White GT1622 - Same as MTD 918?

[deezler]

Hi all,

Well I was getting desperate to have a bit of motorized assistance out on the new parcel of land I just bought, so after scouring craigslist for a few weeks, decided to jump on what appeared to be a nice bargain. It's a White GT 1622, model year unknown, though probably between '75 and '82 ish. I was leery of such an old garden tractor, but the owner has maintained it well for the last 35 years and replaced anything that broke on it. He was also a pretty good salesman.

Is this the same tractor as the MTD 918? Anyone have one of these tractors?

While it seems to run fine now, cuts grass ok, and starts easily, am I looking at an ongoing maintenance nightmare?

So far I love it, but haven't really gotten to put it to work. I bought it thinking that the purchase of a larger, more modern 4WD diesel CUT would be wayyy off in the future, but then again, I might be buying one this Saturday. Oops.

 

[rgs03833]

Is this the same tractor as the MTD 918? Anyone have one of these tractors?

While it seems to run fine now, cuts grass ok, and starts easily, am I looking at an ongoing maintenance nightmare?

looks the same with the Searches, but I dunno

Looks good tho, I like it...

Maintenance goes for everything... Try that with your Hair or not washing your body and see where that goes... LOL

 

[deezler]

Thanks. Yeah it's a fun lil' tractor.

I have never driven or owned a belt drive tractor before picking this one up. Is it normal for the belt to slip a bit before the tractor get accelerated up to speed? As in, in 3rd or 4th gear, you let the clutch out and the tractor hesitates a bit before attaining full speed (not engine bogging, either). I can't really detect noticeable belt slip, but presume that is what is happening. I am just kind of worried about the belt slipping when I try to drive up a hill or plow a pile of snow, etc.

 

[rgs03833]

Thanks. Yeah it's a fun lil' tractor.

I have never driven or owned a belt drive tractor before picking this one up. Is it normal for the belt to slip a bit before the tractor get accelerated up to speed? As in, in 3rd or 4th gear, you let the clutch out and the tractor hesitates a bit before attaining full speed (not engine bogging, either). I can't really detect noticeable belt slip, but presume that is what is happening. I am just kind of worried about the belt slipping when I try to drive up a hill or plow a pile of snow, etc.

I have two MTD's and both are Belt driven. As far as mine goes, the Belt Engaged on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th. It should NOT be loose at all is that what you mean? It should only SLIP when it Idle, but NOT when it's in Gear. I suspect it's a Stretched Belt or a Belt that is NOT what it's suppose to come with, maybe the old owner Put in a Longer Belt? there is Belt Tensioner sometimes called Idler Pulley next to the Belt. Sometimes the Spring is Loose or Worn out, maybe it's NOT pulling the Idler Pulley tight enough?

Play with the Idler Pulley and see if it Spring back.... Try it with each Gear and see, it should get tighter as you move the Gear up. Don't try it when the Engine is ON, LOL

You can do it when it's OFF, Remove the Plate between your Legs, you can see it clearly down there, play around and see so you can understand how it works... Pretty easy once you are able to see how it works, so you can fix it

 

[tommypaul]

here my 1977 mta 918 w/tiller yes it work great mows great to

 

[mkonecsni]

Still have that White tractor? I have one and have had it for 30+ years. I can help you with that slipping problem if you haven't figured it out yet.

 

[deezler]

I still have it.... but it doesn't do much anymore. The transmission blew on me after this hellacious winter of plowing (record all time seasonal snowfall here in southeast Michigan). I probably was too impatient and fairly often would shift between 3rd and reverse without coming to a complete stop (some grinding of gears). Then again, 2nd gear never did anything, so there could have been some pre-existing issues.

The shifter went totally limp/loose and it seems to be stuck in 1st gear, but now it's jammed and just smokes the belt if you let the clutch out. Having a big heavy garden tractor that can't be a rolled around is a big pain in the ***...

Transaxle replacement a feasible job on these beasts?

 

[mkonecsni]

The transmission isn't totally shot. Chances are it's just a little $.50 spring that holds a ball in place in the shifter fork on one of the shafts in the transmission. The spring probaby collapsed which then allows the shifter fork to slide out of position and lock up the transmission. a temporary fix is to take out the shifter(3 bolts) then reach in with a screwdriver and slide the shifter fork back to the centre and reinsert the shifter. It may take a little rocking of the tractor to free the fork, but it should come free. I have attached an exploded view of the transaxle. The slipping problem can be cured by tightening or looseninf the nut on the shaft that goes from the variable speed shifter(on the right side of the tractor above the pto lever), its located under the hood, right beside the battery. I attached a picture of that as well.
Transaxle:

Belt:

 

[George2615]

Tractordata lists a White GT1620 as being built between 1977-1979. I don't see a 1622 listed but suspect its the same.

 

[mkonecsni]

They must have missed it.
I have the complete manual for the tractor, tiller and mower if anybody needs copies of them.