Thoughts on the Kohler KS540?

[The_Eric]

If you've seen my thread on the $100 zero turn with the blown up Intek, then you know that I'm on the hunt for a suitable replacement engine. I've considered the Intek as they are the cheapest and frankly easiest option, but I'm not overly enthused by them.

In searching I found an 18hp Kohler KS540 5400 Series for about $1100. Are they any good? Is this the replacement for the much maligned Courage series?

As a side note, I'm also looking at an 18hp Briggs Vanguard V-Twin for about $1600.. I'd really like that one, but it's kind of on the high side of what I want to spend.

 

[MParr]

I don’t know if I would spend $1,000+ on a $100 mower.
Wouldn’t it be more feasible to buy a replacement Briggs and Stratton?
https://www.smallenginewarehouse.com/33s877-0043/

 

[jeepman3071]

If you've seen my thread on the $100 zero turn with the blown up Intek, then you know that I'm on the hunt for a suitable replacement engine. I've considered the Intek as they are the cheapest and frankly easiest option, but I'm not overly enthused by them.

In searching I found an 18hp Kohler KS540 5400 Series for about $1100. Are they any good? Is this the replacement for the much maligned Courage series?

As a side note, I'm also looking at an 18hp Briggs Vanguard V-Twin for about $1600.. I'd really like that one, but it's kind of on the high side of what I want to spend.

If those were my options, I'd spring for the Vanguard every time over that Chinese Kohler. The Kohler Command is the only one I would buy.

 

[The_Eric]

I don’t know if I would spend $1,000+ on a $100 mower.
Wouldn’t it be more feasible to buy a replacement Briggs and Stratton?
https://www.smallenginewarehouse.com/33s877-0043/

It's got 140 hours on the machine and is like new. I certainly can't buy a comparable one for that money. I don't generally buy mechanical things (autos, OPE) with the intent on selling them and so I tend to look at it more like what is the cost of something comparable.. so if I can buy a cheap car in good condition with a blown up engine and rehab it cheaper than buying a similar car, then I'm not afraid to roll my sleeves up and jump in.

As for buying the other Briggs engine, yeah it's clearly the cheapest and easiest option, but they're prone to head gasket issues - which ultimately was the cause of the old one blowing up. (Previous owner didn't check the oil)

I may end going that route, but it's really not my first choice.

 

[jeepman3071]

The Vanguard would increase it's value too if you ever wanted to sell it, and would basically be a one and done solution. You likely wouldn't have to mess with the engine again besides maintenance. That is certainly worth something. I don't put Inteks on customer mowers anymore, unless it is the only option for one reason or another. I'd actually pick a used engine of another make (Kawasaki, Honda, Kohler) before putting a new Intek on, because it isn't *if* it will have issues, but when.

 

[The_Eric]

The Vanguard would increase it's value too if you ever wanted to sell it, and would basically be a one and done solution. You likely wouldn't have to mess with the engine again besides maintenance. That is certainly worth something. I don't put Inteks on customer mowers anymore, unless it is the only option for one reason or another. I'd actually pick a used engine of another make (Kawasaki, Honda, Kohler) before putting a new Intek on, because it isn't *if* it will have issues, but when.

Interestingly I can get a 25hp "Professional Series" Briggs for about $1100 and the Commercial Turf for similar.. Not sure that 25hp is really warranted on a 36" deck or if it would even fit (though I did look and see that the PTO end was the same...

 

[jeepman3071]

The Professional series is essentially an Intek with a few more features. I'd pick a Commercial Turf over it.

This is a good engine for the price:

https://www.smallenginewarehouse.com/gxv630qamt/

For a 36" mower a GXV390 might even be enough.

 

[MParr]

It's got 140 hours on the machine and is like new. I certainly can't buy a comparable one for that money. I don't generally buy mechanical things (autos, OPE) with the intent on selling them and so I tend to look at it more like what is the cost of something comparable.. so if I can buy a cheap car in good condition with a blown up engine and rehab it cheaper than buying a similar car, then I'm not afraid to roll my sleeves up and jump in.

As for buying the other Briggs engine, yeah it's clearly the cheapest and easiest option, but they're prone to head gasket issues - which ultimately was the cause of the old one blowing up. (Previous owner didn't check the oil)

I may end going that route, but it's really not my first choice.

I understand your reasoning.
Do you think that a V-Twin will fit?
You will need an engine with the same crankshaft diameter and similar length. Either that or you will need to change out your pulley and/or pto clutch to match the crankshaft.

 

[97prizm]

If you've seen my thread on the $100 zero turn with the blown up Intek, then you know that I'm on the hunt for a suitable replacement engine. I've considered the Intek as they are the cheapest and frankly easiest option, but I'm not overly enthused by them.

In searching I found an 18hp Kohler KS540 5400 Series for about $1100. Are they any good? Is this the replacement for the much maligned Courage series?

As a side note, I'm also looking at an 18hp Briggs Vanguard V-Twin for about $1600.. I'd really like that one, but it's kind of on the high side of what I want to spend.

What does Walker use for engines? They are commercial and used day in day out.

 

[The_Eric]

The Professional series is essentially an Intek with a few more features. I'd pick a Commercial Turf over it.

This is a good engine for the price:

https://www.smallenginewarehouse.com/gxv630qamt/

For a 36" mower a GXV390 might even be enough.

Holy cow, I didn't think Honda did vertical engines that big! Definitely another one to consider.

 

[The_Eric]

I understand your reasoning.
Do you think that a V-Twin will fit?
You will need an engine with the same crankshaft diameter and similar length. Either that or you will need to change out your pulley and/or pto clutch to match the crankshaft.

That's a good question. I was able to find all the relevant dimensions for the Vanguard, so I'll have to measure. The PTO will work - it has the same 1" x 3.157" crank which seems pretty common in this HP range.

The other consideration is finding or making an exhaust work. I'd like the same style that my 25hp Commercial Turf uses, so a little more homework is in order.

 

[The_Eric]

What does Walker use for engines? They are commercial and used day in day out.

I'll have to look. I know that at least SOME Vanguards made their way onto Walkers as when I was looking at exhaust parts, they were listed in the breakdowns.

 

[Fordiesel69]

Question, can you search your local CL and FB and just pickup a junk garden tractor with a kohler command / pro on it? Usually you can get a whole tractor and harvest the engine cheaper than a bare engine only.

 

[The_Eric]

Definitely an option too. I tend to overlook them, especially FB because I'm not ever on there. In fact really the only I have FB is for marketplace... It's kind of an "out of sight, out of mind" thing

 

[The_Eric]

Does anyone know the difference between Kawasaki's FR600V-S52-R and FR600V-S00-S?

In the description they differ only by fuel pump (the S00-S has one), and for the difference in regular price ($1743 vs $1719) I'd think that could be the only difference, but in the photo, they both show a pump.. Maybe they're just being lazy and using the same file photo??

Small Engine Warehouse has the -S52-S on sale for $1363, so it's about as tempting as that Honda that @jeepman3071 linked to.

 

[jeepman3071]

Does anyone know the difference between Kawasaki's FR600V-S52-R and FR600V-S00-S?

In the description they differ only by fuel pump (the S00-S has one), and for the difference in regular price ($1743 vs $1719) I'd think that could be the only difference, but in the photo, they both show a pump.. Maybe they're just being lazy and using the same file photo??

Small Engine Warehouse has the -S52-S on sale for $1363, so it's about as tempting as that Honda that @jeepman3071 linked to.

It probably is just the fuel pump being the difference, many sites typically use the same picture for multiple listings, so I would go by the description. An FR600V would be a nice choice for sure.

 

[The_Eric]

It probably is just the fuel pump being the difference, many sites typically use the same picture for multiple listings, so I would go by the description. An FR600V would be a nice choice for sure.

I'm so torn, but leaning towards the Honda. GX Hondas are pretty much top shelf stuff, no?

 

[jeepman3071]

I'm so torn, but leaning towards the Honda. GX Hondas are pretty much top shelf stuff, no?

Yes. Either one would be great IMO. The Honda's oil filter does stick out a bit, so make sure space wouldn't be an issue.

I will say that on the larger engines, since the Kawasakis are more abundant the maintenance and repair parts are cheaper than the Hondas.

 

[thastinger]

Interestingly I can get a 25hp "Professional Series" Briggs for about $1100 and the Commercial Turf for similar.. Not sure that 25hp is really warranted on a 36" deck or if it would even fit (though I did look and see that the PTO end was the same...

Have a 10 year old 810cc Commercial Turf engine on my 61" cut Ferris, never any issues and plenty of power. Has an oil cooler built in.

 

[The_Eric]

Have a 10 year old 810cc Commercial Turf engine on my 61" cut Ferris, never any issues and plenty of power. Has an oil cooler built in.

I have the 724 or however big the 25hp Commercial Turf is on my Snapper Zero Turn and it's been a rock star too. So far I've been quite impressed.