papaglide 542 #1 Posted June 8, 2014 (edited) It's a 1998 314-8 with 957 hrs. One owner, bought on 10/14/98 for $4171.93. She is beautiful! It came with all the receipts and original paperwork, including the paperwork for the 42" RD bought on 7/28/12 for $1402.92! I really lucked out with this one. It showed up at my local dealer about 20 minutes before I got there. I am really surprised at how quiet the Command is. Are the Commands as good (or almost) as the old cast kohlers? Any things that I should be on the lookout regarding the engine? The tractor runs very well, no smoke from the motor, and looks real nice. Oil change, tranny change, and tune up is on tap for tomorrow. Something that I need to address is the steering is skipping teeth when I crank her hard to the left. Other than tightening the nut with the cotter pin thru it, is there another way to remedy this? Almost forgot to ask: is there an easy way to access the eye bolt on the middle rock shaft? When I lift the deck there is about a half inch between the rubbers on the deck and the frame. Also the front wheel on the deck barely lift of the ground. I am thinking that the eye bolt needs to be adjusted. Edited June 8, 2014 by papaglide 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jmdavidh09 33 #2 Posted June 8, 2014 You can also add additional spacer washers behind the big nut to remedy the steering issue.... Nice tractor...hope the 416 is treating you well! As far as the command....make sure you blow out the cooling fins and intake housing..these seem to gunk up as much as my onans have. My 314-8 gets cleaned out atleast once a year. I have and have had a couple commands with no compliants. Just be sure to change oil/filter and clean the intake housing. Really nice tractor....score for you! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JERSEYHAWG / Glenn 4,498 #3 Posted June 8, 2014 Mike. What a nice ride. YOU are on a tear right now. Thanks for posting. Glenn 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
papaglide 542 #4 Posted June 8, 2014 (edited) Thanks Jeremy. The 416 is doing real well! Thanks Glen. It is a tear but they sure are crowding my barn up.......need to make room. Edited June 8, 2014 by papaglide 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cheesegrader 433 #5 Posted June 8, 2014 (edited) Thst's a nice find! Easiest access to the rockshaft and lift linkage is by removing the black panels between your legs. I would get rid of the machine screws holding the panels on, and replace them with stainless button head bolts. They dont rust, look great, and won't strip. P.S. I sure miss Dave Bolland. Gotta love a guy whose nickname is "The Rat"! Edited June 8, 2014 by cheesegrader 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jmdavidh09 33 #6 Posted June 8, 2014 You may also have to re-level the deck once you adjust the eye bolt 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
papaglide 542 #7 Posted June 8, 2014 Cheesegrader, Bolland is quite a stand up guy. Too bad he was down for a most the season. Thanks for reminding me about the deck too! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jdleach 525 #8 Posted June 8, 2014 Very nice tractor there papa, and it sure can't be hurt too much with less than 1000 hours. Remember, it is a WHEEL HORSE, of course. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tankman 3,523 #9 Posted June 8, 2014 Nice Horsey! Did you need it? Or, your Wheel Horse Addiction acting up? Remove panel from tower front, when replacing I use 1/4-20 SS Phillips head screws and Never-Seeze. Your new Stallion looks great! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 43,785 #10 Posted June 8, 2014 You may need to replace that eye bolt. I picked up a 310-8 a couple of weeks ago and the deck didn't lift worth a hill of beans. Eye bolt was all mangled. Took off the tunnel trim to get to it. Now I remember why I like the 70's era tractors better! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 11,925 #11 Posted June 8, 2014 Nice tractor. It sure looks well cared for. You might want to check the transport stops too. I had to play with those as well as the eyebolt adjustment to get mine to lift properly. On one of my 48" decks up north I replaced the transport spacers with a larger diameter to get it the way I wanted it. Maybe not the proper technique but it worked great for me. As far as the Command goes, I'm happy with my 15. I think the K's and Magnums will probably last longer but the Command is smooth and quiet. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
doc724 925 #12 Posted June 8, 2014 About the only beef I have with my 1998 314-8 is all the safety switches! I has to be in neutral to start. You cannot put it into gear with the parking brake on or the engine will shut down. Other than a small oil leak that I have yet to find root cause, I think the Command engine is fine. BTW, as someone else somewhere has said, these Command engines seem to collect a lot of dirt inside the engine shroud. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 11,925 #13 Posted June 8, 2014 Very true Don. Plus that reverse to mow switch on the side of the seat but I'm not sure if that's on a 98. I set mine up the way I want it as far as safety switches but do not recommend to others to do that. They are there for a reason. I haven't noticed the grass accumulation on my Command but I've only had the shroud off a couple times. The whole tractor is getting a complete clean up and waxing this coming week and that's something I'll check. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
papaglide 542 #14 Posted June 8, 2014 I didn't need this tractor at all, but the sickness reared it's ugly(?) head and BAM!!!! What do you know? Wheel Horse number 7. I just couldn't let the tractor go because it was so nice. I see this tractor replacing the C-165 and B-80 in the stable. The neutral safety is kind of strange as well as the gas shock on the clutch. I forgot about these 90's tractors having that. Time for a spring. The eyebolt is in great shape, just needs to be adjusted. I like having all of the original paperwork. It's kind of like history to me and makes the tractor "complete" to me. Here is a pic of the original receipt. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Martin 2,133 #15 Posted June 8, 2014 Mike, nice find on a real good looking horse. the paperwork is a bonus as well, like you say, 'completes the tractor'....... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wheel-N-It 2,976 #16 Posted June 8, 2014 Thats a nice tractor, and definetly a keeper! Congragulations 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 37,196 #17 Posted June 8, 2014 I didn't need this tractor at all, but the sickness reared it's ugly(?) head and BAM!!!! What do you know? Wheel Horse number 7. I just couldn't let the tractor go because it was so nice. Only seven 's... you're just getting started then. Really nice score there...you done good Pappy. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeff lary 173 #18 Posted June 8, 2014 Boy that is a really nice tractor,.. really nice good luck with it , Jeff 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 11,925 #19 Posted June 8, 2014 If I'm correct on your 98 all you have is a strut on the clutch. Basically a dampened spring that did all the work. My 2005 had a damper mounted on the right side. It had no push/pull power. The 'normal' spring was on the right side (yes, built that way) and was slowed down by the damper. That damper in now in the parts drawer. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 41,931 #20 Posted June 8, 2014 Niccceee.... guess we should all visit our local dealers more often. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
papaglide 542 #21 Posted June 8, 2014 Racinbob, there is just the strut on the left side. I will put a clutch spring there also. That's what I did with the 416-8. There is the hole for it on the left axle. This is the same set up as the 416. As far as the local dealer goes, he isn't cheap on the good stuff BUT it's more about the relationship. I will gladly pay a couple hundred more for a tractor from them than buying it cheaper from John Public. They give me GREAT service, order any part that I need and throw in some FREE parts now and then as well. Their information regarding fixing things is free also. I get part diagram print outs from them along with the very popular, "pay us when you get the money". They are truly an awesome dealer. This tractor is a keeper for sure! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 11,925 #22 Posted June 8, 2014 Got it Mike. The parts list shows it on the right side connected to the idler arm. That's where my damper was. But you're looking at your tractor so you know where it is. I also wrote that my 'normal' spring was on the right but I meant left like most all are. I agree with you on your dealer relationship. When you find a good one it's always good to take care of them. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
can whlvr 994 #23 Posted June 9, 2014 nice tractor,in regaurds to the steering skipping it could also be the lock collar on the steering shaft under the dash panel,behind the battery,thats if toro didn't change the design since 1990,thats the newest horse ive wrenched on,but if the steering wheel lifts up out of the column a bit it will allow the gears to slip 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
papaglide 542 #24 Posted June 9, 2014 (edited) The steering issue is fixed. PO had NO washers in place. I put 2 in behind the big nut and now she turns awesome. Racinbob, you are absolutely correct about the location of the strut, right side. The spring goes on the left. Eyebolt has been adjusted and screws replaced with some nice ss ones. Deck goes back on tomorrow and I will see how the deck lifts then. I noticed a different shape to the engine mount. The base is mounted to the frame and then curves up to perpendicular to the frame. The engine is then mounted to this. Is this designed to control vibration? Edited June 9, 2014 by papaglide Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
