Looking at a 417-A

[stegs 325]

New to the forum and wheel horse tractors

 

Looking at a 417-a. The tractor is all original and really clean. 48" mower deck looks almost new

 

From what I understand, this model was only made in 1985 and 1986.

 

How do I tell which year it is (tag is faded)

 

It has a "led" lights on the dash with a lever that says test. 

 

Does this make it a 1986 then?

 

This tractor has 845 original hours and has clearly been taken care of its whole life

 

 

Only thing that doesnt work is the amp meter. Its starts right up, runs great, no leaks, idles perfectly.....

 

THey are asking 800, i could probably get it for 750. 

 

Is this a good deal or a little high for the tractor with mower deck?

[Lee1977 6,673]

It's worth the $800 you might get some off.

[BOB ELLISON 2,981]

Welcome to another michigander. 

From everything I've read about the 417a its a great machine. I believe there was a series 1 and series 2 for the engine. The series 2 was reported to be better. But it has a Eaton 1100 transmission which is great. If its as good as you say $800.00 is a good price. I would love to find a nice 417a myself. 

[pfrederi 17,741]

All 417 should be Series 2

[Achto 27,621]

 

Price does not sound out of line to me.

[Ed Kennell 38,246]

I use my 1986  417A with a 48" SD for my dedicated mower.      The Kohler twin starts on one turn and runs strong.    It even sounds stronger than the Onan in the 520H.

Does yours have a TORO decal?       TORO bought Wheel Horse in 1986, but I'm not sure if they put the TORO decals on in '86.

 

 

Oh,  to the          If that 417A is in as good a shape as you describe, ....buy it.

Edited March 24, 2021 by Ed Kennell

[SPINJIM 1,981]

The 417 is one of my favorites.  I have a 417-8 that I use for my snow blower.   The price sounds reasonable based on the condition you describe.

Some of the Kohlers on the 417s used an inline diode to control the amperage to charge the battery, and only put out 3 amps. Those diodes can go bad, so the problem may not be with the indicator gauge.  Some other 417s used the better regulator / rectifier mounted on the top of the flywheel cover, and were more dependable.   Good Luck.

   Jim

[troutbum70 857]

I purchased my 417-8 in 1986 and it has wheel horse decals, I was thinking Toro took over around 88 or 89. If its in the kind of shape you describe Stegs it would already be in my barn. My 417 has served me very well over the years and it has done a pile of work, and I have at times pushed it to do more than it was designed for.  

[midpack 866]

I have a 417-8 and it's the (shed) queen of my herd. I kinda lucked into it as the guy had been throwing electricals at it without a clue. All that was wrong with it was the relay was not  secured properly and the main fuse would blow as soon as you turned the key. Tried to dicker and the guy said there were 8 other guys waiting for a chance at it. (I was first, and the price was very low already  ) 

 

The 400 series is my favorite. Love the C-175's (X3) I have but I like the steering wheel better on the 417

[Ed Kennell 38,246]

23 minutes ago, midpack said:

I kinda lucked into it

Me too.

 

I was looking to pay $5-600 for mine at an auction.     When it went up for sale, it would not even turn over.      I bought it for $160,  then held the ignition in start position while I jiggled the PTO lever.

It fired up and I drove it on my trailer.

[SylvanLakeWH 25,606]

 to another Michigander!!!

 

Price sounds good!!!

[stegs 325]

just offered 700 on it, Ill see what they say. 

 

It does have the diodes on the dash and the louvered hood, so im assuming its a 1986 at this point

 

 

It has wheel horse decals on it, but a toro seat, that appears to be original? Could that be possible?

 

 

Ill see what they say.....now a waiting game

 

[midpack 866]

1 hour ago, Ed Kennell said:

Me too.

 

I was looking to pay $5-600 for mine at an auction.     When it went up for sale, it would not even turn over.      I bought it for $160,  then held the ignition in start position while I jiggled the PTO lever.

It fired up and I drove it on my trailer.

You win!

 

I thought I was lucky at $350. But it did come with a near new 48" plow, chains, and a nice 42" SD 

[JCM 9,198]

If it is as good as you say, I would have paid the 800 and brought it home. A super model and very difficult to find in the condition you describe. 845 hours on a series 2 Kohler is not that much if properly maintained. If it has the louvered hood it is a 1986, if not it is a 1985. Wheel Horse was sold in 1986 but the decals remained until 89 and were changed from the maroon stripe to black decals on the 1990 models. Go get that tractor. If you could find one in New England they would be asking anywhere from 1500  to  2500 in that condition you mentioned. Get  some pictures up for us if you land it.   Good luck

[c-series don 8,729]

I inherited my 417-A which was purchased new and used commercially for a while by my step grandpa,(the guy who introduced me to Wheel Horse tractors in1982)  then it went to my uncle, then my cousin. All of whom took very good care of it. Finally it was given to me to keep in the family where it was retired from mowing duties with a little over a thousand hours on it. I then mounted a 44” two stage blower and a cab on it, and now it is dedicated to snow removal for the rest of the foreseeable future. I love the way it sounds under a load, if the moisture content of the snow is right it will throw snow as high as the phone wires! 

[midpack 866]

 

Quote

 I love the way it sounds under a load

Truer words never spoken!

[Ed Kennell 38,246]

                                                      The KT growl.

[953 nut 55,328]

I have a 418-C (just like the 417-A one year newer) and love it. Very powerful and dependable. Well worth the money.

[squonk 41,164]

5 hours ago, Ed Kennell said:

Me too.

 

I was looking to pay $5-600 for mine at an auction.     When it went up for sale, it would not even turn over.      I bought it for $160,  then held the ignition in start position while I jiggled the PTO lever.

It fired up and I drove it on my trailer.

That's funny. I went to an auction a few years back.Well worn  314 Anniversary model. Dead battery bald tires. I wasn't going to go over $300. A guy shows up and sits on the tractor for over an hour. Nobody could even check It out if they wanted to. It sold for $700. (I bid the guy up) 

[c-series don 8,729]

Makes me wonder? Which is now harder to come by, a 418-A or C ? I’ve always wanted a 418-8 for with electric lift for rototilling. 

[stegs 325]

thanks everyone for the info

 

Well, I offered 700 cash, they countered at 750 so i told them id take it.

 

Its about as clean as you can get for a old garden tractor. The deck looks like it was washed after each mow

 

 

Ill give it a good wash/detail this weekend and try to get pics up asap. 

 

I have no use for the mower deck (48") But i wouldnt mind trading it towards a 2 stage snowblower.....

 

 

whats the value of a like new mower deck ?

[stegs 325]

14 hours ago, c-series don said:

I inherited my 417-A which was purchased new and used commercially for a while by my step grandpa,(the guy who introduced me to Wheel Horse tractors in1982)  then it went to my uncle, then my cousin. All of whom took very good care of it. Finally it was given to me to keep in the family where it was retired from mowing duties with a little over a thousand hours on it. I then mounted a 44” two stage blower and a cab on it, and now it is dedicated to snow removal for the rest of the foreseeable future. I love the way it sounds under a load, if the moisture content of the snow is right it will throw snow as high as the phone wires! 

where could i find that blower for this tractor? Whats the going rate on those? id trade the mower deck towards one!

[953 nut 55,328]

2 minutes ago, stegs said:

I have no use for the mower deck (48") But i wouldnt mind trading it towards a 2 stage snowblower...

                                                                       

Your timing is excellent. People are removing their snow blowers and need a good mower deck.  You may be able to find one in our classified section.    https://www.wheelhorseforum.com/classifieds/trade/?do=form&d=2

[Cee245 818]

I also have a 86 417A. I like it a lot. I keep a plow on mine as of now.  The only things I don't care for are that mine doesnt have an oil filter and I have a Chinese carb and it just isn't quite right. Like it revs too quickly and the range on the throttle is much shorter than original. Otherwise, it runs and moves great. Just don't leave the key on, as it will accumulate false hours.

 

I have a 2 stage blower that I may be interested in selling.

Edited March 25, 2021 by Cee245

[stegs 325]

3 hours ago, Cee245 said:

I also have a 86 417A. I like it a lot. I keep a plow on mine as of now.  The only things I don't care for are that mine doesnt have an oil filter and I have a Chinese carb and it just isn't quite right. Like it revs too quickly and the range on the throttle is much shorter than original. Otherwise, it runs and moves great. Just don't leave the key on, as it will accumulate false hours.

 

I have a 2 stage blower that I may be interested in selling.

 

Ill trade you for a really nice toro mower deck! super quiet and looks almost new! LOL