Garden plowing with a 17WH kt7

[sc halfback 1]

I have a kt17 with auto trans. Is the transmission strong enough to plow a garden.My tractor has AG rear tires. Any info appreciated

[Pullstart 68,266]

@Skipper has the same trans (I think) in his monster super C.  It has held up to amazing abuse.  I’d say it’s plenty strong to plow a garden.  Most people who have an auto seem to not enjoy tilling with them, as the tiller pushes the auto forward more.

[peter lena 9,471]

@sc halfback  about the only thing i would ask is the trans fluid , last service ?  would think if you are going to change the fluid , after its heated up from  tilling , would help you get a more thorough draining , flush .  others will tell you of the correct fluid to use , pete

[Maxwell-8 4,368]

11 minutes ago, Pullstart said:

@Skipper has the same trans (I think) in his monster super C.  It has held up to amazing abuse.  I’d say it’s plenty strong to plow a garden.  Most people who have an auto seem to not enjoy tilling with them, as the tiller pushes the auto forward more.

I believe it's a 417A. 

 

Have the same engine in my C175, do you have a 1 or 2 series? Would not love to plow with a series 1, which I have.

Edited October 20, 2021 by Maxwell-8

[8ntruck 8,168]

The series 1 KT's do not have full pressure oiling to the crank and big end of the rods.  Koehler manual claims that operation up to 30 degrees out of level is OK. 

 

Given the age and parts availability for KT engines,  I might think twice before plowing with one - high load, high side angle.

 

I don't remember if the oil pickup in a KT is on then right side of the engine or not.  If it is on the right side, the operating angle while plowing will tend to keep it submerged.

[Skipper 1,790]

Yes I have a C195  that I plow with. It's a big 12" plow too. It does that no problem, and that's with 31" tires and HC gear kit, so torque is much limited, compared to the other models that run smaller wheels and are not tampered with. I'm down on torque to about 1/2 of what you have on standard size tires, and the hydro still has plenty torque to pull a plow   Let me put it this way. It can bring a 30hp diesel down to a halt no problem. 

 

The transaxle is just as strong build as a manual, just with less parts and hence less possible sources for faults, so even less prone to failure. Rock solid. The hydro unit is either an Eaton 700 or 1100. 

 

I do not know what tractor model you have, but with a kt17 in it, it guess it has the Eaton 1100 rear end, and then you are good. Does it however have the smaller 700 rear end, you may not be able to pull that ground anchor. Easy to see. Does it have a filter on the hydro, then it's the big kahuna. Hydraulic lift of deck etc. is also a telltell.

 

And as said. Be very careful tipping a kt series 1 on its side. They tend to go boom from that. At least give it some extra oil before trying it.

 

 

Edited October 21, 2021 by Skipper