Say what you will about the Onan but

[nylyon-(Admin) 8,022]

It's a wet spring, and my yard has tons of underground springs (and above too). Because of that and my 2 dogs, the grass has grown quite intense in the short warm weather streak we've had.  

 

The 416 has sat all winter long, and with a little extra cranking fired right up. The 42" RD deck plowed through the wet foliage with ease, but in the thickest patches, the Onan really had to work, but never skipped a beat.  

 

The torque of an Onan is amazing, and nothing beats the sound, or rather roar that the beast exerts!  Still love my Onan powered 416 on this it's 26th year!

[pacer 3,177]

Yep, the Onan is a potent creature, and as you mentioned the sound of it when up on the throttle can almost send shivers down my spine! Can be picky when tuning but once dialed in - well, just get out of the way cause hes comin thru!

[nylyon-(Admin) 8,022]

Mine's been really good, occasional carb cleaning and plugs, some oil changes and it's been trouble free!

[520HC 208]

Yep I am a Onan lover too. Right now I have 10 tractors with Onan engines. 

[WVHillbilly520H 10,376]

Had 3 520s now 2 but the 1 I have had since new yes nothing like an Onan up on the governor roaring along snow throwing, mowing grass or digging up the garden with the tiller.

[EricF 589]

The few times it dropped significant snow this winter, it was usually wet and icy... And I have to clear a swath away from the road where the plows pile it up bad, so we and our next-door neighbors can get in and out of our driveways safely.. The 2-stage on the 520 tore through it all, with the vacuum gauge pegged over at full engine output, governor wide open. Sounds like an engine several times its real size. Pretty sure the big Onan was rattling the neighbors' windows across the street...

[WHX?? 51,920]

You guys nailed it about moving snow. I have the love/hate things going on with mine but mostly love. I always thought they got a bad rap because of ill maintenance. Plug them fins up with a cocktail of grass, dirt and grime and your asking for trouble. Unbelievable how much air those flywheels move.  I recently transplanted one from one 520 to another. The donor tractor had 2k+ on the clock (bad axles) but was clean as the day it was made. The ring problem 220 was filthy with 800 on the meter. 

[JCM 10,251]

I purchased a 1991 520 H in 2001 with 470 hours from a very good friend of mine who I went to kindergarten with, unfortunately he has passed, the tractor now has just under 800 hours and has been trouble free, it only see's about 20 hours a year coupled with a 44" 2 stage blower and cab for winter duties, it has always been garaged and well maintained, trying to keep   it in good condition for the next owner. Awesome tractor.

[ericj 1,579]

The large majority of my herd is Onan for a very good reason. Back in 93 or 94 my little brother bought a new 416-8. I fell in love with the onan motor sound.  All of my main workers are onan.

 

 

 

 

 

eric j 

[richmondred01 2,307]

I’m a Kohler cast iron guy however, onan p series are also very good. 

Maintenance is the key to the onans. 

Adjust the valves, decarb, change the oil and keep the cooling fins clean of debris.

 

Edited April 26, 2019 by richmondred01

[bc.gold 3,406]

8 hours ago, richmondred01 said:

I’m a Kohler cast iron guy however, onan p series are also very good. 

Maintenance is the key to the onans. 

Adjust the valves, decarb, change the oil and keep the cooling fins clean of debris.

 

Cast iron Onan engines in my barn.

[richmondred01 2,307]

21 minutes ago, bcgold said:

Cast iron Onan engines in my barn.

 

CCK?

[bc.gold 3,406]

2 hours ago, richmondred01 said:

 

CCK?

 One CCKB no provision for oil filter but the boss where it belongs is on the block which is my experimental engine then my 1975 Simplicity 9020 has a CCKA as well the Alice 720 from the same era.

 

My neighbor has to drag his Tecumseh powered snow blower into the house before it will even think about starting in our sub zero Manitoba winters.

 

Both Onan CCKA engines start no matter how cold it gets, I love these engines.

 

I have a very long ans steep driveway that I keep clear of snow then blow a few walking trails on our acreage to help keep my better half regular.

[bellevillerod 835]

Count me in on the Onan's, I've got 3 including the 416H with a 48 in deck. I have (knock on wood) nothing but good luck with mine. I have two an 16&18 from 1974/1976 that have a ton of hours on them. The 16 is smoke free and a beast. The 18 puffs a little at start but none after it's warm. Treat them right, clean the guard's, de-carb every 5 years, adjust the valve's an good plugs. They are by far my favorite engine's, torque is unreal for the HP. I know they have a bad rep in some circles but mine never fail to run. And your right nothing sounds like a Onan when it's working hard. That sound when the governor kicks in is sweet to my ears. I'd love to have one in 25hp to toss in a tractor. 

[Shynon 7,484]

On 4/26/2019 at 7:42 AM, richmondred01 said:

I’m a Kohler cast iron guy

 I have one for snow duties. I love it man this thing will move snow. I'm sold

[Darb1964 1,120]

Good to see some onan love, I purchased a 520_h New in 1989 have run it hard over the years and it has never let me down. Keep the oil clean, fresh clean gas, clean air to breath and plenty of air across  the fins to keep her cool. The sound she makes when working is internal combustion at its best. The hour gage on mine stopped working over ten years ago at 770 ,I'm thinking it has 2000 plus. Best money 💰 I ever spent, helped make me a horse junkie