1450 vibrations

[wh cc guy]

I am thinking about installing Kirk crankshaft balance plate in the engine. It will involve a lot of work and several dollars. Has anyone here installed the kit and what was the results.

 

[mgwin]

There are several guys here that have done this. They say it works well.

 

[jstewart]

How does it work on the 16 hp, which had a reputation for being poorly balanced, in comparison to the others?

 

[Greg Riutzel]

I put a Kirk's plate in my 16 Hp in the 1650. To me the engine is close to the same as when it had the balance gears; except now I have fewer failure points. I don't get "poorly balanced", there are limits for single cylinder engines and the large displacement models will be thumpers for sure except at rated RPM they will smooth out nicely. That probably lead to the twins taking over for the higher horsepower models and they're smooth at various RPMs. The main thing to reduce tractor/frame vibrations are the rubber isolation engine mounts. I went with OEM CC parts and that was money well spent.

 

[wh cc guy]

when the crank was machined flat for the plate could it be done in a lathe?

 

[Greg Riutzel]

Didn't cross that bridge. I used an engine shop that had a Bridgeport, nice 'an clean and easy. I would think with a mill you pick the spot; with a lathe you're kind of limited to what's proud on the cheek face.

 

[wh cc guy]

I was hoping it could done on a lathe, That wound be a easy setup and easy to cut. It seems like a hard setup to hold while cutting it in a Bridgeport. Thanks for the reply.

 

[Greg Riutzel]

I was hoping it could done on a lathe,

I checked the instructions that came with mine and Kirk specifically says it can not be done on a lathe. The crank throw and the counterweight are on the same plane and material can ONLY be removed from counterweight.

 

[wh cc guy]

Thanks for the information. Guess I will have to come up with a way to hold it on a Bridgeport.
I don't think that will be easy.

 

[jstewart]

I'm guessing that the interrupted cuts on a lathe are the problem? The crank being hard enough that when the tool bit wouldn't enter smoothly?

The reference to "poorly balanced" 16hp came from observations of others that the 16 hp may have pushed the design too far, with it working better on the 10,12 and 14 hp versions

 

[Greg Riutzel]

The instructions had a scale drawing of the crankshaft. It clearly shows that cutting a mounting surface for the balance plate on the counter weight, the surface would be in the same plane and area of the crank throw if it were done on a lathe. That would make half of the crank throw thinner and weaker.

I agree the 16 Hp is huge. It's certainly more than the 44" mower needs or anything else I've done. The price and condition were right so I went for it.

 

[wh cc guy]

A rotary table and bridgeport seems like a lot of work. Has anyone had one dynamic balanced? If so how did it work out

 

[etopel]

https://www.kirkengines.com/downloads/BalancePlateInstructions.pdf

 

[Jay Fetters]

It's impossible to perfectly balance a single cylinder engine.

 

[wh cc guy]

After all the info I have received about kirk balance plate and how to install it plus information on not being able to balance it very good I guess I will just let her shake and forget about it. Thanks for the responses that you gave me.

Next up is a 149 that I have to rework. It is also 14 hp kohler. Will I have the same problems with it?

 

[jstewart]

I don't see what the rotary table achieves that a lathe can't do. They are both working at 90 degrees. To get a rotary to work otherwise, it would have to be mounted on a sine plate.

 

[kennymorrow]

There are machine shops that will balance your engine for you, if you send them the crank and piston/rod assembly. Pullers do this fairly routinely. If you are working on a Quietline, also be sure to make sure your isomounts are good. Isomounts won't do much to reduce actual vibration, but they will reduce perceived vibration.

 

[wh cc guy]

Thanks Kenny. I can get car engines balanced easy but not many places will balance small engine. Haven't found any in the Nashville area.

 

[RAllison]

When I rebuilt my 14 horse I just flat out removed the balance weights and put it back together...engine runs great

 

[wh cc guy]

My engine runs fine. the vibration is what I don't like. No balance gears but is .010 oversize. I understand Kohler pistons and also the piston pins were made lightweight for the 14 and 16hp engines to help with the vibrations. Mine being aftermarket makes them heavier so that makes it more out of balance.