enjoy the bigboys hope you enjoy the pictures brad

That's what I was thinkin' you did... another great idea there.

I have been using Kinco brand for a number of years, my Brother got me a pair from a Engineer of a rail car, I used them about 6-7 years and have about worn them out, I googled them and bought a few pair they run about $20 a pair, with shipping, they are very soft I think pig skin, lined with a heatkeep insulation, they have a liner in them so they are some what water proof, and my old ones are very well oiled so even more water proof, they have different style cuffs but I like these with my Carhartt coat, ( I also like the artic lined Carhartt's ) my son has a pair of these gloves and uses them driving a fork truck and keep his hands warm, infact other guys try to take them, because of that. These are a few years old but still work, just not as good as the new ones newer ones about 1 year old, also if these get wet, when they dry out they are still very soft, not hard like other brands I should add it has been around zero here for the past few weeks, and a few hours outside my hands are still warm with these gloves

I use an old pair of snowmobile mittens they I've had for years. I put those "hot hands" hand warmer in them, works well for me.

If you live in northern indiana I will apologize now for the snow. I knew if I sold that blower we would get bad weather. I still don't have any regrets, just sorry I caused the bad weather.

Excellent job!

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

Thats great to hear...congrats on a successful modification! Mike.........

Glad it worked out. I like the lights!

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

Went out and pushed some,chains worked pretty good.The snow is pretty dry as it is only about 14 degrees.I had to back up and take a smaller bite at times,but overall it worked pretty good.

my grandkids rode my 400 suburban for the first time yesterday. 6 and 8 yrs old. ran for about 1 1/2 hours, until i had to make them go inside. my grandson and his father now want one of their own. they loved it. just remember that the suburbans engine is right their by their legs. so look at the lawn rangers first.

yeah I know I still haven't got one yet I'm going thave too though and thank you on the set up still going to have to get chains though

Been a warm winter so far, until a few days ago when it was the coldest it's been in 20 years. Today supposed to hit 40+, then back down to teens tomorrow. Crazy weather.... Wish I could get a second tractor, one for hauling wood out of woods and the other leave the blower Ono I didn't have to mount/un mount the blower all winter. But I have no place to store them.... Got really lucky with this GT14.. My first and only tractor. I needed it to drag wood out of woods (wood stove heat), and was told to try and find a "garden tractor" as a mule. So I check Craig's list, and sure enough a local small farm has a "Garden tractor with snow blower" listed. I say wow, I could use it as a snow blower too? Went to check out, it started right up, there was snow on ground so the guy showed me how it works. Bought it! Didn't even know what a wheelhorse was! Lol! I do now! ;)

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.

Using gravity assist...pushing down hill are you lane?

Yep, trying to psych myself up. Roughly 8 inches since I've gotten up about 6:30, starting to blow

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 know Brian...I just like to try to guess what could be wrong (based on the information given). I am not real good at guessing, but I have been right once in a while. I like the way you guys are thinking also...extremely possible you guys nailed it. Good luck MRC...it is fixable for sure.

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

i did a walk through on it not long after mike suggested i should try the solenoid setup on a starter gen.....

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

Oaktown how some of the old girl. Gary B......

While technically not correct, there are quite a few of us that use a solenoid to power the starter generator on the mid sixties tractors. I know the original switch is rated at 70 amps, but I really don't like the idea of putting that much draw through an ignition switch, and also using a solenoid allows you to use smaller wires up to the switch which makes for a tidier area behind the dash. Some people hide the solenoid inside the dash tower. Personally I don't care if the Wheel Horse police see mine, I mount it on the engine:

Steve - I am not sure that the belt guard on the 1054 has an influence on how the drivebelt disengages from the pulleys. Unlike "normal" horses the 1054 has a long heavy duty guide underneath the belt that does what the guard does on other tractors. There is however a peg type guide bolted to the engine that is supposed to force the belt forward and thus disengage the belt from the engine pulley. Wheelhorsearound, you didn't answer Dons question as to whether the idler arm is moving when you push the pedal down, or Steves question about the tab that is close to the idler pulley. In case you don't realize how the system works - when you push the clutch pedal down it pulls a spring loaded lever on the left hand side of the tractor which is attached to a cross-shaft with a matching arm on the right hand side of the tractor. This arm carries an idler pulley which tensions the belt so that it will drive the trans when your foot is off the pedal. When the clutch is depressed the tension is removed from the belt, and the little tab above the idler pulley pushes the slack in the belt towards the engine pulley. On the other side of the engine pulley is a small wire peg that ensures that the slack in the belt also guides the belt forward and away from the engine pulley. If both these guides are adjusted correctly the belt will stop driving the input pulley on the trans when the tension is removed from the belt. You may need a helper to push the clutch pedal while you watch what the belt does. You can do this without the engine running. I am also assuming you have the right sized belt - it should be 82".

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

Brrly and I will be playing 2 handed Canasta!

Yeah, Got mine a few days ago and read it from cover to cover....wife also read it. If I was younger, I would enter the WH contest! On another forum people were upset with the "new" L&GT magazine and talking about not renewing their subscription, but I like it and have renewed for another 2 years. I love the short 2-3 page stories on GT's and other related items. Great Job Kate & Brandon and their crew of writers.

I dont have an on-line link but if your willing to plunk down $57 (well worth it in my opinion) you should pick up a copy of "Straight from the Horses Mouth. The Wheel Horse Story, Final edition" By Michael Martino. You'll learn all about the history of this great line of tractors. Actually production numbers are only known for a few of the low production specialty models so you wont be able to find much of that info anywhere. Mike...........

Here you go, Firstly a shot of the 4wd selector linkage And a shot modifying the brake drum to take a drive sprocket.

Last project of 2012