Was [AT] Skid steer; NOW -My skid steer

[Mike Sloane]

I don't really thing that the difference of 400 rpm will be all that 
noticeable. You can always run the Honda slightly below its full rated 
speed. I would say that you can't go wrong with any of the Honda small 
engines, from what I have heard.

Greg Hass wrote:
>     Seeing the other inquiry on skid steers gave me the nerve to ask a 
> question about mine.  I have a New Holland Model L-325 which I purchased 
> new in 1979.  It is equipped with a Kohler model K582S engine rated 23 
> HP.  This engine has been a pain in the backside since the day it was 
> new.  At only 75 hours of use the points went out and heated the whole 
> engine red-hot, boiling most of the oil out.  The dealer replaced the 
> points because at that time I didn't know anything about this engine.   
> In its entire life we have never gotten more than 100 hours to a set of 
> points, despite having changed condenser, coil, plugs, etc.  We have 
> talked to several Kohler dealers.  No one seems to know how to fix it 
> and I have been told that there is no electronic ignition available for 
> this engine. At any given time, I have at BEST a 50% chance of starting, 
> no matter the ambient temperature.
>     The last couple of years I have toying with the idea of re-powering 
> it.  The closest to this engine seems to be a Honda GX670BDW. It is 
> rated 24 HP and 3600 RPM.  The most serious modification to that engine 
> would be a complete redoing of the exhaust system, according to the 
> dealer.  However, last night while reading the operator's manual for the 
> skid steer, I discovered that the Kohler engine now in it turns at 3200 
> RPM.  So... I have a few concerns.
> 
>     1. Would the extra speed hurt the hydraulic pumps, hydrostatic, etc?
>     2. Would the Honda engine have adequate power seeing as it would be 
> best to run it at less than full RPM?
>     3. I worry about power as the displacement is less on the Honda than 
> on the Kohler.  One factor may be the higher speed.
>         Another may be that the Honda is an OHV, compared to the 
> flat-valve design of the Kohler.
> 
> The conversion would cost approx. $1500, which makes me wonder if I 
> should look into it, or try and put up with the existing engine, which 
> is showing a considerable amount of wear.  I have already put one short 
> block in it in its life, however the short block would not take care of 
> problems like worn hole for the point-setting plunger, stripped threads 
> on the oil-fill tube, etc.
> Greg Hass


-- 
Mike Sloane
Allamuchy NJ
mikesloane at verizon.net
Images: <www.fotki.com/mikesloane>

Nothing so completely baffles one who is full of trick and duplicity
himself, than straightforward and simple integrity in another. -Charles
Caleb Colton, author and clergyman (1780-1832)



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