O.T. Kawasaki vs Kohler

just another old geezer · Jun 8, 2011

I am looking into a zero turn riding lawn mower. I have the option of going with the Kawasaki industrial engine or the Kohler. I was wondering if anyone on here has experience with these and would like to share their insights
Thanks

buickanddeere · Jun 8, 2011

Doesn't make the least little squeak of difference.
Keep the level up with clean oil.Clean air filter and keep the cooling vents clear.
If operated under high loads in hot weather. Putting premium in the tank won't hurt.
The mower will outlast you.

OliverGuy · Jun 8, 2011

Right up my alley. All of mine are Toro's, and I have both kinds. After problems with Kohlers several years ago, moved to Kawasaki's. They're not perfect either though. Air cooled or water cooled Kaw.? One thing I've found in several of our Kaw's is there's a fuel shut off in the carb that likes to shut the fuel off even when you're trying to use it. I just disabled it and been fine. I get about 2500-2800 hours out of a Kohler, 3,000+ out of fuel injected Kohlers and haven't worn out a Kawasaki yet. The most hours on a Kawasaki twin I have is about 2400. I have 4 Kawasaki 12.5hp singles on 52" walk behinds that have 8,000-10,000 hours on them and never been apart. No kidding. Dad bought them in the mid to late 80's. I change oil and filter every 50 hours. Sometimes that's every other week.

Germ · Jun 8, 2011

I'll second what OliverGuy said. We had lots of problems with Kohlers about 10 years ago. Switched to Kawasaki's and have had virtually no problems other than an ignition coil. The Kawasaki's use less fuel than the Kohlers we had.

dhermesc · Jun 8, 2011

I go with what Oliver Guy said about changing the oil no matter what you buy. Keeping it fresh in those small engines goes a long ways towards making them last - especially the air cooled units of any size.

Some people will claim you're wasting it but with only 1.5-2 quart oil changes how much money are we really talking?

Lloyd In South Carolina · Jun 8, 2011

I have the JD 757 Zero turn,,,,, about 5 years old. Has the Kawasaki 25 hp. Seems good to me, no issues to report. The mower is excellent, very fast, cut my mowing time in 1/2.

At the time I bought mine they bragged it would cut grass at 11mph, don't have a speedometer,,, but it will cut grass flat out unless it is real thick and over grown. I have a large flat area, it is amazing how fast this thing will get it done.

L.

John T · Jun 8, 2011

I have a Husquvarna ZTR 61 inch deck and 25 HP Kawasaki Twin V AND NO PROBLEMS AFTER 5 YEARS OF HARD USE. It runs smooth n quiet

I change oil and filter using Mobil 1 BEFORE I PUT IT TO BED FOR THE WINTER and keep the air filter clean.

I did have one minor carburetion issue idling a bit lean and theres no adjustemtn screws on the carb grrrrrrrrrrrr but a small can of Lucas Fuel Cleaner cured that right away.

I think Kohler is over rated nowadays, Ive had plenty of them over the years, my vote now is go for the Kawasaki

John T

Greyhorse · Jun 8, 2011

I"ve got a Kawasaki in my mower and it works good. It was a 19 hp and I found out that the difference in the hp ratings was the throttle shaft in the carb.... the jets are all the same. So now it"s a 25 hp, the 25hp requires an oil cooler too, lower ratings don"t.

Billy Shafer · Jun 8, 2011

I had a guy bring in a Kawasaki FC420. No govenor control. Drained the half a cup of oil out of it. Tore it apart found the dipstick end melted and the guv gear melted. Cleaned up the insides of the block. Installed new parts. Cranked it back up and runs fine. I thought for sure it was a lost cause. But it is back to mowing with no problems. Tough little engines

Bob M · Jun 8, 2011

I have a Gravely ZTR with a 25 HP Kohler. It's got 975 hours and has given with no problems whatsoever. My ONLY complaint with the engine is the oil drain plug is kinda difficult to reach.

One of my kids has a Dixie chopper with the same Kohler engine. Other than a blade clutch failure (not engine's fault) he's had no troubles with his either.

Long engine life will be enhanced by regular oil/filter changes; also by keeping the flywheel screen and oil cooler free of debris.

OliverGuy · Jun 8, 2011

You're right. I need to correct what I said on Kawasaki twins. I haven't worn out one on a Z and it has 2400 hrs. I do have several 52" walk behinds with 17hp twin Kaw's that have 4000-5000 hrs and never been apart. Put a crank seal in one last week is the closest. Good motors.

John M · Jun 8, 2011

Im on my 3rd mower with a Kohler. 1st one had right at 1800 hours on the meter, I put on, when I sold it. The second one, I still have, mower was bought new in 95, used weekly 9 to 11 hours, and it still is going strong. My newest is a 23 or 25 hp, cant recall at the moment, its has 300 hours on it and I havent had ANY engine trouble out of any of them.

Sidekick · Jun 8, 2011

Both engines are good. I wouldn't worry about either one of them. My Dad has an old JD 185 Hydro with a Kawasaki that's 21 years old and still doesn't burn oil. I've got a Toro walk behind with a Kohler Command 20 that's got over 2500 hours on it and it just runs and runs. Buy whichever mower you like better.

O.T. Kawasaki vs Kohler

just another old geezer

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buickanddeere

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OliverGuy

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Germ

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dhermesc

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Lloyd In South Carolina

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John T

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Greyhorse

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Billy Shafer

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Bob M

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OliverGuy

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John M

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