I'm not a big fan of the Toro branded Loncin engines. At work I have replaced dozens of Kohler and Briggs head gaskets, many without signs of restricted airflow. 0 Kawasaki.
OPE engines; which to avoid?
- Thread starter oldcodger
- Start date
avoid kolher 2 cyl engines. dont last
I have 285 hrs on our Briggs 20 HP single with zero problems. I service it at the end of the season and its on our 42 inch cut Husqvarna that me bought from a dealer in OPE. Salesman told us not to get the Koehler because 20 years ago they were having problems. Ours has the hydrostat with a cooling fan on top and we have had no problems with it.
2000 hrs should not be a problem for this engine if it is maintained. The only issue I've seen with Kawasaki is old parts access & price but 2009 is not yet "old".
Briggs Vangard
Kawasaki FX series
Kohler Command
Kawasaki FX series
Kohler Command
My Kawasaki V 23 hp is a beast
I'd say the only drawback is noise. Comes with most any engines. Not sure if Honda has an engine in this class but their singles are the quieter one in the single class
I'd say the only drawback is noise. Comes with most any engines. Not sure if Honda has an engine in this class but their singles are the quieter one in the single class
Kohler command ignition coils, head gaskets and valves that dont seat, blown crankshaft seals
Briggs vanguard ignition coil and bent pushrods, rocker arm problems in the 28,30 and 37 hp variants. High hour models have sump leaks.
I work on engines everyday and by far the kohler is the worst with briggs being second to that.
I prefer Kubota gas and diesel engines over everything.
Briggs vanguard ignition coil and bent pushrods, rocker arm problems in the 28,30 and 37 hp variants. High hour models have sump leaks.
I work on engines everyday and by far the kohler is the worst with briggs being second to that.
I prefer Kubota gas and diesel engines over everything.
I've got a Kohler command twenty...23? HP. It had a blown head gasket on one side at around 700 hrs total use. It's mounted to a deere z710a from 2011. Annual oil changes after break in period using either Amsoil small engine or HPL small engine 10W30/10W40/15W40 oil. I used to use 10W30 early on, but have switched to the heavier stuff now.
What issues have you seen with the Toro engines? I'm not the biggest fan of them switching to those over the Kawasaki, but have a few customers with the 708cc V-Twin and no issues yet. They are all under 500 hours admittedly.
I’m a fan of Honda riding mowers. Currently own two: the 3013HT and the 3009MT. With the GXV390, GXV270 engines; 38”, 30” decks respectively.
They are comically over built. Parts are easy to obtain both new and used. The GXV engines have iron cylinder liners, pressurized and splash oil pumps and oil filtration. They’re simple to maintain and work on.
They are easy to find for a modest price and should last a long time with diligent maintenance.
The two mowers shown cost about $700 for both of them.
They are comically over built. Parts are easy to obtain both new and used. The GXV engines have iron cylinder liners, pressurized and splash oil pumps and oil filtration. They’re simple to maintain and work on.
They are easy to find for a modest price and should last a long time with diligent maintenance.
The two mowers shown cost about $700 for both of them.
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I don't get the feeling that they will live long lives without exceptional maintenance. I've been trying to keep my neighbor's timecutter running, it cooks the engine oil into black sludge in no time flat. Cooling fins are clean.I'm trying Rotella T4 15w40 and a Briggs filter today to see if it holds up a bit better. And what is the deal with having to shut it off at full throttle? They just seem to be more cheaply made than the other 3.
I picked my 60" Kubota Z422 to mow my 5 acres because it came with the ZT3600 hydros (larger than anything else I could find in its class) and the Kawasaki engine.
For a budget zero turn, those were my two requirements. Largest hydros available, Kawasaki engine. I would have preferred a heavier duty diesel, but that wasn't in my budget.
I changed the hydro fluid and filters at 25hrs with amsoil 20w-50 hydro fluid and oem filters, and the engine is running schaeffers s9000 5w-50. Sump temps are usually around 240-250f mowing on hot summer days so a good thick oil is nice.
For a budget zero turn, those were my two requirements. Largest hydros available, Kawasaki engine. I would have preferred a heavier duty diesel, but that wasn't in my budget.
I changed the hydro fluid and filters at 25hrs with amsoil 20w-50 hydro fluid and oem filters, and the engine is running schaeffers s9000 5w-50. Sump temps are usually around 240-250f mowing on hot summer days so a good thick oil is nice.
I have a feeling the engine and hydros are going to last a long, long time. Congrats.
I've been running 15w40 or 20w50 in them, whatever I have on hand at the time.
