GT1800 Hydro refresh for our friends!

[davem1111 2,030]

On 12/7/2023 at 7:46 PM, ebinmaine said:

The Workhorse has been delivered!!!

 

The new owners are SUPER Happy!

 

 

NICE!! 

 

I do think it's inappropriate for your side-view mirror to be calling you a "Loser" though.... 

 

[ebinmaine 67,420]

We took some time yesterday to reorganize the shop and get the big Two Stage Snowblower hooked up my C160 Automatic so we could move it in the shop and also test it - and us - to see how it was set up.  

 

The idler for the drive belt was tweaked some so we removed it and used a crescent wrench to detwist it.  

 

The chain tensioner is mostly worn through so we'll replace that and the chain.  

 

 

[c-series don 8,688]

As stated in a different thread I replaced mine with a piece of seasoned locust, that is basically hard as woodpecker lips. Not that I use it a lot but I did this several years ago and it shows very little wear. 

[ebinmaine 67,420]

11 minutes ago, c-series don said:

As stated in a different thread I replaced mine with a piece of seasoned locust, that is basically hard as woodpecker lips. Not that I use it a lot but I did this several years ago and it shows very little wear. 

 

No access to locust around here Don. 

We have oaks and maples. 

 

I've ordered a chain and a 10 tooth idler. 

 

[oliver2-44 9,729]

4 hours ago, ebinmaine said:

 

No access to locust around here Don. 

We have oaks and maples. 

 

I've ordered a chain and a 10 tooth idler. 

 

Rock hard maple should work.

[ebinmaine 67,420]

The Workhorse's new owner Tom has been thoroughly enjoying this tractor. He's even been finding tasks to do with the machine could easily have been done by hand.

 

We do have a couple questions/issues that we need help with.

 

How long should this engine NEED to run with its LOW AMP alternator to rejuvenate the new  battery after starting?

 

Twice since Tom has had it and once while in our possession, the tractor failed to restart after being used.

We believe it was flooded.

In all three instances it restarted perfectly fine after waiting 30 or 60 minutes.

 

What can we do to avoid this?

Is there an adjustment on the carb I need to make?

 

 

 

 

[Moparfanforever 844]

I have an 1848 and during the summer there have been several times I have shut it off and restarted it constantly and didn't have a problem charging even with an older battery. Don't know if that helps. 

 

Maybe check out how it is charging at the battery while running. 

 

Do you think the owner may be choking it to much and flooding it??

[ebinmaine 67,420]

1 minute ago, Moparfanforever said:

Maybe check out how it is charging at the battery while running. 

 

 

I don't recall the actual numbers but the full throttle voltage to battery was definitively higher than the static charge with tractor off, key out.  

 

 

1 minute ago, Moparfanforever said:

 

Do you think the owner may be choking it to much and flooding it??

 

I believe that's the same error I made and taught him.  

 

Trina and I are accustomed to the 60s and 70s Kohlers and a few newer air cooled engines. 

 

All behave similar... but each has its own "personality". 

 

I'm thinking this Briggs just REALLY dislikes choke.  

 

 

[ebinmaine 67,420]

I'd love to hear from folks that have these B & S beasts. 

@Greentored

@c-series don

@cschannuth I think?

 

Who else has a Workhorse with the flat 18 HP twin?

 

[SylvanLakeWH 25,534]

I would suggest a battery tender. Eliminate the question and add much life to the battery. Quick disconnect. They charge and then automatically go to float mode.

 

I use these and they are great.

 

 

[ebinmaine 67,420]

4 minutes ago, SylvanLakeWH said:

I would suggest a battery tender. Eliminate the question and add much life to the battery. 

 

 

He has a trickle charger and uses it. 

 

I'll see how often.  

 

It does eliminate the question.... Yes....

But it doesn't explain WHY the battery goes dead unless it's purely from excess starting time.  

 

We're not used to the Low Amp systems and we nearly always have a tractor running for several minutes minimum.  

 

 

[Moparfanforever 844]

You are right about engines having their own personality, I have a couple you don't even need to choke to start. 

 

I have two 18hp Briggs, and I barely have to choke them.

[ebinmaine 67,420]

4 minutes ago, Moparfanforever said:

 

 

I have two 18hp Briggs, and I barely have to choke them.

 

That's worth noting. 

 

[Handy Don 12,212]

8 hours ago, ebinmaine said:

I'm thinking this Briggs just REALLY dislikes choke.  

 

I have two B&S yank-start engines and yes, they do flood.

Half-choke if warm for no more than one pull.

Full choke for one pull if cold then half and they’ll usually start on the second pull.

 

And yes, I think engines do have their preferences! Something I learned watching a member’s posted video of starting his Onan has made it a LOT easier for me. He set the throttle at maybe one-third and then started cranking while he blipped the choke from none to full and back to none in about 2 seconds.

[ebinmaine 67,420]

6 hours ago, Handy Don said:

 set the throttle at maybe one-third and then STARTED CRANKING (FIRST). while he blipped the choke from none to full and back to none in about 2 seconds.

 

This is similar to what BBT and I do for our single cylinder Kohlers.  

Her little 8 HP, even when cold ❄️❄️🥶🥶 only require a blip of choke. 

My two K341s however are not particularly happy about cold starts. 

 

I'll have Tom adjust his starting procedure. 

 

[Greentored 3,201]

19 hours ago, ebinmaine said:

 

 

Does it have the single wire charging system? They were dang near worthless. IIRC there are a couple different 'standard' charging systems/stators, one is around 12 amps and the other is like 16. Regardless, none of them seem to put out much at all unless youre winding em right out to their 3600. They definitely do not charge like our beloved Big Kohlers.

As for not restarting well when hot, seems like Briggs dont need much choke at all, at least none I messed with. Full choke to start cold, forget its there til next cold start

[ebinmaine 67,420]

2 minutes ago, Greentored said:

single wire charging system?

 

Single wire, yes. One wire to recharge the battery and  another wire is to run the lights.

From what I understand each wire puts out only one to three amps. 

 

 

 

[Greentored 3,201]

Yes sir!  They are about one step above 'nothing', and takes 3600rpm just to reach that

[ebinmaine 67,420]

Just now, Greentored said:

Yes sir!  They are about one step above 'nothing', and takes 3600rpm just to reach that

I didn't have my mobile tach handy but I do know the voltage was higher at about half throttle then the battery by itself so I'm confident that it's charging okay for what it's supposed to do. It's just ... limited .... of course.

[cleat 5,923]

Is there a way to change out the charge coil for a better one I wonder.

 

My next project is my GT1600 and it would be great to have a proper regulated charging system installed in that 16HP opposed Briggs.

 

[ebinmaine 67,420]

19 minutes ago, cleat said:

Is there a way to change out the charge coil for a better one I wonder.

 

My next project is my GT1600 and it would be great to have a proper regulated charging system installed in that 16HP opposed Briggs.

 

 

@Greentored Scott, you've had these things apart..

Do some of them have a better charging system that can be swapped without massive amounts of work and expense?

 

[Bill D 1,916]

There is a higher amperage charging stator and rectifier available.  Should be the same as ones found in a Vanguard.

Edited December 21, 2023 by Bill D

[cleat 5,923]

I believe I found the right parts.

 

393295 Alternator coil ($23.49)

394890 Regulator (9.66)

 

Looks like around $33.00 for the parts so long as the flywheel is the same and can be reused.

 

 

[Jon Paulsen 290]

3 hours ago, Bill D said:

There is a higher amperage charging stator and rectifier available.  Should be the same as ones found in a Vanguard.

Ewwwww great tip! I've got a line on a Craftsman (excuse my French) that has a Vanguard full of water in the combustion chamber. Would make a nice home for my B&S opy if I ever breathe some life into her. 

[ebinmaine 67,420]

9 minutes ago, Jon Paulsen said:

Ewwwww great tip! I've got a line on a Craftsman (excuse my French) that has a Vanguard full of water in the combustion chamber. Would make a nice home for my B&S opy if I ever breathe some life into her. 

 

And you may be able to swap the charging system from the vanguard