K91 In Lawn Ranger? Or Other Motor Options

[71_Bronco 1,072]

Was thinking about my Lawn Ranger tonight and what I'm going to put in it for a motor. I'd love to stuff my Wisconsin S7D into it, with the down-draft air filter and the Starter / Generator set up. However, due to its size, i have a sneaky suspicion it's not going to fit.

 

Was thinking but trying to make my H60 Tecumseh work (which is in it now), but that hits the hood in a couple spots.

 

I've heard a K181 will work, I have a loose engine on my bench I could test fit once I pull out the H60.

 

I came across a couple K91s for cheap online. I'd be willing to bet they would fit with room to spare. Only issue would be that an electric starter is not going to be easy to source / adapt on. Id love to do a Starter / Generator version, but can't imagine those are easy to come by.

 

Only reason I'm hesitant on the K91 is the fact that its a 4HP. However, the K91 was good enough for the RJ and a few other models. Not to mention this tractor will just be for putting yard fun, and not any super strenuous work like plowing.

 

Another option thats on the table is an M8. There's one local to me in nice shape with a recoil starter, and what looks to be provisions for an electric starter motor. That one seems like it would be a nice motor for the Lawn Ranger, but not 100% sure it would fit.

 

So many options.

 

And the obligatory tractor photo.

 

 

Edited September 1, 2020 by 71_Bronco

[ebinmaine 68,887]

M8 is a great engine but an old tractor deserves an old engine. 

Something all metal. 

The K91 would be fine for general putting duty. Not exactly overpowered for sure .... But it would do. 

 

Either the tecchy or Kohler 8 would also be a great option. 

 

Just......... Metal.  

 

 

[Achto 27,918]

I think that K91 would work great in there. I have seen them with a S/G, just don't know where you would find the fly wheel with the mounts for the pulley.

[Mike'sHorseBarn 3,036]

My vote would be the k181 kohler. I've seen a couple with those in and they look sharp. The only thing is that you have to use an ATV battery in them because a normal lawn and garden battery won't fit because of the starter. 

[71_Bronco 1,072]

Right now I've got a line on a pair of kohlers.

 

One is an M8, recoil start, claims it runs perfect and starts right up. Price is $80.

 

Other is a K91, recoil start, but unknown if it runs. Price is $75.

 

I know the K91 can be worked on and rebuilt easily, but not sure how easily it will be to adapt any type of electronic starter.

 

Edit: There is a K161 with a recoil start, claims it runs, but he's asking $225, so I haven't really considered that one.

Edited September 1, 2020 by 71_Bronco

[ebinmaine 68,887]

I don't know what the availability is in your area but I'd have a hard time giving somebody $75 for an unknown.

 

 

[71_Bronco 1,072]

20 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

I don't know what the availability is in your area but I'd have a hard time giving somebody $75 for an unknown.

 

 

 

Not very. There are non-running K91's posted for over $100, but not sure how quickly they are moving, if at all.

 

I paid $200 for a K181 with an electric start. I contacted the guy the same day he posted it. By the afternoon, when I went to pick it up, he said he had multiple people offering him between $250 and $300 for it.

 

I'm honestly surprised the M8 hasnt sold. It's been posted for a couple weeks. However, he did spell Kohler wrong, so that may be why.

 

EDIT: There seems to be plenty of the bigger engines available around me, the 10+ HP Kohlers. But the smaller ones seem to be a lot less common, running or not.

 

EDIT 2: These are all bare motors BTW. There is a vintage leaf blower for sale for $100, with a running recoil start K181T on it, but no ideal what kind of output shaft that would have on it.

Edited September 1, 2020 by 71_Bronco

[ebinmaine 68,887]

Funny thing is if you're careful you can go over just a bit West of you and get a complete running b80 for $300. Give or take.

 

[dclarke 4,046]

Here’s a couple of later model Rangers, one with a K91 and one with a K181. Both are pull start. 

[71_Bronco 1,072]

Thanks for the pics. From what I can tell, the leaf-blower K181 is a regular output shaft, not a tapered one.

 

I have 2 K181's at home already.

 

A red one, in my Commando 8, with a blow rod and a starter-generator.

 

A black one, loose on the bench, with an electric starter on it.

 

I was going to convert the black one to the starter-generator and put it into my Commando 8. However, it would probably be easier to convert the leaf-blower K181 to the starter-generator, and pop the black one, as is, into the Lawn Ranger. Instant electric start.

[71_Bronco 1,072]

Finally got in touch with the leaf blower guy. Says it starts up first or second pull and runs perfectly. I'll be meeting up with him tomorrow after work.

 

I'll probably use it to blow leaves this fall, then tear it down this winter and swap over the starter-generator parts.

 

@dclarke, on the red Lawn Ranger, with the K181, did that crank fall in the same spot as the old Tecumseh? Or did you need to modify the belt guard to work with the new engine?

[dclarke 4,046]

4 minutes ago, 71_Bronco said:

 

@dclarke, on the red Lawn Ranger, with the K181, did that crank fall in the same spot as the old Tecumseh? Or did you need to modify the belt guard to work with the new engine?

I think the only mod I made to the belt guard was I made a bracket to bolt the guard to the Kohler engine.  

[71_Bronco 1,072]

@dclarke, thanks for the info. I can make a bracket no problem.

 

I got the leaf blower last night. Pretty cool old machine, thick sheet metal housing, impeller looks to be cast aluminum. I plan to use it this fall, then possibly pull the motor in the winter.

 

I'll probably keep on the look-out for another K181, as this little machine is almost too nice to tear apart. I'll post some pics this weekend.

[71_Bronco 1,072]

Here's the leaf blower, took some pics today after cleaning the shed a little. It is a "Lo-Blo" leaf blower. The spec number on the engine says it has a standard, straight, keyed output shaft, should work just fine.

 

 

 

Edited September 7, 2020 by 71_Bronco

[WHNJ701 4,165]

Pull the kohler and stick a predator in it, use it or resell it