fx730v engine in Toro Zero turn

[jeepman3071]

You don't have to run Kawasaki or Toro oil as you stated due to the act, but they can suggest you use 20w50 before investigating any consumption issues under warranty since it is listed in the Kawasaki manual as a preferred option under certain environments.

With warranty claims it is all about documentation. If it were my machine and I was trying for a warranty claim, I would have the dealer do the oil change with Kawasaki 20w50 and Kawasaki filter, and have documentation for this change. Then I would keep track of how much 20w50 oil you need to add during the suggested service interval (usually 50-100 hours) and make a note of the date and number of hours since you had to add more oil. Once you reach the next service interval with this documentation if it is still consuming oil I would push for the warranty claim. This has been successful for a few of my customers with this issue.

 

[SHOZ]

The oil in the Kawasaki's runs pretty hot. 220-230F The FR651V I got last year burnt a bit of oil for the first 50 hrs but now is not using any.

 

[The_Eric]

You don't have to run Kawasaki or Toro oil as you stated due to the act, but they can suggest you use 20w50 before investigating any consumption issues under warranty since it is listed in the Kawasaki manual as a preferred option under certain environments.

With warranty claims it is all about documentation. If it were my machine and I was trying for a warranty claim, I would have the dealer do the oil change with Kawasaki 20w50 and Kawasaki filter, and have documentation for this change. Then I would keep track of how much 20w50 oil you need to add during the suggested service interval (usually 50-100 hours) and make a note of the date and number of hours since you had to add more oil. Once you reach the next service interval with this documentation if it is still consuming oil I would push for the warranty claim. This has been successful for a few of my customers with this issue.

How much oil were your customer machines using to get a warranty claim? What was Kaw's answer?

 

[jeepman3071]

How much oil were your customer machines using to get a warranty claim? What was Kaw's answer?

It was enough where they had to add a significant amount after each hour of mowing, I don't remember an exact amount. It was handled through the dealer where they bought the mower, as these were new mowers under warranty. They told me the process that was used (had to use the advised 20w50, monitor consumption) and then the engines were eventually replaced under warranty, and have been fine since.

 

[The_Eric]

It was enough where they had to add a significant amount after each hour of mowing, I don't remember an exact amount. It was handled through the dealer where they bought the mower, as these were new mowers under warranty. They told me the process that was used (had to use the advised 20w50, monitor consumption) and then the engines were eventually replaced under warranty, and have been fine since.

Like a bad run of engines/parts/machine work? How have the newer Kaw's been holding up in your experience? Not the replacements, but engines produced later for other OPE

 

[jeepman3071]

Like a bad run of engines/parts/machine work? How have the newer Kaw's been holding up in your experience? Not the replacements, but engines produced later for other OPE

Could be a bad run, hard to say. I don't really see stuff until it is out of warranty unless I do a re-power for someone, but can't say anything bad about the new engines yet. Each manufacturer has bad engines occasionally, but the consumer stuff (Briggs Intek, Kohler Courage) are more likely to have issues due to corners being cut and the engines being built to a price point. I know several who have purchased new engines recently from Kawasaki, Kohler and Briggs and have had no issues.

My go-to engines are the Kawasaki FS or FX series, Kohler Command, Briggs Vanguard, and Honda GX. All of those are commercial duty engines that will last. Briggs Commercial Turf is another option, but is more "pro-sumer" grade. It is a good replacement for box-store zero turns and lawn tractors.