Costly Engine REPAIRS! Talking CARB vs EFI Engines ► Are We Trading In?
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- Опубліковано 28 вер 2024
- This is actually a follow up topic that a lot of you guys weighed in on from my last video, which was talking about my Exmark's oil leak on the Kohler engine. A lot of you guys were weighing in on my engine oil leak issue, and today is the follow up where we got our mower back from the shop.
Thankfully the Kohler 940 EFI engine was under warranty and it didn't cost us anything out of pocket, but it also got me wondering about future upgrades and engine choices out there. We may or may not upgrade and trade in this current Lazer Z over winter, but if we do, we may go a different direction with our engine choice.
Most of you guys know that we run the 34hp Kohler EFI with the RED tech in our X-Series Lazer Z. But I have come to realize recently that a lot of you, and I mean a lot of folks, seem to really prefer those carbureted engines from Kawasaki a lot more.
I guess it makes sense that if you are working on your own equipment, the carbureted engines seem to be much more simple to fix. The EFI engines require a lot more knowledge and generally have higher cost repair bills associated with them.
The trade off for my scenario though would be tallying up all that extra fuel savings, and realizing that we have saved a ton of money on fuel while we've had this unit. Again, it may be a little costlier to repair an EFI engine, but we most likely would've made up for those savings with our reduced fuel usage over the years.
What do you guys believe is a better engine choice for those of us in lawn care and landscaping? Do you guys believe in the KISS method for engines, and prefer carbureted? Or do you guys like running those EFI engines and prefer to rack up the fuel savings with the more efficient engines? Let me know, leave us a comment down below!
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Another awesome video Brian! Always a pleasure to see you using what you learn and helping people out.
Carb kawi all day. My Briggs efi sucked more fuel that the carb kawi. Just my experience 👍🏼
From what I understand, newer briggs are junk.
@@m.m14433 They absolutely are. I work on small equipment. I've had 3 commercial Briggs in the last two weeks pouring oil from the sump. Also had a SCAG come in with a commercial briggs. Oil leak at sump. It was also weak and had a shimmy. Engine had 87 hours but was 3.5 years old. Always service. Broke engine open and had a broken rod. Briggs and SCAG told owner to kick rocks. Mower and engine were both pristine. Looked brand new. Regularly serviced.
I haven't had good luck with efi, I will continue to run carb Kawasaki engines. The Gravely 460 engine that you have is the FX1000v that is a 35HP engine 👍🏻
Nice video Brian, All of my mowers have a Kawasaki EFI and after 4000 hours nothing went wrong, go with Kawasaki!
Not just the fuel savings..... I’m general a fuel injected engine runs cleaner and consistent which should lead to longer life.
I have a repair shop and we repair small engines and I can tell you from experience that the carbureted engine is much more reliable and cheaper to operate the savings that you’re speaking of on fuel is not that much the 460 gravely has a 35 hp Kawasaki engine that engine is a beast most people don’t even use much over half throttle with that machine .and when a Efi breaks you wish you had the carburetor, the engine electronics is very expensive when they break .The Kawasaki engine is a very dependable engine very seldom have to work on those
True but the way emission standards/rules are going they will all become EFI in the next 5-10 years....you can thank CARB for that.
I have a bobcat with a kawasaki fx1000v efi and i want to convert it to carb is it a kit i can buy to convert it. I just dont want to spend almost a thousand dollars on a new ecu
Thank You for your help
Another thing to look at is the amount of time you are having to fill up your mower. I've had EFIs for years and I don't usually have to go to the gas station every day. With carburated equipment I did. When you have employees, going to the gas station all the time is adding not only to gas expense but wage expense.
Easy fix, stop paying them hourly, pay them on the number of yards finished for the day, that way your not paying for them killing time in parking lot somewhere, going for sodas snacks, etc., pay them a separate fee for fueling up the truck, mowers , weedeaters all ready for next day on the way to the shop...my crew was averaging 35mins or less on 90%of properties, I was paying at that time $10.00 per hrs, so I switched it to $10.00 per yard they got done for the day, they have the potential of $20.00 per hr as long as they work hard, and no callbacks, this way you're not paying for break time, killing time etc., i was also buying lunch and providing water and drinks, until they got picky, and i found alot of half drank drinks, i stopped that quick, i also would pay them to wash/wax and vac the trucks, and equipment from time to time, that's your reputation and billboard when you are onsite...js
if you plan on replacing your mower every 2-3 years then kohler, if you plan on keeping your mower for 5-7 years then buy a Kawasaki, having a kohler wont do you any favors for resale thats for sure...
Well said.
I agree. If u keep a Kohler efi for 2-3 years are you really saving money in fuel since the mower is more expensive??
@@ehexzs10 the kohler is less cost upfront by 300$ i think.
Fixt100 hb
Kohler isn't that bad, and from what I know they still aren't unless you're talking about the single cylinder Courage series. Don't have any experience with the new ones, but the old commands are unstoppable. As for the main question here, definitely carb. Repairing anything carburetor related is always cheaper and easier to fix. A single cylinder Briggs is $14 for a new carb. You only need a little engine knowledge to repair a carb, and if they're taken care of, you'll probably never even need to work on the carb. So yes, in the long run, a carbureted engine will last you.
My 29 Kawi is EFI. Love it. Man the gas savings are worth having an EFI especially if its gonna be new and under warranty. Its a no brainer.
I worked in maintenance for decades at a large school district in the twin cities not far from Toro manufacturing and they cut a lot of our secondary school lawns and fields with their Toro and Exmark mowers to test them and put the hours on them. It was a win win for it saved money for the schools and Toro/Exmark got to test their equipment in real day to day mowing.
I love my kaw. It cost roughly $20 in fuel a day: I never seen much of a savings running the efi. I’ve ran both for hundreds of hours and I choose the Kawasaki when I went on my own. Haven’t had any real issues with it. I might not get the x next time but I’ll probably buy the Kawasaki again.
Hi Brian, your video is great and does bring up a good question. Also it makes me have a few questions. Please take these at face value, not trying to be argumentative.
So the first thing is your Exmark.....it was repaired and your up and going so that’s great! I was a little confused when you said it was under warranty and it only cost $140 dollars. Confused? If your Superduty was in for repairs and they said that it was covered under warranty then handed you a bill and directed you to the cashier would that be acceptable? Just curious, that stuck out at me as odd...
When you were mower testing you stated over and over again you are an Exmark guy. That’s cool, they make a great mower. Do you see yourself switching makes? For me it’s almost 50/50 dealer and machine. If you have a good relationship with Weingartz it would be tough to switch and have lesser service. However getting charged for warranty work makes me question that. Who knows maybe you bought blades or something and it totally makes sense....
EFI vs Carb. How much money do you think it actually saved you? It would be a neat test to run one machine (carb) for a day or maybe a week. Then run another machine (efi) for the same period and see what the savings are. Personally I don’t know. Never had a gas EFI. But with fuel savings being a question I wonder if diesel should be considered? Take the new Z994 by John Deere. That 24 HP Diesel should be way better than either. Does the cost get offset by fuel savings?
Personally when we have a piece of equipment here’s our considerations
Acquisition cost
Down time
Cost of upkeep and daily operating
Life expectancy
Resale.
For us diesel made sense. They do cost more, but use less fuel, live longer and bring more money when sold.
Just my .02 cents. Love the videos. Can’t wait for the blower wars video!!!
I think he meant if he had to pay it would of been 140
I'm all Kawasaki.The EFI IS GREAT but ,I love a carberater.
I can’t speak for the different motors, but at first and at least for awhile you’ll have a warranty so repairs shouldn’t be too much of an issue. Especially since brand new. Either way you go, best of luck to ya and keep up the good work.
Hmmm good question!! Ive only run Kawaski and only 2 Lazer Zs. Never any issues. Im ready to upgrade next year or in 2 years. Ive run 2 exmark walk behinds and a vantage with no problems either.
Definitely should go for the Kawasaki! Great, amazing engines, and they are very easy and cheap to fix, and also very very reliable and powerful engines. I mean, if you really really think about it, you may save on fuel, however the problems you have will add up, it will be more out of your pocket even with efi. This machine is a single machine that is being used every day, so the possibility of something going wrong with the engine at some point later in the season is very high. Think about that!!
I would definitely go Kawasaki carb . The Kawasaki is a lot cheaper to fix but they use more gas. Kohler are hard to work on the efi ?
EFI. From all I've heard not only do you save fuel but with the higher efficiency you get more hours out of them
I've never had an EFI engine, but I'm looking at one for my next mower
EFI is good if you are cutting field and wide open comercial places.. I don't care for them because you can't control the throttle it's lowest setting is still way to high. I like to be able to control the throttle be cause on residents I sometimes want the grass to barely blow out to avoid hitting beds in tight spaces to prevent trashing the beds you can't do the with the EFI. I opted for the the carb E series myself and love it.
I'm all Kohler and they have exceeded my expectations on durability. I tend to go with products that serve me well. All carb models.
Have a Kawasaki 23.5hp on my Radius X Series its a beast no problems carbed!
Carb Kawi!!!! It's more manageable to work on yourself if you were in a jam. And Bri., I pray so hard you that branding deal!!! You deserve it man, so humble and respectful and genuine man!!! And I bleed Exmark through and through also!!! I still have my 32 Exmark Metro walk behind pistol grip!!! She still stripes like a champ. Just please remember me when you hit big-time, I'll carry your luggage!!! As always God bless, good luck and greetings from Jersey bud!!!
I always go carbonated it easier to work on if anything goes wrong plus Kawasaki has good engines
Best of both, I’d get a kawi efi if that’s an option.
I have a 30hp Kohler and a 29hp Kohler efi the difference in fuel consumption is around 30% difference. Also I will not own a Kawasaki I've had to replace 4 of them for my uncle they all dropped a valve.
@Norman Clevenger II My experience as a mower engine tech is the Kawasaki's are good engines but seem like when they break down are either very major repairs, or have multiple issues at once that you have work through and in the end are expensive repairs.
@@ngnmech I agree with you I've actually met with my Kohler rep and picked his brain I'm not saying Kohler is perfect I do have a complaint about mine but supposably they have a fix for it.
Both bad with E10-15 fuel but carbs are easy to clean/repair compaired to FI. I have had nightmares with my last boat FI. No more E10/15 for me besides my Truck. Nope....All my small engines, etc including my bikes non ethanol. I prefer carb units from here on out myself.
The fuel savings are very minimal and would take a long time to recoup the cost of the EFI. Lower cost and maintenance on the carb engine.
The right choice Kawasaki
Would depend how proven the EFI tech is. My dad bought a Harley the very first year they added EFI and it was a total disaster. A couple years later, their EFI tech was reliable and far superior to a carb.
I have owned both carb and EFI Harley, by far I go with the EFI. I am also a master auto tech with knowledge of how to use a lab scope so EFI does not bother me with technology so if you have to pay for the higher end tech, or the tech you have working on mowers is not up to speed on the technology it will cost more to fix. It is a proven fact EFI engines last longer. Twice my carb mowers needle has stuck running gas into my crankcase. EFI all the way if I have a choice.
If had good luck with your mower just get the same one at least you would have the bagging system to it. Plus how many major repairs not maintenance or parts for doing maintenance, did you put into that mower?
Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different result. Go with the carb Kawi my man. I am never going back to efi
if your working up north and your mower sits for 3 to 5 months out of the years i would go efi. I guess, If you put non ethanol fuel in your tank before winter the carb engines work too. So many variables. But if i was to buy a boat, efi is the only way to go.
Kohler EFI all the way baby.
Wouldn’t go with either kholer or Kawasaki. I would go with a Briggs. I know for you that means switching brands
I wouldn't go with Briggs tbh I've had more trouble with Briggs mowes then Honda and on bigger mowers the Kawasaki and Kohler have proven them self to me compared to a Briggs engine
Will never own a Kawi again had absolutely no problems with my Kohler or Briggs powered mowers. Had both EFI and Carb models.
I love my kohler efi
Would you consider the Briggs Big Block?
The Vanguard? Ya those are a tank.
It doesn't matter to me if the engine is a carb or an EFI. I do care about the engine itself. At 250 hours my Kaw had bad engine problems, I had to change out one of the cylinder heads, bent rods and so on. A Kohler is every bit as good as a Kaw. I'm a bit old fashion when it comes to carbs on a mower engine, simply because I can fix them. Kaw needs to ground their engines properly or that too will cause problems.
I have had more luck with Kohler commands l have not had efi commands yet but have had two Commands and both are still running great one is single and other is twin and the single l put on my snapper 20 years ago new and all have needed to do is keep oil changed and l have a command also on my compressor that is a three l have l am going to hopefully get a scag turf tiger 2019 with the Kohler command 26 if it don’t get sold before l get money for it my dealer told me that older Kohler EFI was trouble because they were not made as a efi to start with new ones have little trouble if you had luck with yours l would not switch engines if you go with your new exmark l had bad luck with a Kawasaki liquid cooled engine on my 345 John deer , so Kawasaki is not engine of choice for me and so good luck with your new mower.Hope that helped you a bit Brian like your channel.
Either that or go diesel. Kubota is a good brand. Get rid of gasoline problems altogether.
I’ve worked on all and Kawasaki will always come out on top. Kholer is good still but Briggs and Stratton is sub par....
Would u get FR Kawi. or Kohler Pro. Thats the options i have on Bad boy Zt Elite? Also Kawi. is about $600 more
Kohler I've had 10 years and had another 3 years Kawasaki is over raved. Have seen issues with kawi. The first EFIs were plagued the new ones are alot better.
Sweet!! I like both engines
Steven!!!!! Get to work.
I went with the Kawasaki carb engine when I bought my new eXmark Laser Z; X series; 60" this past July. My reason was the electronics in all the dust and dirt plus rough terrain that I have to cut. As I tell folks I don't cut a bunch of lawns that are like "a golf course". I have some rough yards, the majority are that way. I would have loved to have had the fuel savings but the damage to all the electronics is what made my mind up.
Kawasaki all day long
Has anyone had problems with the new exmark brand twin v engine 2022?
I am curious about this as well.
Kawasaki all day long with a carb. i don't like efi systems on a mower + cost more to fix.
EFI is better for the economy. People with carbs dont need them worked on as much so they dont go in for repairs as often. If a mower doesnt come in for repairs, they dont make any more money. The repair shop and the parts suppliers make more money manufacturing and selling EFI equipment.
If you like replacing pushrods get the Kawasaki
I'd say EFI for fuel savings and for cutting in the cold. My carb mower in the cold has trouble starting in the morning adding a couple extra minutes to get ready in the AM.
Ever tried to start EFI in -30C. We have Vanguard EFI and Kohler EFI on grain augers. Electronics don't like cold temps. At least carb engines non-starting most likely a fuel delivery issue.
Oh i got the Kawasaki also only engines I use.
If I'm doing efi I'm doing another vangard motor
Even with the fuel saving your still dropping it back into the machine when it’s time to repair. I have Kawasaki engines on both my scag and gravely, carbed. Also an owner operator I find it easier to work on myself doing regular maintenance on the machines.
My Kohler efi , has had a lot of downtime completely wiping out any saving . It's on a toro 5000 series. Wouldn't buy another one for my business.
My Kawasaki is 6 years old....had to replace the carb....600 bux
Kwai all day!
Carb
It wasn’t sunny out but you got some of them ZZ Top cheap sunglasses going on huh?
ZZ Top takes after me, other way around 😎🤣
If you were to buy a new car today. If you had the choice to buy carb vs. EFI what would be your choice?
I would go with a Kawasaki EFI on a mower.
Kawasaki makes a EFI FX850V-EFI 29.5 hp.
I would think by now, there should be enough data on EFI.
New technology always supersedes the old stuff but that being said, is there a Gen 2..?
as opposed to the old Gen 1..?
Don't get hung up on horsepower.
Any mechanic knows this.
Ask to see the specs and pick the one that has more torque.
Most torque = Diesel & $14k+😨
But less -->⛽
Then, you'll have to buy some yellow fuel containers.😄
So, how many more years are you going to be doing this??😐
Or use the KISS principle 😆
I like Kawasaki
Go with Toro parent company of exmark and the turboforce deck is better than the exmark
I’d never buy the Turboforce vs the UltraCut
@@BriansLawnMaintenance The Turboforce deck is wayyy better on wet mornings, even better when dry, it never disappoints. I've had 60s and a 72 always had great results. I'm amazed at how fast I can mow with the 72 with a 29 Kohler efi .
Kawasaki carb 😎🇬🇧🇺🇸🇬🇧🇺🇸🇬🇧🇺🇸🇬🇧🇺🇸🇬🇧🇺🇸🇬🇧
You are essentially betting your savings on fuel on stuff not breaking in the efi.
Yeah, so?..
@@BriansLawnMaintenance Just saying thats all it essentially is.
EFI all day
You pay all the savings back when its time to repair. Just like a newer diesel truck. Its the best when its running
CUTTING EDGE LAWN CARE exactly
Basic rule of thumb: the more complicated anything is, the easier it breaks and the more expensive to fix. For me: carbs and good treated fuel.
Carbureted Kawasaki. That's all we run hear in the Sunshine State! The Kawasaki FX730V is a beast!!!
That's what I run
Obviously EFI has been fully established in cars since the late 1980s. In the beginning, a lot of people prefered the good old carb because they knew how to deal with them, and their mechanic knew how to deal with them. I think mower dealers/mechanics are still pretty lousy at troubleshooting EFI systems - making a good argument for carbs. But as the dealers/mechanics get accustomed to EFI - it becomes a no brainer. An electronic control system can keep considerably better control over a dynamic system than a mechanical analog device like a carb.
I’ve used just about every mower/engine combination available up until 2017. If you plan to keep your mower for the long haul, hands down the kawi carb. I still use one of my mowers with the 27hp kawi. It has over 1400hrs on it and doesn’t burn a drop of oil. My repair cost on that engine minus regular maintenance has been zero.
I've seen Vanguard big blocks do that with 3000-4000 hours
I really thought you would be switching to Scag, you had some pretty big smiles in the vride2 and turf tiger 2 reviews. I demo-ed and bought a TT2 based on your video. No regrets, awesome machine!
Honestly guys go with what your heart tells you, me personally I buy all Kohler and have had great luck with them. The command 25hp is a beast that will not let you down
I go with EFI. I trade every 2-3 yrs. and always under warranty. I’ve done the numbers, and it’s not but $50 month more to have new equipment, instead of running them to death. Less down time, and no out of pocket expense. Sell them with less than 750 hrs, and will still be able to get descent money out of them, and buy new.
good advise
You will then always have monthly payments.
@@1jfreak777 not me…I save it through my biz account👍
I agree. I trade every 4 years.
@@1jfreak777yes but out of warranty over$3000 for a motor.
People were able to easily and more economically diagnose and repair their own vehicles when automakers used carburetor instead of EFI. Nowadays most consumers dont dare open their own hood, let alone fiddle with their own mechanical problems. Companies stand to make more money when they produce things that are hard to work on or meant to break and end up being costly to repair.
Efi on cars have been around cars since the 50 if you dont now how to diagnose a car with efi then you have no reason to be ar pri under one
This is what my dealer told me, I bought a new cheetah this year with a Kohler 31hp efi which is great but he told me that the Kawasaki is a better engine because they can take more abuse. But as far as efi vs carb I cant tell much different to be honest my efi Kohler likes fuel lol I personally would go with the Kawasaki carb just my opinion
Only problem with Kawasaki after five years was a clogged fuel filter. Love it!
I have a Kawi in my new Woods FZ28K. I'll be looking for that when that time comes!! Thanks for the advice!
Kawasaki carb. Far superior by design, less to go wrong. You can absorb cost if fuel into each job easily 🤷 just my two cents worth.
I've had very good luck with carb. Kohler. Three of our Grasshoppers have the 23 HP Kohler. Two of which have 3800 plus hours on them, the other around 2000. Neither has had any work done to them other than regular oil changes and a stater on one of them. Two other Grasshoppers have Kubota diesels. That's where the fuel savings are.
Kawasaki, it's no contest. I am still using a Kawasaki carb from 2000 with no problems.
I DO NOT like Kohler motors at all, I'll take a Kawasaki motor 100 times over, I have no experience with the EFI or water cooled on either engine, just something else costly to break in my opinion , I run 100% gas NO ETHANOL EVER, i also run AMSOIL full synthetic oil in my engine, hydros, and AMSOIL SABRE 100 to 1 mix in all my weed eaters and blowers, hedge trimmers etc., as well as AMSOIL in my 98 DODGE CUMMINS diesel duelly, as well as several personal vehicles...I'm telling you if you want your equipment, vehicles to last, run the best fuel, and the best oil , and your stuff won't lay down on you, I'm still running an 2007 28hp Kawasaki EXMARK advantage series with 60in deck, with full mulch kit, and stainless striper roller installed year around, X series suspension seat, and I'm adding the new exmark tractus wheels soon , just changed the oil 1625hrs runs great and no issues...get the Mobil 1 out of your hydros, its garbage, they cheapened it for the masses...AMSOIL was 1st in synthetic and remains #1 for a reason...amsoil.com read for yourself, also look up bearing sheer test , alot of oils companies competing in this test, see where your oil lands on the chart, I've been in business for over 26yrs, seen alot of changes to this business , some good, some not so good...just saying hope this helps someone else...
Efi is junk briggs or kolar engine
Your savings is lost because is so high to fix a efi. Good luck finding the problem. Stay with carb cheaper to fix.
I love the power of efi but tired of bad fuel pumps and all the. Definitely going back to carbs. I mow 86 yards a week and efi failures is a utter joke on the briggs mainy.
Kawasaki carbed all the way next time.
EFI are more likely for expensive repairs. A lot more to go wrong with the electronics. I own the carb lazer and love it. The fuel savings and expensive repair doesn’t out weigh more fuel and cheaper repairs!
I would stick with what worked for years and is easy to learn and repair yourself. Those efi motors need all these fancy gadgets to make adjustments. Fuel savings may be better with EFI but like mentioned above if you plan to keep the mower for awhile you will lose all that money saved when you have a major issue.
I have a kubota z781i. It has the 29.5 HP Kawasaki EFI and have not had any issues with it. It has great power and uses less fuel than my previous Kawasaki with carb.. I'm not sure how much less fuel but it is noticeable.
I personally have had nothing but problems with the EFI motors and I'm also an exmark guy. I found that the kawi seemed to hold up better as long as we kept up with the oil changes and not let it go over the hours. The EFI motors had a terrible time keep a charge on the battery or there were wires coming loose from the starter which caused charging issues and my vantage and lazer were constantly in the shop with a lot of down time. I don't feel the the EFI has had enough time to overcome the reliability of the carb engines yet. I haven't just said the hell with EFI either, I'm constantly keeping up with it but I need a few more years of them perfecting them before I will go back to them.
I suggest Kawasaki for the long haul.. kohler for short term.. carb for long haul and injected for short term.. injected cost more to buy and repair so best to keep only under warranty period then trade...
Brian as I have chimed in before in regards to this. My buddy had the Lazer Z X with the original RED like yours and had the same issue plus some others. He just dumped it and got a 2018 E -series with the Kawasaki. Did a Carb and said it is better in his mind but he said this about it (it eats gas like no other).
My dealer said the Kawasaki makes a great motor but the tried and true bulletproof motor per my techs at Bobcat Indy North only recommend the Kohler for riders and the Kawasaki on the Standers.
I trust their opinion cause they have the account for Brightview (used to be Brickman) mowing. They sell them around 2-300 mowers each year.
They didn’t like the original RED tech as it has proven to be super problematic. What I would like to see is a video that is completely unbiased from the guys at Weingartz on the RED 2 tech and what is the ups and downs too of the Kawa and the Kohler.
Secondly how bout while you’re considering this have them demo and explain the Staris or if you get your hands on one (I’m needing a stander bad too).
Keep up the good work man as it’s finally transitioned into leaf/fall cleanup season now.
(2016 E-Series cv742, 1 warranty repair, 660 Hours)
My kohler efi has had running problems from day 1 . I wouldn't recommend them to anyone running a business , the various sensors on the engines cant stand up to vibration and dusty conditions . Also damp conditions play havoc with all the electrical connectors.
I agree. For instance Vanguard EFI, has the fuse/relay box mounted using miniature motor mounts. Obviously to try and absorb all the vibration. EFI's have too many electronic components and a nightmare diagnosing failures. Diagnostics is great for the a running engine. Try diagnosing on non-starting or non-running EFI, no matter what manufacturer.
I like both Kawasaki and Kohler. I’ve owned both carb and efi. Honestly I would have to say for my experiences with both I would choose the kholer efi. It has more power better fuel ratings and a lot quieter. I had more problems in one season with my newer Kawasaki engine then I had with both my 16 year old kohlers. All engines owned for quit a while. My kohlers have a lot more power. Just bought a brand new scag cheetah 61” and went with the 31hp kholer efi. I’m pretty happy with it.
I’ve had no problem with my EFI Kohler engine on my Exmark. I have 1200 hours on it,and it doesn’t burn oil. I use the Kohler oil at every oil change.
Kawi all day!! A friend of mine recommended them and said they run good. I had a mower with a Kohler Command 20 and it ran great. Always started nice. Wish the hydro wouldn't have gone out. That thing was a beast!!
Ive never heard good things about kohler. I only get the Kawasaki. I think people always see a mower with 5-7 more hp with kohler but does it translate that and the down time isnt worth it.
Well I found out that Koehler command isn’t as good as it use to my brother got 2500 hrs on his Dixon
I have a z master with 3500 hours Kohler with no problems
If I had the choice between an EFI motor and a carbed motor, for my push mower life...I'd go EFI every time. They run better, the fuel savings like you said and then, from the car side of me, you can turbo them easier.
The Kawasaki motors got revamped or should have. They were well known for blowing head gaskets and oil leaking all over the place. If I am not mistaken that is why the zero turn manufacturers had at one time stopped putting them in there machines. My parents have a husq zero turn that has a kohler engine it and has several hundred ours on it and they haven't had anything significant go wrong with the machine.I have talked a small engine mechanic that I know about them and he fixes more Kawasaki engines than kohler. That is my two cents.
Think of a kohler EFI engine as a car engine on your mower; both have crankshaft sensors, oxygen sensors, and electronic control modules to interpret these electrical inputs. So you have all these sensitive electronic components exposed to excessive vibration, water intrusion, huge amperage spikes from the clutch turning on and off (which fry the modules on more susceptible mowers).
Now then, how many small engine mechanics are going to spend $2000.00 on a lab scope so they can diagnose these sensors? Not many.. They are going to keep throwing parts at the mower until it is fixed. $$$
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You nailed it.. Absolutely true. I also heard a lot of probs with charcoal filters.
Kawasaki Brian, all the way that's what I use
Kawasaki all day!!