put on the gloves its time for the kohler kawi war

[Downeast]

Allright guys and gals lets here it . What Rules Kohler OR Kawi ?
Let there be no doubt
let there be only one engine idleing


Seriously lets here what you guys have to say for us newbies trying to figure out the best motor for our buck , and piece of mind. Specially the piece of mind . So tighten your belts {mower}and sharpen your blades . Lets here what you have to say.
thanks

[stslawncare]

each engine has its pros and cons, choose the engine that has the cons that will least go against u. each person has there own personal opinion, id probs go with the kohler, no special reason.

[SLS]

I own (and like) 'em both.

Still, I'm trying to figure out how to shoehorn a supercharged Chrysler 426 Hemi into my Lazer. :D

[kenneth parsons]

Kawasaki rules! They're not as popular in the south as Kohler and they are a little more money. I ran a Kawasaki on a 36 Ferris for 10 years and just repowered with another Kawasaki...had the deck powder coated to keep the unit looking good. Run them on 48 and 52 Lescos...never been to the shop. Your decision!

[plow kid]

Originally posted by SLS
I own (and like) 'em both.

Still, I'm trying to figure out how to shoehorn a supercharged Chrysler 426 Hemi into my Lazer. :D

this guy got a 350 chebby into a push mower, why cant you get a hemi in a lazer?http://members.aol.com/ncls484/smilies/neener.gif

[SLS]

That must be one of those experimental "air cooled" small blocks.
:D

I suppose one could mount the radiator on the handlebars...heheh!

[VLM]

Owned both and am convinced the Kawi is better. Less problems and maintenance. Just my own experience.

[65hoss]

I have both motors. Lots of hours on kohlers. The kawis are stronger, but getting parts have been the hardest thing with kawi. They have been getting better. So, for now, I plan to stick with kawis. But there is nothing wrong with kohlers.

[PrimeGreen Lawn]

I have to agree with everybody else out there. I have both and have the same dillema/ Going to purchace another Lazer today and I really want to try out their new Kawi on a 60" er. Have 3 now with the Kohler and have had NO problems with the engines. They have about 800-1000 hrs each on them trouble free. Anxious to try that Kawi. From my experience they (kawi's) start easier, idle smoother, and have slightly more power for the same rated HP output as the Kohler. Plus, it's only $150 more for the Kawi option on the 2002 Lazer.
Just my $.02

Scott

p.s. Don't skip you oil changes!!! Even in the busiest months shortly ahead....I change mine every 3-4 weeks in each machine, or when I get close to 75-100 hours. I can probably streach it longer, but hey, oil is cheap...these engines are not!

[slplow]

I like them both.
Kohles start up better in the cold and better on gas.
kawi's are a little more reliable.

[southside]

Kohler. But then again I've got a 26 efi. :D
EFI Kawi not available here yet.

[WREBELMACHINE]

Kawasaki has a 29 efi! water cooled!

[Mark]

Id go with Kohler,since the head gasket problem has been solved they are proven engines i know to many people who run them and have little problems. I just bought a new Scag with the Kaw, first one ive owned only have 1hr on it so over time ill let you know how they rate. One thing i don't like is the oil drain,ive aready ordered the flange,the joint and o-ring to fix that problem.22.48. Marks Mowing Service.......ps my Kohler runs very strong.

[MATTHEW]

Mark, when did they get that straightened out? 2000, 2001, or 2002?

[little green guy]

I've had plenty experience with both kohler and kawi and they are both pretty good engines but I think Kawi's are the best. I have a kawi on my lazer and it's a great engine. I'll tell yah one thing though, I have a vanguard on one of my scag walkbehinds and that thing just runs, that machine has some hard hours on it, I think we only changed the oil oncen this year on that mower and it still runs great, It'll even fire up by the second pull on cold fall days, I never had a problem with it all year and we never even changed the air filter this year. I know that has nothing to do with kohler vs kawi but i just wanted to comment on that, I'm not realy a briggs fan either.

[Downeast]

green guy , your reply has everything to do with my post . I want to know what you people have experienced in your use of the engines . so thanks for your reply .

[GLM]

Used um' both, currently have kohler, 1500 hrs. starts on the first pull during the season and uses little gas, I can put around 15-19 hrs on it before gassing up. Kawi's are good too I don't think that you can go wrong with either one. When I started I was a solid kawi fan, until I got my hands on a kohler which I wasn't to thrilled about at first, but that engine PROVED itself to me and now I'm the biggest fan I have never had to repair that engine at all. They are both great engines and the Kohlers can be had for less money usually. Cape LCO also.

[Mark]

Matt Kohler fixed the gasket problem in late 98 like i said i don't know anyone off hand that has been having problems with the Kohlers. Hey little green guy ive got a 93Yr 52 walkbehind with the 16hp Vanguard with almost 5000hrs with no major problems at all,its like the energizer bunny it just keeps on going and going. Marks Mowing Service

[little green guy]

yah thats the same machine I have, 52" scag with a 16hp vanguard it might be the same year too but i think mine is a 96'. That thing just keeps going though, it's amazing, it's been driven off 5' high retaining walls, off trailers, into trees and everything. We bearly ever do any maintance on it either.

[WREBELMACHINE]

Are you sure about the kohler head gasket fix in 98, because there seems to be alot of guys in this area that are still having them replaced.

[Richard Martin]

I have been told that the head gasket fix occured in 2000. Most anything built in 2000 and after shouldn't have problems.

[Richard Martin]

I ilke the Kohlers because you can get severe duty aircleaners for them. You can even get severe duty aircleaners for the one lunger Kohlers. Kawasaki is releasing a severe duty aircleaner for the new V-twins but it will not work on the older engines.

[Mark]

Richard ive got a 98-25hp Kohler it was made in the fall, and yes it has the upgrade,all late 98s and up are OK ive never had a problem with mine it even starts without chokeing after the first start in the morning. Marks Mowing Service

[PrimeGreen Lawn]

I just bought 2 more Lazers, 2002 models with the 25 hp Kawi engine. I have to say they run VERY smooth. Idles better, and runs up to full speed faster than my other 2 25 hp Kohlers. :blob3:

[jay warner]

I have a 1 year old 22 Kohler smoking, slinging oil all that good stuff. I didn't know what the problem was. I guess it's a head gasket huh? Had 5 Kohler's before this with no problems, got one Kawi 14 replaced twice already in 1 year. First time broken shaft second time couldn't pull it without breaking my arm ended up with metal in oil? So needless to say I don't have a lot of faith in Kawi. May be good, just caused me some problems. They fixed it both times no charge.