GT 14...MIGHT BE FOR ME......MAYBE ????????

[JERSEYHAWG / Glenn 4,499]

fellas, thanks for the replies to date. i want to throw this in the mix. most of you saw in my wayback original thread asking on the 416-8. my needs were outlined there, since i have seen junk to jewels. jewel a really sweet  312-8, with plow, done need the plow. imho i think way underpowered for my hilly yard and to add a snowblower.

 

Then i came about a few more, a GT-14 caught my fancy, its a third owner unit, pretty nice, had a snowblower at one time, that got sold.

my thoughts were the deck was big enough for the lawn, i am concernedvre the 14hp going up my hills, the tractor is heavy, concern number 2 is getting and finding a snowblower for that model. i have read here attachments for the GT are particular to themselves.

 

anyway i am thinking on that one, i like it but still wondering on another model with more horse power. i think i think to much. but when i spend my very hard earned money i tend to do that.

 

comments from all on this are more than wellcome,,btw,,,tractor and deck price $1100. sorry, no pics, but clean and not beat. hydro to.

 

thanks a million guys, your helping me a plenty.

 

Glenn

[JERSEYHAWG / Glenn 4,499]

JackC, on 22 Nov 2013 - 11:02 PM, said:

It might help to know how you intend to use a Wheel Horse tractor in order to recommend models to you.  

 

Strictly my opinion and I own 2 D-160s, but compared to other wheel horse tractors the D Series are clumsy mowers.  They have loose steering and wide turning radius.  They also take up a lot of room due to their size.  They do make good plow tractors or yard tugs due to their weight.  I thought about owning a D250 and then decided against it due to it being so unique and it may be hard to find parts and attachments compared to other Wheel Horse models.  The C, 300/400/500 series have so many common parts and attachments that they are much easier to own and maintain.  And, they are all very capable tractors.

Now why didn't I think of that, great comment. First off I intend on using it to tend my property. Mowing the lawn is the first priority, I live on 2 acres, and the property is anything but flat. There is a valley in the front with a 31 foot differance in elevation, the angle of grade is steep in some areas to. You have to know how to attack this lawn, after 9 years I have that down. Lol

The second part of use for my wheel horse is of course snow removal in the driveway. The driveway is about 500 ft, I don't want the plow attachment for pushing the snow, its hard to stack the snow on my lot. If you saw it you would understand. That's why I like the blower attachment.

I had a craftsman garden tractor, the motor last week just blew. Who cares with that POS. I have a walk behind snow blower and a jeep wranler with a snowy plow on it. By getting a REAL TRACTOR, to do these jobs for me, I can get ride of all that stuff and have what I allways wanted, a real machine, a wheel horse.

Well, there's why I want one. How about some recommendations. Great question!

Ty, Glenn

Ok. Now you gents have the gist on the GT 14 uses.

Glenn

[Mike333 5]

What year GT 14 are you thinking about

[JERSEYHAWG / Glenn 4,499]

What year GT 14 are you thinking about

Mike, after checking the serial number it turns out to be a 1970.  Are some years better, or worse? whats on your mind?

 

I know whats on my mind,,,,,WHEEL HORSE TRACTORS.  Any guidence sure appreciated. ty

 

Glenn

[oldredrider 2,553]

I have a 1970 GT-14 and it is a beast. The weight of the tractor combined with the torque makes it almost unstoppable. While I have always been a fan of the "C" series, this is turning into one of my favorite tractors.

While the implements can be hard to find, they are worth the hunt!

You can mount a front Tach-a-matic with a little fab work and probably adapt an easy to find C series,300/400 snowblower to this. I'm guessing on this because I've never done it and where I live, it's not very often (rare) I need a blower. (I actually have one I restored years ago that has just been collecting dust...I've never had the opportunity to use it!)

The 48" deck I have is awesome the way it cuts and the tractor, with it's weight, handles hills easily.

From my experience, you won't be disappointed with a GT-14.

To make things even "more better", try to find one with the 3 point hitch!

[JackC 617]

The GT-14 is a beast.  I drove one and said to myself, this is a real tractor.  I considered owning one but decided against it because the attachments are harder to find and I already have more tractors than I have room to store.  For snow blowing and mowing with a Wheel Horse, the 520H or 520HC would by my top picks.  If you want to stay away from an ONAN engine and stick with Kohler I would then look for a 417A or C-195 with the Kohler cast iron twin.  Next after that would be the 416-8 or automatic, single cylinder Kohler or twin ONAN.  I prefer the power and smoother running of the twin cylinder engines and I prefer the hydros or automatics over the 8-speeds.  I have both.  The newer twins also have the full pressure lubrication for safer operation on inclines.  If you run a single you will want to add an extra pint or two of oil in the crankcase.

 

If you go to Craigslist for North Jersey and search for "wheel horse" (you need the quotes) you will see a few candidates.  There is a very nice single cylinder Kohler powered 416-8 that looks about as clean as you will find for a non restored tractor.  It looks like it was well cared for and could be cleaned up and detailed to look like new (at least from the pictures and often they look better in the pictures than in person).  There is also a C-195 and an older 88 or 89 520H that does not have the swept front axle.  If you are like the rest of us you will wind up with a few anyway and enjoy using different ones for different tasks and you may not need to swap attachments like you would if you only have one.  Also, if one goes down (as they do occasionally) just hop on another.

[KC9KAS 4,744]

I have a 1969 GT-14. I have my snow plow on this tractor with chains & weights.

We are expecting snow today, so I will soon know how it works in the snow.

I think the price is high that you quoted, but I may be missing something that justifies $1100.

[Mike333 5]

Glenn, I have a 1984 GT 1100, which should be basicly the same tractor with a smaller engine, but she is great worker and I could never part with it. The GT 14 should be a good tractor for what you described above. But I am not sure what engine is on the older models,I have the Briggs 11hp on mine,I would guess it's prolly a Kohler, but I am still new too the hobby. Best of luck to you in you search, and Happy Holidays.

[js5020 111]

There is a GT14 near me for sale, it needs the engine rebuilt and a gas tank,, they are asking 250,, seems a bit high considering its not running, no attachments, and no 3pt or pto?   Looks like a beast of a machine though, are these "tougher" than a C series?  Would C series attachments (snow plow, snow blower, mower deck) fit with little or no mods?

[oldredrider 2,553]

Mike333---the GT 1100 is nothing like the GT-14. Way too many differences to list.

There is about a 500lb weight difference between the two!

[Mike333 5]

Mike333---the GT 1100 is nothing like the GT-14. Way too many differences to list.

There is about a 500lb weight difference between the two!

Thanks Paul for clearing that up for me !! A 500 pound difference!!! Wow, I know what I am going to research tonight, Happy Holidays to you sir!!

Edited December 7, 2013 by Mike333

[Ole MN 11]

Glenn, I got 3 GT14's and i use the hell out of 2. Mostly use FEL and tiller, each year i say i'm going to get my plow on but yet to use it. Haven't had the snow

for couple of years so i just use the loader. They are a good strong tractor. Get a good trans and you will not regret it/

[HorseObsession 0]

Glenn,

 

I finally created an account on RS just to throw in my $.02.

 

I love these machines.  I've currently got 3 of them, each intended for a different purpose (no loader yet, so I'm jealous of Ole MN).

 

Reading your use case, I agree with what everybody above has said - I think this would be an excellent choice for you.  The sheer weight of this thing + it's low center of gravity make it superb on hills.  Regarding horsepower, I don't regularly scale my hills, but I think my best test has been crawling up a set of short ramps into my 2500 pickup truck with a tiller on the back.  The hydro is completely smooth and plenty strong to make that climb.That same hydro is your best friend when descending hills, because it'll lock in any speed that you choose.  At WOT, it's got an awesome groundspeed and outpaces every other (non-commercial) machine I've used.

 

The Heavy frame also makes it a perfect tug (it hitches up and drags my 16" cargo trailer with no problem).  I've also got 2 old farm tractor weights mounted to my wheels, and it doesn't even notice they're there.

 

My biggest complaint is also something that I occasionally appreciate:  the hydro control lever is in the middle of the operator's position (between your legs).  If you regularly fluctuate speed, it's sort of a pain to constantly maneuver the stick in that position.  However, the blessing comes if you want to walk along-side the tractor while moving a trailer or implement.  You can easily adjust it's motion from either side and steer it while it walks.

 

A 3pt is ideal, but can also be made.  There's a guy named Harry, in Detroit, who fabs parts for people quite a bit.

 

The only caution I'd extend follows what someone above mentioned regarding pressurized lubrication in the twins.  Since this is a single cyle and does the spit-bath internal lube, you'll want to be careful never to PARK it while running on a hill.  Long story short, if you think your machine will ever be at a prolonged, non-moving angle on a steep grade, I'd immediately disqualify anything that doesn't have pressurized oil (a filter is usually a good hint that it's a pressurized system).

 

-Shaun

[JERSEYHAWG / Glenn 4,499]

nice guys, a lot of by the seat of your pants information. In other words, you use your machines. on another thread I started, a few might have noticed I picked up a 416-8.

This in no way dis qualifies my want for the GT 14. I want one, I also like that 857 brute, and the D 160. My work accumulating has just begun. i hope my mrs. co operates with lol.

Thanks for allllll the info, and do keep it comeing. To me there is nothing more use full than hearing people tell the talse of using thier equiptment. Its real life.

 

Glenn