Bodean 35 #1 Posted July 24, 2023 Just wondering will a 8 speed with high low gears bolt in a 854 with a 3 speed with alot of troubles Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 63,118 #2 Posted July 24, 2023 There’s a few of us who have done the swap, or similar. A 6 speed from a late 60’s tractor will give less troubles, based on the brake hub location. An 8 speed is doable though. My 502 has an 8. I still don’t have a parking brake lever, since I did it in 2015 or so. The hi-lo shifter will need some room where your sheet metal belongs, and so will the dipstick. The dipstick will also need shortening to clear the seat. With the 8 speed, you will need to modify the brake band rod as well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 63,118 #3 Posted July 24, 2023 There are a couple ways to accurately shorten the dipstick. You could fill the transmission up to the line with the dipstick stock, then cut the tube and dipper equal lengths, and re-check the oil and mark it where it lay. You could also just cut the tube, and move the marks up that distance. We’re working on a machine that’ll see a top speed of 7 mph, maybe. One other thing to mention is the input shaft size. The 8 speed is 5/8” diameter, where the 3 speed and 6 speed is 3/4”. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 8,546 #4 Posted July 24, 2023 (edited) Kevin @Pullstart covered all the big issues. I did an 8 speed from a C81 swap - love it. @Handy Don did a 6 speed on his 854. If you go the 8 speed route - use a brake rod from a Raider - the brake band is mounted different from the 3 speed. No parking brake - 1st gear in Low range works about the same!! Got a drive pulley from McMaster - had to go to a 79" drive belt due to the size & depth of the V groove. Original is 80 inches. I did shorten the shift handle - it was too close to my knees as pictured... In low range, if you can get enough traction, this thing will almost climb up walls !!! Edited July 24, 2023 by ri702bill Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 12,488 #5 Posted July 24, 2023 Glad to chip in that the “6-speed” has the same gearing as an “8-speed”--it was a naming thing by WH! It does have a “limited slip differential” (This is NOT posi-traction. Lots of threads here discussing these--do some searching!) It was a LOT easier for me to make the swap having the brake setup the same as the 3-speed, having a parking brake, and NOT having a dipstick to mess with. I used the shift lever from the 3-speed (personal preference). The drive belt from the K181 hugs the frame and the 6-speed input shaft is ⅝” and quite short. To line it up properly, you need the 6-speed pulley which has the setscrew at the bottom of the pulley groove. @ri702bill nails it--with enough traction, it’ll climb walls. I use the low range pretty often. It is especially handy when having it drive itself onto or off of the trailer using the ramps and I’m steering from the side. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 41,474 #6 Posted July 24, 2023 3 hours ago, Pullstart said: One other thing to mention is the input shaft size. The 8 speed is 5/8” diameter, where the 3 speed and 6 speed is 3/4”. My six speed on the 1267 has a 5/8" input shaft 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
