Can anyone recommend a replacement engine for Steiner 430 Max that will be adequate

[Bridgebum24]

I have a Steiner 430 Max with a 21 HP Kubota diesel. It simply is not strong enough to mow up hill in 2nd or High Gear. I use to ride a JD 3720 and that was a horse. Too large for my 6 acres, so maybe I am making an unfair comparison. Still I would love to put as large an engine in the 430 as is possible. I would not mind having to have a new hood fabricated to get this done.

Is there anyone with this experience and solved it successfully.

Bridgebum24

 

[Industrial Toys]

Yeah, I have the Steiner 430 MAX Diesel that I use just to cut around the house. I have to keep remembering to go uphill slow so not to loose RPM. More power would have been nice. I don't like gassers of any kind, but did have the Kubota gas engine in another 430 MAX, and it was a really sweet motor compard to the noisy vibrating Diesel and had more HP.

 

[jaydee325]

Repower Specialists list a Kohler replacement kit. Not cheap though. You will be north of $2000 for this swap.

 

[stevem5215]

As a FYI - I have a Steiner 420 with a 20hp Onan and it has no trouble on any hills in high range. Even with the 6 weights on the back and the Full loader on the front loaded with dirt. I'm usually more worried about the rear of the tractor popping up in the air due to to much weight on the front in the bucket.

Steve

 

[IH3444]

First thing I would do is replace engine oil with quality synthetic oil. Then I would grease all deck spindles with Amsoil synthetic grease. Then possibly using a good diesel fuel additive to slightly boost centane rating, Power Service comes to mind. Next thing I would look onto would be turning the fuel up a bit on the injection pump if possible. JD uses a 24hp diesel in their 60" cut riders, why did Steiner under power theirs at 21hp? The 3 extra ponies would do you well. I see that the Kubota engine is about 700cc, whereas the JD is about 900cc. The last resort is installing a turbo unit kit, and only slightly add boost.

 

[John_Mc]

If the Cetane number of the fuel is already above the number recommended for your engine, adding a Cetane improver will not do anything measurable t your performance. Check out this link for the facts behind this. In particular, look at the section entitled "If Some Is Good, More Is Better?"

If you fuel is lower than the required Cetane rating, then adding a Cetane improver will probably help a bit.

 

[Industrial Toys]

The 430 is what it is. Has it's strengths and shortcomings. Maybe get rid of it and move up to a newer one or Ventrac.

For what it's worth, I have seen MANY repowered Steiners, but none ever having replaced a KUBOTA motor, gas or Diesel.

 

[IH3444]

If the Cetane number of the fuel is already above the number recommended for your engine, adding a Cetane improver will not do anything measurable t your performance. Check out this link for the facts behind this. In particular, look at the section entitled "If Some Is Good, More Is Better?"

If you fuel is lower than the required Cetane rating, then adding a Cetane improver will probably help a bit.

Yea, I read all that also before your posting, figured someone would poo-poo the Power Service comment. It's a safe bet just to add a little diesel lube/boost to be sure. The 430 should have come with a 24 or 24.5hp diesel. JD has a 27 EFI gas engine twin cylinder, and an offered 24hp 3 cylinder diesel engine. The diesel engine works circles around the gas motor, although JD should equip it with a factory block heater standard for colder weather ease of starting.