scwheelhorse 56 #1 Posted October 31, 2019 I was offered an incredible deal on a tractor with that engine. 20hp cast iron 2 cylinder Kohler. Needs carb or carb rebuild. What do you think. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 18,072 #2 Posted October 31, 2019 K532 were heavy duty industrial type engines. Very powerful and reliable. However parts are getting scarce and pricey. Carb parts would not be hard to find. I would seriously consider it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
scwheelhorse 56 #3 Posted October 31, 2019 (edited) Hate to admit but it's a huge Deere 400 tractor with a 60 inch deck. Tractor looks very nice and complete. Stored indoors. He wants 200.00 for it.As is. If I do get it I am selling my c120 and focusing on the Deere. Edited October 31, 2019 by scwheelhorse Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 18,072 #4 Posted October 31, 2019 They are great tractors...Why so cheap??? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SPINJIM 1,981 #5 Posted October 31, 2019 3 minutes ago, scwheelhorse said: If I do get it I am selling my c120 and focusing on the Deere. !! OH , NO !! 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 69,213 #6 Posted October 31, 2019 24 minutes ago, pfrederi said: K532 were heavy duty industrial type engines. Very powerful and reliable. However parts are getting scarce and pricey. Carb parts would not be hard to find. I would seriously consider it. I'll second that. I have the k582 23 horse up and running that will be in Colossus later. Nice smooth running engine. Carb was a nice easy rebuild. I'd go for it. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
scwheelhorse 56 #7 Posted October 31, 2019 5 minutes ago, pfrederi said: They are great tractors...Why so cheap??? Yeah. That makes you wonder. The seller may know something I dont. Could have major issues like hydro /pump trouble. You just dont know. Tractor is worth big dollars even not running. Figure I cant go wrong because I can sell for a nice profit one way or the other. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
scwheelhorse 56 #8 Posted October 31, 2019 Here's a pic the seller sent. He has the deck and side panels. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
scwheelhorse 56 #9 Posted October 31, 2019 The 60 inch deck. Missing belt covers not an issue. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 69,213 #10 Posted October 31, 2019 For $200 on a tractor like like that it would be tough to lose money just on resale of Parts alone. I've just become a Wheelhorse fan in the last 3 years or so but I've never been a fan of Deere as a brand. Here in New England. I've always found them to be overpriced and no more capable than any other brand given the right model for the job. With that information you should probably take my opinion with a grain of salt. Here on my acreage we like to have equipment that is easy to repair and maintain. I would absolutely NOT sell that c120 no matter what I was going to do with that green machine. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
scwheelhorse 56 #11 Posted October 31, 2019 (edited) If something is too good to be true it probably is. The pictures tell me he has a nice shop setup with mechanical knowledge so why doesnt he just fix it??? Hmmm?? You just dont know and NEVER believe everything a seller tells you. I am going to look at it and go from there.That tractor can cost hundreds just to see if it even works. Look at that deck. The paint is all faded from sitting outdoors. Tractor paint looks nice. They dont match. Edited October 31, 2019 by scwheelhorse 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 18,072 #12 Posted October 31, 2019 JD 400 are very popular powerful tractors. Albeit JDs are harder to work on than WHs. But that unit even if the hydro was shot would be worth way over $200 just for parts. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 8,931 #13 Posted October 31, 2019 do not pass up this opportunity , jmoo , pete Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mudrig150 301 #14 Posted October 31, 2019 (edited) Here's my opinion as a Deere guy. The 400s... are pretty hit and miss. Almost all attachments are specific to them, the rims are wierd, the PTO pulleys strip, they are, as I said, incredibly hit or miss, according to the people on the Deere forums. But hey, they are always looking for 400 parts. Buy it, part it out, do whatever you want. Just...good luck finding attachments. It's hard to find one that doesn't have engine or driveline issues. That might be why it only has 200$ price tag. As stated in an above post, don't sell the C120. Keep it, for when the 400 inevitably goes down. Also, the K-series twins in the 400s have a reputation for just...throwing rods. With oil, without oil, it seems to be random. I've seen a couple with low hours just break a rod for no reason. Guess just a bad batch that Deere got. Expect to have to do some work. In fact, that's probably why it's so cheap... Just my opinion. Edited October 31, 2019 by Mudrig150 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
scwheelhorse 56 #15 Posted October 31, 2019 (edited) 11 minutes ago, Mudrig150 said: Here's my opinion as a Deere guy. The 400s... are pretty hit and miss. Almost all attachments are specific to them, the rims are wierd, the PTO pulleys strip, they are, as I said, incredibly hit or miss, according to the people on the Deere forums. But hey, they are always looking for 400 parts. Buy it, part it out, do whatever you want. Just...good luck finding attachments. It's hard to find one that doesn't have engine or driveline issues. That might be why it only has 200$ price tag. As stated in an above post, don't sell the C120. Keep it, for when the 400 inevitably goes down. Also, the K-series twins in the 400s have a reputation for just...throwing rods. With oil, without oil, it seems to be random. I've seen a couple with low hours just break a rod for no reason. Guess just a bad batch that Deere got. Expect to have to do some work. In fact, that's probably why it's so cheap... Just my opinion. I am no Deere man by no means. Just wanted some opinions. That Deere is way too big for my needs. Costly and complicated. I may buy it to resell for a nice profit tho. Edited October 31, 2019 by scwheelhorse Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mudrig150 301 #16 Posted October 31, 2019 (edited) 6 minutes ago, scwheelhorse said: I am no Deere man by no means. Just wanted some opinions. That Deere is way too big for my needs. Costly and complicated. I may buy it to resell for a nice profit tho. Yeah, I'd say part out is best option... Throw the motor in a wheel horse or something. The 400s are pretty much the least reliable pre-92 Deere, only second to the 317. The manual steering plus the weight makes them a less than optimal tractor for lot of things. Edited October 31, 2019 by Mudrig150 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
scwheelhorse 56 #17 Posted October 31, 2019 6 minutes ago, Mudrig150 said: Yeah, I'd say part out is best option... Throw the motor in a wheel horse or something. The 400s are pretty much the least reliable pre-92 Deere, only second to the 317. The manual steering plus the weight makes them a less than optimal tractor for lot of things. Specs say they have power steering Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mudrig150 301 #18 Posted October 31, 2019 (edited) 2 minutes ago, scwheelhorse said: Specs say they have power steering The power steering is honestly not very good. It's basically manual steering with a cylinder added. They wear out pretty bad, plus the amount of hoses is insane. The cylinders tend to start leaking, and finding a replacement cylinder is not easy. I think deere sells a replacment, but I'm not sure. Edited October 31, 2019 by Mudrig150 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
scwheelhorse 56 #19 Posted October 31, 2019 6 minutes ago, Mudrig150 said: The power steering is honestly not very good. It's basically manual steering with a cylinder added. They wear out pretty bad, plus the amount of hoses is insane. The cylinders tend to start leaking, and finding a replacement cylinder is not easy. I think deere sells a replacment, but I'm not sure. Sounds like Donald Trump couldnt afford to maintain that 400. From the opinions already expressed I think I may pass on it. Buy it<Leave it alone. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mudrig150 301 #20 Posted October 31, 2019 Just now, scwheelhorse said: Sounds like Donald Trump couldnt afford to maintain that 400. From the opinions already expressed I think I may pass on it. Buy it<Leave it alone. Even if it's junk it would still be a good part out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
scwheelhorse 56 #21 Posted October 31, 2019 13 minutes ago, Mudrig150 said: Even if it's junk it would still be a good part out. I would sell it as a whole fixer upper. Thinking could maybe get 500.00 for it.I dont know if I wanna fool with it. Got a 25 mile each way trip. 2 trips actually. Dont believe I can get deck and tractor on my 4x6 trailer. Dont have a truck. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mudrig150 301 #22 Posted October 31, 2019 20 minutes ago, scwheelhorse said: I would sell it as a whole fixer upper. Thinking could maybe get 500.00 for it.I dont know if I wanna fool with it. Got a 25 mile each way trip. 2 trips actually. Dont believe I can get deck and tractor on my 4x6 trailer. Dont have a truck. 4x6? as in, 48 inches wide, 72 inches long? The tractor wouldn't fit. It's 49 inches wide. Measure your trailer. 500 would be an easy goal to go for. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pollack Pete 2,273 #23 Posted October 31, 2019 Get it,paint it red with silver wheels,and play pretend.Seriously……..I would buy it in a minute.I've wasted 200 bucks on way crappier stuff than a tractor.It might just surprise you and actually be a great tractor. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
refracman 167 #24 Posted October 31, 2019 I bought one 10/12 years ago for a flip, it has been the bane of my existence since. Next door neighbor seen it and HAVE to have it. Wish i never sold it to him. every year it was something different, hydraulic lines, hydro pump, that weird bump type power steering, PTO pulley and every 3 years had to rebuild the deck. and he only had a half acre to mow! When everything works it does mow nice and it is fast, scary with that steering wide open though. For 200 id buy in a minute and flip it Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
scwheelhorse 56 #25 Posted November 1, 2019 I told seller I didn't want. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
