Leaderboard

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...

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

Thanks Craig, Just wired a flasher into the taillights Chasm

Good work! Thats a nice 314

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?

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.

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

Power steering pumps I have... Thanks for the great idea!!!

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.

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

That's a great thing to do for your grandson get him away from in front of the TV or computer game & as far as tractors I think something with 8 hp would work good for you like a model 855 , 856 or 857 & there are many more of that size not to big not to small . good luck with your search hope to here how it goes

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! ;)

Nah, it's a doughnut hole.

Wow! You are getting dumped on. We are gonna be on the southern edge and not get much. Very nice Machine!!!

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

Challenge accepted. Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk

Plowed like a charm, gear ratio just right.... digs in a moves the snow with a passion...... great success .... Merci

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.

The B-2431 is the postal area in Belgium

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

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

Dangit..... OK. I'll take a picture of my frankentractor tomorrow if I get snow to plow. They say I will....

this is what I'm using!

hello again men, thank you doc724, steveasaurus,wallfish, can whlvr and buckrancher for responding. i will check out all your suggestions. i can add that yes, with the rear end jacked up and spinning one tire by hand the other wheel turns in the opposite direction. also with the engine running and the rear end elavated (remember the shifter is stuck in first gear) when i let the clutch out the engine abruptly dies. i spent most of the day working on my 56 willys plow truck. i have to work tomorrow too. i plan on monday to get it in the garage and check out all your suggestions. thanks again. stay tuned. mike in mass.

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:

If I take some photos of the peg and guide arrangement, do you think you'd be able to point me in the right direction as far as how the peg and tab should be adjusted? Also, the belt is 82 inches... Thanks again.

Ha, I've only got the main logo, for the minute... Yes the vhgmc has lost what it had, paying to use a forum will kill it. Unless like redsquare the benefits are so good that we willingly contribute :)

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/

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.

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