Buying Advice Replace a Wheel Horse 314-8

[Gee Ray]

I am looking to replace the 314-8 Wheel Horse. It has done me well for a lot of years but age is catching up to it. 2 wheel drive, smaller mower 42", gear or hydro, a frame. I am 6'6" at 300 pounds. I need something that can hold the weight.

I do not want one of these POS box store mowers that will only last a year or two. I will not buy a zero turn. I tried one and have no use for them. I own a house on a lake and the zero turn would be stuck coming off the trailer.

The Wheel Horse has its short comings but for what it is and I would buy another if someone still built it. I do not want a $10000 Kubota BX or JD 1025.

I tried to get some information about the current Simplicity but there are very few dealers and the nearest one is a salesman not a tractor guy. He knows nothing but look at the web site which tells very little about how a tractor is built.

Something not made by MTD. Gravely does not make a tractor anymore.

Looking for any ideas or do I just punt.

TYIA

 

[Roadworthy]

If you're ruling out MTD (American Yard Products) you're shutting a lot of doors. I discovered while searching for a mower that Kubota also makes mowers although they have zero turn mowers they build regular tractor types as well. I found prices a bit steep, starting at $5,000, but that's not a lot higher than some of the high end MTD made units.

 

[woolyAcres]

Not to dissuade you from a new machine but what about simply getting a newer Wheel Horse. I've got a 520H. I can't imagine life around here without it. I use it for mowing (60" deck) and snow blowing a 700' drive in winter. To get those same functions with a JD or Kubota, even Rural King, would be pushing $12k with belly mower and front mount snow blower. I realize those machine would be 4WD and diesel, heavier, likely with a loader, but there's just no way it makes (financial) sense for me to replace it.

They aren't everywhere but there are forums dedicated to them and they show up on craigslist pretty regularly. Just a thought.

What is it you want this new machine to do? Maybe that would help move the conversation along and get some ideas from folks.

 

[DJ54]

Doesn't show your location, but you might try using Search Tempest to do a search to find a nice 314-8, or something comparable in your general area. SearchTempest: Search all of Craigslist nationwide & more

I did a 500 mile raius search from Central Ohio here, and found 4 nice low hour one's for $1000.00, to $1500.00 I believe one had as low as 322hrs, on it, another 700+. All seem to be after Toro took over Wheel Horse.

I myself have 2, 310-8's my Dad bought new in '88, the last year before Toro took over. Both still going strong, built for the long haul if you take care of them. Engines have never been touched, other than regular oil changes. I rebuilt the deck on one, buying new spindle assemblies, and some minor welding, and had to replace the pto pulley bearings, and a deck belt tension spring, the other has had new mule drive bearings. Replaced the deck wheels on both, and numerous belts, and blade sets, and batteries. Both still have original R-1 rear tires.

As long as parts are still available, and the engines hold up, I'll keep repairing them. Can't beat them in my book.

Occasionally when I go into my Toro/Wheel Horse dealer, I look at the new models on the floor, and they just don't appeal to me in looks. Guess I'm just getting old, LOL...

 

[Gee Ray]

Doesn't show your location, but you might try using Search Tempest to do a search to find a nice 314-8, or something comparable in your general area. SearchTempest: Search all of Craigslist nationwide & more

I did a 500 mile raius search from Central Ohio here, and found 4 nice low hour one's for $1000.00, to $1500.00 I believe one had as low as 322hrs, on it, another 700+. All seem to be after Toro took over Wheel Horse.

I myself have 2, 310-8's my Dad bought new in '88, the last year before Toro took over. Both still going strong, built for the long haul if you take care of them. Engines have never been touched, other than regular oil changes. I rebuilt the deck on one, buying new spindle assemblies, and some minor welding, and had to replace the pto pulley bearings, and a deck belt tension spring, the other has had new mule drive bearings. Replaced the deck wheels on both, and numerous belts, and blade sets, and batteries. Both still have original R-1 rear tires.

As long as parts are still available, and the engines hold up, I'll keep repairing them. Can't beat them in my book.

Occasionally when I go into my Toro/Wheel Horse dealer, I look at the new models on the floor, and they just don't appeal to me in looks. Guess I'm just getting old, LOL...

I was at a Kubota dealer today and all they had was 1 tractor. The rest of the mowers were zero turns. They wanted 5K for a piece of junk that I would not carry home. The from axle was poorly laid out and the belt were exposed and brand new the drive belt flopped around so badly I thought it would fall off.

I grew up in Noble county. I miss Ohio.

 

[Gee Ray]

I am just north of Tampa FL. I bought the 314-8 new 20 years ago. The sand is hard on them. The deck is starting to wear out. And I had to store it out side for awhile and the frame is going away just to the rear of the box formed by the gear shift. I have been watching Ebay and Craigs list but they have not been good looking machines.

I have 2 yards to mow. A total of 3 acres. I run it with bar tires, loaded tires, and wheel weights. It is only for mowing. There is a 315-8 on ebay tonight but it is a 1000 miles away. Being used I do not want to buy it sight unseen.

 

[dodge man]

What’s your budget? John Deere makes some nice 4 wheel drive lawn mowers. Not cheap but used might fit your budget.

 

[DJ54]

Just for kicks, I did a 500 mile radius search around Tampa for Wheel Horse. Seems to be slim pickings. Either they love them enough to keep them going, or just not all that popular there. Did come up with whatapprears to be a nice one in the Carolina's. Maybe bigger than you are looking for, and don't know you'refeelings on a hydro model, but this one looks to be in excellent condition, with only 634 hours. Riding Lawn Mower - Toro Wheel Horse (6" Mower Deck) - farm &...

Yearsago,we used to go to Fla. during the last2 weeksof Feb. to get away from the cold for a short spell. Nice to go from 13º, to 75º in about 24 hrs driving. We'd seem to get thereabout the time the orange treeswere in bloom. Loved that smell, smelled like honeysuckle to me. Fun for two weeks, but after 2 weeks, I was ready to head home to some "dirt"...

 

[Mat4644]

Owned two and have one with a blown motor in the barn. Cast iron front axle and tranny the likes of which will never be seen again because of manufacturing costs. Builders like to take the old frames and mount flywheel engines on them. Sheet metal is then created to reproduce looks of antique tractors.

 

[herm0016]

have you checked out simplicity? there stuff is still highly regarded, you just don't see them around much though.

i will replace my 1995 CC with a zero turn if it ever dies. the cub xt2 and xt3 are really pretty good machines, you have to go to a cub cadet dealer to get them. 500 and up series of the deere are also nice, but will be as much or more than kubota. lightly used is good.

 

[Gee Ray]

have you checked out simplicity? there stuff is still highly regarded, you just don't see them around much though.

i will replace my 1995 CC with a zero turn if it ever dies. the cub xt2 and xt3 are really pretty good machines, you have to go to a cub cadet dealer to get them. 500 and up series of the deere are also nice, but will be as much or more than kubota. lightly used is good.

Simplicity does seam like a good tractor still but there are very few dealers in Fl. I ask for better information about the construction of the machines from the dealer. I was looking to see if there was a frame or was it stamped steel unibody type that comes with the box store brands. The dealer did not know. He is over 1 1/2 hours away so I need to plan to get there but my work does not always travel during the week.

Easywheels1@gmail.com (easywheels1@gmail.com)
To:you Details
Stan, there is really nothing in the Snapper lineup that would spec out with a cast iron transmission, wheel bearing in the front or a gear drive. I am not sure that any brand would even think of building a tractor with a gear drive transmission as there is no demand based on how hydro transmissions have improved over the years. We own the Simplicity brand that still builds a 300 to 400 hour tractor with high end Tuff Torq transmissions, HD frames and wheel bearing in the front wheels. The issue in Florida is the SImplicity tractor does not have a frame hung deck. The tractor actually "drags" the deck and the rear deck rollers actually follow the contour of the ground. That's where you actually get the stripped look you see advertised on the website and works great in cool weather grasses like bluegrass and fescue. This may be too much detail, but SImplicity units are not normally a good fit in hot weather grasses where cutting heights are normally lower. Deere is still building an upscale tract orand the customer may need to research there. As you know the market has shifted to zero turns and tractors are still viable, but pricing is forefront as most manufacturers have raced to the bottom on pricing to get placement in the mass stores. There are a lot of customers that still want your service and are willing to pay for it. We still do fairly well with high end SImplicity tractors in a number of markets but the business is at a flat but sustainable level. Take a look at the SImplicity website and you can see what I am talking about. Thanks

I don’t know if this helps you with your decision
Stan

 

[stevem5215]

I have two Simplicity ZTR's. A Citation XL 61" with the 27hp and a ZT2500 48" with a 24hp. Both use Hydro Gear Hydro trannies with spin on filters and reservoirs. ONe is a 3400 trans and the other is a 2800 trans. The Citation is low end commercial and a very heavy duty well built machine. The fab deck is extremely heavy duty and the whole thing weighs around 1000lbs. The ZT2500 is less heavy duty and more consumer oriented like at the Big box stores. But it has a fab deck and a 2800 hydro. Both very good for consumer models.

As for what you should buy, Buy the best you think you will need and consider shopping for transmission first. That's the failure you find in a ZTR first.

Steve