Course about an Onan powered 416-8

[DoctorHfuhruhurr 137]

  For me and my grass I went from a 60" deck to a 48" deck.  Cut the mowing time 20 minutes and saved a 1/2 gallon of fuel.  

 

Did you mean the reverse? (from a 48" to 60" deck)? 

[zieg72 209]

 

  For me and my grass I went from a 60" deck to a 48" deck.  Cut the mowing time 20 minutes and saved a 1/2 gallon of fuel.  

 

Did you mean the reverse? (from a 48" to 60" deck)? 

 

You read it right.  I went from using a 60" deck down to a 48"   I could go faster use less gas resulting in saving 20 minutes and 1/2 gallon of fuel.    Both decks had new blades and were properly adjusted and cut at the same height.

Edited September 25, 2013 by zieg72

[Shuboxlover 480]

I just bought a 416-8 (onan) last week.  I'm going to pick it up next Tuesday...The jury is still out with me...I almost didn't buy it, but you guys know how that goes

[farmer 1,078]

This topic has me slightly worried, surly the world's not so black and white?....I mean I don't like Fords or Chevys.

 wh5208speed nailed it,  its all about personal preference.

[Chevydave 25]

I have an '89 416-8 with an Onan that I bought new.

I have to admit I didn't do a very good job of keeping all the fins clean for a long time.

I did change the oil twice yearly, it's used for mowing and snow blowing.

I still got 1200 hours out of it before the repower.

[Lymedog 2]

Hey Zelig,

There have been many things said about the 60 " deck on the wheel horse... Even the 500 series. The big deck burns more gas due to the power needed to properly propel the blades and the issue with possible frame weakness from the deck weight.

I own a 48" ,42" and 36 " decks and I can truly say that the 48" deck has the overall size for fast cut and is more maneuverable than the 60 " ,especially between tight obstacles.

[zieg72 209]

Hey Zelig,

There have been many things said about the 60 " deck on the wheel horse... Even the 500 series. The big deck burns more gas due to the power needed to properly propel the blades and the issue with possible frame weakness from the deck weight.

I own a 48" ,42" and 36 " decks and I can truly say that the 48" deck has the overall size for fast cut and is more maneuverable than the 60 " ,especially between tight obstacles.

That has been my observations all along.  Great cut but if you have a plush thick lawn like mine you have to creep or your at 100% on the gauge, gas gauge is heading south and the extra weight does make it difficult to remove the deck by myself without busting a nut...

[Forest Road 594]

With all the bad press surrounding the Onans I've stayed away. I had a 520h with 100 hours and swapped it straight up fora 314h with 175 hours. Both machines were in comparable shape. But unless you need the extra grunt of a twin the single Kohlers get it done. The cost associated with carb kits and air filters are another reason. Lets not even get into the cost of a rebuild.

I've also had personal experience with Onans going 3000 hours on gensets. They are proven performers. For whatever reason they just aren't worth the aggravation on a horse!

[MalMac 1,332]

Forest Road you nailed it.

[zieg72 209]

Forest Road you nailed it.

Bad press keeps them affordable for guys like me...

[leeave96 490]

 

Forest Road you nailed it.

Bad press keeps them affordable for guys like me...

 

 

Good point.

 

I've evolved in my view of the Onan - primarily because I've got more than one tractor.  My preference for a single tractor would be Kohler all the way - especially the Magnum versions of the cast iron single cylinder engines.

 

However - if you've priced a rebuild lately IF you can find someone to do it in the first place, around my neck of the woods, it's cheaper to buy a used engine or a complete tractor.  I've been trying to stock up mower decks and have found a 14 hp Magnum for a back-up.

 

My view is if an engine starts and runs without smoke or knocking, you're likely going to get some significant hours out of it.  If you got some back-up engines or parts tractors, as do I, then buying a Onan powered Wheelhorse - so long as it ain't smoking, knocking, etc., is no worry for me.  I'd buy another Onan in a heartbeat.  Looking forward to just how many hours I can get on an Onan.

 

Thanks!

Bill

[Lymedog 2]

Like I said earlier, my dad owned a 446 case with a 16 hp ONAN... Bet the snot out of it and the tractor failed before the was even a problem with the engine. All he did was change the oil and filters. I've seen Onans on welders and generators that lasted years without a hitch and with constant usage.

Like Zeig said ... Give em s&$tty press and they'll get cheaper and easier to get replacements.

The only major issue I've seen or read about were the 20 hp versions.... Valve issues ... Keep it under 20 hp and you should have a long lasting, powerful and smooth engine!

[MalMac 1,332]

I don't think it a case of bad press, If you look back through the post here on Red Square you will find that the Onan has brought more attention with problems than any other motor. If there is one good thing about all the attention, it has helped me with mine. It's my opinion and it's just that mine, the Onan is a very problematic motor in it's use on the Wheel Horse. It's like the 520 it's self, great tractor, I love mine but it has more problems than any other tractor. Just look at the number of post it gets. In defense of the 520 it has a lot more things that can go wrong than the other tractors do. The Onan is a strong motor it's just got more of it's share of problems. Knock on wood the one in my 520 is going strong I have treated it with kid gloves. I do have a Kohler waiting in the wings for it when the day comes the Onan decides to give up the ghost.

[papaglide 542]

MalMac, spot on. I had a 520 and it the motor crapped out. Being a glutton for punishment, I went out and got my 416. The thing that I did with this tractor was replace the motor before it crapped out. I found a good deal on an Onan short block, couldnt find a kohler by the way, and she should be rejoining the heard soon. Did I want an Onan repower? No. But the price was right. I will baby this motor and hopefully it will last as long as I do!

[Lymedog 2]

Papa,

I bet it will take you a lot longer to beat up the 16 than the 20 hp Onan. A lot of tractor web sites have stories regarding the 520 and their engines. There's very little regarding the lower hp Onans the big valve problem was with the 20. The issue was also with the P220 and not the B48G. The B was used in a lot of gravely tractors with little valve issues.