dig it 198t transmition problems

67datroad · Jul 20, 2014

I also have a 198T Digit that me and my brother bought several years ago. It has been a real work horse up until yesterday when it quit going forward or backwards. I checked all of the obvious things-like linkage and fluid level. The fluid level is fine but it looks a little murky. We just changed the filter and oil not that long ago. Needless to say I am a bit bummed as a tranny cost is more than we paid for it when we bought it. Hoping to hear back from SpitfireLandscaping on the JD 300 and the pictures of the internals. The loader and backhoe work just fine. Will try to PM Doug if he does not respond. Thanks.

Steve

67datroad · Jul 21, 2014

Well, I am a little embarrassed but glad to report that I solved what I thought was a bad tranny. After going back out and looking things over for a second look I discovered that the linkage that connects to the tranny was in fact missing a pin so it was not engaging properly. A temp fix was to find a bolt with the correct dimensions to insert into the hole locking the linkage to the tranny's shift mechanism. I will get a proper pin to lock it into place tonight after work. More than glad I did not have to source a tranny for this as from the looks of it would be a very expensive expenditure. We are on the move again. It is always good to discover the problem really is something pretty simple.

Steve

SpitfireLandscaping · Jan 26, 2015

Hi guys.
It's been a while since I checked out the forum so I will just make a quick reply to this thread as it's getting late and I will try and address some of the questions that have been asked and get some photos to you. The only thing that you require from the Johne Deere hydrostat is the pistons and swash plates providing they are serviceable. These will fit the Digit hydrostat with one slight modification. That is the Digit hydrostat will have to have all of the holes in the barrels over-bored by (I think) .004". I'll have to check on that. So what you will have to do is purchase a reamer to bore them oversize (cost of around $60.00) and a serviceable Johne Deere 300 hydrostat. (You can check my previous post but I think it was less than $300.00.) Don't try to bore it yourself. Take it to a machine shop as you don't want to screw up the barrels. I'll try and get some photos on over the next week or so when I have a minute. Glad to see there's some discussion going on. Nice to see the reply on the $2500.00 hydrostat as well. Getting reading for the big storm tomorrow here in Nova Scotia.
Take good care all.
Doug in Nova Scotia

67datroad · May 3, 2016

So, it looks like this thread is dead. Happy to report my 198T is still running strong. I had to have one of the front bucket cylinders rebuilt as it was leaking like a sieve. Was not cheap but should last a long time. I did a minor resto on mine-cleaned her up an painted. Had seat upholstery redone-got tired of sitting on an old outdoor rug. Put new front rims and tires on. I did source a replacement motor which I went ahead and purchased- It is a Kohler 19HP Kohler CH62-318 Horizontal Engine, Replaces CH62-38 It has the correct 9 tooth spline for the hydraulic pump. Figured I would buy one while I could still afford it. One of the brackets that holds the bucket boom in place for transporting was missing in action so I fabricated one out of 3/8" steel and welded her in place. I gotta say she looks good for an older piece of equipment. And better yet it works great. This thing has bailed me out several times and is a real work horse. I get quite a bit of use out of it. Here are a couple of pictures.

L8r..

Steve

SpitfireLandscaping · May 3, 2016

Hey Datroad.

The tractor sure looks good with the new tires, paint and seat! Thanks for the link on the engine. I don't need one, but sometime down the road I will have this as a reference.

I wouldn't trade mine for a new comparable one of similar size. They are just too good to get rid of.

I am just in the process of building a cab for mine. (Bought a new plasma cutter a few weeks ago and it's sure coming in handy now). I'll update this thread with photos once it is completed.

My biggest beef with the tractor is that there just isn't enough weight on the front end. Just wondering if everyone else is having the same problem and what they did to solve it? I was going to get the front tires filled with lime and maybe install a heavier piece of steel on the blade of the bucket. Any other ideas would be appreciated.

Doug

67datroad · May 4, 2016

Yeah, she cleaned up pretty nicely. When I was cleaning her up I removed the back tires and greased everything after a thorough cleaning. Did you know there is a fuel shut-off at the back left side of the rear wheel as you are sitting on the tractor. I replaced all of the old fuel line and put one in up by the engine as I had no clue there was one back there. So, now I have two. The old front tires I took off weighed a ton and must have been filled with something. I have not really used it since I put the new front tires on. I may have to figure something out as well. I tried using Heartland to get parts for my hydraulics-seal kits but to be honest they were not very helpful. They are right here in Iowa so they are close but I will probably not use them again. Customer service sucked. I have the full manual and have all of the filters figured out-oil, hydro-stat and hydraulics. I can post the info if anyone wants it or needs it. I would still like to see what you did to get that John Deere transmission to work. It was out of a John Deere correct? Nice to have at least one other owner to bounce ideas off of. Obviously you made it through that storm from a few years back. Was that when Sandy hit the East Coast? Enjoy.

Steve-in the Heartland

SpitfireLandscaping · May 10, 2016

Hey Steve.

I had a hard time getting to this thread so I hope this makes it to you.

I too had problems with Heartland.

The best place by far for Digit 198T is Mission Manufacturing in Princeton, IN. Phone 812-385-5061. Talk to Adam. He owns a 198T as well and he knows these tractors, by far better than anyone else I know. Mission has every single part for the 198T including hydraulic seal kits right up to the bigger stuff. I mean every possible part is available through them. They are reasonably priced, very good on the phone, get the parts out usually the same day UPS. Adam can quote you most parts by heart and he even knows the specific part numbers for the serial number of the tractor.

Hope this helps.

Doug in Nova Scotia

67datroad · May 10, 2016

Doug,

Thanks for the info. I have jotted it down and will give Adam a call if I need anything else. I have mine pretty well squared away now. I have a small leak on one of the rear boom cylinders but nothing too bad. I used it this past weekend and the front end is a bit light but it still seemed to work just fine. I am keeping the old wheels around in case I find that I need them. I really get a lot of good out of this machine. Take care.

Steve

67datroad · Sep 29, 2016

Well, last week my old motor finally blew up literally with a bucket full of dirt in the middle of the yard. I had to empty that by hand and wheel barrow. Makes me really appreciate the old girl. We had a rough time dragging it back into the shop so I could work on it. She does not roll at all with the hydro-static transmission. Once in the shop I set about removing the old motor and installing the new motor I had purchased just in case. I can tell you that the Kohler 19HP CH620-318 Horizontal Engine is in fact a direct replacement for the 198T 18 HP motor. I had to remove the blower housing shroud, the ignition switch, and the throttle and choke on the new motor as they would hit the firewall. Plus they were not needed for this application. I need to do some rewiring as the old ignition switch plugged into the new motor harness where I removed the new ignition switch but it would not start. I put the new ignition switch in and she starts right up. I ordered some parts so I can get it rewired-Ignition Switch FITS Kohler 25 099 32-S 04-S 02 Toro 103991 Stens 430-662, Oregon 33-350 5 Terminal Connector for Ignition Switches, Oregon 33-351 Snap-In Wire Terminal, and Replacement Ignition Switch Universal Wiring Harness 5 prong 18" long. The wiring was a mess any ways. Pretty sure all of the safety interlocks were disabled years ago. I also have a new 4 slot fuse block coming as well. Thinking about putting at least one light on the bar so I could see at night. Started her up last night and she purrs like a kitten. As long as the old motor lasted this one should last my lifetime. Will post a couple of pics if anyone is interested. Thanks.

Steve in Iowa

67datroad · Oct 1, 2016

Probably a dead thread as there are so few of these left but here are some pictures. Still waiting on some new components so I can get her rewired. Ripped out all of the old wiring that was doing nothing or had been disconnected by previous owners.