KT-17 Series I Question Regarding Slopes

[ccguy]

Looking for advice from owners of KT-17 Series 1 engines.

Just purchased a very late in production (3 weeks before Louisville shutdown) IH 782 which never received the Series 2 swap. I prefer to keep it an “original survivor” but also realistic about an engine swap-out. It's been in storage for many years and will receive a thorough servicing and cleaning. This will be a worker on my property which has some slopes of up to 20 degrees.

I am familiar with lack of lubrication issues as discussed here on OCC.

The question - What can I “get away with” in it’s usage without grenading the engine? No slopes? Slight slopes? Occasional medium slopes? What has been your experience and what do you recommend?

Many thanks,
ccguy

[ol'George]

Been my experience they die more from abuse than anything.
Change the oil regular, and remember the connecting rod journals only get oil from a splash created from 2 holes in the camshaft which means every 2 revolutions of the crankshaft, not every one revolution.
Also let them warm up at slow speed before putting them to work.
they operate at about #5 of oil pressure unlike the full cross drilled crank pressure system series II and magnums, that get as high as #60+ cold.( they have a pressure relief spring/ball that the series 1 doesn't.
if you can stay on a slope, without sliding down hill, it will prolly survive, just remember to keep it to the full mark.
And when it dies. replace it with a magnum, as most can't tell the difference just looking at it.

[Radioguy41]

I don't know how well you can tell from the photo but my driveway has a pretty good slope to it and I just spent over an hour going up, down, and around pulling the rock rake and she did fine. I've done it before with no problem. However, I strictly follow the manual for this one and that means IH low ash 30W oil - NO MULTI-VIS.

[ccguy]

Thanks ol’George and Radioguy41. I’m going to “go for it” and leave it stock keeping in mind your advice. I always let equipment run for a few minutes before getting down to business and change the oil religiously every 15 hours of operation with SAE 30 Low Ash Oil (CaseIH/Pennzoil/Deere) so I believe I should be good.

Nice IH 782 Radioguy41. And ol’George, you continue to be an astounding fountain of knowledge.

Thanks!

[Oak]

I have a late production 682 that I purchased from the original owner with the original KT. I'm like you and would like to keep it original. The ser# on it is 6935xx and it is great shape.

[Radioguy41]

Now, having said all that, I do have an M20 sitting in reserve and if I get up enough time and energy this Winter the plan is to swap it in. Assuming I do that and the KT17 is still healthy it'll be a freebie for pickup so stay tuned.