Tuff Torq K46 to K71 Swap

[jason silliker]

I picked up a parts GT235 the other day for $200, I originally went for the trans for $100 but he sold the whole thing for $200 so I'll part the rest & maybe re-coup my money lol. I've been wanting to swap out the K46 for something heavier. It's already been done by a couple of people. I had the original trans fail after 4 years & bought the rebuild kit from TT which is still going (re-polished the faces last spring) so I figure this is the way to go. I have a custom cab & blower set up other wise I wouldn't bother, but I like the projects anyway. The pedals are reversed so I'll either swap the swash plate or just make a rocker to switch directions.

 

[jason silliker]

Had a few minutes so I remove the wheels and tires and cleaned everything up hopefully cut the grass for the last time with the old K 46.

 

[KennyP]

Which one is the K71?

 

[jason silliker]

Finally getting back to this project, Got it mounted up on the bike hoist. I get 32" of lift this way makes it much easier to work on. (It's not a Noel Doiron hoist though lol.) Started to take some measurements of the K46.

 

[jason silliker]

The K71 is almost double the size!

 

[jason silliker]

After measuring, I cut the old mounts & kept them in case I want to switch back. (I hate modifying the frame but its a 12 year old tractor now lol. I removed the damping cylinder for now to get it to fit, I didn't want to hack the frame until I know for sure it's all going to work. I made heavier mounts & burnt them in. In the end the pulley is in the same height & only 3/4" further ahead, hoping am A85 belt will fit (1/2"x87"). SO in the end she sits only a 1/2" higher because of the larger tires but with the snow blower tires on the front it levels out. The only time it'll be an issues is the deck height is off 1/2", I could lower it on the adjusters but I'll just cut one setting lower on the lever, no big deal.

 

[jason silliker]

I made up new front mounts, like I said previously, I want to keep everything original as possible.

 

[Toomanytoys84]

That should turn that into a new tractor!

Going from a k46 in an x350 to a k72 in an x570 was a huge difference in torque. I assume the 71 and 72 are pretty close.

 

[jason silliker]

That should turn that into a new tractor!

Going from a k46 in an x350 to a k72 in an x570 was a huge difference in torque. I assume the 71 and 72 are pretty close.

The 72 is bigger than the 71 but this a lot more than the old 46 as well, went from 171 ft/lbs to over 300ft/lbs.

 

[Propane1]

32” of lift is a good thing Jason.

Noel

 

[Toomanytoys84]

The 72 is bigger than the 71 but this a lot more than the old 46 as well, went from 171 ft/lbs to over 300ft/lbs.

Should notice quite a change!

 

[Propane1]

Are you expecting better traction from this swap Jason. Much weight difference between the two transaxles.

Noel

 

[jason silliker]

IT"S ALIVE!!! No pics today but I threw on an A85 belt today and fired it up, I toggled the lever back a forth by hand, I'd almost guess it's twice as fast as the K46. (going the try an A84), at 23.99 at Princess Auto for a Kevlar belt I can buy 2 for the price of a green one lol, the only down fall is the GT235 I took this trans off used a "B" belt but since I'm using all my pullies I have to stick with the "A" belt.

 

[jason silliker]

Are you expecting better traction from this swap Jason. Much weight difference between the two transaxles.

Noel

Yeah Noel it's almost twice weight & I'm told if you block yourself against something ie. a wall the K71 will sit there & spin a wheel where the worn K46 would just by pass over the pump.

 

[Propane1]

So are you able to put your old chains and wheel weights on. If you were using them. Or do you load the tires.

Noel

 

[jason silliker]

The chains will be fine, I don't load them as I have weights on the back plus my cab, interestingly though the weights from my 1655's bolt right up lol. The guy I bought it from has more rims & tires & transaxles, I might pick up more.

 

[Toomanytoys84]

My local craigslist is always full of k46 powered tractors that loose power when hot.

If a fella could get cheap transaxle he could probably make a couple bucks.

 

[jason silliker]

You can take them apart & polish the faces of the pump & motor if they're not too bad, I've done a couple but this 100 K71 with the tires & wheels was too hard to pass up.

 

[Toomanytoys84]

100 bucks? That was a steal.

 

[jason silliker]

Yeah I paid $200 Canadian so 60 US lol, for a the one you see in the first pics. It supposedly had only been runnung on one cylinder. I kept the engine I might pull it apart sometime.