Stick with the P220, or repower?

[Brrly1 1,146]

Fill it up! It's only gas. I use a 520xi and yes it goes thru some fuel. Between that tractor and my Dads Gt14 (a whole lot of difference in fuel consumption) I keep a five gal can full but it's like night and day the power that the xi has is just unbelieveable. Keep the onan run it until you can't run it no more!

[cstempert 27]

I love the sound of the Onan in my 416-8. I bought it from a local town park and rec where they used it to cut the little league fields. The fins in it were PACKED with clay from the diamond and it still ran strong

I cleaned and serviced it and it's been powering a 48" deck for 9 seasons of cutting grass and vacuuming leaves, so I would lay to rest the fears of I reliability

The only item I replaced more than once is the governor spring Don't know if it loses temper from heat after a few years or what, but it will bounce off the governor and you cant adjust it right unless you replace the damn spring. I haven't tried to use premium fuel to see if the ethanol-less gas makes it run better. Guess I should try

[Foozerush 40]

I work my 416-8 when ever I can, if it ever kicks the bucket, I will spend the coin on a rebuild. Why? Because I think it's worth it. Power, the sound of an angry 216p pushing thousands of pounds of snow, mowing grass like a combine harvesting wheat.... Get the picture? Proper maintenance is the key.... On a side note, they do like to drink the fuel. Mowing the rental in the past with the 416-8 compared to the 310-8 I have over there now is a big difference, I can almost get 3 mows on one tank on the 310 to the 1.5 on the 416. Stick with the Onan... Give it a go and work it!!!!

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[Kurt-NEPA 755]

I'll be running my 520 until the Onan P220 dies,  Then I'll rebuild it and keep going.  I'm up to 1050 hrs.  Lots of life left in the beast.  As to gas consumption, its not any more thirsty than my Craftsman GT with a 22.5 horse Kohler.  But my Ford 660 seems to use less gas per hr. mowing.  Strange.

 

[bmsgaffer 2,043]

Thanks for the opinions everyone! I think im going to keep the onan and build up a C series front end around it. a C-205HD if you will.

 

I think (and i know not everyone will agree with me) that the blackhoods look the best since the roundhoods so a blackhood with a onan big twin and swept axle will be a winning combination.

[Theroundhousernr 589]

Enough of this chit chat  ........    

 

           Get to it!!! I want to see this animal!  

[bmsgaffer 2,043]

Enough of this chit chat  ........    

 

           Get to it!!! I want to see this animal!  

 

l have the hood off, need to dig into some wiring then start planning.

 

I am not sure if I should Put a gauge pod on the hood, go digtal with them or find another place to mount them,it will require some thought.

 

As I am an engineer, it will eventually have a full digital diagnostic and control system on it. But maybe not by this winter.

[papaglide 541]

Sounds verrrrrry interesting.........

[oaktown1987 82]

Parts are very expensive

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[oaktown1987 82]

I don't like onan but having worked in shop but keep it original I think kohlers are more fuel effecient

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[bmsgaffer 2,043]

'Did some digging into the electrical of this machine tonight:

 

(Its hard to see in the picture on the right, but if you look at the closest wires that are blurry, the copper strands are separated from the insulation from wear.)

 

I think it was by the grace of God that this tractor had not yet burned itself to the ground. That high gauge battery wire had scratched away on a plastic shroud (merely an inch from the iron chassis, just under the fuel pump... which would have been certain fiery death ), and the gauge light wires somehow were worn of their insulation (both pos and neg) and yet had magically not touched each other...

 

The 30A fuse was missing (and had melted contacts, as usual) and was bypassed. I know that's why its not charging and thus the regulator is probably bad too. I think it is also contributing to my other electrical problems along with a touch and go ignition switch and other corroded contact... this'll be fun!    

Edited October 3, 2014 by bmsgaffer

[Geno 1,928]

The electrical design on those things really suck.  Don't forget to check the 9 pin connector (main engine disconnect) they are a lot of trouble.