Thoughts on the Kohler KS540?

[The_Eric]

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.

I will take that into consideration.

If I elect to go the Kaw route, do you foresee any reason that I can't buy the version that is on sale w/o the fuel pump and add an impulse driven unit? Do they get their vac signal from the valve cover like others, or from somewhere else? Alternatively I could just buy a low pressure electric one (2-3psi) - I did that on my old Snapper GT with a Kohler M18 and it worked beautifully.

 

[jeepman3071]

I will take that into consideration.

If I elect to go the Kaw route, do you foresee any reason that I can't buy the version that is on sale w/o the fuel pump and add an impulse driven unit? Do they get their vac signal from the valve cover like others, or from somewhere else? Alternatively I could just buy a low pressure electric one (2-3psi) - I did that on my old Snapper GT with a Kohler M18 and it worked beautifully.

For the price difference, I would just buy the one that has the fuel pump already on it. They do use a vacuum pump that gets a pulse from a fitting in the crankcase, at least my FS481V and many others I've seen do. I have not had good luck with those small electric fuel pumps. They seem to last for a little while then die suddenly when you are mowing.

 

[4WD]

I have a 5400 and very pleased

https://resources.kohler.com/power/kohler/enginesUS/pdf/5400_series_sellsheet.pdf

 

[The_Eric]

For the price difference, I would just buy the one that has the fuel pump already on it. They do use a vacuum pump that gets a pulse from a fitting in the crankcase, at least my FS481V and many others I've seen do. I have not had good luck with those small electric fuel pumps. They seem to last for a little while then die suddenly when you are mowing.

Well right now the one without is on sale for about $400 less, which is what makes it so tempting

 

[jeepman3071]

Well right now the one without is on sale for about $400 less, which is what makes it so tempting

Gotcha. I assume you are looking at Small Engine Warehouse?

This would also fit and has a fuel pump and electric start:

https://www.smallenginewarehouse.com/fr541v-s00-s/

I installed that engine on a Scag zero turn with 36" deck and it has plenty of power.

 

[The_Eric]

Gotcha. I assume you are looking at Small Engine Warehouse?

This would also fit and has a fuel pump and electric start:

https://www.smallenginewarehouse.com/fr541v-s00-s/

I installed that engine on a Scag zero turn with 36" deck and it has plenty of power.

Yeppers - I had overlooked them in my search until you showed me that Honda.

My main problem is that there are too many cool ways to spend my money... Vanguards, GX Hondas and Kawasakis... Honestly I want one of each

 

[The_Eric]

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.

@MParr - so I'm going to have to eat crow on this one... Before pulling the trigger on a new motor, I did peruse Marketplace and did in fact find that I could replace that mower for less money. A couple had similar hours but none were as small as this one (actually a perk, due to some super tight quarters). So now I'm a bit torn... I'm very strongly considering buying a pos zero and stripping the engine and exhaust to put on my current one.. Though a bit of a gamble.. @jeepman3071 - would you be too concerned about a 20hp Vanguard with 1250 hours? Also any idea what size the crank would be?

 

[MParr]

@MParr - so I'm going to have to eat crow on this one... Before pulling the trigger on a new motor, I did peruse Marketplace and did in fact find that I could replace that mower for less money. A couple had similar hours but none were as small as this one (actually a perk, due to some super tight quarters). So now I'm a bit torn... I'm very strongly considering buying a pos zero and stripping the engine and exhaust to put on my current one.. Though a bit of a gamble.. @jeepman3071 - would you be too concerned about a 20hp Vanguard with 1250 hours? Also any idea what size the crank would be?

I honestly think that you will be fine with the 19hp B&S engine. If you take care of it, it will take care of you.
My dad bought a John Deere D100 in 2000. It has a 17.5 B&S engine and is still in use.
https://www.smallenginewarehouse.com/33s877-0043/

 

[jeepman3071]

@MParr - so I'm going to have to eat crow on this one... Before pulling the trigger on a new motor, I did peruse Marketplace and did in fact find that I could replace that mower for less money. A couple had similar hours but none were as small as this one (actually a perk, due to some super tight quarters). So now I'm a bit torn... I'm very strongly considering buying a pos zero and stripping the engine and exhaust to put on my current one.. Though a bit of a gamble.. @jeepman3071 - would you be too concerned about a 20hp Vanguard with 1250 hours? Also any idea what size the crank would be?

1250 hours isn't too bad - if it was maintained. If you can hear the engine run and it doesn't smoke it should work just fine. Would probably be a 1" crank. The only issue like anything else on Marketplace is that it is used, and regardless of what the seller claims it is a question mark.

 

[The_Eric]

1250 hours isn't too bad - if it was maintained. If you can hear the engine run and it doesn't smoke it should work just fine. Would probably be a 1" crank. The only issue like anything else on Marketplace is that it is used, and regardless of what the seller claims it is a question mark.

Yeah it's going to be a bit of a gamble. The machine has a weak hydro, junk seat and the fuel tank is bad so they ratchet strapped one to the top of the existing so I'm not sure how they were with maintenance. But it's $300 so...

 

[jeepman3071]

For $300 worth a shot.