Commando 800 vs 414-8

[Fishroe 261]

What are the differences between these 2 

this 800 came up for sale. What is it worth running or non- running. Would the plow blade on my 414-8 fit on this commando

[Pullstart 64,609]

6 hp and less gear selection.  The 414 plow should fit just fine 

[Pullstart 64,609]

The Commando is also a much shorter machine.  It’s still quite capable for just 8 hp.

[Fishroe 261]

Thanks for the quick response

does it have the 1 1/8 inch axle 

is it as strong as the 414

i’m just looking for a back up tractor 

is it 3 forward speeds  and one reverse

[kpinnc 13,782]

It has 1 inch axles and a 3 speed transmission. Same as the 414 without the low range and a slightly lighter duty differential. Still much more rugged than anything available these days.

 

The tractor also has smaller wheels and tires all the way around.  

 

Think of it as a scaled down version of the 414. But still a tough little machine. Most attachments will interchange between the two, but there is a difference in clearance underneath (about an inch) and hp. 

[Fishroe 261]

It looks to be in decent shape for a 50 year old tractor

seller is asking $400   Says it’s been sitting for years. Did that model have an hour meter 

[kpinnc 13,782]

No hour meter.

 

Looks to be missing a battery too. I'd want to see it run for that much. 

Edited February 11, 2022 by kpinnc

[AHS 1,491]

9 hours ago, Fishroe said:

It looks to be in decent shape for a 50 year old tractor

seller is asking $400   Says it’s been sitting for years. Did that model have an hour meter 

If you don’t hear it run, (personal opinion) but I would start at $250. I have a 76 B80 w/ Kohler 8hp with a plow and it goes like a tank! 

[Fishroe 261]

I agree with you guys 

anyone have rear discharge decks. I would think grass would get on the trans 

I read on here a while back that the 3 speed trans didn’t have a good speed to mow. Either too fast or too slow. Any truth to that 

[TJ5208 1,824]

1 minute ago, Fishroe said:

I agree with you guys 

anyone have rear discharge decks. I would think grass would get on the trans 

I read on here a while back that the 3 speed trans didn’t have a good speed to mow. Either too fast or too slow. Any truth to that 

A lot of us here have rear discharge decks it always throws the grass at one tire I'm not sure about the speed of mowing.

[rjg854 11,885]

I have a '68 Commando 8, which is a 3 speed. I regularly mow in 2nd gear.  Seems to be a good speed for my conditions.

[TJ5208 1,824]

2 minutes ago, rjg854 said:

conditions.

Yes that has a lot to do with it if you have hills you might want to go slower if you have level ground let it rip if you have Short Grass go ahead and go after it but either way the Wheel Horse is going to get it done.

Edited February 11, 2022 by TJ Salyers

[Fishroe 261]

10-four fellas 

I appreciate all the info 

[Fishroe 261]

Here are the rest of the pics. 

 

 

[elcamino/wheelhorse 9,360]

I love the Commando 800 , my father bought one new in 1972 , plowed his garden , cut grass , hauled stuff in his home made wagon. I inherited the machine in 1991 , ran it for years till the motor decided to blow. I have one that I am picking up in June at the Big Show , going to take both apart and make one. Plan is it is going to be the mower with 36in RD deck . 

[squonk 42,583]

Put a rubber on the exit of the deck. Keeps most of the grass off the tractor.

[kpinnc 13,782]

3 hours ago, Fishroe said:

Either too fast or too slow. Any truth to that 

 

I've never used low range to mow, so I don't understand how that is possible. The wheels on that model are smaller, so it may be a minor issue- but you can play with transmission pulley size to tweak more or less speed if you want. Unless you make a large change, the tranny has a miniscule effect on engine load. Besides, the K181 is a little beast if tuned properly. 

 

So far as the RD deck, the 36 inch came in different configs. You can modify the RD to be side discharge with a little work. That was the only difference in the factory models on the 36. Also, some have used a strip of rubber across the rear discharge to effectively move it further back a couple inches with reportedly good results.

 

Even without it, you'll just need to occasionally clean clippings around the shifter at the center console. I don't think it will be a big issue either way, because it happens on any deck that hangs on tractors with that type of center console.

Edited February 11, 2022 by kpinnc

[Snoopy11 5,717]

1 minute ago, kpinnc said:

Unless you make a large change, the tranny has a miniscule effect on engine load.

 

I will say, even with a major pulley change, it only has a negative effect if you completely drop the clutch. If you ease the clutch back... you won't notice a difference in power. Some of that comes with experience, especially if you play with the throttle while releasing the clutch. At certain RPM's, the engine won't even change tune when you release the clutch.

 

I have practiced this with various engines, low horsepower and... ridiculous amounts of power. It holds true in both cases.

 

Don

[AHS 1,491]

I prefer RD over SD. You just take compressed air and blow off the transmission. Clean all the grass from the deck in the fall and spray it with oil whatever you use and save that deck!😀👍

[Fishroe 261]

This is in the equation too. Just like the commando. Been sitting a while

does this one have the 1 1/8 axle 

Any red flags on this model?

Looks similar to the commando 

does the commando have an electric clutch 

worked the dog crap out of the 414-8 today

its a wonder something didn’t break

 

 

 

Edited February 11, 2022 by Fishroe

[pfrederi 18,338]

no electric clutch originally on Commando... easy add on at some point

[Fishroe 261]

I think I would rather have a pto rather than electric 

[pfrederi 18,338]

26 minutes ago, Fishroe said:

I think I would rather have a pto rather than electric 

Manual would be my choice also...

[kpinnc 13,782]

The 800 and the 8 horse 4 speed are basically identical, with the latter just being a little newer. Everything produced around the time of the company sale to AMC are now commonly referred to as "no name" tractors. Shortly afterward came the A, B, C, and D series machines.

 

And neither had 1.125 axles. Both had 1 inch axles and 4 pinion diffs. They also had very long axles, with about 2.5 inches extended out of the tranny case on both sides to compensate for the wheel offset which is less than a traditional Wheel Horse. Internally, the trannies are the same as any other 4 speed.

Edited February 12, 2022 by kpinnc

[Fishroe 261]

That’s great info

Thanks