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400 repower
Posted: Sun Aug 23, 2026 8:16 pm
by Harry
As I mentioned in another post, I acquired a 48” Berco 2 stage snowblower. I also have a 400 series GT that I would like to attach it to. Thinking about the feasibility of repowering with a diesel engine. Do any members have a recommendation for a diesel engine?
Re: 400 repower
Posted: Sun Aug 23, 2026 8:56 pm
by Spike188
Harry, I have memories of someone repowering with a refer engine. Some of the issue will be rpm and torque.
Re: 400 repower
Posted: Mon Aug 24, 2026 6:45 am
by MattA
Yanmar made a diesel tractor similar in size to the Case 200 series tractors that used Case attachments.
Re: 400 repower
Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2026 11:34 am
by Harry
Spike188 wrote: ↑Sun Aug 23, 2026 8:56 pm
Harry, I have memories of someone repowering with a refer engine. Some of the issue will be rpm and torque.
I was thinking the diesel would have more torque than a gas. I still have the CCKA 16.5 hp engine that I pulled out of the 646, maybe that would be a good engine to power the snowblower.
Re: 400 repower
Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2026 7:11 pm
by propane1
May have more torque Harry, but at what rpm?
Noel
Re: 400 repower
Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2026 7:54 am
by dhitching
Harry wrote: ↑Tue Aug 25, 2026 11:34 am
I was thinking the diesel would have more torque than a gas.
It's always important to remember that horsepower and torque are mechanically related concepts.
Horsepower = Torque * RPM / 5252
This is true in all situations for all fuel types (including electric!). Because they're mechanically related, we know that any engine that makes more horsepower at a particular RPM (let's say 3600rpm for instance) is also making more torque at that speed. Unlike an automotive engine where they list the max hp and max torque at whatever rpm they occur at (and they're almost always at different RPMs), with small engines the horsepower rating is listed at its "rated RPM" which is usually 3600, although some diesels spin slower like Noel mentioned.
Because it's calculable, we know a 20hp engine (like a P220) makes 29lb-ft of torque at 3600rpm.
Therefore a 10hp engine (like a 10hp diesel from Amazon) makes 14.5lb-ft at 3600rpm, exactly half of the P220.
Re: 400 repower
Posted: Thu Aug 27, 2026 5:56 pm
by Eugen
It's probably hard to remember, because it was a while ago. When I got the 644 from the Bonnechere Valley, it came literally as a box of parts and a diesel engine. I was told by the PO that he intended to install the diesel engine in it. Unexperienced as I was (and still am), I planned on installing the diesel engine just like I received it. Some research showed that it was the Kubota z400 engine, 10HP. Well, I thought that it would probably be fine for the 644, thiis was a tractor for myself. I imagined for a loader, a diesel 10HP is plenty, low end torque and all. But then, as I tried fitting it it, seemed like a wide engine for the 644 chassis. Not only wide, but it needed room at the front for the radiator too (liquid cooled). Just as I was pondering the fitment, Dave sent me a message that someone in my village is selling a 444 engine fitting perfectly in the 644. I compared them, and it was clearly a perfect fit (as it should be for a 644). Nothing sticking out, noghing sticking out front.
This should not scare a more experienced person. IMHO, diesel engines are worth the trouble if you can source one at a good price, and if you have the skills to fit it in your machine.
Re: 400 repower
Posted: Sun Aug 30, 2026 10:59 am
by Harry
Eugen wrote: ↑Thu Aug 27, 2026 5:56 pm
It's probably hard to remember, because it was a while ago. When I got the 644 from the Bonnechere Valley, it came literally as a box of parts and a diesel engine. I was told by the PO that he intended to install the diesel engine in it. Unexperienced as I was (and still am), I planned on installing the diesel engine just like I received it. Some research showed that it was the Kubota z400 engine, 10HP. Well, I thought that it would probably be fine for the 644, thiis was a tractor for myself. I imagined for a loader, a diesel 10HP is plenty, low end torque and all. But then, as I tried fitting it it, seemed like a wide engine for the 644 chassis. Not only wide, but it needed room at the front for the radiator too (liquid cooled). Just as I was pondering the fitment, Dave sent me a message that someone in my village is selling a 444 engine fitting perfectly in the 644. I compared them, and it was clearly a perfect fit (as it should be for a 644). Nothing sticking out, noghing sticking out front.
This should not scare a more experienced person. IMHO, diesel engines are worth the trouble if you can source one at a good price, and if you have the skills to fit it in your machine.
Eugene thanks for your suggestions. I’m still in the planning stages and appreciate any ideas.
