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Kansas | Are these as dreaded of a v8 as the triple nickels were? Are they a reliable engine? I've heard horror stories of what they cost to overhaul. Is that because kits are pricey or because they need alot of machining during the overhaul process?
What is the hp rating on these engines?
Thanks. I've always heard this was one of Cummins bastard children they fostered. I'm leary of the engine but like to hear some opinions from first hand owners and users of them to refresh my memory.
Thanks. |
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Elkhart, Illinois | About all I know is that when we bought a Steiger wayyyyyyyyyyy back in 1975, we had the option of 855 or 903. After some digging, dad went with the 855 and a couple neighbors opted for the 903 because they sounded smooth and you could turn em up a little more.
Trouble was that noone told them that you can't lug them in this black-gumbo-crap that we have for dirt.
As far as I know, there are no 903's left around here but our 1975, 855 is still strong. It ain't pretty anymore and it sure ain't comfortable by today's standards...........but it still gets the work done. |
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| 903's have gotten a bad wrap as engine, in my humble opinion.
Dad had a 935 Versatile with one in it. Got to 8500 hrs I believe when we shucked a rod. Went to TPP out of Illinois for an off the shelf reman for less than $10K with a good core and we were back in business. That rig is still running up north of Wilson a few miles with over 10K hrs on it. Running the overheads was pretty important to maintain the old girl, did ours every 1000 hrs. The reman was dyno'd on a the test stand at 400 hp before we put it in. They lugged with anything else in the country and we have some of that black gumbo tiger crap around here. An 855 will lug better just because of the inline configuration. I have never seen a V style engine lug with an inline engine.
The biggest drawback was the fuel consumption. Around 18gal/hr no matter if it had the field cultivator on or the deep chisel. It was like a college kid at nickel beer nite, it drank A LOT!!
Triple nickles, seemed like the bastard child of the V series. Dont know much about them other than they were in the 555 row crop versatiles. |
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Jewell County KS | I agree with bushton on them. I think they got the bad rap from the ones in trucks. I think it was from all of the overnight idling. I belive they had alot more luck in an ag tractor with the more constant rpm's . Dad and I have had 2 naturally aspirated 903's (265 hp) 1 since '79 and the other I picked up in 88-89. both have been good engines. As mentioned overheads every 1000 hrs and keep the coolant treated.
As for lugging they do drop rpm a little quick but you can also let the clutch out under load at idle and it will pull unlike the turbo 6 cyl. that has to build a little rpm's and boost first.
These are a couple of the dreaded MF that you like so well!!!! |
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Seneca Kansas 66538 | Brian, torque doesnt matter when you have too much horsepower LOL |
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Elkhart, Illinois | You boys can just have them 903's then.......don't want em here |
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North Central Ohio | like bushton said,bad rap,good engine mine is set at 450hp,it is foul mouthed untill it gets warm but uses no oil between changes.got an 855 in one also it uses less fuel but not the hp either.after owning one for 10yrs i wouldnt be afraid,they sound exellent through the straight pipe too. |
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Southeast North Dakota | They aren't near as dreaded as the 555 V-8. I've got a 360 HP Turbo 903 in a Series 2 900 Versatile and a 900 Series 1 Versatile with a non-turbo 903 and I'm happy with them. I just installed the Turbo 903 in my Series 2 900 and had a chance to try it in the field yesterday. I pulled my 50' DMI field cultivator in gear 2+4, which is the 7 mph gear and it handled it GREAT. They aren't as long of life engine as the 855's in my other tractors but I don't think they're a bad engine what-so-ever. They got their bad name in the trucks where they shifted and had to rebuild their power all the time. They should have only been used in tractors where you pick a gear and stay there.
As for the power rating the turbo 903's ranged anywhere from 325 all the way to 400+ in tractors. The non-turboed 903's were rated from 265 to about 300-310.
All in all, if the person running the 903 uses his brain they will run a long time. JMHO. |
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Fruita CO | Google Bradley Fighting Vehicle...look at the powerplant in that bad boy...(600 horse VT903)...;o) |
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S.E. South Dakota | Dont bash the old triple nickel.I have owned one for years.Its been the best part of the old Versatile.It does burn 11 gallons an hour subsoiling or idleing on the grain cart. |
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| warm them up and cool them down... and check the coolant.. |
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southeast Washington | Every one knows what I think 17000 plus and still running strong it does not get mutch better. |
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903 Cummins...... Many questions
