Raider 2 #1 Posted June 5, 2008 I'm going to look at a GT-14 later this week and am not familiar with these tractors. There doesn't seem to be much info or interest in them? Besides the basics, what should I be looking out for? What are the weaknesses and strengths of the GT-14 and what options would make one more useful or valuable? The idea of a bigger tractor appeals to me (I have a Raider 9). Are the GT-14s easy enough to get parts for compared to my Raider? Would there be a better comparable tractor out there in the same price range as a GT-14? Thanks a bunch, I've been reading this board thoroughly and have learned a ton from you guys. :whistle: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wh500special 2,277 #2 Posted June 5, 2008 The GT14's are kind of an "oddball" tractor. They were designed as a heavier-duty, step-up machine from the slightly smaller Raiders/Chargers/Electros and were built to accept larger or unique attachments. They were the biggest in the lineup in the late 60's for WH. They aren't exactly rare, but they are far less common than other tractors of the same vintage. But that relative 'scarcity" is as much a factor of only being offered in one name and configuration for a several years whereas the other series saw a multitude of virtually identical models (e.g. 1267, 1076, Raider 9, Raider 10, Raider 12, charger 10, Charger 12, Electro 12, Bronco 14, etc...) While outwardly they look similar to your Raider, you will find that very little interchanges. They had larger rear wheels which provided more ground clearance which, in turn, allowed WH to make optionally available a 3pt hitch. The frame is diffenent than the smaller tractors and they are equipped with a heavy cast iron front end (grill) that serves as a counterweight for rear attachments. The hood is removable (not hinged) so if you trailer it home be sure to strap it down. All of them were 14 HP and hydrostatic drive with hydraulic lift. These series of Sundstrand hydros (hydrogear type and later a piston-piston type) can be easily damaged by dirt infiltration. The grit will wear away at the internals of the pump/motor and will eventuall render them inoperative. Just make sure you are able to test the unit out by running it long enough to heat the transmission and put the tractor under some load. if it loses motive power you might be in store for big repair bills and/or frustration. If it works properly, it will last a long time with regular fluid changes. The tiller for the GT14 was a unique piece mounted to the 3pt hitch and powered by a short belt from the transmission input pulley. The mounting brackets for the snowthrowers are unique to the GT14. i think the 48" deck will interchange with other common-era tractors, but haven't personally tried it. The tractor was built to have multiple implements mounted at one time (put something on the 3pt and something in middle/front) and either "transport brackets" could be connected to the implement not in use to hold it up OR an optional independent hydraulic lift on the 3pt could be had (pretty rare to find). It was supposed to be a "3-acre an hour" mowing machine, but that seems wildly opitmistic to me unless you have a 48" wide strip of smooth grass a couple miles long... The GT14 is a desirable tractor from a collector standpoint, but because of their uniqueness they are a little less practical than the other tractors on a daily use basis. It carried on in the spirit of the "large frame" tractors started with the 953/1054 series and was the top line machine before the D-series phased it out in 1973. I have been looking for a GT for quite a long time now but have not found any that meet my price/condition/location criteria. If the one you are eyeing seems to be in decent working order and is reasonably priced (you'll have to decide that for yourself) jump on it. Any parts you need may be tougher to source than for a more common style tractor, but with patience you'll find what you need from this discussion board and its members. Go for it. Steve 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
T-Mo-(Moderator) 4,610 #3 Posted June 5, 2008 Steve, Very good info. I wouldn't mind finding a GT, but there's not too many of them around here. Or at least, one I would be interested in buying. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
refracman 167 #4 Posted June 5, 2008 Raider The GT14 is a true work horse. course i would be alittle partial, i have a few of the them. check this thread out and it'll answer some of your ?s http://www.wheelhorseforum.com/index.php?...pic=455&hl=gt14 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HorseFixer 2,013 #5 Posted June 5, 2008 Yes very excellent write up! They are indeed a fine tractor. I dont personally have one but I have both of It's older brothers the 953 and 1054. I have a couple of friends that have them and they mow like the dikens! They do great in snowplowing with the full cast iron fron end and they hold plenty of fuel for those large jobs without refueling. Duke Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Raider 2 #6 Posted June 6, 2008 Thankyou all for the input and taking the time to give me such a great explanation. I am going to try and see this tractor tomorrow. At this point all I know about it is from a short phone conversation. It has been owned by one person since new until last fall when the current owner bought it. The current owner replaced the ignition with points type. The battery does not charge. There is slippage in the drive but the owner claims the belt is shot. The tractor has a mower and hydraulic lift but I don't think it is a 3-point. I am not bringing my trailer because it's close enough to home that I can come back for it if I have to have the tractor. The tractor is cheap enough I think but I'd rather not buy one that needs a ton of work just to hold it's own. I will try and take a few pics. Thanks again for the help. Any additional info is equally appreciated. I'll post when I get back from looking at the GT-14! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rustbucket 4 #7 Posted June 6, 2008 i acctualy have a working GT-14 and well got it for free cause the guy had just left it sitting for several years with a stuck exhaust valve. me and my dad got her running and going strong and are acctualy going this saturday to pick up the parts tractor for her we also found for 100 bucks. all i can say is yes it is a work horse of a beast and it has torque in that rear end. the gas tank is sort of your front grill as well and is surrounded by the cast iorn nose. the gas tank holds 6 gallons of fuel when toped off fully and it can go for a good long time before refueling. i will be bringing mine to the show and putting around on her instead of walking the grounds. Attached Image Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sparky-(Admin) 23,169 #8 Posted June 6, 2008 Check out that "slipping drive thing" real good. The GT-14 is a hydro and if its shot it could be a real pain the the butt to fix. Mike.......... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Raider 2 #9 Posted June 6, 2008 Yes I'm leary of that hydro. I bought the Raider I have now because I prefer the manual trans. What would rebuilding the hydro drive entail in terms of cash and time? I'm not afraid to tackle anything if it's worth the effort. If it's a huge expense and time consuming project than I'd pass. Is there any way to adapt this tractor to a different driveline? That is, does anything bolt up from other models or is the GT-14 just too unique to work with other Horses? Conversely would anything off this tractor work with other models? Would it be a crime to part it out if the hydro is shot? Would the 14 Kohler fit my Raider?? That would get me out of the Tecumseh Will have more info about this particular tractor hopefully tonight. Thanks :whistle: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Raider 2 #10 Posted June 7, 2008 Well I looked at the GT-14 today. It was not in good shape overall. The tractor itself was nice and straight, most of the sheet metal was off of it including the gas tank but it was all there. The paint was all but gone and everything had a coating of rust. The tires were really cracked and had tubes in them. The drive belt was quite loose and the idler pully linkage didn't seem to want to hold the belt tight unless the lever was held down. Was that lever for cranking the motor without cranking the hydro pump while starting? The engine ran nice and didn't smoke at all. Starting it was a trick since the ignition switch didn't work or wasn't connected right. Had to jump a wire from the battery to the coil while cranking until the motor fired up because the switch cut power in the start position. The engine was running off a small plastic gas tank. The fuel pump was bad apparently. The wiring was a mess. The charging circuit didn't work, not sure why but the rectifier or regulator box behind the engine was all coroded and crusty. The electric clutch did work and the mower spun up quickly. I did not drive the tractor around because I didn't have the time to put it through a trial and had my boy with me. I think the control linkage was out of adjustment because the tractor crept forward while running. The dash panel had been replaced with one made of brass I believe which was hand stamped with letters spelling out what each of the switches' and levers' functions were. This tractor did not have a 3-point hitch or any accessories besides the mower. All in all it looked like it would be quite a project to bring this one back to even be a dependable worker but there were plenty of good parts on it including probably the engine if I could check that out more closely. I could get this one for about $200.. maybe less. I'm thinking it would cost me a bundle more to do the work needed to run this one. Would it be worth the money to use for a parts tractor or is anyone reading this looking for anything particular from this tractor or the whole unit? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brrly1 1,146 #11 Posted June 7, 2008 Raider You can also check the trans for being in the tow mode,when it should be in the drive postition. Just another thing you could check. Do you know what year tractor you are looking at.The 69's more less have an open face grill with the fuel tank sticking out thru the grill, 70's thru 73 have the big heavy cast nose with the fuel tank enclosed. Maybe you can get the model # off of the tractor and post it here and someone can tell you what year tractor you are looking at. Myself I think the GT's are about the best out there but not everyone agrees( to each their own). I wish you luck in whatever you might do. Burly Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
glenn27 71 #12 Posted June 7, 2008 Sounds like there's a lot of work to be done to it---I have one that I'm still putting back together--and Yes--like stated, they seem to be a rare breed of their own. Offer him 1/2 of that (cash)--now you have a good parts donor while you find another one--if you have room/time for it... Good luck w/ your hunt! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
refracman 167 #13 Posted June 7, 2008 Dont get discouraged bout the shape, first is the wiring sounds like they never fully converted it to points ignition ( diferent switch) amd on the dive belt engagment lever , was the spring entacte ( goes from the trans break lever to the engagment bar) ? THe tires being cracked does not bother me if their the rears. The rears on my gt14 loader tractor looks like a road map for NY city and have been like that for awhile and the tires filled and have 60lb wheel weights with 250 hanging off the back . Now the gas tank is another matter check it closely there should be a nipple on the bottom formed into the tank and also check for cracks in the side and top, as the tank will be the hardest to fix/ replace. I feel the tank is the weakest part of this tractor Good luck with it Share this post Link to post Share on other sites