Wheel Horse 314-H...is it a good tractor/mower?

[ATolles 52]

I’m looking for some input on a Wheel Horse 314-H.  I have found one that looks to be in good condition. Asking price is $975.  Comes with a bagger and a front dozer blade.  It has the Kohler Magnum 14 and the hour meter reads 395. I’ve never owned a Wheel Horse and I’m tired of junk riding mowers. Just looking for something that is sturdy and won’t fall apart in a few years. Thanks for your input.

[ClassicTractorProfessor 5,319]

Welcome to RedSquare...I cannot comment directly on the 314H as I do not own any Horses newer than my 81 C125. That being said I can attest to the build quality of Wheel Horse through the years...these little tractors are built like tanks and if you take care of them they will run forever. I still use my 63 model 753 for various chores around the ranch, highly doubt if any of these new "tractors" will last 57 years and still be working every day

[roadapples 6,983]

If in good shape, anything comparable will be well into the thousands....

       Let me rephrase that. It would be hard to beat at any price.

 

Edited May 5, 2020 by roadapples

[Stepney 2,325]

The 314-H should have the hydro lift and Eaton 1100 transmission. Debateaby the best hydro you will find in a 'newer' WH machine. The Magnum is a fine engine capable of 1500+ hours with care.

I run a WorkHorse GT1848, but it now has a 14 Kohler and that same hydro drive. So almost the same tractor.

Long as the deck is solid and it drives well when it's hot (no slipping from the hydro drive), it should be good for many many years.

[ATolles 52]

Thanks for the replies. You think $975 is a good buy, or should I ask for less? Here are a couple pics:

[ebinmaine 68,500]

Don't know the market down there...

@953 nut or @19richie66 may chime in....

 

It's a fair price 'round here.

 

Great machine.

 

Our newest is a '74 so you'll have plenty of time to enjoy it....

 

 

[Stepney 2,325]

312-H with a hand lift.
I'm not terribly familiar with late models, on an old 3xx the 314-a had the hand lift and a weak transmission, the H had a heavier duty unit.
Could anyone fill us in on what this tractor would have?

If it had the weaker transmission pump I'd be weary of plowing with it. But still, it looks well maintained and the price seems reasonable to me. 

[tom2p 2,394]

if it is in good shape - run don't walk to get it 

 

314 - 8 speed or hydro (if Eaton 1100)  - is one the better late Wheel Horse tractors produced 

 

perform very well - reliable and durable as an anvil 

 

Edited May 6, 2020 by tom2p

[ATolles 52]

On the side sticker is says 314...8 Speed.  May not be an “H”. Not sure. The ad says 314-H, but it may be listed wrong. 

[Stepney 2,325]

Huh, it does say 8-speed doesn't it? I didn't notice that. Clearly a hydro drive though. Be curious to hear what others say.

[ATolles 52]

I just noticed the ad says it has the Eaton 1100 hydrostatic transmission 

[tom2p 2,394]

4 minutes ago, ATolles said:

On the side sticker is says 314...8 Speed.  May not be an “H”. Not sure. The ad says 314-H, but it may be listed wrong. 

hmmm ... odd 

 

appears to be a hydro 

 

don't know why it has the 8 speed stickers 

 

ask the owner 

 

Edited May 6, 2020 by tom2p

[lynnmor 7,356]

Things don't quite add up, the seat, paint, engine dirt and the sticker mismatch says to me that you are dealing with an unknown.  No way of telling if the low hours are correct.   Proceed with caution.

[ATolles 52]

Dang!

[tom2p 2,394]

15 minutes ago, lynnmor said:

Things don't quite add up, the seat, paint, engine dirt and the sticker mismatch says to me that you are dealing with an unknown.  No way of telling if the low hours are correct.   Proceed with caution.

yeah - what's up with the fan side of the engine ... 

[ATolles 52]

How would I know if it’s not legit? What should I look for? It’s almost 3 hours from me and I don’t want to be swindled! That would suck!

Edited May 6, 2020 by ATolles

[ATolles 52]

My cobwebs on the side of the motor? Not sure.

[19richie66 17,523]

Just grass from mowing that got sucked up into the fan. Looks clean. If it is a 314 with an Eaton 1100, it would be hard to beat. Ask him if you can get a picture of the rear of the tractor. If it has a filter below the left side fender pan, your good.

Edited May 6, 2020 by 19richie66

[Stepney 2,325]

It's still a 30 year old tractor.. It just won't be mint.
I've seen some severely abused 1100 Eaton hydros and they are doing great. 

The stickers are weird, but I had a tractor that said C145 on one side, and C105 on the other.
And a B100 with the stickers totally crooked.. weird things happened and often snuck by. 

Those dash towers were somewhat known to crack, may have been replaced. 

I'd say look it over good, and you should be fine. Just be sure it doesnt smoke, leak, have a weak hydro, etc..
Where are you located that such a machine would be a 3 hour ride?

[JCM 9,415]

By the way,     to    314-H or 8 can't go wrong. by the way, nice largemouth.  pic's of it's cousin.

Edited May 6, 2020 by JCM

[PeacemakerJack 10,739]

I remember asking the same question about a 314-8 about 5 years ago!  First of all—-to the best Wheel horse resource on the planet!  Back to the 314:  mine had about 750 hours on it when I bought it and looked like a wreck...

however it ran like a Swiss watch!  The guys suggested that I buy it and 5 years later I am so glad I made that purchase.  I built mine into a plow tractor. Looks a little different now...

Looks a little different now but runs just as good.  I now two horses with the Eaton 1100 and my son owns one with it—great hydro.  Compared to the throw away trash, well...........

 

you cant really compare because that 314 is on a whole different plane than those!  Anything mechanical can break at any time but when you purchase something with a proven track record you lessen your chances of mechanical failure!

 

 

Good luck!

[horseyheaven 112]

I would say that is a good deal as good as it looks in the picture.  Things I notice in the picture.  Looks like 8 speed decal on a hydro tractor.  Decals look like the newer decals used on the 2005 or 2006 models (those were 315-8 I believe).  Could just be a re decal.  Does have newer style brake pedal.  If memory serves me right, I believe they made 314s in 1985 but then brought it back in 1997? (Late 1990s, can’t remember how many years they made them now).  Are they a good tractor?  Absolutely.  My Aunt has one with 2000 hours on Kohler 16 hp (416-8).  Only thing done was basic maintenance.  Still uses no oil and runs like a top.  This one has to be a late 90s machine due to newer brake pedal.  They are not throw always.  Take care of it and the next couple generations of your family will mow with it to.

[ATolles 52]

So...I finally got the scoop on the 314-H.  Just got off the phone with the seller. Was on the phone for over an hour. He was very knowledgeable and new all about this Wheel Horse forum. Even named a few guys on here that had access to parts. One that has any decal sticker you could want (don’t remember any names). The reason why there was some confusion with the “H” and 8-speed stickers is because he put in an Eaton 1100 transmission which turned it into an “H”. It still has the manual deck adjustment. He said there is a guy in this forum that has a conversion kit pedal for the hydro-stat. I asked him why he was into “Wheel Horse” tractors. He gave me a long, cool story about his dad having one in the 70’s. This guy sounded legit. This tractor is mid-90’s. Only thing I need to replace is the belt on the right side that connects to the mower deck. He said it’s split. He said the metal is solid as a rock and the motor hours are original. It comes with the dozer attachment too. I think I’m gonna pull the trigger!

[ATolles 52]

So after all that...I just happened to check on Craigslist before I made the 6hr round trip tomorrow and this is what I came across for $500...a 416-A in good running order. Motor really sounds good and the body seems to be solid. Best of all...only 36 minutes from my house! I hope I made a good decision. 

[ebinmaine 68,500]

6 hours ago, ATolles said:

416-A in good running order

Niiiice.

Excellent price!

 

My knowledge of the twins engines is limited.

Others will tell you more.

I do know you'll want to pop off a shroud/metal cover or two and make sure it's clean and happy.

 

Do a search on this site for "baseline" and you'll find threads detailing what certain members do for all the new arrivals they get.