NTM B98-B hydra bagger

[Harry]

Someone posted on another site a B98-B hydra bagger for free. I picked it up today in a round trip of four hours. Everything was in good shape and only the baffle for the mowing deck was missing. It also came with a Hyrda pto and hard lines to plumb in. Even the bags were in good condition.

I'm planning this to be a winter project installing it on a 444 tractor with a Kohler 321 14 hp engine. That tractor already has a hydra pto on it so installing the B98-B should be no problem.

I could install it on the recent 226 that I just picked up a month ago which has a Onan B48 engine. The Onan would probably spins the mower blades and the impeller of the hydra bagger easier than the Kohler. But it would be nice possibly to install the hydra pto on the 226 and then I could switch the hydra bagger back and forth and get a comparison.

I like the larger rear tires on the 444 vs the smaller tires on the 226. So it would be interesting to see how they both perform next summer.

What do you guys think would be a better overall tractor for mowing about two acres of grass?

[Eugen]

Glad to see it go to your good home Harry!

I started with a 220 and of course I longed for that stronger engine even though I plowed and tilled our garden with it! When I got the 226 I longed for big wheels at the back so I got a 446. But I always wanted loader too so I got the 644. Having tried them, now think that a 2xx series is what I want for the lawn. So I have a 224 which I hope to get in great shape for mowing.

Garden duty? - big rear wheel!!

Looking forward to see what you'll do!

[crazycase]

HARRY
Well done picking this unit up
These deals don't come up very oftin
Like the old saying goes "if it's free it's for me"
I know you'll take good care of the vac

cc

[Timj]

Congrats Harry, glad you got it.
It will be interesting to see how much difference you see between the 226 and the 444.
I don't think it'll be to hard to make that baffle.
You should be able to have it on your 444 in no time and be ready for fall leaf pickup.
The bags fill up fast in heavy leaves so I like blowing them into the trailer if it's not too tight of quarters.
Tim

[Harry]

This is going to be a winter project for the 444 which has been planned for awhile. The 646 project took way to long in my opinion. The 444 was free also from the owner of a rototiller that I purchased from him. It was so carboned up the exhaust valve wouldn't close and had no compression. It's been setting for three years since I acquired it in my barn out of the weather. It will be a nice addition to my Case collection.

Keep the Peace
Harry

[MattA]

Nice score Harry. My vote is put the 16HP Onan in the 444 and put the hydravac on the 444. The longer frame will give you a little more weight to hold down the front end and in my "opinion" the big wheel tractors ride better on a bumpy lawn.

I've got a hydravac on my 4016 with an RM48 deck. My low hour Vanguard engine struggles to keep up anytime the grass starts to get thick or anytime I hit the small hill in my yard. I can easily drop the engine RPM to 3200 at a slow walking pace in certain areas of my lawn. In thinner areas I can maintain 3500 RPM at greater than a fast walking pace. Switching to low range helps but low range is too slow in the open field. The guy I bought the hydravac from ran it on a 3012 (vanguard) with RM38 deck in low range. I think he just took his time mowing?

[Timj]

Opps Harry, I thought the 444 was a running, in use tractor. Oh well, you'll have more to do this winter.
Horse power is king on the belt, but I don't have experience with the 14hp Kohler vs the 16hp Onan. I think I would have to get use to not sitting so high on the 226.
Can't wait for the unbiased comparison.
Tim

[Timj]

Nice score Harry. My vote is put the 16HP Onan in the 444 and put the hydravac on the 444. The longer frame will give you a little more weight to hold down the front end and in my "opinion" the big wheel tractors ride better on a bumpy lawn.

I've got a hydravac on my 4016 with an RM48 deck. My low hour Vanguard engine struggles to keep up anytime the grass starts to get thick or anytime I hit the small hill in my yard. I can easily drop the engine RPM to 3200 at a slow walking pace in certain areas of my lawn. In thinner areas I can maintain 3500 RPM at greater than a fast walking pace. Switching to low range helps but low range is too slow in the open field. The guy I bought the hydravac from ran it on a 3012 (vanguard) with RM38 deck in low range. I think he just took his time mowing?

Ya Matt, you can only push so much material through.
My uncle says his newer Ingy with the 23hp Brig's doesn't come close to his 20hp Onan.
When I'm doing leaves like this i need to take my time to keep the hose from plugging up.

They are not as tough and break up better if left till spring, but getting them dried out is challenging. Multiple times in fall is best.
Tim

[Harry]

I have a Onan BM43 sitting on a shelf waiting for a tractor to go into. I also have two Honda GX620 on the shelf that I picked up along the way. I've always wanted to see what the 20hp engine would do on a mowing tractor. Maybe that would be a better one to fit into the 444 if the Kohler just doesn't have enough power. Decisions to make down the road. A man needs projects to keep his mind active, and I've got a few!

Keep the Peace
Harry

[Seabee]

What does the NTM in your title stand for?

Good discussion!

Bill