The Franken 169 Project

[Ken Black]

My cabin is so far up into the mountains on a unmaintained steep gravel road. You need a 4 x4 to get there in summer or you will bottom out. There so way this tractor would help it is too deep snow on dirt roads. I have an old artic cat 340 I almost got stuck in my field going up to check cabin. I do not attempt it anymore when snow up there.

iam from albany ny area.. i know what ur sayin lol .. theres one or two spots up here like that lol

 

[bwstevens]

It sounds like a common problem . One thing that come to reading and responding to many posts is that these are kind of old tractors so they may not perform like a three hour 1025r with out a little maintenance. It could be as simple as some lube on some linkages.

 

[Stephen Wattley]

The aqs engines have no balance gears to break the starter cranks the engine much better and the charging system is solid state so it charges much more reliably. Definitely a work tractor upgrade.

How about ignition? Is that solid state or are we deal with points. Is there a serial number on this thing someplace?

 

[kmcconaughey]

Serial number should be on the left side of the frame behind the brake pedal. Ignition is points.

 

[hydroharry]

Serial number should be on the left side of the frame behind the brake pedal. Ignition is points.

Kraig - he already found the serial number tag for the tractor. I believe Stephen is wondering about a serial number tag for the K341AQS engine. That should be located on the left side of the flywheel shroud partially obscured by the tractor frame. Since it is a replacement engine I have seen a few of them have the tag near the top of the flywheel shroud.

And Stephen - don't get me wrong when I was discussing converting your engine back to a non-AQS. It's probably fine as is and will be a good worker tractor for you. You just have to know/realize that if you attempt repairs and maintenance most all the references on here will refer to original equipment. One interesting fact is that IH choose to combine the Service Manual for the 1x8/9 and the Quiet Line series since they have many similarities.

 

[Allenpatterson]

From an originality perspective, the folks comments are generally correct. But from a practical point of view, my opinion is that the AQS engine is better at least from the starting/charging perspective. I converted my 129 over a few years back and have never been happier. Starts much better, especially in cold weather, and I get a consistent charge voltage unlike the old S/G. I also have it solid mounted like the original engine. It is a 12 HP so the vibration wouldn't be the same as a 16 HP.

Looks like this 169 still has a manual PTO clutch, I was unaware that the manual clutches would work on an AQS style engine's crankshaft or did you do away with that on your 129 and go with an electric PTO clutch from a quiet line? I'm very curious because I have had thoughts about putting AQS style engine's in 1X8/1X9 tractors but didn't want to go with an electric clutch.

 

[kmcconaughey]

I believe you can mount a mechanical PTO on a AQS engine provided the crank end is the correct size, but you cannot mount an electric PTO on a non-AQS engine.

 

[Stephen Wattley]

Today the 50 inch mower attachment is mounted it is so easy to hang this so much smarter then my sears 24 horse that the deck has rusted out. So I am getting used to the hydro lever and it has cut my hole lawn the mower works great. I am finally gett to like this thing and not regret the purchase. The only thing it needs is the hydro control plates.

 

[Stephen Wattley]

Looks like this 169 still has a manual PTO clutch, I was unaware that the manual clutches would work on an AQS style engine's crankshaft or did you do away with that on your 129 and go with an electric PTO clutch from a quiet line? I'm very curious because I have had thoughts about putting AQS style engine's in 1X8/1X9 tractors but didn't want to go with an electric clutch.

It has the lever no switch and works great

 

[Stephen Wattley]

Can we rename this post back to my project? It not all about the hydro