OPE engines; which to avoid?
- Thread starter oldcodger
- Start date
I’m not saying they’re the only good manufacturer, but I stick with what works for me: Kawasaki.
Everyone I know with Kohler engines have had major issues at surprisingly low hours. I’ve had zero issues with my Briggs Commercial Turf and my buddy has a Briggs Vanguard with no issues either. Both mowers have well over 200 hours at this point.
I would look for Kawasaki specifically.
Ditto some of the other posters: Look for a Kawasaki.
- Joined
- Jan 6, 2005
- Messages
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What are the issues, and are they more of a problem with the engines, or the users who don't service them?
Back in the day I badly mistreated the single cylinder Briggs on my old 2007 John Deere LA110, and it refused to die. I eventually gave the engine some TLC and gave the mower to my FIL. It's still running fine and is being used as a cart puller around my FIL's property.
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Kawasaki or Honda
Care to elaborate?
They have some design flaws. I see a lot of them with blown head gaskets, dropped valve seats, and compression release failure.
If I was looking for a commercial mower, I would want a Kawasaki, Honda, or Briggs Vanguard.
In my experience, Briggs Vanguard, Honda and Kawasaki get the nod and Kohler (now Rehlko) gets suspicion. I would be tempted towards fuel injection and liquid cooled.
I'm sure there are "problems" with any engine (or engine family) but it might be best to research the specific engine you're working with. The engine and equipment warranty say something but only if there are good working / acting dealers in your area.
I'm sure there are "problems" with any engine (or engine family) but it might be best to research the specific engine you're working with. The engine and equipment warranty say something but only if there are good working / acting dealers in your area.
Tom NJ
$100 Site Donor 2026
The Kohler Command Pro 25 on my Scag is 25 years old with 1,075 hours. Well maintained and never a problem. Of course that may not reflect current production quality.
My father has a Kohler Command Pro 25 on his John Deere garden tractor bought new in 2004. It has 1100ish hours on it and runs great so far. They are good engines but seem to only be found on the higher end commercial zero turns now. The consumer and "pro-sumer" zero turns come with the Kohler 7000 series engine (made in China, not a commercial engine IMO) or the Kawasaki FR/FS series engines. The Kawasaki is the much better choice in that case.
The bigger question for the OP is what is he looking for in a zero turn mower. There is a wide range of choices available depending on your needs and budget. Big difference between the bottom of the barrel mowers at Lowes and the $15k+ Scag or Exmark mowers at dealers.
Exactly this. Buy the right tool for the job, maintain it, and you should be good.
It's frustrating to talk to people who buy new, shiny garbage from the box store and complain when their flimsy $5k equipment is disappointing.
A big or bigger concern is what hydros for your area of mowing. How much area? IF over an acre and a 1/2, i'd want serviceable hydros.
My Bad Boy ZTR with a Kohler twin has been running great since 2017 .
Agree. It really comes down to price. If customers are demanding a rock bottom price the money has to come from somewhere.
Less features, less material, cheaper parts, cheaper tires...
I believe Briggs has fixed their issues with camshaft problems in their single cylinder motors. I have a 17.5 HP Briggs single made in 2016 that had the issue and I noticed a new part number for the cam. Supposedly on the third revision they got it right and my new cam has a different looking fulcrum point (I didn't see the plastic bushing in the new one) on the decompression lever. I haven't had any issues with mine pertaining to the head gasket, valve seats or guides. Normally that's an overheating problem caused by low oil or varmint nests/grass under the shroud. The cylinder has a ferrous metal liner as my magnet stuck to it while I was fishing out broken pieces of the decompression lever before doing the repair. I would recommend a new mower with this motor now.
