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John_U's 1980 317 Onan

18185 Views 47 Replies 19 Participants Last post by  MichaelTJD60
I picked this up last fall from a guy that lives just on the north side of town, just the tractor and 47" deck. At some point, the KT17 had been upgraded to an Onan P218G, so I consider myself to have "lucked out" in that regard...

I swapped the tires and wheels over from the 210, and shot a coat of paint on the hood to match the newly powder coated sheet metal.


Just before New Year's, I drover over to meet a fellow WFM'er and pick up a couple of new toys from Iowa...






I also picked up a 54 blade locally, and had the tractor outfitted for winter (even though I only used it three times...


I also picked up a newer 46" deck with the powerflow pulley and decided to refurbish it with bearings, gator blades, belts and paint. I want to put a speed-up pulley on it, but figured I'd try it out as-is first.


I plumbed up a pair of rear hydraulic ports (it's the factory rear hydraulic kit), which I plan to use for hydraulic raise/lower upgrade on my aerator, as well as other rear implements.



My dad wanted to step up from the 208 (which he kept also), and found this 420 with weights and MCS for a pretty good deal. It needs a few things like seat suspension bushings, a good cleanup, and maybe tires.


Last week, I finally decided that I needed new shoes for the rear of the 317, as the Duro's just didn't give me an aggressive look like I wanted. I will mount them on a pair of 455 wheels.


I always have a few (dozen) on-going projects, but here is a sneak peak at one that I'm pretty excited about (second to the power steering upgrade...)
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Coming along nicely John! I am still envious of your Tiller! Did the PTO shaft come with it? How hard and long does it take to change it out?:trink40:

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Looking good, ill assume yo will come up 29 to 80 and head east?
I usually buzz over to 39 on 17 then head north, but it's about a wash.

Coming along nicely John! I am still envious of your Tiller! Did the PTO shaft come with it? How hard and long does it take to change it out?:trink40:
The PTO was part of the package deal for the tiller I picked up last winter. It also came with a really nice model 80 cart. :thanku:
Ive been down to peoria that way also, Good luck getting the blower.
Swing on over we will talk 317's:thThumbsU
Reassembled everything yesterday after work, and even installed it on the tractor. I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out. I think it's much stronger than the OEM Deere hitch for the closed frame tractors, plus I can leave my rear PTO installed.







The vertical lift links do create a bit of a twist on the lower draft links since they aren't offset at all and only have a swivel on one end, but I think I have a plan to take care of that.

:trink39:
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Looks super good John!:thThumbsU
I went on an adventure Saturday morning, this followed me home.



I also reworked the vertical lift links over the weekend. While I lost the adjustment (for now), I ended up with much better geometry. I even bolted up my plow and gave it a shot in the garden. There's a bit too much trash on top to plow under, so I'll have to rake some off and toss it in the compost before finishing.





By the way, I received my seat suspension from Matt, I never knew what I was missing! Thanks Matt!
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By the way, I received my seat suspension from Matt, I never knew what I was missing! Thanks Matt!
Nice Rig! What is that suspension seat off of? It looks great on there.
Nice Rig! What is that suspension seat off of? It looks great on there.
It's a reproduction unit based on the original Deluxe Suspension Seats that Deere offered with the later 300 and 400 series. He was advertising them on WFM last year. I didn't buy one then, but contacted him again this fall and he was working on another round this fall so I snatched one up!
Awesome Fab skills. Dont say we cant build it here! I love the 3 point!
First of all, VERY impressive skills and mods. I am currently refreshing a 317 right now. Been working on it for a year and I, like you have children (3) so i understand things getting put on hold.
Couple questions.
3 point hitch. very nice design. are you using a JD cylinder or did you pick one up at a retail store like tractor supply or rural king?
Steering - I am trying to figure how the assisted steering works. The 400 steering column looks the same as our 317 columns. So does the cylinder just apply constant force which reduces amount of driver effort when you turning?
Thanks for you time and for posting.
John
First of all, VERY impressive skills and mods. I am currently refreshing a 317 right now. Been working on it for a year and I, like you have children (3) so i understand things getting put on hold.
Couple questions.
3 point hitch. very nice design. are you using a JD cylinder or did you pick one up at a retail store like tractor supply or rural king?
Steering - I am trying to figure how the assisted steering works. The 400 steering column looks the same as our 317 columns. So does the cylinder just apply constant force which reduces amount of driver effort when you turning?
Thanks for you time and for posting.
John
John,

Thanks for the compliments, it's not a show-unit, but I'm aiming for a nice fit and finish as well as functionality.

The 3-point hitch cylinder is actually a rear lift (deck) cylinder off of an open frame tractor. I think it was specifically from a 400.

The 400 steering valve is inline with the steering linkage, and provides flow based on the linkage input. The system is still primarily mechanical, with hydraulic assist. I would consider this to be very similar to what most vehicles today (equipped with a Saginaw style gearbox).


The later 300's and 420/430's used what I'll call fully hydraulic steering, using a power steering control unit, often also called an "orbital valve". There is no mechanical linkage between the steering wheel and the wheels, it is controled completely hydraulically. This system uses hydraulic force (exerted through a cylinder) to control the direction of the wheels, instead of using the operator's effort multiplied through a gearbox and linkages. This type of steering requires the least amount of operator input, and remains constant regardless of speed and load on the steering axle.



Here's some more info I found on another forum:




For what it's worth, I'll be selling off the 400 valve I bought and using the 318 parts.
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think I may have to follow you in power steering about what was cost? if im not to bold asking
think I may have to follow you in power steering about what was cost? if im not to bold asking
I don't remember exactly, but I think I paid about $150 for the climb and valve together from a fellow member who was parting out a tractor.

I would make you a good deal on the hydro assist valve that I have off a 400, it's much more bolt-on.
Good wotk John. What did you end up doing with the Onan? Also do you have to tske the 3pt off to use the Tiller?

MTF Old App
Hey john. Quick question here. To get ur tires to look like that. U used a set of 400 series rims. And can u use the same tires as u had on ur 318 rims


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Hey john. Quick question here. To get ur tires to look like that. U used a set of 400 series rims. And can u use the same tires as u had on ur 318 rims


Sent from the MTF Free App
The rear wheels? They are from a 455 with 26x12 tires. I'm not sure what they would look like or if they would even work with a 23x10.5 from a 300-series.
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