Kanga Terminator Stump Grinder modifications

Eric Frei

111mb wmv

If you have one of these machines and not impressed with it's performance due to design flaws then watch this.

I have modified a few now and can say around 30% power increase and doesn't bog down anywhere near as easily.

I have just stripped the head down after 130 hours of grinding after the modification. Didn't have to take the bearing caps off just managed to tap the shaft left and right and get the bearings off ... no hassels. Split collar, key, seals etc all great so proves this mod works.

http://www.palmtreeservices.com.au/video/kangamod.wmv

Part of the upgrade is ditching that ridiculous centrifugal clutch and replacing it with a direct drive solid pulley which is also a better drive ratio. The original clutch is 120mm OD whilst this replacement is 95mm OD meaning more torque and no slip. You will need new belts slightly shorter B48's.

Attached Thumbnails

 

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Eric Frei

The Honda 24hp engine can easily be replaced with a Kohler 27HP etc. Bolt holes line up however output drive pulley would have to be changed.

I would say if you could buy the unit complete minus the engine, fit Kohler, do mods you'd have a serious contender.

My unit beats a RG25 or Vermeer SC1525 easily, but the goveners on the Honda's aren't as responsive as Kohlers.

The pivot design, piston etc is rock solid, leveraged and strong.

Cutter wheel sitting under weight of engine is good.

Fits in standard 8' long trailer OK.

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TrevMcRev

Thats a good vid ekka. Ive been thinking about flogging off my 1625a and getting a mini loader with grinder and grapple instead. Are there many/any other grinders worth using on a loader?

Eric Frei

There's the Wallaby, bit weird, sort of offset.

I reckon these minus the engine, drop a 27 Kohler on and mod the front end.

Trev, the loader has 430 hours on it the grinder 160 so shows what you do a lot more of, hauling.

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shaggs

hey guys
keep a watch out if you go with the kohler engines. they have a bad habbit of blowing head gaskets. aparently the factory bolts are too thin and stretch, especially in warm aussie weather. replacement (kohler) bolts are thicker and eliminate this prob.
mate just had 25hp kohler command on ride on do head gasket after 10hrs...brand new.

Eric Frei

Just an update.

Recently I had an unusual engine problem. It was like the machine ran on 1 cyclinder then it would power with two and back to one and so on.

Ended up that a transistor spark timing unit just under the plastic red cover over the flywheel needs to be earthed. The bracket it is mounted on broke and it just rattled around. Also front flywheel sensor was not working right so replaced both and now it goes like a real trojan.

Also bought a new carby for it. Honda's new carby has that notorious emulsion tube hole now at the back with the front sealed, still put the filter in there and much better. Obviously the carby's around 2004 vintage sucked. Now it really goes hard and for the first time in a long time you can smoke the belts if you dont take it easy.

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Eric Frei

It's also the coupling where the two fuel lines join, just near where the hydraulic lines join.

I just have a piece of hollow tube and pull the lines apart etc and fitted a little on/off tap!

Trust me, fuel is just dribbling through that coupling. I know after wasting my money buying a new fuel pump then a squeeze ball down by the loader engine and even trying to replace that coupling with a new one ... they're all shit, just get a brass fuel line joiner with a hose clamp on the loader side ... and push the two together and pull them apart as required. You'll get used to the fuel tap, you'll either have fuel pissing out all down the loader or the next stump you grind 1 minute in the engine conks out.

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Eric Frei

Here's a video of it doing a scribbly gum stump ... with brand new Tomahawk Teeth just fitted (so a little "bitey")


And here's the video of it with the new .

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Eric Frei

Had to fit a new engine and chose the new Honda GX690.

The old 24HP engine is no longer, they have superseded it.

Also be aware of the scandal about small engine HP ratings being bogus.

HD video of it fitted and working with the Multi-tip cutter system. Air intake is different, exhaust, wiring so you may need to watch this.

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Multi-Tip Australia

G'day Ekka
Finally got to see the vid.
Very good info for Kanga owners looking to change their powerplant.
I suppose that the overblown HP ratings, on machinery in general, shouldn't come as too much of a surprise, I think everyone always suspected that in reality.
Upping the HP, upping the capacity, more macho!
Must say really like the way the MT cutters performed, even tho a little blunt.

Regards
Ray Kehlet

Eric Frei

All I know is Kohler = $4400

Honda = $2500

And my last one lasted 6 years.

So I don't care if it breaks down, bolt off and throw away, bolt on new one.

The plates under the engine are there for good, it was just a matter of getting the right height for these new belts, the manufacturer switched to China and the belts size changed .... looser, so I just packed the engine up 12mm, problem solved.

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