oil consumption

[cubscout]

I have a 1282 Cub Cadet with a 12 hp cast iron Kohler (K301). I have about 800 hours on this tractor and it uses quite a bit of oil when I use it just for mowing. Is there anyone that can give me any information about what may be the cause of the oil consumption. Also, when the mower has been engaged for a few minutes, the ammeter displays that the tractor is discharging. Any ideas what this might be?
Thank you.

 

[Fordlords]

Your 1282 being a 25+ year old machine, is getting tired. The engine oil consumption is likely from worn cylinder bore and piston rings, and worn valve guides, a compression test can confirm this. The K301 is still a very easy and desireable engine to have rebuilt at just about any small engine shop, even a do-it-yourselfer can take it on having a shop overbore it and replace the valve guides and seat the valves. Or, places like Small Engine Warehouse have complete brand new K301's to replace the old engine along with some retrofit kits for other engines. I suspect a good K301 rebuild would be in the $500-600 range, a new engine $1000-1200.

I suspect the engine's alternator is getting weak too, or the regulator rectifier is on its way out. The PTO clutch pulls a lot of current, and will make a bad charging system show up on the ammeter. The flywheel would need to be removed from your perticular K301 to replace the alternator field coil, something that could be done at overhaul time.

The 1282 is a great and very collectable tractor, if its in good overall shape it is worth putting some $ into the engine, as you simply can't buy anything new that is made that well anymore.

-Fordlords-