About to get a wheel horse

[Mustang67ford 234]

Hello, I'm about to get my first wheel horse.  I previously had a couple massey ferguson MF-12 and cub 982.  I had hottin rid of those.  I am now looking at 414-8 with the kohler k321s motor.  The motor sn is 10 digit and starts with a 16 so I'm assuming the tractor is a 1986.  The tractor info is worn away.  Somebody I know will be moving and parting ways with it in a so can't get for about a moth as it is still being used.  It is rough looking, but runs and cuts.  Motor looks very clean.  Deck looks solid and puts grass out the rear which I never seen before.  Not sure what length the deck is.  Here some pics.  Any info on its condition from a knowing eye would be greatly appreciated for what I am about to get into.  Thanks.

[Mustang67ford 234]

More pics

[Mustang67ford 234]

I can get more pics if there is something specific to check.  Thanks again

[bds1984 1,429]

Well to begin, the pictures don't look too bad at all.  Many of us here (myself included) have and use machines that look quite a bit worse than the potential 414 of yours.  The deck is a 42" rear-discharge.  I'd rather have the 48" but the 42 RD are nice for fall time with the leaf mulching and sweeping.  It looks like a weekend of cleaning her up will go a long way to making her look better.  I do like the helm joints on the tie-rods, that is a big upgrade for those.  A headlight, headlight bezels, height adjusting knob for the attachment lift lever, and a adjusting knob on the front of the machine for the mule drive is all I can see that you'll need besides a good bath.  If you can get her for a good price, you better jump on that or else someone here will!

[Mustang67ford 234]

Thannks.  I seen the 1 missing knob but didnt notice the other one.

[8ntruck 7,004]

That is a nice tractor.  Like @bds1984 says, if the price is right, jump on it.  Just as a reminder, the definition of the price being right is "a price that both the seller and the buyer agree on".

 

I've got a 1973 14-8, which is an ancestor to the 414-8.  It has done everything I have asked it to do.

 

42" is the largest RD (rear discharge) deck available.  Wheel Horse never made a 48" RD deck.

 

Good luck and have fun.

Edited August 29, 2021 by 8ntruck

[Handy Don 12,227]

As noted, a weekend of cleaning and lubing will do wonders. Don't neglect to remove the "floor" plate of the center console to check the shift lever boot and clean out the mess of dead grass that's peeking out of there! Lots things to inspect and lube while in there, too.

I'm not sure, but I believe the mule (the part that carries the PTO belt around the axle to the deck underneath) has its two pulleys reversed (it looks like one was replaced so probably it just got reassembled in the wrong order). The "V" pulley should be toward the center of the tractor and the "U" pulley should be toward the wheel. The belt is routed correctly, though, since otherwise the deck would not be cutting grass! In its current configuration it'll cause premature wear on the belt.

This should do a great job for you, it's a solid machine.

Edited August 29, 2021 by Handy Don

[peter lena 8,627]

@Mustang67ford, agree with others on the opportunity to get that , even though it liiks a little rough , it has also been taken care of with , heim steering joints and, new pto mule drive pulley and kevlar drive belt ,  the debris under the tractor  is a quick clean up , from the r/d deck . makes me think that the deck under side is filthy with build up , have 4 r/d decks and none of them leave a mess . if you get it , quickly drop the deck , flip it over and clean it out , as well as lightly sharpen the blades , spray it down with oil , let it sit in the hot sun , to suck in oil , kill off rust , make it last . if you want to , use your favorite  aerosol lubricant with a clean cloth and rub down every painted surface , rub it down till dry , you have just stopped rust and saved patina ! do that again in a couple of days , paint will start to pop with depth and shine . keep us informed , hope you get it , pete 

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,043]

Tractor is a 1986 model 31-14K801.

An engine made by Kohler in 1986 could land on either a 1986 or 1987 model tractor because 1987 production started late summer of 1986.

You have a K-Series engine making the tractor a 1986 model.

The 1987 models were the first to get the M-Series engines.

 

Two pages of info

https://www.wheelhorseforum.com/search/?q=31-14K801&quick=1&type=downloads_file

[Handy Don 12,227]

Just looked again at you picture, and I'm pretty sure the deck is not aligned correctly (too far down in the front). The procedure for leveling is in the manual for the 42" RD deck and once that's done, you'll see a much cleaner and more even cut on the grass.

 

I thinks this is the one you need, but you can check the model number when you get the deck and then so a search in the files section here.

 

[lynnmor 7,306]

Find the belt guards for the mower pulleys, if you ever lose balance and put your foot down on a spinning pulley, it will be ugly.  Ask me how I know.

Edited August 30, 2021 by lynnmor

[Mustang67ford 234]

Thanks for the info everybody. Icant't believe how many helpful responeses in such little time.  I looked and did find the 2 pulley / belt guards in the garage.  Dug them out before they got tossed.  Didn't think of rubbing it down with oil, do I do this to the entire tractor?  Will het it all cleaned up with the pressure washer and start going thru it front to back.  I have a junky murry I can keep cutting with while working on this.  I think the 1 axel seal on the rear end will need replaced as I see some oily grass accumulation.  I am anxiously waiting til I'll be able to pick it up. 

[peter lena 8,627]

@Mustang67ford, I  regularly wipe down  my stuff with oil , every painted surface , to feed the paint and stop rust , its also the perfect base line , after it starts to shine to easily bring it back with a palm buffer and cleaner wax , all 3 of my paints came back with a very deep clean , tell me about  the under side of that deck when you get the chance , pete

[953 nut 55,229]

                Looks like a well maintained  ready to provide many more years of service.                

[Mustang67ford 234]

58 minutes ago, peter lena said:

@Mustang67ford, I  regularly wipe down  my stuff with oil , every painted surface , to feed the paint and stop rust , its also the perfect base line , after it starts to shine to easily bring it back with a palm buffer and cleaner wax , all 3 of my paints came back with a very deep clean , tell me about  the under side of that deck when you get the chance , pete

What oil do you use? Ever try spraying it down with either wd40 or armorall?  I use armorall on my entire atv and works great.  Learned that from the atv dealership, spray the armorall on and let it sit.

Edited August 29, 2021 by Mustang67ford

[SylvanLakeWH 25,558]

 

Nice Find!

[peter lena 8,627]

@Mustang67ford, hello , usually use a gear and chain spray , that's what I   prefer , remember you are trying to recover neglected paint , that needs that lubrication feed , armorall  is good for plastic and a slick finish , you want to lubricate the metal  /  paint finish on your horse,  another good rubber / vinyl finish is 303 , marine protectant , use it on my pontoon boat . I  use a lot of different lubricants , wd 40 , will work , but it won't stand up . your last comment of spraying it on and letting it set is the simple and easiest thing you can do , to a recovered anything . here is my deck maintenance regular look see,  addicted to lubricants, pete

 

[lynnmor 7,306]

I use this polish on weathered paint.  It will remove scratches and oxidation bringing up the shine to look like new.  It is not very aggressive so an amateur can safely use it with an electric polisher.  After polishing, use a good wax or ceramic coating to preserve the finish.

 

Here is an example of what it can do, the front half has been polished.

[Mustang67ford 234]

On 8/29/2021 at 12:59 PM, Handy Don said:

As noted, a weekend of cleaning and lubing will do wonders. Don't neglect to remove the "floor" plate of the center console to check the shift lever boot and clean out the mess of dead grass that's peeking out of there! Lots things to inspect and lube while in there, too.

I'm not sure, but I believe the mule (the part that carries the PTO belt around the axle to the deck underneath) has its two pulleys reversed (it looks like one was replaced so probably it just got reassembled in the wrong order). The "V" pulley should be toward the center of the tractor and the "U" pulley should be toward the wheel. The belt is routed correctly, though, since otherwise the deck would not be cutting grass! In its current configuration it'll cause premature wear on the belt.

This should do a great job for you, it's a solid machine.

I looked at the pulleys.  The V pulley is towards the tractor and the wide flat pulley is towards the wheel so I'm thinking it is correct from what you have said.

[Handy Don 12,227]

13 hours ago, Mustang67ford said:

I looked at the pulleys.  The V pulley is towards the tractor and the wide flat pulley is towards the wheel so I'm thinking it is correct from what you have said.

Glad to hear that! I was not really sure because there wasn't a close up of that area. I hope you're enjoying working on it.

[Skipper 1,788]

No one has touched on price yet, so I'll give it a shot. This is in my book something like 550-700 ish, depending on condition of things, not least the deck, for it to be a decent deal. IMO. Some might say more.

 

The 42 RD deck has a huge advantage, in that it don't throw clippings into wifes flowerbed

[Pullstart 62,878]

  I’d give that transmission tunnel area a good pressure washing, followed by a transmission fluid flush and refill.  We like to lift the front end as high as safely possible, there’s a hump cast into the transmission.  Flush it by running diesel or kerosene through and run it in circles in all gears, high and low, left and right circles.  Drain again and fill with 1-1/2 to 2 qts of gear lube.  I believe 140 weight is spec, but I run 90 weight with no issue.  I’ve heard of some people running 30 weight even.  After everything is clean and fresh, keep an eye on the axle seals for any seepage.  The picture of the rear end looks like the right side might be wet.  Seals aren’t a terrible job, so long as you can remove the wheel hub from the axle!

[Mustang67ford 234]

12 hours ago, Handy Don said:

Glad to hear that! I was not really sure because there wasn't a close up of that area. I hope you're enjoying working on it.

Don't have it yet.  Should be picking up in a few weeks.  Anxious to get started on it.

[WheelPuke 77]

On 8/29/2021 at 1:09 PM, peter lena said:

@Mustang67ford, agree with others on the opportunity to get that , even though it liiks a little rough , it has also been taken care of with , heim steering joints and, new pto mule drive pulley and kevlar drive belt ,  the debris under the tractor  is a quick clean up , from the r/d deck . makes me think that the deck under side is filthy with build up , have 4 r/d decks and none of them leave a mess . if you get it , quickly drop the deck , flip it over and clean it out , as well as lightly sharpen the blades , spray it down with oil , let it sit in the hot sun , to suck in oil , kill off rust , make it last . if you want to , use your favorite  aerosol lubricant with a clean cloth and rub down every painted surface , rub it down till dry , you have just stopped rust and saved patina ! do that again in a couple of days , paint will start to pop with depth and shine . keep us informed , hope you get it , pete 

I still need to do this with my 414-8.

[WheelPuke 77]

Looks like a good prospect to me. I have a 1989 414-8 with the 48” SD and it’s isn’t too far different looks wise. It has a different engine than the one you are looking at. It’s functional pending some tidying up and misc. repairs. I love mine. It does everything I ask it to without too much effort. It’s sitting at 1689 hours and seems to have plenty of life in it. I’m not sure if that’s high hours for one or not. Working on it is easy and enjoyable. I can’t say the same for my 1993 John Deere LX176.