MTD is fine as long as you are very mechanically inclined.... As usual, you get what you pay for.
Last edited:
I need some opinions on a lawn tractor
- Thread starter D189379
- Start date
- Status
JTK
$100 Site Donor 2025
Originally Posted By: Boss302fan
MTD is fine as long as you are very mechanically inclined.... As usual, you get what you pay for.
There's [censored] MTDs and there's OK MTDs. For example, a $1200 Yard Machines variator drive 42" cut rider vs. say a $4K Cub 2000 series garden tractor. Both MTD products, but far apart in terms of ease, comfort and longevity.
Joel
MTD is fine as long as you are very mechanically inclined.... As usual, you get what you pay for.
There's [censored] MTDs and there's OK MTDs. For example, a $1200 Yard Machines variator drive 42" cut rider vs. say a $4K Cub 2000 series garden tractor. Both MTD products, but far apart in terms of ease, comfort and longevity.
Joel
Originally Posted By: clarklawnscape
Originally Posted By: lexus114
Originally Posted By: clarklawnscape
if it says MTD (mower) or Kohler Courage (engine), please do yourself a favor and turn around and RUN!!
If it`s the Kohler Courage single cylinder engine yes....RUN. If it`s the Courage V-twin, thats a good engine.
Maybe in the mind of a novice homeowner. But I wouldnt give $1 for any modern day kohler. If the engine isnt a kawasaki or a briggs vanguard, im not buying.
Nothing wrong with the V-Twin Courage motor.
Originally Posted By: lexus114
Originally Posted By: clarklawnscape
if it says MTD (mower) or Kohler Courage (engine), please do yourself a favor and turn around and RUN!!
If it`s the Kohler Courage single cylinder engine yes....RUN. If it`s the Courage V-twin, thats a good engine.
Maybe in the mind of a novice homeowner. But I wouldnt give $1 for any modern day kohler. If the engine isnt a kawasaki or a briggs vanguard, im not buying.
Nothing wrong with the V-Twin Courage motor.
JTK
$100 Site Donor 2025
Originally Posted By: lexus114
Nothing wrong with the V-Twin Courage motor.
+1.
I only had mine for 2yrs but really enjoyed the engine. I sold the ZTR after we sold the house, but I've yet to hear of any issues with the Courage twins and have been following them since they came out around 2005. People confuse them with the 'block flexing' issues they had early on with the Courage single cyl engines. Even that was mainly caused by loose bolts that hold the top crankcase cover in place. This would allow for some movement at the outboard crank support and kaBOOM. Big paper weight.
Nothing wrong with the V-Twin Courage motor.
+1.
I only had mine for 2yrs but really enjoyed the engine. I sold the ZTR after we sold the house, but I've yet to hear of any issues with the Courage twins and have been following them since they came out around 2005. People confuse them with the 'block flexing' issues they had early on with the Courage single cyl engines. Even that was mainly caused by loose bolts that hold the top crankcase cover in place. This would allow for some movement at the outboard crank support and kaBOOM. Big paper weight.
Originally Posted By: lexus114
Originally Posted By: clarklawnscape
Originally Posted By: lexus114
Originally Posted By: clarklawnscape
if it says MTD (mower) or Kohler Courage (engine), please do yourself a favor and turn around and RUN!!
If it`s the Kohler Courage single cylinder engine yes....RUN. If it`s the Courage V-twin, thats a good engine.
Maybe in the mind of a novice homeowner. But I wouldnt give $1 for any modern day kohler. If the engine isnt a kawasaki or a briggs vanguard, im not buying.
Nothing wrong with the V-Twin Courage motor.
Glad you like it, hope you realize it (courage single and twin) is kohlers bottom end engine, mass produced to a super cheap spec to be competitve price wise to the low end briggs & stratton (series) engines. These type engines are to designed to satisfy mower manufactures price point to sell in "box stores". Yes in rare occasions I have seen these engines on what some people consider "commercial" mowers. Unfortuantely, many mower makers these days are doing everything possible to cheapen up things and pass it off on the consumer. Even some highly respected commercial mower companies are doing this, ie using final drives (hydrostats) rather than pumps and wheel motors (true commercial). I realize im off topic with the commercial chat but..... Kohler engines period are lackluster to say the least these days. If you get more than 250 hours out of it (courage engine), ill tip my hat to ya, as youve made it last past its life expectancy in wich it was designed.
Originally Posted By: clarklawnscape
Originally Posted By: lexus114
Originally Posted By: clarklawnscape
if it says MTD (mower) or Kohler Courage (engine), please do yourself a favor and turn around and RUN!!
If it`s the Kohler Courage single cylinder engine yes....RUN. If it`s the Courage V-twin, thats a good engine.
Maybe in the mind of a novice homeowner. But I wouldnt give $1 for any modern day kohler. If the engine isnt a kawasaki or a briggs vanguard, im not buying.
Nothing wrong with the V-Twin Courage motor.
Glad you like it, hope you realize it (courage single and twin) is kohlers bottom end engine, mass produced to a super cheap spec to be competitve price wise to the low end briggs & stratton (series) engines. These type engines are to designed to satisfy mower manufactures price point to sell in "box stores". Yes in rare occasions I have seen these engines on what some people consider "commercial" mowers. Unfortuantely, many mower makers these days are doing everything possible to cheapen up things and pass it off on the consumer. Even some highly respected commercial mower companies are doing this, ie using final drives (hydrostats) rather than pumps and wheel motors (true commercial). I realize im off topic with the commercial chat but..... Kohler engines period are lackluster to say the least these days. If you get more than 250 hours out of it (courage engine), ill tip my hat to ya, as youve made it last past its life expectancy in wich it was designed.
The thing is.....back in I believe it was 2005 (dont hold me to the exact yr) Briggs & Stratton acquired what was left of murray, the also purchased Snapper, Simplicity, Massey Ferguson (mowers), Ferris, and I think im leaving somebody out. They called it "Briggs Power Group". Doing so, they made alot of mower makers ie AYP and MTD mad, as now they see briggs as a competitor rather than just an engine maker. So Kohler jumped on board by making cheap engines to fill the shoes of Briggs. But Kohler just couldnt seem to figure out how to make an engine to the quality and price of briggs. The courage was their solution, and its a lackluster engine to say the least. This is also the same time and reason that all of these "chondas" or "chinese hondas" came out.
JTK
$100 Site Donor 2025
Have you come across any Courage V-twin issues/failures?
Pretty much every Briggs engine aside from a genuine Vanguard will also be rated as a moderate use, 250hr engine as well.
Regardless, the hour rating is for emissions compliance only. It is not an engine life rating.
Joel
Pretty much every Briggs engine aside from a genuine Vanguard will also be rated as a moderate use, 250hr engine as well.
Regardless, the hour rating is for emissions compliance only. It is not an engine life rating.
Joel
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: JTK
Have you come across any Courage V-twin issues/failures?
Pretty much every Briggs engine aside from a genuine Vanguard will also be rated as a moderate use, 250hr engine as well.
Regardless, the hour rating is for emissions compliance only. It is not an engine life rating.
Joel
Have I personally? no, but i will not buy a kohler period. Have I heard of/read numerous horor stories? absolutely, on both the courage single and twin, but more of the single cylinder version. And you are correct of the emissions, but thats also a double edged sword, as the engine is out of spec at approximately that amount of hours, wich is why its to be considered no longer epa compliant. Obviosly im not going to change your mind, nor are you mine. The bottom line is, its a bottom end engine, or as what i call a throw away. Also most all briggs are the same, but still has the courage beat imo. Its a disposable world, but as with nearly all aspects of life, you get what you pay for. And you and I both know, paying $1500 for a lawn tractor, your not getting much, not tractor, not deck, not transmission, and not engine either.
Have you come across any Courage V-twin issues/failures?
Pretty much every Briggs engine aside from a genuine Vanguard will also be rated as a moderate use, 250hr engine as well.
Regardless, the hour rating is for emissions compliance only. It is not an engine life rating.
Joel
Have I personally? no, but i will not buy a kohler period. Have I heard of/read numerous horor stories? absolutely, on both the courage single and twin, but more of the single cylinder version. And you are correct of the emissions, but thats also a double edged sword, as the engine is out of spec at approximately that amount of hours, wich is why its to be considered no longer epa compliant. Obviosly im not going to change your mind, nor are you mine. The bottom line is, its a bottom end engine, or as what i call a throw away. Also most all briggs are the same, but still has the courage beat imo. Its a disposable world, but as with nearly all aspects of life, you get what you pay for. And you and I both know, paying $1500 for a lawn tractor, your not getting much, not tractor, not deck, not transmission, and not engine either.
Dodge Darts were low end vehicles in their time and look how long they lasted. ^^^
Last edited:
to:lexus114 i wish i had my Darts back. with a better rear end
Originally Posted By: morris
to:lexus114 i wish i had my Darts back. with a better rear end
I had a 73 Dodge Dart Sport right after high school. 360 Holly 4bbl double pumper. Was kind of a boat anchor motor, but sure sounded good with my dual exhaust out each side of the car. My girlfriend at the time said she could hear me get on it a 1/2 mile away.
to:lexus114 i wish i had my Darts back. with a better rear end
I had a 73 Dodge Dart Sport right after high school. 360 Holly 4bbl double pumper. Was kind of a boat anchor motor, but sure sounded good with my dual exhaust out each side of the car. My girlfriend at the time said she could hear me get on it a 1/2 mile away.
Just as a Dart met many people's needs, so can a cheaper lawn mower.
My 54 inch Craftsman is just fine for me, cost just under 2 grand and has performed flawlessly. When I shopped the 54 inch segment almost ALL the big box store mowers were nearly identical in features. So I bought the one from a company that can be trusted to fix it when it breaks.
My 54 inch Craftsman is just fine for me, cost just under 2 grand and has performed flawlessly. When I shopped the 54 inch segment almost ALL the big box store mowers were nearly identical in features. So I bought the one from a company that can be trusted to fix it when it breaks.
http://www.homedepot.ca/product/poulan-xt-175-hp-42-tractor/935056
Well I ended up with this one. I went to the store and they let me have it for $900. I gave it a whirl last night, and other than needing some deck wheels, it worked great. (I even put it through my 6 foot high rubarb patch in the corner and it chewed it up without missing a beat.)
I'll just have to wait and see how reliable it will be. (No more rubarb mowing though.)
Thanks for all the advice.
Well I ended up with this one. I went to the store and they let me have it for $900. I gave it a whirl last night, and other than needing some deck wheels, it worked great. (I even put it through my 6 foot high rubarb patch in the corner and it chewed it up without missing a beat.)
I'll just have to wait and see how reliable it will be. (No more rubarb mowing though.)
Thanks for all the advice.
Originally Posted By: dwcopple
Originally Posted By: D189379
(I even put it through my 6 foot high rubarb patch in the corner and it chewed it up without missing a beat.)
that was insanely dumb. order a wheel kit and front roller off eBay.
Agreed, but it felt good.
I've been trying to find a kit that fits.
Originally Posted By: D189379
(I even put it through my 6 foot high rubarb patch in the corner and it chewed it up without missing a beat.)
that was insanely dumb. order a wheel kit and front roller off eBay.
Agreed, but it felt good.
I've been trying to find a kit that fits.
JTK
$100 Site Donor 2025
Yep, search for a Sears/AYP 42" deck wheel kit. Gauge wheels or not, you need to keep the deck height set so it doesn't ride the ground. Even gauge wheels are only meant to ride over the highest of high spots.
Joel
Joel
Originally Posted By: dwcopple
http://www.ebay.com/itm/sears-craftsman-...=item20c59cf29b
Thanks, but they won't ship to Canada.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/sears-craftsman-...=item20c59cf29b
Thanks, but they won't ship to Canada.
JTK
$100 Site Donor 2025
Originally Posted By: dwcopple
http://www.ebay.com/itm/sears-craftsman-...=item20c59cf29b
Yep that's the one. The only kits I've ever seen for MTD or Sears 42's are just a two wheel kit. I believe the wheels mount to the rear. The way 42's are angled under the machine one of the fronts (if so mounted/equipped) would interfere with a front tire on the tractor during turns.
Joel
http://www.ebay.com/itm/sears-craftsman-...=item20c59cf29b
Yep that's the one. The only kits I've ever seen for MTD or Sears 42's are just a two wheel kit. I believe the wheels mount to the rear. The way 42's are angled under the machine one of the fronts (if so mounted/equipped) would interfere with a front tire on the tractor during turns.
Joel
- Status
Similar threads
- Locked