1450 Spring Tiller/Spring Prep (pointsaver fluid change etc)*Updated, internals pics)
 

After a long, long...................looonnnngggg winter, I finally got a chance to work on the 1450 I picked up last fall. This machine had been sitting for about a year and from the maintenance I've done thus far, hadn't been maintained well before then. I started the day by installing a Points Saver that I ordered from Kirk Engines. Let me start by saying, excellent service and a top notch product. Like all the posts and reviews I've read, it makes setting points a walk in the park. I didn't get it mounted yet, but I've picked a place. Installation is simple; remove condenser, hook up red wire to coil - side, green to ground, and black to points. I ran the wires in places that looked good, I was even able to get the points wire through the original wire run. I'll tidy up a bit this coming week, but it's basically done. I also installed the new spark plug wire I bought from darkminion_17 (thank you, btw). I didn't snap any pics of the old one, but it was in pretty rough shape, basically held together by electrical tape.

I then moved on to the transmission. This, this was a headache and a half. I got the tiller gearbox off easy enough, removed the rear cover, and drained the fluid pretty quick. After seeing the fluid that was in it, I'm surprised the thing moved. As you can see, a milky, soupy fluid came out. It was pretty bad looking. I'm guessing it was the original fluid by the looks of it, it was that bad.

Then came the filter. I don't know how tight the PO put this thing on, or if he used super glue to hold it in place, but it was a nightmare. It took me an hour and a total of 3 screwdrivers to get it removed. I tried to get a filter wrench around it but it wouldn't budge it. I punched the first screwdriver through and as the pics show, it eventually broke. Second screwdriver bent, and the 3rd one finally got the ****ing thing off.

After all the work, I mounted the tiller back up and took it for a test run. Compared to how it ran when I got it, it's practically a new tractor (considering it wouldn't even run when I picked it up). Now we just need some nice weather and I can give the ol' girl a work out! I've got my garden to do plus some landscaping. My father also wants me to do a couple small patches so he can expand his garden and add separate plots for tomatoes and sweet corn. She'll get a good work out this year :beerchug:

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Your pics didn't show up, Ryan.

Is that better? I tried a different host.

I see them

Those are good pictures. I hope you clean out that rear end well, and refill it with HyTran. HyTran will encapsulate that moisture that is causing the milky white muck in the transmission/final drive fluid. Be sure to use the correct filter, too.

I hope you will be using side curtains on the 1450. They are integral to the cooling process of the 1450. I hope the muffler box is there and in decent shape. I patched up the muffler box on my 1250 Nightmare with JB Weld; and with excellent results.

A 1450 is a heck of a tractor. Please keep us informed of your progress.


Be well.

Brian Wittman

See them now, Ryan! Thanks for sharing. :beerchug:

Oh I did, I try to use genuine CC Filters or the Napa equivalent when changing out fluids. I think The Fram PH16 filter isn't really supposed to be used from what I've read. It's got an anti-drian back valve in it therefore not ideal for the suction our hydro's have/use and as I can attest to, makes the tractor useless when it's cold out.

As far as side tractor panels go, I don't see them as 100% necessary for cooling. I see plenty of guys run without them without issue (that, and I don't have them). From what I know, they were mostly there to keep noise down as opposed to cooling uses. As long as the engine shrouds are in place, all should be good with cooling. My muffler box is there and in overall good shape, just a rattle here or there. I'm debating putting something in there to insulate it for noise but who knows what'll end up happening.

Nice job....but don't ask to borrow any screwdrivers in the near future!!! Wow!!

:biggrin2: In all fairness, those were some cheap screwdrivers that bit the dust. The funny thing was, the actual metal didn't break on the first one, the handle did and the cheaper screwdrivers I used 2nd, didn't break but bent!

The 1450 I bought in January had a similar situation with the filter. I was planning to split the tractor anyway so I waited once I found out how hard it was to remove the filter. I used a big pair of channel locks and had a heck of a time getting it off. The gasket was bone dry - the PO didn't lube it before installation. I would have had a bad time if I hadn't split the tractor.

I have used the hammer and big screwdriver method in the past. Very messy and no fun. Be sure and lube the gasket so it comes of easy next time.