Balance Gears

[Lagersolut 664]

Just a general question to get a consensus - have a 416 8 K341 I'm going to assume still has the balance gears ( parts diagram says this engine has them )  - when I restored it 5 years ago had the head off was still on a standard bore with the STD on the piston - had minimal carbon in the combustion chamber and excellent cross hatch on the walls 1 owner tractor .

 

The one thing that is always on my mind ...... balance gears - tractor runs perfect with no vibration or noise of any kind so the question :  would you pull a perfect running engine to perform the surgery to remove the gears - something I've been contemplating for 4 years but my -    "if it isn't broke don't fix it"  always wins .

[ebinmaine 67,766]

1 minute ago, Lagersolut said:

The one thing that is always on my mind ...... balance gears - tractor runs perfect with no vibration or noise of any kind so the question :  would you pull a perfect running engine to perform the surgery to remove the gears

 

 

YES. 

 

 

 

1 minute ago, Lagersolut said:

- something I've been contemplating for 4 years but my -    "if it isn't broke don't fix it"  always wins .

 

The problem with the balance gears is that a lot of them do not make any noise or excessive vibrations until you have destroyed the block because they let go.

 

 

 

IMHO and experience there are three options.

1. Remove them.

2. Get new gears with new bearings with new shafts.

3. Find the company that sells the balancing plate kit and have it installed on the crankshaft. This must be done by a qualified machine shop.

 

 

 

[Lagersolut 664]

15 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

 

 

YES. 

 

 

 

 

The problem with the balance gears is that a lot of them do not make any noise or excessive vibrations until you have destroyed the block because they let go.

 

 

 

IMHO and experience there are three options.

1. Remove them.

2. Get new gears with new bearings with new shafts.

3. Find the company that sells the balancing plate kit and have it installed on the crankshaft. This must be done by a qualified machine shop.

 

 

 

 

I'd choose option one - from what I've read no one seems to have issue with them gone - can I get them out without pulling the crank just driving the pin/shaft ?

[ebinmaine 67,766]

32 minutes ago, Lagersolut said:

 

I'd choose option one - from what I've read MOST PEOPLE seem to have no issue with them gone -

 

 

Note the correction above. 

Some folks feel the vibration changes unfavorably. 

It's something you should be aware of. 

 

 

32 minutes ago, Lagersolut said:

can I get them out without pulling the crank just driving the pin/shaft ?

 

Absolutely. That's how @Pullstart and I both did the removal. 

 

 

 

[squonk 41,171]

Series of questions:

 

How many hours on this engine? What is it used for? How long do you plan on keeping it? You can pull the oil pan and inspect for debris. Also check the gears for wear and play on the shafts. If they are good leave them alone. Usually there is a rattle sound in the engine when the gears are starting to think about going on vacation. 

[moe1965 743]

I removed them on a 312-8. Most of the vibration was in the steering wheel for me.   Wasn't to my liking and I sold the tractor.    I guess I would choose a blown engine over having carpal tunnel surgery Just my 2 cents 

Edited November 23 by moe1965

[Lagersolut 664]

1 hour ago, squonk said:

Series of questions:

 

How many hours on this engine? What is it used for? How long do you plan on keeping it? You can pull the oil pan and inspect for debris. Also check the gears for wear and play on the shafts. If they are good leave them alone. Usually there is a rattle sound in the engine when the gears are starting to think about going on vacation. 

1) Hours - I really have no idea - when I pulled the head after I got it the carbon Build up was minimal and the cross hatch looked like a new engine - this unit had to be pushed onto a trailer and in my garage because it sat so long the drive belt was literally rotted off of it - only one of us here at the square would have dropped 5 bills on it the way it sat - most of the general public would have walked away …I knew what it was what I could do with it - did hear it run for 15-20 seconds - all I needed/wanted - old fuel ethanol and whatnot 
 

2) What do I use it for - it’s now my main worker - 48 inch deck all summer - plow the garden in the fall ( does a great job pulling handling the plow ) - tall shoot for winter - 315 8 gets the blade for small snows . 
 

3) Keeping it ?  Best tractor I have - would never part with it … lol 

[Lagersolut 664]

I run Rotella 30w - change oil about every 25-30 hours. Might use an ounce or two between changes - nothing that’s remotely concerning . 

[squonk 41,171]

If it doesn't rattle, I'd leave it as is. 

[oliver2-44 9,787]

if you decide to remove them, it semi-easy to get to the snap ring on the top one.

On the bottom one I give it a sharp wack with a cold chisel placed in the bottom of a gear tooth.

It easly splits off. Once its out, there room to remove the bottom snap ring. 

[Pullstart 62,945]

Here was my method…

 

 

[kpinnc 12,174]

Personally, I always remove them. Of course the 14 and 16hp engines have the worst low-RPM vibrations as a result, but I don’t mind. It’s a choice I prefer to live with to ensure my old Kohler engines stick around. 
 

Will all Kohler engines fail due to balance gears? Of course not. But I assure you that 100% of the balance gear bearings that do fail will cause catastrophic damage to an engine. 

Edited November 24 by kpinnc