982 Observations

[ACecil]

I'm still enjoying the 982. I've noticed some differences, between it and the 782 and 1872. The Onan in the 982 seems to run a lot cooler, than the Kohlers in the 782 and 1872 did. After running the 982 over an hour or so, I can touch the hood, and it isn't that hot. I couldn't do that with the 782 or 1872, the hoods got really hot. The Onan is also better on gas, than the Kohlers. I've always heard that the Onan's were gas hogs. The Mag 18 in the 1872 was the worst on gas, the KT-17 was a little better. Just some small observations...lol!

[john hall]

I don't know about running cooler, but I think just having the Onan makes the tractor cooler! In an apple-to-apple comparison, we've decided the 982 uses a bit more fuel than my 2072 (both have 60" Haban decks). I swear the Onan has more lugging power. My 982 was bought as a non-runner rust bucket. Once we got it going and most of the mechanical stuff fixed I have put it through more torture than any other lawn mower I have ever ran. If it weren't for the power steering on the 2072, I think the 982 would be dads favorite mower. Initially he didn't want me to buy either, now he loves them both! Even talks about ditching a 129 and a 122 he has.

[1811woody]

Guys I've been leery about a Onan, I've heard horror stories about them. Whats your feelings on the longevity and the rebuild ability of the motor in comparison to the magnum? Not that the Magnum doesn't have their own horror stories.

[CadetTommy]

I have 3 Magnum 18s and they are the definition of gas hog. The first one is in a Bobcat Farmboy and the other two are in my Cubs. They are really good with torque though, and they sound really nice. Both Cubs have about 430 hours, and the Bobcat has been being run for stall cleaning since new in 1985 or 86. The Magnum 18 in the Bobcat is how I know my Cubs will be running a good long time. No hour meter on the Bobcat though so I don't know how many hours. Maybe 1700-2500+. Been around longer than I have.


Edit: Forgot to mention that the Bobcat also functions as a space heater.

[jaynjeep]

Allen,

I have a KT 17 in a 782 that is a pure pig! and it runs hot hot.. I have a Mag 18 that isn't much better in either respect...

I have had several Onans that I love.. Have one now in a Sears that is a great engine.. never had much care and it still goes and goes...

I used to work at a small engine shop in the late 80's and we had tons of customers with ONAN power on everything from welders to generators to commercial mowers.. I never saw one fail at all! So I never have understood why people bad mouth them.. In my opinion they are a great engine.

I have noticed that the flat opposed twins in general (kohler and onan) have more bottom end grunt than the newer overhead valve engines like the commands and the vanguards.

Glad you like the 982!

[zippy1]

Good to hear you're liking the 982 Allen.
I never had a Onan, so I can't comment on it. But having the 782 and 1872 I know what you mean by feeling hot...
As far as gas guzzling goes, I don't pay much attention. When either is low I fill em' up. I figured the 1872 is going to use more fuel cause it's working the 60" inch-er, 16" more than the 782's 44" cut.

[john hall]

Originally Posted by 1811woody

Guys I've been leery about a Onan, I've heard horror stories about them. Whats your feelings on the longevity and the rebuild ability of the motor in comparison to the magnum? Not that the Magnum doesn't have their own horror stories.

Pretty much the Onans are tough as nails, but the ones in Cadets are all OLD, and most likely tired. Parts prices are insane and sometimes availability can be spotty. I had to search high and low to get a complete rebuild kit for the carb. Needed a piece for the air intake and had to find an NOS one on ebay. Long story short you have to be willing to search for reasonable priced parts or have deep pockets--I put on a voltage regulator this summer that I found listed for almost 10x's what I paid for it.

I've heard some of the stuff for the Magnums not to mention the KT17's is getting scarce and pricey. I just look at it like this, if you want to run a classic or antique lawn mower, then you are going to have to be creative and resourceful to keep it going.

[jaynjeep]

Originally Posted by john hall

Pretty much the Onans are tough as nails, but the ones in Cadets are all OLD, and most likely tired. Parts prices are insane and sometimes availability can be spotty. I had to search high and low to get a complete rebuild kit for the carb. Needed a piece for the air intake and had to find an NOS one on ebay. Long story short you have to be willing to search for reasonable priced parts or have deep pockets--I put on a voltage regulator this summer that I found listed for almost 10x's what I paid for it.

I've heard some of the stuff for the Magnums not to mention the KT17's is getting scarce and pricey. I just look at it like this, if you want to run a classic or antique lawn mower, then you are going to have to be creative and resourceful to keep it going.

Well said John! You can't badmouth any of them because they are all old and most have been abused or had limited care.. Heck Onan pioneered the small opposed twin years ago.

As you said the Onans are tough as nails...(they proved that to me years ago) and I have a Magnum 18 Kohler that has 1900 hrs on it... never had a wrench on it other than oil changes, air filters and spark plugs. It shows no signs of being tired.. and it has worked hard pulling a 50" deck since 1986.

Too bad parts are getting expensive and hard to find.. Magnums and Onans are both good engines..

If I had a brand new Onan and a brand new Kohler Magnum sitting in the floor and had to choose one... I'd go with the Onan every time..

[gdheck]

I can't comment 1st hand about an Onan, but I'm pretty sure I can hear a sucking sound when my 2072 with Mag 20 gets anywhere near a gas station. My great uncle had a 982 that I doubt he would have kept for over 20 years if it was very hard on gas. He was tight fisted that way. Wish I could have bought it, but his son in law got it instead.