LT40 Harbor Freight Predator install?

KirkD · January 12, 2016, 09:29:55 AM

Has anyone put the Harbor Freight Predator 22hp on their LT40? I am looking at converting the Electric one I just bought back to gas.

47sawdust · January 12, 2016, 11:11:31 AM

No experience with that motor.My gut feeling is there are many better choices for a re-power,the most straight forward being a re-power from WM as all associated parts would be included.Might seem like more money upfront but the needed tech support is very valuable.

Ocklawahaboy · January 12, 2016, 11:13:16 AM

Danger Will Robinson

KirkD · January 12, 2016, 11:39:58 AM

Quote from: 47sawdust on January 12, 2016, 11:11:31 AM
No experience with that motor.My gut feeling is there are many better choices for a re-power,the most straight forward being a re-power from WM as all associated parts would be included.Might seem like more money upfront but the needed tech support is very valuable.

I guess I could post my resume here but I don't think I will need WM support on the swap and there is a BIG price difference. The saw was gas and has all the factory parts still there other than pulley and belts. Pulley will be different since I will be adding an alternator.

beenthere · January 12, 2016, 11:44:34 AM

Quote from: KirkD on January 12, 2016, 09:29:55 AM
Has anyone put the Harbor Freight Predator 22hp on their LT40? I am looking at converting the Electric one I just bought back to gas.

Why do you ask? Thinking maybe the Predator is not such a good idea? just curious...

KirkD · January 12, 2016, 11:54:13 AM

Quote from: beenthere on January 12, 2016, 11:44:34 AM
Quote from: KirkD on January 12, 2016, 09:29:55 AM
Has anyone put the Harbor Freight Predator 22hp on their LT40? I am looking at converting the Electric one I just bought back to gas.
Why do you ask? Thinking maybe the Predator is not such a good idea? just curious...

Just asking to see who else has done it one review on HF website was from someone who had put one on a LT40 and was happy with it..... I think it is a great engine for the money I have had good luck with the smaller ones and read on other forums how well the 22hp performs. The only issues I have heard of is you want to run them awhile and then cool them down and set the valves. I hear they all come on the tight side which affects power and idle.

dustyhat · January 12, 2016, 12:03:55 PM

Not a big fan of HF ether ,but i went ahead and bought there ten hp to put on a pallet resaw i built .and found i really like the little motor. but aint got any idea about the bigger ones .but would like to hear some word on them also.

Ohio_Bill · January 12, 2016, 12:05:16 PM

If you are going to use the mill for hobby and not saw very much and smaller logs 22 hp might be ok. If you are going to use the mill a good bit and larger logs I would want more power. I have owned mills with 13, 25 and 42 hp. IMHO bigger is better.

Chuck White · January 12, 2016, 01:51:50 PM

I repowered my LT40HD with the 25HP Kohler from Wood-Mizer and I'm very well satisfied with it!

Runs all day on 3½-4 gallons of 91 octane.

The engine came with all the linkage, belts and mounting hardware and the paperwork!

Took about 2 hours for the change-out and I was back sawing.

isawlogs · January 12, 2016, 02:02:36 PM

I went and looked at the motor on there sight, at that price, I would also put it on my mill. ;)

Kbeitz · January 12, 2016, 02:08:08 PM

Does your mill have a clutch?
Or is that something that you will need to buy to put the gas engine back on?

KirkD · January 12, 2016, 02:47:11 PM

Quote from: isawlogs on January 12, 2016, 02:02:36 PM
I went and looked at the motor on there sight, at that price, I would also put it on my mill. ;)

It is basically a Honda clone from what I can tell. I see where even the Honda fuel pump bolts right on it and am wondering if other parts would to.

KirkD · January 12, 2016, 02:48:01 PM

Quote from: Ohio_Bill on January 12, 2016, 12:05:16 PM
If you are going to use the mill for hobby and not saw very much and smaller logs 22 hp might be ok. If you are going to use the mill a good bit and larger logs I would want more power. I have owned mills with 13, 25 and 42 hp. IMHO bigger is better.

I am not going to make a living with it or I would be looking at a diesel.

KirkD · January 12, 2016, 02:49:13 PM

Quote from: Kbeitz on January 12, 2016, 02:08:08 PM
Does your mill have a clutch?
Or is that something that you will need to buy to put the gas engine back on?

This uses a arm to pivot the motor and tighten the belt.

Ohio_Bill · January 12, 2016, 04:50:26 PM

Sure can't argue with the Price of that engine.

KirkD · January 12, 2016, 05:21:42 PM

Quote from: Ohio_Bill on January 12, 2016, 04:50:26 PM
Sure can't argue with the Price of that engine.

That's what I am thinking.

KirkD · January 12, 2016, 05:25:01 PM

What I would like to know for you guys that have added Alternators to tell me what size pullys you have found work the best on them. I have read about the reasons to use 100+amp. Would love to see some pictures posted of your setups.

Dave Shepard · January 12, 2016, 05:34:22 PM

I converted a '92 E15 (electric) to a G23 Kohler. It was not a simple bolt on, as the original Onan engine had a stepped crank shaft, and the WM sheave wouldn't work. The WM I think had one 4" groove for the alternator, and two 3.5" grooves for the drive belt. I used a triple 4" sheave and that seems to be working really well so far. I don't know what size you would need on the alternator, we didn't change that. Is your mill using the factory alternator?

Kbeitz · January 12, 2016, 05:42:14 PM

Around 4-1/2 - 5" on the engine.

ladylake · January 12, 2016, 05:45:23 PM

Seems like most times that I buy something cheap I end up replacing it with something good that I should have bought in the first place. Steve

KirkD · January 12, 2016, 05:48:27 PM

Quote from: Dave Shepard on January 12, 2016, 05:34:22 PM
I converted a '92 E15 (electric) to a G23 Kohler. It was not a simple bolt on, as the original Onan engine had a stepped crank shaft, and the WM sheave wouldn't work. The WM I think had one 4" groove for the alternator, and two 3.5" grooves for the drive belt. I used a triple 4" sheave and that seems to be working really well so far. I don't know what size you would need on the alternator, we didn't change that. Is your mill using the factory alternator?

Dave this mill had the Onan from the factory and was converted to Electric. But the Onan and alternator are MIA.
He was using a big heavy RV 110v to 12v inverter to run the 12v stuff.
So I assume with a 4" pulley driving the blade you are not running or don't really need full throttle?

EZ · January 12, 2016, 05:49:07 PM

I'm thinking about it myself. Nice thing about it is if you buy the extra warrenty you can take the old back in two years and replace it. Don't matter if it still runs or not just take it back and get a new one.
EZ

KirkD · January 12, 2016, 05:56:14 PM

Quote from: ladylake on January 12, 2016, 05:45:23 PM

Seems like most times that I buy something cheap I end up replacing it with something good that I should have bought in the first place. Steve

I thought the same thing 6 or 7 years ago when I put a 6.5 horse HF on my Wheel Horse tiller (bolted right on by the way and used the same pulley). I think the original Kohler was around 8hp and the 6.5 performs just as well.
Figured if it got me through that summer it would be worth the $100 I paid for it.
It is still on it and going strong it can sit all winter and fire on the first or second pull.

scrout · January 12, 2016, 06:02:32 PM

Obviously this motor is made at a plant that already makes these type of motors, so it is a rebadged whatever.
For all we know it IS a kohler, briggs, etc, just gets a different label on it.
I have got an 18 horse briggs on my saw now, if it goes bad then that exact HF motor will be going on it.