L555 with no Engine Project

[st0ck1ng]

Do not think I would swap out the engine.

According to what I can find the original:

- L555 HP rating was 42 hp
- The Vermeer HP rating is 23.5

Since the Vermeer has only slightly more output than the V-Twin, I don't see you getting the HP the L555 needs to operate efficiently.

 

[Dragos28]

Do not think I would swap out the engine.

According to what I can find the original:

- L555 HP rating was 42 hp
- The Vermeer HP rating is 23.5

Since the Vermeer has only slightly more output than the V-Twin, I don't see you getting the HP the L555 needs to operate efficiently.

I agree but I think for piddling around the yard i think it should be enough. I did see a video of guy with a predator 22hp in the l555 able to do work. I just need it for simple stuff around our 2.5 acre property

 

[foton]

this is just a fyi, I had a bobcat 500 it was made with a kohler 24 hp opposed twin, I put in a wisconsin 18 hp inline twin , it worked ok lifting and straight driving where it was lacking was in turning,now it was a clutch machine for the drive portion and a pump for the lift which I think helped it out, so as a guess a full hydro machine that might be a lot to ask powering with 23 hp or so. can you come up with a 30 hp v4 wisconsin ?those were widely used. but you never know.good luck

 

[Dragos28]

I did talk to a guy who has a light plant with a cat 4 cylinder diesel but that's a few hours away. I was thinking about going that route... ill see i haven't fully committed to this one yet.

 

[mrbb]

I agree, I don't think I would waste my time and effort to install another small HP motor
why take a working motor in something you can maybe actually use to its full potential, and remove it to something that will most likely struggle if not worse at doing basic things !
I think you'd better off using your time more wisely with waiting till you find a better , larger HP motor to install

 

[Dragos28]

well i have decided to heed your advice. i pretty much have sold the vermeer and with those funds i'll go pick up the light plant with the cat 4 cylinder diesel. my mechanic and i made a deal, im selling him the vermeer and he will pull/install the cat engine in the L555.
I'll keep you guys updated once i pick up the new donor machine

 

[Dragos28]

Well since you guys wouldn't let me put a V-Twin 20 horsepower gas engine in there or a 25 horsepower Kubota diesel engine in there I went ahead and got two caterpillar four cylinders I think that should give me enough power right.
I'll put one in front one and back

 

[st0ck1ng]

View attachment 10720View attachment 10719

Well since you guys wouldn't let me put a V-Twin 20 horsepower gas engine in there or a 25 horsepower Kubota diesel engine in there I went ahead and got two caterpillar four cylinders I think that should give me enough power right.
I'll put one in front one and back

repurpose the lights onto the machine as well and you would really have something.

 

[Dragos28]

repurpose the lights onto the machine as well and you would really have something.

I mean it would be nice to have some proper lights. Wonder how many lumens id have lol

 

[Dragos28]

Well, the engine runs beautifully! Just need to find the time to get the generator pulled off. I did order a hydraulic pump plate.

I'm going to keep my fingers crossed, but damn it would benice if the hydraulic pump plate just bolts right up to the bell housing! but i'm never that lucky. I'll most likely have to fabricate an adapter plate... albeit a very short one. this is going to be a very tight squeeze...
I might even have to relocate the radiator(s) i'll see once i get into it.

 

[Dragos28]

A. It of progress. Got the generator off.

Got the pump adapter plate and I cut the bell housing off the generator to use to make an adapter plate.

Will have to do a lot of measurements to get exact center. Ordering a flywheel adapter to connect to the engine.

Not sure but it looks like i may have to cut out part of the fuel tank and maybe even have to notch the frame. This engine and bellhouse are pretty big.

 

[st0ck1ng]

A. It of progress. Got the generator off.
View attachment 10791

 

[st0ck1ng]

Moderator,

Please delete post #52, I messed it up completely.

 

[st0ck1ng]

Ok. Lets try this again.

Suggestion after looking at these two pictures

High likelihood that this engine was used in multiple industrial applications.

I would "assume" there could be another flywheel housing that would bolt to the engine AND reduce the size of the connection to the hydraulic pump.

Last thing I would want to do is start modding a fuel cell, especially if it is plastic, like my machine.

Just a thought

Good luck.

But otherwise looks like great progress.

 

[st0ck1ng]

Were you able to get the foot pedal freed up?

 

[Dragos28]

Ok. Lets try this again.

Suggestion after looking at these two pictures

High likelihood that this engine was used in multiple industrial applications.

I would "assume" there could be another flywheel housing that would bolt to the engine AND reduce the size of the connection to the hydraulic pump.

Last thing I would want to do is start modding a fuel cell, especially if it is plastic, like my machine.

Just a thought

Good luck.

But otherwise looks like great progress.

View attachment 10806

View attachment 10805

I looked on ebay for bell housing and flywheel housing and found some but i dont see how i could adapt them...
https://www.ebay.com/itm/354075986606
https://www.ebay.com/itm/177365216061

i mean i guess i could well the hell out of some adapter plate and make something... but that would also require a new flywheel and those are pretty damn expensive....

this one looks promising but i dont want to keep throwing money at parts that i have no idea if they'd work... i'd still have to replace the flywheel. and i've already ordered the flywheel adapter plate for the current one

https://www.ebay.com/itm/3540759788...3Q+izhDbPGOE4hcQHgQhI7C4hO|tkp:Bk9SR6iCrNOiZw

also on another not i'm waiting on an upcoming auction for a John Deere JD 675B, which looks damn near identical to the L555
the 675B is complete with a hole in the block so if i'm not wrong, i think that one may be an even better candidate for the swap as it has everything there... and i'd keep my L555 for parts... as i do know that my lift rams are going to need to have the seals replaced.

as for the stuck pedal, its moving some.. not full articulation yet but about 1/4 inch movement. i just spray it with penetrating spray every time i pass by and give it a few taps. i most likely will need to hop in there and try to put my weight on the pedal, just havent had the time. as i've also got a hundred other projects going on at the same time and running two businesses and raising 3 kids and the list goes on. lol what life.

on another note i did just pick up a lathe!

my neighbor across the street is in his 80s and no longer builds/races race cars. it also has 3 drawers chock full of tooling. i just need to dump them out and get all the rat **** out it. they've got decades of rat **** and insulation. i also blew off the cabinets but will need to hit it with my shop vac today. will dump all the tooling out and get them cleaned and oiled up. now i need to learn how to use it!

 

[foton]

give them 3 kids something to do I would say,loose tooling I would think they cant tear up to much.