briankd 816 #1 Posted December 17, 2018 droped my k301 off at the machine shop today to get bored . talking to different guys about the balance gears in it. was wanting to change brgs in the gears and herd they come out the gears hard sometimes one guy said he had them in press and acually broke the gear pressing them out. also there are the new style and old style brgs and they aren't cheap.along with the stub shafts may be worn a bit. went and talk to my old W.H. dealer he said he used to replace them but now for the price he leaves them out he said you wouldn't notice any diff. in it running in a wheel horse. also said something about balancing the crank would help without the balance gears. that being said anyone done this not putting the balance gears back in ? just worried about some vibration this will be a worker not a show tractor Thanks Brian Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pacer 3,159 #2 Posted December 17, 2018 (edited) I recently took them out of a K341 .... had a 'rattle noise' thought sure it was the balance gears and sure nuff they were quite sloppy -- but turned out they wernt the 'rattle' - it was a sloppy rod!! Luckily the shaft was still OK, new rod and OK. So back to removing the B gears, I can NOT tell a BIT of difference without them! Edited December 18, 2018 by pacer 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KC9KAS 4,741 #3 Posted December 18, 2018 I had a 16 HP K series rebuilt WITHOUT the balance gears...never looked back! 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 51,014 #4 Posted December 18, 2018 1 hour ago, briankd said: anyone done this not putting the balance gears back in ? I for one would leave them out! Here is a thread on the balance gear issue that will probably add to your confusion. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oldredrider 2,547 #5 Posted December 18, 2018 I've rebuilt countless Kohler engines. I always pull the balance gears out and leave them out. NEVER a problem. They are not worth putting new bearings in because you won't notice any difference. If they are not in, they can't come thru the block. 1 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oliver2-44 8,770 #6 Posted December 18, 2018 I left them out of a K301 i rebuilt a few years ago. No change in vibration. I've heard about having the crank balanced but have not had it done. I have a 16hp k341 to rebuild and I'm thinking about asking the machine shop about balancing the crank. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
briankd 816 #7 Posted December 19, 2018 22 hours ago, oliver2-44 said: I left them out of a K301 i rebuilt a few years ago. No change in vibration. I've heard about having the crank balanced but have not had it done. I have a 16hp k341 to rebuild and I'm thinking about asking the machine shop about balancing the crank. i asked the machine shop about balanceing the crank they just looked at me confused so told them oh whatever Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
briankd 816 #8 Posted December 19, 2018 (edited) i'm going to order the rebuild kit from I save tractors know a guy that has ordered half dozen kits from them and are good quality. you get everything even new carb , coil, valves and gaskets, brgs and seals turning the crank on this i think it can go .005 turned down ? i had my crank turned in my K 181 and can't remember the spec been to long ago Edited December 19, 2018 by briankd none Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oldredrider 2,547 #9 Posted December 19, 2018 "Normal" crank grinding on Kohlers go in .010 increments. Check for oversize rod replacement size availability before grinding the crank. Of course, crank pin condition determines what size grind you will need. 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 51,014 #10 Posted December 19, 2018 Here is a bit of info on balancing from Brian Miller's site. http://gardentractorpullingtips.com/balance.htm He is also a great source of quality parts including oversize rods. http://gardentractorpullingtips.com/a1miller.htm#connectingrods 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Howie 881 #11 Posted December 20, 2018 Go to www.kirkengines.com they sell a plate that goes on crank when balance gears are removed. I knew I had seen it somewhere. Don't know if it is totally necessary but they are out there. Instructions come with the kit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
briankd 816 #12 Posted December 26, 2018 (edited) On 12/20/2018 at 1:47 PM, Howie said: Go to www.kirkengines.com they sell a plate that goes on crank when balance gears are removed. I knew I had seen it somewhere. Don't know if it is totally necessary but they are out there. Instructions come with the kit. i checked that out and looks like something a machine shop would have to do if you don't get it right in machining the counterweight you would screw up the crank. i think i will just see what happens without the gears in there. machine shop called and have my block done but the crank they says bad would have to turn down .020. i checked out Isave tractors and they offer a .020 conn. rod so im good to go and don" t have to find a diff crank for this 301 Edited December 26, 2018 by briankd 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Howie 881 #13 Posted December 27, 2018 Yeah, I had forgotten what all was involved with that although the work involved does not look that hard. Machine shop required or someone with their own lathe to get that flat spot. Not for someone without the equipment. I just knew I had seen them somewhere. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites