Turbo 12 #1 Posted November 15, 2015 Picked up a 1989 416-8 from my local scrap yard earlier this week for $100. Mower deck is shot (I'm looking for optional replacements). I brought it home, hooked up the battery charger, gave it a shot of ether and it fired up. So far everything including the lights all seem functional. It appears this tractor wasn't used much over the past 25 years; however, it doesn't appear to have been well maintained either. Other than one completely shot rear tire, rusty mower deck, and filters, oil, etc I'm into it pretty cheap so far. 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brian01 481 #2 Posted November 15, 2015 You lucky dog!! Scrap yard charged ya $100 for it though? The guy I haul my scrap to would sale me one for scrap price. ($10-20) But good luck getting a WH in a junk yard round here. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DennisThornton 4,771 #3 Posted November 15, 2015 $10 or $100, you not only got a bargain but you save another Wheel Horse's life! Because of you 50 years from now it will still be around!Where you going to buy that kind of power and capability for that kind of money? And yet they flock to the big box stores everyday... 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 60,068 #4 Posted November 15, 2015 Good save, That 16 HP Onan is a strong worker. They do need some upkeep so here are a couple of manuals that may help.http://www.wheelhorseforum.com/files/file/633-tractor-1964-604-654-704-da-om-ipl-wiring-snpdf/http://www.wheelhorseforum.com/files/file/4367-tractor-1989-400-series-8-speed-om-wiringpdf/ 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Turbo 12 #5 Posted November 15, 2015 Actually I bought it primarily for the transmission. I thought I'd add it to the project list and someday swap the 8 speed into my 854 tractor. But once I got it home and seeing how easily it started, I'm very reluctant to part it out now. I've actually already invested in a new set of rear tires for it too (see my other post about E-Z-Go Backlash tires). So all said, so far, I'm into it for about $225. If I can find a better mower deck for a reasonable price, I'm totally happy. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JERSEYHAWG / Glenn 4,499 #6 Posted November 15, 2015 You have a right to be happy, totally. Best of luck.Glenn 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wishin4a416 2,191 #7 Posted November 15, 2015 Sounds like you did real good! Good Luck. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DennisThornton 4,771 #8 Posted November 15, 2015 Actually I bought it primarily for the transmission. I thought I'd add it to the project list and someday swap the 8 speed into my 854 tractor. But once I got it home and seeing how easily it started, I'm very reluctant to part it out now. I've actually already invested in a new set of rear tires for it too (see my other post about E-Z-Go Backlash tires). So all said, so far, I'm into it for about $225. If I can find a better mower deck for a reasonable price, I'm totally happy. You'll find another of you feel you must put an 8 in our 854.Be prepared to pay more for your better deck than you initially paid for your tractor! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 60,068 #9 Posted November 15, 2015 It sound like you are capable of a bit of backyard engineering; keep in mind that most any deck with a center drive pulley can be used by bolting your mounting brackets to it. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Turbo 12 #10 Posted November 15, 2015 It sound like you are capable of a bit of backyard engineering; keep in mind that most any deck with a center drive pulley can be used by bolting your mounting brackets to it. I was actually thinking of that as a question. This WH deck is rusted out and beat up pretty bad in several places. I can patch overlaid sheet steel over most of the bad spots and keep it in service, but ideally I'd like to have a better base to start with. So, 953 nut, are you saying consider even a non Wheel Horse deck? I do happen to have a late model JD deck from a JD 100 series mower ( I forget the precise tractor number at the moment). But it is a 2 blade 42" cut versus the 3 blade Wheel Horse deck. I believe I could somewhat readily attach the WH frame work to the alternate deck if necessary. Is there any particular alternative brand deck that you know of or have seen as a reasonably acceptable substitute? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wheel-N-It 2,976 #11 Posted November 15, 2015 Good ending for both you and the Wheel Horse 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tankman 3,523 #12 Posted November 15, 2015 (edited) Grandson loves the '85 Kohler powered 416-8 we salvaged some years ago. A "go-to" Stallion! Edited November 15, 2015 by Tankman 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 60,068 #13 Posted November 15, 2015 The only reason I mentioned a three blade deck is that I don't think the belts from the deck will clear the brackets and go around the mule drive if it is a two blade unit. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DougC 2,643 #14 Posted November 15, 2015 $100 won't buy much these days. You however got your moneys worth ++++++++++++++++. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites