FLtractor 49 #1 Posted June 29 Afternoon, seller near me listed this… asking $500.00. 1964 Wheel Horse 854 garden tractor with 8HP cast iron Kohler engine and electric start. Gas emptied before garaged in running condition so won't take much tinkering to get it up and running again. I completely rewired it, rebuilt carb, new tires, etc. years ago to get it in running condition. Has not been started in a few years. Has been garaged since then. It has really cool patina. Includes a small mower deck (32"?) that requires some assembly & repair to drive pulley. All parts are there including new drive bearing, new mounting hardware, and new matched belts. No rust. Could use new Blades. Any idea what it would take besides gas and oil, new battery to get running good again? What differences were there between a 64 854 and a 66 856? Anything major? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
adsm08 3,090 #2 Posted June 29 (edited) Some differences, a lot of similarities. Overall they are probably more similar than different, but I don't know enough about the 854s to be specific. The deck's will swap, and for you that is probably the biggest thing. As for what this specific one needs to run, that is hard to say. I've seen machines stored well that fire with just fresh gas and a battery after decades in storage. I've also seen machines stored less well that lock up after only a few years, and it isn't always about the quality of the storage prep, the environment plays a factor. For $500, I'd roll the dice on it. Edited June 29 by adsm08 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sparky-(Admin) 23,022 #3 Posted June 29 854 is a round hood, 856 is a short frame square hood. Otherwise same motor and same tranny. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kpinnc 14,420 #4 Posted Sunday at 09:46 PM (edited) Hard to tell from a single pic, but if it were close to me and I could swing ($$) it I would be all over it. I think the 753/ 854 machines are awesome. The last of the original round hoods, and they look really nice. Of course round hoods aren't very common down south anymore, and I'm 500 miles north of you! One rule on Kohler single cylinder engines: if they have compression, they will run! Edited Sunday at 09:47 PM by kpinnc Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 9,293 #5 Posted Sunday at 11:06 PM Not a bad start for a desirable model... here goes... The S/G belt guard is missing - not a showstopper. All 8 HP guards should fit, but some have 3 rolled out ribs. The 854 did not. Expect that 2 piece gas tank to leak. Reproduction gaskets - made of modern ethanol compliant material are availble. FYI - the hood is 854 specific - 1 inch longer to clear the longer air cleaner. The deck - look to see if the cast iron spindle housing is cracked near the middle. Commom issue. Blades are NLA - 36 " deck blades will not fit. DO look over the "New to Herd Checklist", lots of sound info in it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 51,576 #6 Posted Sunday at 11:31 PM 1 hour ago, kpinnc said: if they have compression, they will run! Got that right KP! 20 minutes ago, ri702bill said: Expect that 2 piece gas tank to leak. That a real possibility but not a deal breaker ... we have the fix. I wouldn't be afraid of it. Not much to go on pic but looks to be complete and unmolested. Strait sheet metal as near as one can tell. Bet it would clean up nice. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
moe1965 752 #7 Posted Monday at 12:14 AM The 854 bought sat for some time. I tried to start it and it had no compression. It turned out to be a easy easy fix. Stuck valve. I wouldn't be afraid to pick that one up just my opinion. My 854 is my favorite one I own. Keep us posted Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sqrlgtr 701 #8 Posted Monday at 01:04 PM 12 hours ago, moe1965 said: The 854 bought sat for some time. I tried to start it and it had no compression. It turned out to be a easy easy fix. Stuck valve. I wouldn't be afraid to pick that one up just my opinion. My 854 is my favorite one I own. Keep us posted My 701 also had a stuck valve and after a little Kroil soak and massage it fired right up and is one of my favorites also. Who am I kidding I like them all . @FLtractor I wouldn't hesitate on getting that 854 if I had the money to swing it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Terry M-(Moderator) 2,215 #10 Posted Monday at 04:30 PM My 854 is my favorite tractor …but if I remember correctly the hood on the 854 is a length that only fits this tractor..by a half inch or so. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sqrlgtr 701 #11 Posted Monday at 04:59 PM 2 hours ago, rjg854 said: @rjg854 Nice you should let me trade you out of them there wheel weights and I would probaly let you throw the mid mount blade in also. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 13,830 #12 Posted Monday at 07:57 PM (edited) Florida is not the especially hospitable to inactive machinery. The degree of protection the storage area provided will have a lot to do with the condition. Rubber parts are particularly vulnerable with heat and humidity. Parts can be had for that machine without too much difficulty except for that unique 1” longer hood (which is there!) The 854 is my fav and if I had room I’d own several. $500 is fair given the location and near-completeness (it might even have a slot hitch!) but expect to put some more money into it beyond a new battery. Certainly a carb kit and air filter cartridge and an oil change for both the engine and the transaxle. Possibly belts, depending on condition (one on the starter/generator, one for the drive, up to three for the deck), maybe a new spark plug. None of this will break the bank, but they are not cheap either! @ri702bill is correct that the 32” blades are NLA. The geared decks use counter-rotation with one CW blade and one CCW blade. The 36” deck is an option and new blades for it, while very scarce, can be found. The state of the engine is really the pivot point. Find out what you can about how much use it has had and let that inform your decision. Edited Monday at 08:02 PM by Handy Don Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjg854 12,094 #13 Posted Monday at 09:08 PM 4 hours ago, Terry M said: My 854 is my favorite tractor …but if I remember correctly the hood on the 854 is a length that only fits this tractor..by a half inch or so. Talking with @Achto Dan says if you use a shallow air filter housing a regular round hood will fit the 854 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 13,830 #14 Posted Monday at 10:20 PM (edited) 1 hour ago, rjg854 said: Talking with @Achto Dan says if you use a shallow air filter housing a regular round hood will fit the 854 Had the same conversation at the show and a couple of years ago. Yes, the shorter air filter housing and filter cartridge will bolt on. Yes, you can then put a 753, 704, or 754 hood on there. BUT, it is not an equivalent swap. I posted some data in this thread a while back. Your tractor, your decision. Edited Monday at 10:23 PM by Handy Don Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 9,293 #15 Posted Monday at 10:22 PM 1 hour ago, rjg854 said: Talking with @Achto Dan says if you use a shallow air filter housing a regular round hood will fit the 854 Yes, you can. I did for a while waiting for the correct air filter to arrive.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sqrlgtr 701 #16 Posted Monday at 11:18 PM 2 hours ago, rjg854 said: Talking with @Achto Dan says if you use a shallow air filter housing a regular round hood will fit the 854 another one of them little nuggets of knowledge you can pick up on here . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
