Swapping Robin out with Kohler today

[SpringHollow]

I am not sure how long the shaft is and how much you have to cut off but can you put it on the cutoff side of a horizontal bandsaw and still cut it to the length you need? If you can, that would be the easiest.

Ken

 

[Marks481]

I generally look upon events like this as opportunities to expand my tool collection.

Right tool for the right job, I always say!

And the more of them, the better...

You really need a porta-bandsaw, like this:

Milwaukee M12 12-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Sub-Compact Band Saw Kit with Free M12 4.0Ah Extra Capacity Battery-2429-21XC-48-11-2440 - The Home Depot

 

[Frank Sorbello]

Cut the shaft today. Surprisingly very easy with hack saw and new blade. I took my time. It took about 20 minutes. Happy with the way it turned out.

 

[Frank Sorbello]

Putting the motor in the tub. A couple of problems to solve. In what order does the motor go back in? I dropped it in, hoping that I aligned the front coupler with the front pump's coupler. I think I have it, but can't see to well to know for sure.

2 problems. 1 the rear motor holes are slightly off with the new engine stands holes. UGH!

2. I forgot to put on the spool or shroud cover that goes over the rear pump coupler. And that brings me to, if I had that shroud bolted to the housing over the shaft, there is no way I can fit the motor into the front pump the way I just did it. Is there an order of what gets hooked up first.
It's like one of those impossible puzzles with one right answer.

 

[MossRoad]

View attachment 469368View attachment 469369View attachment 469370

Cut the shaft today. Surprisingly very easy with hack saw and new blade. I took my time. It took about 20 minutes. Happy with the way it turned out.

Slow and steady wins the race. Nice job! So was that shaft keyed all the way down? Looks like there's still a key on the cut-down stub.

 

[MossRoad]

Without seeing yours and mine in front of me, I recall the shroud being cut out quit a bit. Don't really remember how its in there....

 

[MossRoad]

Here's a picture of my variable volume pump on the front of the engine if its any help.

And of the PTO/Steering pumps on the back of the engine.

 

[Frank Sorbello]

It is pretty much the same set up Moss. When I removed the engine I took out the motor mount bolts (4), Slid the engine a couple inches forward. Unbolted the rear spool that goes over the shaft and rear pump coupler. Dropped the rear pump. I then pulled the motor back to disengage from the front pump. I then could lift the engine. I am trying to reverse the process, but something is not right.

The front pump coupler seems much larger than the one that was on the Subaru. The new one is a big lovejoy aluminum one. On my Robin Subaru there was a small shaft on the front of the pump. There isn't a shaft on the front of the pump. The new coupler has 4 allen bolts that bolt to the flywheel assembly. I have a new engine stand that was made for the Kohler. Only difference from the original stand (robin subaru) it appears to be about 1/2" taller.

I wish the back of the tub was like a tailgate on a pick up, so you could open it up and put the motor and pumps in all as one,

 

[Marks481]

I wish the back of the tub was like a tailgate on a pick up, so you could open it up and put the motor and pumps in all as one,

A sawzall to open and a welding torch to close....

I spent 4 years in the Navy at Electric Boat while they built our submarine.

The mentality of a group who are really good at welding is interesting. They think nothing of chopping a 3'x3' access hole through 1"+ thick steel submarine hull to run services (power,pneumatics, ventilation). Need to work on a valve in an inconvenient spot? Cut a 10' section of pipe out and that way you can do the work in comfort at a workbench...

 

[MossRoad]

I'm just gonna guess that they assemble the whole engine/pump assembly on a bench at PT and then drop it in as a unit. I think that's how I'd remove and install mine if if ever comes to that. I just wonder how they get their itty bitty hands and crooked arms in there to hook up the hoses!

 

[Frank Sorbello]

I can tell you Moss it aint easy!!! Tonight I set the engine in the tub for the tenth time. I have tried every which way. I talked to Terry today as well. So, I have the engine and the front pump and coupler set in place. I have the four motor to engine stand bolts in place, however they are not tightened down. The two on the starter side of the engine are a real *******. I have a locking nut on the front one. I have tried every combination of 1/2" socket, open end wrench, gear wrench, swivel that I have. There is minimal room for your hand to turn any wrench to tighten.
As far as the rear pumps. I disconnected the four hoses on the pumps. Removed the pumps. Tried every which way as well to hook up to the engine even before I set the engine. I think the new front coupler is a bit longer than the old one so I am definitely losing some space that would have been beneficial for fitting the rear pumps in place. I bet I won't have a 1/2" from the backside of the pumps to the back of the tub. Extremely tight fit. It looks exactly like yours Moss in the photo of your rear pumps.
I think what I may do tomorrow is cut a small section in the back of the tub out enough to make room to fit the backside of the pump through. I don't really want to do it that way, but don't see any other choice.

 

[MossRoad]

Would removing the starter give you room to get to the engine mounting bolts on that side? I changed my starter last year and it went in and out pretty easily.

 

[Frank Sorbello]

Would removing the starter give you room to get to the engine mounting bolts on that side? I changed my starter last year and it went in and out pretty easily.

Yes. It definitely would. I just didn't want to open another can of worms just yet. I may look at it tomorrow. I changed the starter when I had the 22 hp Robin Subaru in it. It was challenging.

Now the engine, is in place. I do like the location of the oil filter much better on the Kohler than the Robin.

Thanks Moss!

 

[MossRoad]

I think we were talking about starters back in November. We both and the click, but no start syndrome. I changed the key switch for $9.99 and that didn't resolve it, so I purchased and aftermarket starter and that resolved it. Here's a link to our discussion. It was a 10 minute job to change the starter. Two bolts to mount the starter and one nut for the wires.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/power-trac/346462-ignition-switch-post4271353.html#post4271353

 

[Frank Sorbello]

Moss, I too replaced the starter two summers ago. The bolts were very hard to get to. I drilled two holes in the tub to get to the bolts. Last summer I had trouble with ignition switch too. Along with the new motor, I purchased a new wire harness, ignition switch, hour meter, and few other things so hopefully a lot of the problems I had in the past will be gone.

 

[Frank Sorbello]

Have not had time to work on this project this week. I did not want to take out the starter, however Moss has never led me astray. Literally took five minutes to take out. Was able to get an air ratchet and a back up wrench in there to tighten the bolts from the engine to the stand. This forum is a lifesaver, because I doubt I would have figured it out on my own to take out the starter to get to those bolts. So a big thank you to Moss Roads. Side note: The bolts to the starter are more accessible on the Kohler than on the 22hp Robin. The Robin's sit in deeper.

 

[Frank Sorbello]

Tim, today I took your advice as well. I cut a small section out of the rear tub wall with a sawzall. Was very easy to cut out and very easy to reinstall the rear hydraulic pumps with that extra newly added space.

 

[MossRoad]

Good news. Glad removing the starter gained you some room.

 

[Frank Sorbello]

The original wire harness had been altered and cut, wire nuts, electrical tape, etc… I bought a new wire harness from PT. I noticed the new wire harness is a lighter gauge wires. I am trying to figure out what is what. Moss I have a green coming off the engine, not PT's wire harness. Do you know what that is and where it goes? Also the new harness did not come with the wires to the fan on the hood. I am guessing I can make my own. There are two wires. One is a ground? and where does the other one go to?
Thanks
Frank

 

[Frank Sorbello]

Another snag today. Went to put the battery back in the tub, it's not fitting. The new Kohler engine has a bigger oil filter that really sticks out. I need a half inch.