[drakej12001]

Hi Group,

I am looking to add a tractor to my shed and had a 444 of unknown year come up about 1 1/2 hours away. The price seems a bit high to me at $800. It appears to have been re-painted power red, but no decals, sheet metal is straight. It comes with a blade and a deck- without belts and the engine was replaced with a 16HP kohler. Looking at the rep manuals, it does not look like case ever offered a 16 hp kohler as an option? Not sure if I have enough info about the engine to answer this, but would a clutch from a 14hp kohler be compatable with the 16 hp kohler engine?

thanks, Brad

 

[robynrj]

Brad
Clutch should be ok on K341. Bob M

 

[drakej12001]

 

[drakej12001]

thanks Bob, I tried adding some pics...but I don't think it worked out for me.

 

[Hydriv]

Welcome to the group Brad,

You are 100 percent correct. Case never offered a 16 hp Kohler K powered tractor. They used Onan twins for the 446 and 448 tractors with 16 and 18 HP respectively.

If someone has put a K-341 engine into a 444, then I have to question whether he encountered clearance issues with it.

I cannot tell you if the K-341 flywheels are drilled and tapped to receive the OEM clutch or not but I don't see that as being an insurmountable issue. You could go to Kohler.com, research the part numbers for the flywheels for both engines and see if they are identical. They may also have drawings that show the dimensions for both engines and that would help you on the clearance issue.

I hate it when people repaint the Desert Sunset tractors with Power Red everywhere to try and make them look newer but I see it all the time. Most of those paint jobs are done with a rattle can and look like crap. I agree with you that the tractor is over-priced but more details such as a serial number plus photos of the tractor, blade, deck etc would help us make a better assessment.

 

[Hydriv]

Brad, there is a "How to Post Pictures" tutorial in the "Forum Help section at the top of the main board. Hopefully, after reading about the two methods, you will be able to post your photos here.

 

[tanandorange]

Hi, Brad.
While the K341 uses a bigger flywheel than the K321, both use the same bolt pattern where the clutch hub bolts on, so yes, an OE clutch will work. Depending on the oil pan used, you may have to use a different deck belt, as most K341 pans will raise the crank centerline higher above the frame rails.
John

 

[old abe]

Looks like a wheel horse kohler.
I'd definitely inspect how the engine is mounted, make sure its not rigged up.

 

[drakej12001]

Thanks for all the great advise. I made him an offer but havent heard back yet. I will let you know how it turns out.

 

[Hydriv]

If you don't get it, I wouldn't lose a minute of sleep over it. The tractor might be as early as a 1976, which was a Sunset model but it could be a 77 or 78.

He could be wrong about it being a 16 hp Kohler. I saw one guy with a 222 trying to convince people on e-bay that it had 22 hp because of the last two digits in the model number. So many owner don't know their ass from their elbow when it comes to these tractors. Not much surprises me anymore.

 

[mjodrey]

Yeah,there is a 200 series Case ( I can't make out the model ) on Kijiji right now,and the owner says it has the 17 hp engine it was built with.I don't think anyone builds a 17 hp engine do they ?



Maynard :canada:

 

[tanandorange]

Yeah,there is a 200 series Case ( I can't make out the model ) on Kijiji right now,and the owner says it has the 17 hp engine it was built with.I don't think anyone builds a 17 hp engine do they ?

Maynard :canada:

Hi, Maynard.
Kohler built a grenade...er...engine called a KT17. I don't know of any current 17 HP engines though.
John

 

[Hydriv]

Maynard........shame on you, buddy. You know better than to come on here and mention a Kijiji listing and not put the link in your post. Off with you right now. Find that link and put it into your next post. :thumbsup: :trink: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[cp7]

That is a K341 in the picture. They have 10 head bolts where the smaller engines have 9.

 

[old abe]

Yep, 341, and the red paint means it came out of a WH.