OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Question on Digging Equipment Rotary Hoes & Tillers Howard 350 rotary hoe

Hello all. Here are some pictures of my current project a howard 350 rotary hoe that has been sitting around for about 4 years with a seized clutch and cable waiting to be restored. The tyres are also completly shot so I have to source them from somwhere. The clutch I have fixed (hopefully) and the cable is currently soaking in kero to loosen it up. The good thing is that the motor still runs quite well.

Here is a video of it running

[video][/video]

G'day Hermosil

I can't say I know anything about the 350.
What can you tell us - dating ... engine?

It looks a solid job.
Thanks for sharing this earth beast.

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Jack

Greetings folks,
That engine looks a lot like a Kohler to me.

Hermosil, a comprehensive set of manuals is free to download from http://www.allotment-garden.org/rotavator-manuals-free/
A better quality IPL is here: http://www.howard-rotavator-spares.com/manuals.php

The IPL says that a 2-ply 4.00-8 Ag tread tyre is the correct type. Here's a source: https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/tyres-tubes-and-wheels/cst-tyres-tubes?sort=20a&page=3
You'll need tubes as well.

Thanks for the info I will look at the links. Some more information It is a second hand Howard 350 series rotary hoe powered by a Kohler k 141 T 266 c.c 4 stroke single cylinder air cooled petrol engine developing 5.3 b.h.p. At 3,600 rpm governed speed; fitted with Automatic Compression Release 27/8 in bore x 2/12 stroke. It was made somwhere in the early 70's. It was purchased second hand for $900 in 1980 from Squires sales and service Summertown who have been taken over by Kubpower . Its serial number is 310A/1355
I have a manual for it, here are some photos

That's cool. I'd love a rotary hoe. No need for one but I reckon they'd be a sweet toy.

Specially a serious rear-tyne unit like this one!
Without going overboard to the Howard commercial models like the 300kg+ Gem...

Small update on the hoe I have contacted a place called G&J East at Strathalbyn who have the tyres and tubes and have ordered the clutch cable from Sydney. I am now waiting for the phone call to go and get them.....

Good show! Keep us updated with your progress, please.

Another update on the hoe. Went and got the tires fitted to the rims unfortunately they are not "AG" tyres they at like a car tread. But at least I can move it around now. Still have some issues with the clutch cable trying to get that to work Got it to move under its own power for about 10 meters then the motor coughed and spluttered and then died and would refuse to start. So I pushed it to around under the back area where I work on my lawn mowers and proceeded to check the usual things. It has spark so no problem there and then I took fuel bowel off an cleaned that area plenty of fuel there getting through. Tried to start it still no go. Looks like I will have to take carby off and give it a though clean. It was running so well when it was stationary, I wonder if something might have come loose when I started to move it around. Ah well we will have to see, at least it is somewhere I can now work on it. ill keep you all posted on how it turns out.

Some more info. I thought I'd take another look at the spark plug and guess what no spark So I found another plug that had good spark. Put that one in and fired it up and away it went So that problem solved . Still leaves the clutch cable issue. I have got the cable to work but it looks like the clutch has seized up again , so whe I can find some spare time I will strip it down again. It feels like one is going 1 step forward and two steps backwards with this machine. Oh well it keeps one occupied . Here are some more pictures of it

Pulled clutch apart and loosened the 2 cones that were stuck together , reassembled and greased the splines and put it back on. Adjusted the cable and it worked!!! Took it down to the garden and hoed up some grass. Looks like it is going to work now with some adjustments here and there. The manual advises. Putting Lotctite on the clutch screws as they were lose when I stopped it.

Hello Hermosil and GM Gadge

I loved the video! and the updates.
Kohler made and make great engines.

It will be interesting to see how the tyres perform...
They may make the job a bit harder.

I note good old Museum of Victoria has some online brochures.

http://collections.museumvictoria.com.au/items/1570813
http://collections.museumvictoria.com.au/items/1570882

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Jack

Thankyou for the reply CyberJack Those were nice brochures.

Hello all a small update I have a trailer for it now.

Looking good, Hermosil.

Now maybe for some traction chains for those wheels... https://www.amazon.com/Stens-180-112-Cadena-4-00-x-4-80-x/dp/B001OKBCU2

In all seriousness, a set of ladder type chains will be cheaper than a set of AG tread tyres, even when purchased locally.

And from the US via the Bay of Fleas, for example; http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Grizzlar-GTU-240-Snowblower-2-link-Tire-Chains-4-80-4-00-8-4-00x4-80-8-4-80-8-/162319366108?hash=item25cafcf7dc:g:wXwAAOSwTapV7G8-

Thanks for the information Gadge I hadn't thought about using chains I'll l certainly look into it.

hi all
I think tyres while not the best will do the job ok
don't forget with the tynes revolving they will push the hoe along
well done on fixing her up

Thanks for that freebird. I have tried it on the dry patch out the back and it worked alright. It might be a bit different if I decide to use it on damp wet soil.