Jon925mn 39 #1 Posted July 7, 2021 1986 417-A series ll kohler with 48" deck and almost 800hrs. The original owner is asking $600 and I am thinking that's a fair price but am I wrong? I would say condition is good (6+/10) after 35yrs. Have not gone to see yet but did talk to owner and nothing wrong except deck needs bearings. What are the opinions good/bad on this limited model run? 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slammer302 2,155 #2 Posted July 7, 2021 I've had two of them and have owned more than 20 WH's over the years and i still wish I would of kept one of them. Plenty power smooth running engine handled 48" deck no problem. Still fairly easy to work on. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 55,229 #3 Posted July 7, 2021 $ 600 for a good running with a deck is a good deal. The Series 1 K Twin is fine as long as you aren't mowing on hill sides. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 17,739 #4 Posted July 7, 2021 Series 2 are great engines That is a fair price if the hydro is good... Warm it up put against a tree see if it will spin its wheels. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
c-series don 8,707 #6 Posted July 8, 2021 I have a 417-A with a little over a thousand hours on it. It runs a two stage snowblower and kicks ass! 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jon925mn 39 #7 Posted July 8, 2021 Good to hear positive opinions. I am going to test her out as nothing is real till you have your hands on it. All goes well it will replace my 416-H. If I come home with her I'll post a pic. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oliver2-44 9,750 #8 Posted July 8, 2021 18 hours ago, MNDIESEL said: . All goes well it will replace my 416-H. If I come home with her I'll post a pic. The 416H is already lonely. If you sell it then the 417 will be lonely. Keep them both!! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fordiesel69 263 #9 Posted July 9, 2021 If the engine bothers you keep in mind the SERIES II are actually really good. They have an oil pump so they will not have rod failure like the series 1. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jon925mn 39 #10 Posted July 9, 2021 Looked at tractor and ended up walking away. One of those moments where your decision is made in 30 seconds. Simple common sense when you sell things is to put your best product out. If that can't or won't be done then how can I trust you about all the maintenance. Ever since I started using my own money to buy things I took care of them. Just wish everyone else did too or at least pretended they did giving me more of a puzzle to figure out that took more than 30 seconds. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 17,739 #11 Posted July 9, 2021 What was it that turned you off?? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jon925mn 39 #12 Posted July 10, 2021 5 hours ago, pfrederi said: What was it that turned you off?? Little things and one lie. Both rear tires with 1 or 2 psi. An engine covered in oil and dirt. Deck adjustment lever with a roll pin missing. Air filter screen with no oil. Hydro cam plate out of adjustment. Inside rear rim covered in thick oil grim from seal leak. And the hour meter lie in that it did not work after being told it did. Most of this is simple cleaning and attending to and not much time. Seal a bit more but the hour meter lie was too much. In the end it just causes doubt and I've learned to walk away only losing some time and fuel money. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pollack Pete 2,273 #13 Posted July 10, 2021 To each his own,but most of what you found fault with are pretty easy fixes.Ya gotta remember,not everyone is a skilled mechanic.That tractor is like 35 yrs old.Someone at some point in time must have maintained it.At least a little.Soft tires? Not everyone has an air compressor.I find most of the enjoyment with this hobby is working on the tractors and bringing them up to my standards. Just my opinion. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjg854 11,361 #14 Posted July 10, 2021 7 hours ago, MNDIESEL said: Little things and one lie. Both rear tires with 1 or 2 psi. An engine covered in oil and dirt. Deck adjustment lever with a roll pin missing. Air filter screen with no oil. Hydro cam plate out of adjustment. Inside rear rim covered in thick oil grim from seal leak. And the hour meter lie in that it did not work after being told it did. Most of this is simple cleaning and attending to and not much time. Seal a bit more but the hour meter lie was too much. In the end it just causes doubt and I've learned to walk away only losing some time and fuel money. All those considerations could have been used as price haggling tools. As long as it ran and moved the way it's supposed to, you've got a good base to work from. Hard to find a 35 year old tractor that isn't going to have some issues unless you buy one from some fanatic, but then they would want top dollar for their baby. 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JCM 9,166 #15 Posted July 10, 2021 I feel the same as you when I go to look at a WH for sale that has been not very well maintained but try to overlook that some if I see potential in it. I totally agree with @rjg854.s above comments. Included are before and after pictures of a 418-A that is one of the best running WHs I have bought considering what it looked like when I went to purchase. So glad I talked myself into it, does not smoke or use any oil. On a scale of 1-10 it was a 2 when I picked it up and although cleaned up it may be a 5 now but what a worker. @MNDIESEL . 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jon925mn 39 #16 Posted July 10, 2021 Little things yes but no effort and why deceive. Engine smoked pretty good on startup with little hiccups and hydro shifting quite jerky as well. Engine did not smoke running at least but who knows how many hours it really had. I can do most maintenance and adjustments on my stuff but I do not rebuild engines. Just went with my gut on this one and don't regret it. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
