1600 vs 1550

[orangepower]

If you had the choice between a 1600 and a 1550 what would you pick? Both are gas with narrow front and Hydra-Power drive. Both appear to be in good original condition. The 1600 is a few hundred dollars cheaper. Assuming the 1600 has the smaller 231 engine is there any major differences in the two? Just wanted to get your thoughts and opinions. Thanks a lot.

 

[rrlund]

I have both. Power wise,the 1600 is supposed to be 3 hp more,I don't know that it's noticible.That 231 engine is a LITTLE harder to get some parts for. I needed a piston a few years ago and had to get a good used one from Maibachs. The thing I like better about the 1550 is the operators platform. Not the platforn itself,but the seat and steering wheel. The 1600 has the 18 inch flat wheel and the older style seat suspension. The 1550 has the newer single torsion seat and the 15 inch dished wheel. It's easier to slide my belly past the smaller wheel without tilting it.About the only other difference,and I don't know why it would matter,the hydraulic filter is on the side on the 1600 and sticks out the front between your feet on the 1550. I guess for my money,if it was only a few hundred dollars more,I'd go with the 1550 just for the seat and steering wheel.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Now I am going to throw something else out and Rick you can answer this better than me. I think the 1600 shifts better. I can see where the piston would have been a problem as a lot of the 231 were coverted to 248 engines. Also with the filter in front oil was filtered earlier in the system. Does the 1550 have a dual speed PTO. The 1550 also uses a slightly smaller hydraulic pump than the 1600 cubic inch wise but it is also rated at 1900 RPM instead of 2200. Also take a look at the hydra-power. There were some design changes between the 00 and 50 series tractors, I would guess by now most have been apart and updated. More questions? I know if the 1600 was a diesel it would win the discussion hands down. I thought they were a good old tractor. J.

 

[orangepower]

Thanks for the input guys. I really like the 1600 and was kinda planning on getting it, then I ran across the 1550. I believe I will hold out and try for the 1600. Mr. Schwiebert, you say, "with the filter in front oil was filtered earlier in the system". So is this a good thing? And was this system used on the 1600 or 1550? Thank you very much.

 

[rrlund]

As far as the shift question,probably. I have 3 with hydrapower. I'm not saying you never have to pull the 1600 in to low to shift,but it's the least likely to have to have it done. The 1550 would be next. The 1850,almost always.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Answer is yes and was first done on the 50 series.

 

[rrlund]

I came up with a few other "advantages" to the 1550 that you might concider. As opposed to the 1600,the 1550 has a dry element air cleaner,guages instead of idiot lights and a 3 position tilt steering instead of the 2 position on the 1600. On the 1600,it is either all the way up or all the way down. There's no lock in the middle.