What are the Differences in 417A vs. 418A?

[Wheel-N-It 2,969]

Do any of the Gurus here truely know the difference in a 417A vs. the 418A tractor? From what I understand the 418A was manufactured only one year 1987. My 417A is a 1986 model. The only thing I can think of is the 418 has a Magnum engine (which advertised the additional power) instead of the old points and condenser ignition of the 417A series 2. Is the bore/stroke, and camshaft the same? And carb the same? What gave it 1 more rated horsepower?

Also finally, are there any tuning tricks for the KT-17 series2 engine that I may be unaware of?

[Foozerush 40]

Does some 418a come with an Onan? I'm not an expert but just as curious about the 1hp difference between models, like could you tell? I often wonder if there is much difference between my 416-8 and a 520-8, besides front swept to carry a 60" deck, but I'm sure there is difference on paper if both engines were run on a dyno, but could you tell sitting on both and doing the same work......

[leeave96 487]

Van,

 

I'm thinking the biggest difference is Kohler 17 hp engine and Onan 18 hp engine.  I don't recall Wheelhorse ever using a Magnum twin - but just don't know.  I'm thinking that when Wheelhorse departed from the kohler twins, they went with Onan until the end of production.  I don't really know specific differences between the tractors other than that.  I'm thinking both used the Eaton 1100 tranny.  I will say this - I was always a bit shy of the Kohler K17's, but really looking back, that was probably because of the reputation of the Series I engines.

 

Thanks!

Bill

[Wheel-N-It 2,969]

Van,

 

I'm thinking the biggest difference is Kohler 17 hp engine and Onan 18 hp engine.  I don't recall Wheelhorse ever using a Magnum twin - but just don't know.  I'm thinking that when Wheelhorse departed from the kohler twins, they went with Onan until the end of production.  I don't really know specific differences between the tractors other than that.  I'm thinking both used the Eaton 1100 tranny.  I will say this - I was always a bit shy of the Kohler K17's, but really looking back, that was probably because of the reputation of the Series I engines.

 

Thanks!

Bill

Bill, I may have to stand corrected on this but I do believe the 418 came with the Kohler M18qs. To take it a step further I believe the rare 420 was equipped with a M20qs. I did see one at the big show this year. I think the 416 was the only 400 series Wheel Horse to have an ONAN engine.

I can understand your shyness regarding the series1 engine but you would really like the series 2.

[leeave96 487]

Van,

I think you are right!!! My brain ain't in gear tonight - LOL

Probably ought to disregard my last post!

Thanks!

Bill

[Wheel-N-It 2,969]

Van,

I think you are right!!! My brain ain't in gear tonight - LOL

Probably ought to disregard my last post!

Thanks!

Bill

 Thats OK  Bill. My brain is in gear tonight but its in "Low Range"

[dcrage 628]

My 418-A has a Kohler twin Magnum. And it has the nice shiney air filter cover!

Edited September 16, 2013 by dcrage

[Wheel-N-It 2,969]

My 418-A has a Kohler twin Magnum. And it has the nice shiney air filter cover!

 

Now we're onto something!

[Scotsman 46]

I have a 418-A

It has a Kohler

I can tell you the engine number tomorrow if you where curious.

As far as the differences,I am not the authority.

But here are a few pictures if it helps.

I went from a 312-8 last year to the 418-A this year.

Now I just need some snow to see how good it is.

I bought it for 500$

I saw it on Craigslist and scrambled to get a trailer at U-Haul to go get it.

I got there 4 hours after the ad went up,and it is a good thing I moved quick,

because he got 6 calls while I was driving the hour to go pick it up.

I don't have a lawn,but I have a huge driveway,

so I sold the deck for 250$

And then drove from Boston to Vermont for the Snowblower for 150$

The guy was nice enough to give me 2 OEM Snowblower bearings.

Which I quickly realized was the reason it was so cheap.

So I installed them,and then found some cast iron Wheelhorse wheel weights for 50$

So I am into it for 450$

Not bad.

I have since put-on the flywheel screen,but these are the latest pictures I have.

Edited January 21, 2015 by Scotsman

[Tankman 3,518]

Scotsman, looks like you're all set for winter.

 

Gettin' a dozer blade?

 

Nice Horse!

[Wishin4a416 2,191]

The service manual shows both at same bore and stroke Van.

[Ken B 3,164]

Nice 418. Belvedere in the back ground?

[Scotsman 46]

Nice eye Ken B

67 Belvedere I

Slant six with a 1 barrel

Very good on gas for an old car

[decksetter 50]

Does the 417A have the Eaton 1100 or the 700?

[TT-(Moderator) 1,131]

Does the 417A have the Eaton 1100 or the 700?

1100

[rexman72 210]

there both great tractors.

[Scotsman 46]

I was finishing up servicing my 418-A 

When I checked the hydro fluid,

I am almost certain it is filled with Automatic tranny fluid

 

When I looked up what it takes,

(thanks Gwest for the excellent manuals)

it says 10w30 or 10w40

 

Is that correct?

I am going to change the filter and fluid,

but as the guy said to Dirty Harry,"I gots to know"

Edited January 21, 2015 by Scotsman

[squonk 41,169]

That chrome air filter has to be good for a least 1 Horse!     

[Ken B 3,164]

That chrome air filter has to be good for a least 1 Horse!     

In some cases, a few extra Horsies...

[smoreau 658]

I was finishing up servicing my 418-A 

When I checked the hydro fluid,

I am almost certain it is filled with Automatic tranny fluid

 

When I looked up what it takes,

(thanks Gwest for the excellent manuals)

it says 10w30 or 10w40

 

Is that correct?

I am going to change the filter and fluid,

but as the guy said to Dirty Harry,"I gots to know"

put in 10w30 of a good brand. You ma want to just drain out the atf and refill it with 3.5 qts and run it for about 10 min driving and yousing the lift. Then drain it and change the filter. I personally use Mobil 1 and I pull the return line and hook up a hose to it and let it run on jack stands tell it will not move and lift stops working. Then add 2 qts of Mobil 1 and do it again. that will flush the pump and then change the filter and fill it up. Some don't like to run it dry like that, but there is no load on it and have done it about 8 times on different eaton1100's with no issues at all. I run my tractors hard and never failed a pump yet. this also helped a buddy of mine that had a sliping issue when hot on atf.

[Scotsman 46]

It seems like oil is correct.

Thanks.

I always thought it was bad to run hydraulic pumps dry.

That's an interesting technique.

Thanks for the idea,I think I will just drain it,

And put oil in.

The manual says 5 quarts,

is yours the 700 that takes 3.5?

I will see what it takes as I go.

Thanks

[Wheel-N-It 2,969]

I want to apologize for not following this thread that "I" started. There was alot of family stuff going on, and I lost track of this. Sorry for dropping the ball here. I kind of feel like I let you guys down.

[Dhodge 528]

I have a 417-A and a 418-A both have Eaton 1100's not sure of the difference engine wise as they are both Kohler's.  I also have a 416-A and it's an Onan with the 700 Eaton.  My experience has been (right or wrong) any "A" (automatic) model that has hydraulic lift has an Eaton 1100 and the one's with manual lift are Eaton 700's.

[Wheel-N-It 2,969]

Next time I mow with my 417 it will roll past 900 hours. It uses a tiny bit of oil but nothing thats bothersome.

[Racinbob 11,109]

I'm glad you resurrected it. Interesting stuff here that I missed on the first go-round. But don't ever let it happen again

Some nice eye candy too!

Edited June 3, 2015 by Racinbob