Original One-Eighty 4-cylinder gas tractors

The story goes that in mid-1967 A-C built about 100 new One-Eighty gas tractors with the G-226 engine running at 2,200 RPM high idle. Problems arose when customers started complaining about excessive engine vibrations. As per Norm Swinford's book ( page 109)  the platform vibration would put the operators feet to sleep. The original test tractor (only one) was retested and it was acceptable in the area of complaint. Some of you are aware that my project tractor for this past fall/winter has been installing a One-Eighty platform/seat frame/brake/clutch pedals on an early One-Seventy gas.  Raising the deck up approx 9 inches makes this tractor really nice to drive !!  But, I can assure you, this platform conversion project has re-produced the same annoying platform vibrations that were experienced in 1967. It took a little engineering and thinking of how to deal with this problem, but in the end, I didn't have to switch to a different engine !! The solution was really quite simple: #1. make rubber stops for the clutch and brake pedals, so they didn't sit there and vibrate against the platforms at high idle, and #2. place rubber edging strips on top of the battery box so the left platform wasn't resting on bare steel, again causing engine vibrations to be amplified to an annoying level.  This tractor is now smooooth and a real joy to operate, even at 2,200 RPM's.  Why did the original tractor not bother ??  I've seen that particular tractor back when the Deutz buy-out happened. I remember the fenders not being "production" pieces. The press-brake bends were tighter and clearly a proto-type build. I can only assume the platform pieces and battery box were the same way, not exactly production pieces and maybe even a gauge heavier material. So, 55 years later, I think I've figured out what went wrong for A-C on this model. The engine wasn't really that bad, it's just the way they built the platform made a little problem into a BIG problem. So, anyone who wants to build a "high-deck" One-Seventy, be prepared for what you may have to deal with.

You cannot believe the visibility !!!

190's do have a great view! I still prefer my 220.

I agree, Mack. Always thought the G-262 from the D19 or the G2500/265 would have been much more competitive than the G-226.

I'm reasonably certain the 1967 One-Eighty G-226 was the exact same engine as the later model 1975 model 175 tractor (camshaft change, 8.25 to 1 compression and larger carburetor). The One-Eighty ran at 2,200 RPM while the 175 ran at 2,000 RPM with the old low down pretty solid platform. The 175 was officially rated at (almost) 61 PTO HP and when you increase the engines RPM's by another 200, that number would have fallen right into that 64 PTO HP range, which is exactly what they were shooting for. Engine life would have been less than before, probably 3,000 hr average to Ohaul. But, Deere was marketing their 3020 with 227 cubes and 2500 RPM speeds and I know it was fairly short lived. I never knew of one that made it to 3,000 hrs to Ohaul. The G-226 in the One-Eighty required some differences over the diesel chassis. The hydraulic pump was crank pulley driven and located under the radiator. This then required different hydraulic lines and a shaft/coupler drive and a mount built into the front support. Save money on the engine, but then spend $$$$$ to complete the hydraulic system. I kind of thought they should have stayed with the One-Seventy side hydraulic pump system. Then, the One-Eighty chassis would have been the same gas or deezel.

Yes, but the overall performance and short engine life wasn't anything for them to crow about.

DSeries4 wrote: I have encountered a similar experience.  I grew up on my grandfather's 175 (with the standard platform).  I spent many hours over many years discing and cultivating at around 1800 rpm.  I never noticed any vibration In 2015 I took the tractor completely apart to restore - including the platform steps.  After it was painted and reassembled, the platform steps do have a very noticeable vibration to them when going down the road.  All the bolts are good and tight.  Maybe too tight? Just wondering what would cause them to vibrate now. Thanks! PS, I would also agree that this tractor should have had a raised platform from the factory.  Sitting down low makes it hard to see over those big flat fenders.  The 185 is far superior in that respect!

Also cool mod with the high deck 170!! Did you add an extra step on the left to compensate for the higher platform? Did you go with the 180 seat suspension? I would think the steering wheel would be a bit low after upgrading to the "high deck" also

I'm hoping we will get pictures when done kinda like the D17XT....

See if this works.   https://photos.app.goo.gl/f7Xa6J3X9NJZMhHz6

DrAllis, thanks for sharing your AC One-Seventy project's solutions. Good findings on the vibrations & isolation remedies. I imagine that beyond your additional rubber mounts, rubber hydraulic hose extensions, etc, the raised operator seat might be the better remedy?  Anytime I ran the D17 or the One-Seventy, their lower seat position seemed to place my ears at the worst noise height, being center proximity to the transmission sounds & resonation from it's rear wheel fender's vibrations. Anytime a hand would be placed onto those fenders, the tiring vibration could immediately be felt. It's raised position's visibility is a great plus too.

Too bad they didn’t see fit to design in a Lanchester balancer into the engine. But it was probably cheaper to utilize a 6-cylinder engine that was already mostly designed..

Agreed on the engineer!!