Help me identify my new tractor

[bradleydavidgood 3]

Hi,

 

I bought a Wheel Horse tractor yesterday for $500.  

 

I looked all over the thing and can't find any plate or serial number.

 

Can you help me identify it by its features in the photos?

 

Or tell me where I can find the serial number or year information?

 

Thanks!

 

[bradleydavidgood 3]

[bradleydavidgood 3]

I have lots more pictures but at the limit.  Can a moderator approve a limit increase for me?

 

Thanks!

[Sparky-(Admin) 25,826]

Welcome! 
  That’s a 1987-1989 414-8. 
 The data on those year’s was on a decal on the rear fender which you don’t have.

 Very capable rig…I have the same machine here.

 

 

 

[AlexR 3,055]

Check this out comment #7 to narrow down your model year based on the engine numbers

Since you have a magnum engine on there it appears if the engine is original its a 87-89 model year

The model is the 414-8 which is the 400 series 14 hp and 8 speed manual 

[oldlineman 1,748]

I have the same  tractor mine is a 1989, you also have the air filter cover missing.

[sqrlgtr 3,153]

2 hours ago, bradleydavidgood said:

I have lots more pictures but at the limit.  Can a moderator approve a limit increase for me?

 

Thanks!

if you become site supporter you have unlimited pics and other special stuff. It has paid for its self 10 times over on what I have learned and shared with others over the years. Also WELCOME to RS.

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 12,320]

Welcome to Red Square

If you post the Kohler serial number it may help to identify the model year of the tractor.

[bradleydavidgood 3]

1 hour ago, Sparky said:

Welcome! 
  That’s a 1987-1989 414-8. 
 The data on those year’s was on a decal on the rear fender which you don’t have.

 Very capable rig…I have the same machine here.

Thank you!  It seems very well built and strong for such a small thing.

 

 

 

[bradleydavidgood 3]

1 hour ago, oldlineman said:

I have the same  tractor mine is a 1989, you also have the air filter cover missing.

Thank you, I'll get one.

[bradleydavidgood 3]

1 hour ago, sqrlgtr said:

if you become site supporter you have unlimited pics and other special stuff. It has paid for its self 10 times over on what I have learned and shared with others over the years. Also WELCOME to RS.

Bought lifetime supporter $200.  Thank you for the idea!  Didn't know.

[sqrlgtr 3,153]

Just now, bradleydavidgood said:

Bought lifetime supporter $200.  Thank you for the idea!  Didn't know.

Awesome you r hooked now I see future Wheel Horses in your future 

[bradleydavidgood 3]

1 hour ago, gwest_ca said:

Welcome to Red Square

If you post the Kohler serial number it may help to identify the model year of the tractor.

I looked all over that engine and all I saw was a silver plate that looked like it once had something you could read but can't read anything on that any longer.  But it seems like we have it identified:

 

1987-1989 414-8 400 series 14 hp and 8 speed manual 

 

Thanks!

[bradleydavidgood 3]

13 minutes ago, sqrlgtr said:

Awesome you r hooked now I see future Wheel Horses in your future 

You mean we need more than one?  Interesting.  What will I tell my wife?  

 

I already have a Farmall 140, a Massey Furguson Super 90, and tomorrow I am picking up a Ford 8N.

 

I can't imagine what else I need but I'm open to new ideas like that.

 

I'm really impressed by the quality that this thing seems to have which is rare.  

 

Are they as good as they seem to be?

 

I'm good with mechanics so seems to me I just bought the tractor I can keep for a very long time.

 

Good parts available, can rebuild the motor if necessary right?  

 

How's the transmissions last?

 

Are there any weak links that can't be fixed?

 

Thanks!

[AlexR 3,055]

38 minutes ago, bradleydavidgood said:

I'm really impressed by the quality that this thing seems to have which is rare.  

 

Are they as good as they seem to be?

 

I'm good with mechanics so seems to me I just bought the tractor I can keep for a very long time.

 

Good parts available, can rebuild the motor if necessary right?  

 

How's the transmissions last?

 

Are there any weak links that can't be fixed?

 

Thanks!

While some other garden tractor manufacturers made some things stronger then Wheelhorse. Cub Cadet rear ends for example. Which that was only because they used a existing rear end that they already made for small tractors. 

 

NOTHING beats the "keep it simple stupid" of the Wheelhorse's because of that, I enjoy working on them. Other garden tractors are not as enjoyable to work on. 

 

But to put it simply, yes they as good as they seem to be. There is a reason almost everyone on this forum has more then one. Many have 10+

 

The kohler engines still have good parts support so yes it can still easily be done. A good chunk of what costs money rebuilding the engines is the machine work. 

 

As far as transmissions go most of Wheelhorse's are pretty bulletproof, the one in your tractor is the best of the 8 speeds. 

 

Nope as far as I know, there are no weak links that can't be fixed.

[bradleydavidgood 3]

2 minutes ago, AlexR said:

While some other garden tractor manufacturers made some things stronger then Wheelhorse. Cub Cadet rear ends for example. Which that was only because they used a existing rear end that they already made for small tractors. 

 

NOTHING beats the "keep it simple stupid" of the Wheelhorse's because of that, I enjoy working on them. Other garden tractors are not as enjoyable to work on. 

 

But to put it simply, yes they as good as they seem to be. There is a reason almost everyone on this forum has more then one. Many have 10+

 

The kohler engines still have good parts support so yes it can still easily be done. A good chunk of what costs money rebuilding the engines is the machine work. 

 

As far as transmissions go most of Wheelhorse's are pretty bulletproof, the one in your tractor is the best of the 8 speeds. 

 

Nope as far as I know, there are no weak links that can't be fixed.

Awesome, then I'm going to make it nice! 

 

Thanks!

[sqrlgtr 3,153]

4 minutes ago, AlexR said:

Cub Cadet rear ends for example.

I believe in stock form the Wheel horse rears are just as tuff or tougher than The boo boo Cubs . Them pullers like the cub running gears because of the Big tractor style clutch and say they loose power from running belt drive which I can see there point but Ive seen a few belt drive Wheel Horses that were hard to beat on the pulling track. 

 

5 minutes ago, bradleydavidgood said:

NOTHING beats the "keep it simple stupid" of the Wheelhorse's

Absolutely 

 

1 hour ago, bradleydavidgood said:

I already have a Farmall 140, a Massey Furguson Super 90, and tomorrow I am picking up a Ford 8N.

I have had a few restored myself in years gone bye (Cockshutt 30, Cockshutt 50, Oliver 66, Afew JD's and several Older Fords) I tractor pulled with both the Cockshutts and the Oilver 66 and done very well. These WH's give me the same satisfaction and joy but are so much easier to store and fool with, quality's I appreciate the older I get.