Xjchief 128 #1 Posted October 2, 2013 Swapped out the tired and broken tecumseh for the harbor freight 6.5hp predator. I know it seems kinda wrong to put a Chinese motor on an American tractor but it's a great option to get the tractor back to work. The swap was pretty easy, here are some pictures. Feel free to ask any specific questions if you are thinking about doing this. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 17,739 #4 Posted October 2, 2013 Nice installation... How thick are the two mounting plates you used?? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Xjchief 128 #5 Posted October 2, 2013 Thanks, I needed to go up 3/4" so i used 1/2" and 1/4" plate worked perfect plus added weight Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
qd-16 14 #6 Posted October 2, 2013 (edited) Those motors are good on gas also....the black sure looks better than the blue ones they use to sell! It would be nice to have a tractor that you can just yank the recoil and go and not worry about a battery. Edited October 2, 2013 by qd-16 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
specialwheelhorse 174 #7 Posted October 2, 2013 You do need to throttle up a bit more to enguage equipment etc You just don't have the advantage of a heavy cast iron flywheel for put-put stuff !! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Xjchief 128 #8 Posted October 2, 2013 Well i havent tested it with snow but i put the snowblower on it and engaged it and the motor didnt even flinch so we will see Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
woodchuckfarmer 333 #9 Posted October 3, 2013 Did you have to cut the hood to get it in? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Xjchief 128 #10 Posted October 3, 2013 Nope it just fit Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ol550 830 #11 Posted October 3, 2013 What did you do for the exhaust exit? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Xjchief 128 #12 Posted October 3, 2013 The exhaust comes out behind the front of the hood but it's far enough back to not affect the paint on the hood or the decal up front either but my plan is to make a custom exhaust so I can go to a stack muffler Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slammer302 2,155 #13 Posted October 13, 2013 I did the same thing on my dads commando 6 but I used the mounting plate from a b-80 gave me plenty room to move the motor around were I wanted it. I also hooked it up to the trailer I usually pull with the 856 let's just say the k181 keeps the front tires weighed down better Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slammer302 2,155 #14 Posted October 13, 2013 Were did you get your pulley Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DoctorHfuhruhurr 137 #15 Posted October 13, 2013 Not bad for $99 engine. They have good reviews. There are quite a few people that use them for go karts so there's aftermarket performance parts available for it (if needed). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Xjchief 128 #16 Posted October 13, 2013 Pulley is from a local electric motor repair shop. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slammer302 2,155 #17 Posted October 13, 2013 Good to know I'm putting one on my suburban next and a pulley Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tarcoleo 119 #19 Posted October 14, 2013 (edited) Have used the 13 hp Greyhound (blue) predecessor for three years now in a C-81 chassis with 48" deck. Only problem has been a broken bracket supporting the tank. Pull starts every time. Has starter, but never used it. Only required to drill new holes in the original engine plate for installation. Did have to relieve the hood. Edited October 14, 2013 by tarcoleo Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rebuilder12 0 #20 Posted November 26, 2014 hey im putting in the same motor on mine but i think its missing some parts. is there supposed to be a foot peddle on the right side for a clutch or something? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SousaKerry 501 #21 Posted November 26, 2014 Nope only one pedal on the left. Wheel Horse pioneered the use of the clutch/brake petal. The mower decks used a small pedal on the right to engage the PTO. See the link below for your manual and parts list if you do indeed have a 606 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rebuilder12 0 #22 Posted November 27, 2014 thanks for the reply this manual will definitely come in handy i really appreciate it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
David81 39 #23 Posted November 28, 2014 Looks good in there keep us posted when you put the stack on. Im really thinking of doing the same swap on my little massey as well Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
546cowboy 301 #24 Posted December 2, 2014 I put a couple of those on two Wheel Horses but the mounting wasn't that easy to accomplish at least for me. I used 3/4" square tubing to get the height but I had some trouble getting it where I needed it front to rear and right now I can't remember why. As far as crankshaft size, I made a bushing from 3/4" pipe and then had to make a key out of 1/4" flat stock. I used the original pulley from the Tecky. I did do another one but I didn't use the HF engine on that one. I did a 656 with an electric start engine from.Carroll Stream that worked out much better. The only thing about that engine was that I had to buy the throttle linkage from them so I could use the dash lever. Another $18 that was already on the HF motor. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hotrodmerc 1 #25 Posted December 8, 2014 How does the 6.5Hp motor compare to the 8HP kohler?? I was thinking about the 13hp motor to swap out on my B-80. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
