LOOKING AT 418-8

[hendahl 0]

I AM LOOKING TO BUY WH 418-8 , I NEED TO KNOW ARE THE SPECS ON THIS , LIKE ENGINE , TRANSMISSION... NEVER OWNED ONE BEFORE !   I HAVE FEW OTHER TRACTORS , JON DEERE 316 , COUPLES SEARS SS12 , AND A ST16

[Achto 27,571]

 I have not owned a 418-8 but I'm someone will be along shortly.

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,042]

Welcome to the forum.

Garry

[pfrederi 17,739]

I have a 418 A (Hydro vs the 8 speed gear you are looking at.  The 8 speed is about a bullet proof as you can get  1-1/8" axles 8  pinions.  The engine is a Kohler Magnum 18.  That is also an excellent motor full pressure oil system and reliable magneto ignition.  if there is one thing WH didn't specify an oil filter, other users did and it should be possible to retro fit one. If there is a problem area it is the stupid idiot light panel.  prone to failure but you can easily bypass it.

[SylvanLakeWH 25,557]

[953 nut 55,228]

         I picked up a 418-C which is a hydro rather than 8 speed a few weeks ago and am very pleased with the power  it has. One weak point of the engine is that the fuel pump is on top of the engine and the fuel tank is under the seat, needs to be cranked over quite a bit. I am planning to put an electric fuel pump on it which will correct this problem.

[c-series don 8,707]

418-8 with electric lift, probably one of the best rototilling tractors you can get. 

[richmondred01 2,237]

I've had 2 of the 418-8's. The first one I sold and kicked myself for 3 years until I found another. I've owned just about every 300,400 and 500 series made. The 418-8 is my keeper. The m18 engine is great. It never got the traction it deserved after the failings of the the kt17.

The 418-8 was only made for one year. No one seems to know what the wheel horse productions numbers but, they are hard to come by. I've seen more 520-8's then 418-8's.

if you can find a spare electric lift motor you may want to get one. I'm not saying they are prone to break but I keep a spare or two. BTW it looks like the wheel is bent. I've got some spares if interested. 

Edited October 28, 2017 by richmondred01

[c-series don 8,707]

Well I’m happy to say that since this post is almost 7 years old, that I have picked up a 418-8 and a 418-C in that time. Both out of Massachusetts. I’m in the process of restoring one of my tillers to use on the 8-speed. I love both of them, those twin cylinder Kohler’s sound awesome, especially under a load. My 417-A sounds great with the two stage snow thrower working in deep snow. Not that I need it but a nice 418-A would complete my collection of the 418’s!! 

[PWL216 889]

13 hours ago, c-series don said:

Both out of Massachusetts

@c-series don how do you find tractors in such good shape! I bought a 418–8 yesterday but nowhere near in this condition. And I’m in Massachusetts so you probably picked these up very close to me. Congrats, great looking machines!

[c-series don 8,707]

@PWL216 I don’t remember the name of the towns where they came from, but they were pretty much close to the center of the state in different locations. The C was in pretty good shape but when I went to pick it up it appeared that the motor was seized. Turns out it was just a mouse nest that jammed up the starter and flywheel. Then lots of compound and wax! 
 The 8- Speed was a different story, it needed a lot of love. When I went to pick it up I thought maybe I shouldn’t even buy it. But I had already spent money on the Cross Sound Ferry and took the day off work, so I didn’t want to come home empty handed. I really wanted an 18HP 8-Speed Electric Lift tractor so went ahead and bought it. Then after spending some time here at the Wheel Horse Hospital I got it back to looking the way I like them to look. Fixed the mechanical issues then painted the frame and wheels.