d15nonvtec 2 #1 Posted July 24, 2015 I am purchasing my first Wheel Horse 417-8 tonight to mow my lawn of my house I just purchased and the owner says that the motor was swapped to a 14hp Kohler (unknown why smaller motor) and the tractor only has one speed and the choke does not work because of the motor swap.I have no idea on the model Kohler motor that is in it, but what do I need to look for tonight when I see it? I know my info is vague, but I am hoping I can get some pointers. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oldredrider 2,553 #2 Posted July 24, 2015 1: The belt guard is missing...gotta have it2: Drive belt is running off PTO...wrong!Imo: P. O. Has done things VERY wrong. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
d15nonvtec 2 #3 Posted July 24, 2015 I suppose that is why it has one gear......what would I need to do to fix the drive belt? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bmsgaffer 2,053 #4 Posted July 24, 2015 Can you get a closer picture of the drive belt at the PTO? I think what @oldredrider is seeing (the drive belt is running off the PTO) may be an optical illusion.You DO need a drive belt cover though. The belt cover actually is a belt guide that makes the clutch work correctly. Since it was run without the cover you may pull the shifter from the top of the transmission and make sure the transmission sits in neutral and the shifter is installed properly.Go to the "Files" section up top and search for a 414-8 (essentially what you have now) of the correct year (or "400 series") to get all the manuals and parts lists you will need and look them over. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
d15nonvtec 2 #5 Posted July 24, 2015 thanks for the info. looks like around 60-70 bucks for a belt cover online.I can get more pictures tonight when I go to look at it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
d15nonvtec 2 #6 Posted July 24, 2015 I am hearing now that the choke and throttle cables on the current tractor are too short when the motor was swapped to the 14hp motor. So it looks like I would need P/N 99-3745If I am reading things correct, as there was a revision on these and the 414-8 was included with that change, which is sort of what I am looking at. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bmsgaffer 2,053 #7 Posted July 24, 2015 Post a wanted add in our classifieds here for a 400 series, single cylinder, 8 speed belt guard. (I do believe that single cylinder AND 8 speed are important because they were slightly different on the twins and hydros). I'll bet you can get one at a fair price.Also might as well do the choke and throttle cables there too, there should be some good used ones from parted out tractors.Good luck! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shallowwatersailor 3,214 #8 Posted July 24, 2015 Walk away! There are better tractors out there. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bmsgaffer 2,053 #9 Posted July 24, 2015 I was under the assumption that you already purchased this... But knowing that you havent, I would go for $50 or go look for a better condition (or at least mostly original) horse.The wiring from that swap will probably be a nightmare. From what I hear, there's usually a pretty good selection in and around PA. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MalMac 1,332 #10 Posted July 24, 2015 Better leave that one alone. It's got money pit all over it. Even if it was free looks like it would take you to the bank. No sir my advise is to just turn and walk away. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JERSEYHAWG / Glenn 4,498 #11 Posted July 24, 2015 Walk away! There are better tractors out there. I am going to 2nd this, by the time you dump money Into it and then discover whatever else might be wrong. Keep looking.Glenn Curiosity has me, what is the price? TyGlenn 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 11,925 #12 Posted July 24, 2015 I think the drive belt is OK and it's as Brandon said. The mower belt is in the wrong groove but that's insignificant and I would have to agree with the others here, pass it up. But, if you've already committed to it don't fret. It can be saved but you will be putting some more $$ into it. A lot depends on your mechanical abilities. Fear not though, you'll get a lot of help here. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
varosd 1,185 #13 Posted July 24, 2015 though it does look like it has the electric lift... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
d15nonvtec 2 #14 Posted July 24, 2015 Well I went to see it. It needs a decent amount to be "nice". He was looking for $300 for it. I told him the cables and guard would be needed but it ran through all the gears. 996 hours on the chassis, motor is unknown but i took a couple more pics. I didnt tell him no yet but i doubt he will take less money. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JERSEYHAWG / Glenn 4,498 #15 Posted July 24, 2015 did you try the mower? Whats the pipe around the steering wheel shaft? Mower deck, no belt guards, motor unknown, not good, Imho. Sound good, shift good, hi range low range good? Oil, engine and trans clean, no funny smells? Just asking, hate to see you get stuck. It would be a bad first wheel horse experience. Havent you seen anything else? glenn 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 59,940 #16 Posted July 24, 2015 Based on the pictures and the description you gave it may not be a total POS. If you are mechanically inclined and don't mind correcting the previous owner's shortcomings I would suggest offering him $150, that will give you some extra cash to work with. If this was in average condition with a good deck it would probably be worth $500 to $600. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
d15nonvtec 2 #17 Posted July 25, 2015 To be honest I ran everything but didnt get too detailed into it as i got the feeling he wasn't budging on the price. I am looking at two John Deere's tomorrow in way nicer shape for 100-150 more. I have looked at two more Horses on craigslist but they were double the money and still needed work. I may pass on this if something else works out. Anybody have any decent tractors for sale near Brodheadsville, PA?! Haha Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aldon 4,828 #18 Posted July 25, 2015 While we all want a good deal price wise, the age old adage that you get what you pay for is a common denominator in most cases.300 for a great running tractor is a rare find.There is a nice GT 14 listed in sales section about 2.5 hours from you. Price may be prohibitive depending on budget. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ken B 3,189 #19 Posted July 25, 2015 It runs and cuts and he's looking to get close to 300? It is probably not the tractor for you but for some guys that is a great deal, the electric lift alone is worth almost that. If it had a belt guard and the seat wasn't trashed I think some of the opinions here would be different. The pipe around the steering shaft is what looks to be the factory plastic steering shaft tube that is faded... If it runs good with no smoke and everything else worked as in gears and the deck ran smooth I'd check that charging system to see if it is working... The tractor itself looks like it would clean up real nice... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
boovuc 1,090 #20 Posted July 25, 2015 I'm a guy who would want it!But I can't find the add anywhere on Pennsylvania's Craiglists! I checked Lehigh Valley, Scranton, Poconos, all of them. Nothing! I wonder if it is a classified add in a newspaper! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kelsey 91 #21 Posted July 26, 2015 My vote is to give the owner 250 bucks because the belt shield is missing. After all,safety first would be my explanation for the reason of that offer price. Definitely, informhim that you have to purchase that belt guard before you use it. If he says no, thenpolitely walk away from him. Just my thoughts. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kegler 68 #22 Posted July 26, 2015 Gave $200 for one with original motor. Rough, but in better shape than that one. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
d15nonvtec 2 #23 Posted July 26, 2015 Here is the craigslist link http://allentown.craigslist.org/grd/5133187602.html I ended up buying a John Deere today so this is up for grabs. I will tell him one of yous will be contacting him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
boovuc 1,090 #24 Posted July 26, 2015 Thanks for the contact info! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
boovuc 1,090 #25 Posted July 28, 2015 Well what do you know. Somebody bought this with the complete working electric lift, a new front rim, decent complete and charging 14HP Kohler K, the original cradle mount for the KT17 and an inch and an eighth tranny plus lots of other real good parts for 250 bucks, 40 bucks of gasoline and 5.25 hours of round-trip time! Wonder who it was? Probably someone who really likes 8 speeds, has a bad back and doesn't like pulling the manual lift all the time. Mmmmmm. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
