782 Engine Question

[tomr80]

I was looking into a repower kit for my 782. Its such a good little tractor but the kt17 series 2 seems to bog down on a heavy load. It starts runs fine and does not smoke at all. I have changed oil and filter religiously. I have had it since 300hrs it has 1200 now. I have used this tractor for everything from pulling my daughter on a sled to mowing ditches. I was really going to get a honda repower kit but cant seem to find them anymore. Any opinions???

[macman81]

If it Boggs under a load I'm guessing your carb is set wrong or the governor needs work. Mine will pull through anything I can throw at it! And mine uses a little oil so she's not perfect mechanical shape anymore. Does yours sound like a wild animAl coming unleashed when the governor opens up? Lol

[tomr80]

it just seems like someone is lowering the throttle when I push snow up a hill and have the blade full. also when i'm mowing and going up a hill it does the same. last weekend I was pushing snow on flat land and it was working pretty hard was goin about half throttle, reached down and uped the throttle and it didn't change, till I stopped then it screamed to full throttle. Engine just acts tired to me. She is an Old Gal

[kostendorf]

From what you write it could just be linkage to carb and governor needs checked and cleaned.

[J-Mech]

Fix your motor. It doesn't need replaced. If you replace it, PM me, I want the old one.

Go through the fuel system, check to see if it has a blown head gasket, tune it up.

[ol'George]

X2, that Kohler is a good engine with plenty of torque, as you know.
Sounds like you need to give it a little TLC
if it isn't slobbering oil into the air cleaner it is not worn out just yet.
go through the plugs check timing and that the gov is right.
When it is cold, start it up and listen to see if you can hear either of the head gaskets blowing by as you snap the throttle open from idle.
usually you can see it as well as hear it.
it is almost a knocking sound, as the compresson is blowing by

[clint]

Kohler kt17 (series 2) or magnum 18 you shouldn't be able to bog down like your describing. I have both this summer with magnum 18 (same as kt17 upgraded ignition etc) and cut grass over waist high it would slip a belt most of the time before bogging down, governor kicks in and they have loads of power just powers thru anything I have thrown at it.

I would do as others look at your carb rebuild kits are cheap, and just about considered a tune up. Also I run autolite plugs and suggest them, they are cheap well worth the couple dollars to eliminate that problem make sure gap is set correct. Also as others have suggested check carb settings you can find easy instructions in manual make sure engine is at operating temp before making carb settings. Governor probably not the problem, but it's very easy to check you can find this in manual also. Make sure you don't have a automotive type fuel filter you will need a screen or paper element you can do a search here find out what fuel filter to get I run two filters a cheapo screen, and after that a paper cartridge type. These are fine engines they use a little more gas than some but very simple to work on, and last a long time (minus series 1)

[inspectorudy]

My 1811 did the same thing this summer and it turned out to be crud in the fuel bowl/carb. It was making the engine run hot and lean due to restrictions in the fuel flow. Do the carb rebuild first and then if that doesn't fix it go on to the other suggestions. New plugs of course are really easy too. I would suspect the governor as the last and most complicated thing to look at. Good luck.

[tomr80]

Where is the governor and how do I "clean it"? what is the correct gap for plugs? Autolite huh? What size you runnin? I replaced the original carb that was on the trator with a high/low adjustable one. The original was a piece of crap an old timer said, it did work a lot better but in the last 2 years id say this is what shes done. I run NGK plugs right now. Thanks

[efharg]

I also have a 782 with a KT17 also and it is a real work horse. I have mowed knee high grass with it without bogging down. It sounds like your carb is probably not supplying enough fuel at full load. it may have trash in it restricting the fuel flow, or maybe just misadjusted.