520H or 416H Engines

[dunk50 6]

Looking for a Garden Tractor. It will be doing some WORK but everything I am seeing has an ONAN engine. I haven't had a WH for quite some time so I am a little rusty on knowledge. Hell, I'm 76 years old and just forgetting a lot. I seem to remember a thing about the Onans giving up the ghost at  XXXX hours. Can someone enlighten be about engine hours life span on these versus Kohler. This is not to start a fight, just need the information. Did 520H or 416H ever have Kohlers or are the ONANS ok at 800 to 1000 I should also ask if a 312H or 314H will run a tiller and maybe a single bottom plow.

 

Edited March 6, 2023 by dunk50

[lynnmor 7,803]

Onans that are not abused can last thousands of hours.  They do have a few problems that can come up if you aren’t lucky.  
 

Some will have an intake valve seat loosen and continued operation can make the repair difficult or impossible.  My opinion on this issue is that the seal around the oil filter is missing causing loss of cooling air.  Another cause is cooling fins plugged with debris.

 

The fly ball spacer is made of plastic and it can loosen or crack, if you buy an Onan, buy a spare made of metal, hopefully they are still being made by several people.  The symptom of a faulty fly ball spacer is the governor will allow the engine to over speed.

 

If you buy an Onan, report back and we can guide you thru the necessary preventative steps to get it ready for service.  Yes, all small engines are abused and neglected to some extent.

[8ntruck 7,794]

A 312h or a 314h should run a tiller or pull a plow.  Though, many here will say that these jobs are better done with a gear jammer, than with an automatic.

 

I''ll note here that I have never pulled a single bottom plow or a tiller with a Wheel Horse, so I am not commenting from experience.

[Handy Don 13,998]

2 hours ago, dunk50 said:

520H or 416H ever have Kohlers

I recall seeing a 416 with a Kohler. Not sure if it was an 8-speed or a hydro. It sure wasn’t as common as the Onan.

[kpinnc 14,589]

If you're primarily gonna pull a plow or tiller, you don't need 16-20 hp. A 310-8 or any big block Kohler machine will do it easily. 

 

3 hours ago, 8ntruck said:

Though, many here will say that these jobs are better done with a gear jammer, than with an automatic.

 

Correct. An 8-speed will hold the tractor at a constant speed. Most C-series and later 300-400 series machines fit this description.

 

Using a tiller pushes the tractor, so you'd contantly have to pull back on a hydro. 

 

I've plowed and tilled hard red clay with a 310-8, and it does it without complaint. 

Edited March 7, 2023 by kpinnc

[Handy Don 13,998]

Searched around, and the 416 had the Kohler on some 8-speed models

[dunk50 6]

Thanks to all for the information. Now for the hunt. 

[Sailman 1,299]

I have a 416-8 with the original K series Kohler (earlier model with no idiot lights) and it pulls a tiller like its not even there. Also have an older C-160 Hydro that has pulled a brinley plow....again with little effort. I would think the 14 HP or 12 HP would do just as well too.

[clueless 3,226]

Done a lot of tilling back in the day with a B-80-8sp and the 8 horse Kohler never seamed to have a problem doing it. I do have fairly sandy soil here though, never used a plow with it. 

[sergeant 323]

 I say skip any tractor with an Onan today, doesn't matter the brand.  I have a 416H. Great tractor and the Onan works fine. But as time Marches on, the Onan's are getting harder and harder to support with some common parts like Mufflers. A lot of used parts out there in good condition But even that's starting to fade a bit . I plan to throw a Briggs replacement In the 416H from Small Engine Warehouse in the near future.  If I had to do it over again, I think I would have passed on the 416H and just waited till I could find a 312H or a 314H(in the driving distance I am willing to travel 8hrs round trip). I still keep an eye out for Both the 312H or a 314H in my neck of the woods. So Many are worried about Horse Power, well 6 and 7 HP tractors from the 60s & 70s Could run a belt driven tiller just as Good as the 20HP and above Garden tractors from the 80s,90s and today.

 

I use My 416H Mostly for Pulling a Garden cultivator, Rear Blade  as I have other tractors for plowing (10HP IH Cub Cadet) and Tilling (several machines to choose from) I have always found this Narrow size of Wheel Horse (300,400 & 500) to be perfect for cultivating around crops in the Garden which is my 416H's main Job

 

 

 

 

[Lagersolut 734]

I have a  416 8 bought 3 years ago ( barn find ) with a Kohler 341 single - it is a beast.

[dunk50 6]

C160 was mentioned as a good tractor. What is the C-165 H compared to the C160. Meaning difference and is the C165 Hydro solid!

 

[kpinnc 14,589]

52 minutes ago, dunk50 said:

What is the C-165 H compared to the C160. Meaning difference and is the C165 Hydro solid!

 

The C1x5 series are just newer machines. They are commonly referred to as "black hoods", and are every bit as tough as the older C series. If they have a detractor, it was the fiberglass rear fenders. Luckily, most have been changed out to a newer steel fender, which is a direct bolt-on replacement.

 

And so long as the hydro was properly maintained, it's a solid transmission. 

[Rick3478 438]

32 minutes ago, kpinnc said:

 

The C1x5 series are just newer machines. They are commonly referred to as "black hoods", and are every bit as tough as the older C series. If they have a detractor, it was the fiberglass rear fenders. Luckily, most have been changed out to a newer steel fender, which is a direct bolt-on replacement.

 

Also had fiberglass hoods and the hated wobble plate motor mount, arguably all of their worst ideas in one package.  I owned a C-125 for a short time and was the thing I most wanted to sell.  Admittedly it ran okay, but I was glad they abandoned those in the 300/400/500 redesign.

[WHX?? 51,716]

Ground engaging implements pair best with a gear jammer. Problem is with 76 yo shoulders manual lift can be an issue. 

Electric lift is an option but can be hard to find.

Problems solved with a hydro other than issues mentioned above. 

[RED-Z06 2,567]

My 416-H was purchased used in 2005, as a 1993 model with some 400hrs on it, ive used it since to plow (dirt with a mold board plow) till, mow, drag stuff...its a great tractor still, nearing 1000hrs.  Its great to plow and till with the hydro as you can set your engine speed/tine speed independent of your ground speed which is infinitely variable between stopped and full speed. Its also nice, if you are plowing and you maybe feel like you are getting stuck and need more momentum, just bump the lever..no stopping.  

 

Onan made a solid engine...smooth as glass, easy starting...very thirsty.

 

The Kohler K is legendary in its own right, they aren't as smooth though, and a twin has power on every crank rotation...its nice.  Both engines have their inherent flaws...all engines do.

Edited March 9, 2023 by RED-Z06

[dunk50 6]

any thoughts on the 1998 520xi with 300 hours. Are they still actually wheelhorse quality. I don't know a thing about them and don't want a big box store tractor. HELP AND I should have also asked about implements from the older C series and 3 4 5 series fitting

 

 

Edited March 11, 2023 by dunk50

[lynnmor 7,803]

1 hour ago, dunk50 said:

any thoughts on the 1998 520xi with 300 hours. Are they still actually wheelhorse quality. I don't know a thing about them and don't want a big box store tractor. HELP AND I should have also asked about implements from the older C series and 3 4 5 series fitting

 

 

My opinion is that the xi is good quality but I wouldn't buy one unless all the implements were with it or readily available.  The C, 3, 4, & 5 should have no problem finding what you need.

[dunk50 6]

And that is my problem with it. It has a deck and a 2 stage blower  with a soft cab but I would need the implements that it does not come with. Guess I will keep looking. Thank You for the advice.