A 418-8 question

[c-series don 9,988]

Recently I purchased a 418-8 with electric lift. Today I mounted a 48” standard dozer/snowplow blade and tried to use the solid lift bar. I put it in the same hole I usually do on all my other tractors but it doesn’t lift very high. On my other tractors it lifts up so that the frame of the plow would almost hit the front axle. So I moved the lift link back closer to the center of the rockshaft and it really made no difference. So my question is: Is the rockshaft the same on the electric lift models or does it require a shorter lift link ? 

[peter lena 9,251]

@c-series don not famular with electric lift , but , acsess to that lift view is probably behind dash , typically a sloppy trunion mount adjustment point , alowing you to raise the lift lever connection , elastic lock nut  9/16 deep socket . add a few washer to firm up that lift connection . aerosol red spray grease , on every related connection . pete

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,470]

The bellcrank appears to be the same part used on manual lift as the electric kit did not include a bellcrank.

https://www.partstree.com/models/31-18k801-418-8-toro-garden-tractor-1987/manual-lift-linkage-17/

https://www.partstree.com/models/31-18k801-418-8-toro-garden-tractor-1987/electric-lift-linkage-10/

[Handy Don 14,040]

14 hours ago, c-series don said:

Recently I purchased a 418-8 with electric lift. Today I mounted a 48” standard dozer/snowplow blade and tried to use the solid lift bar. I put it in the same hole I usually do on all my other tractors but it doesn’t lift very high. On my other tractors it lifts up so that the frame of the plow would almost hit the front axle. So I moved the lift link back closer to the center of the rockshaft and it really made no difference. So my question is: Is the rockshaft the same on the electric lift models or does it require a shorter lift link ? 

Bell crank may well be the same, but the “throw” of the two actuators (the difference in length between retracted and extended) may not be the same OR the length of the arm between the actuator piston and the rock shaft might be different. Either/both would affect the range of motion for the bell crank. 

 

If you are in the mood, you may want to measure and compare distances from the ground to the bell crank hole(s) at both the fully raised and fully lowered positions for the electric and hydro lifts. It might be that a shorter link would give you higher lift and still have adequate drop.

From underneath, you may also be able to measure the actuator throws and the arms, too.

I’d be interested to hear what you find!

 

Edited July 6, 2023 by Handy Don

[c-series don 9,988]

That’s a good idea! I’ll measure the height and the throw. If necessary I can easily make a shorter lift link, but since this is primarily going to be my rototilling tractor I might not even worry about it. I’ll just pick a different tractor to put the plow on. I kinda was just wondering if anyone else had this issue? 

[Handy Don 14,040]

31 minutes ago, c-series don said:

I kinda was just wondering if anyone else had this issue?

Yes, a useful question. Not many of us have the selection you do for making comparisons, though. 

[ri702bill 9,390]

1 hour ago, c-series don said:

That’s a good idea! I’ll measure the height and the throw. If necessary I can easily make a shorter lift link, but since this is primarily going to be my rototilling tractor I might not even worry about it. I’ll just pick a different tractor to put the plow on. I kinda was just wondering if anyone else had this issue? 

Horses DO require company to be happy.......

[c-series don 9,988]

You don’t have to tell me