Why are there not more EFI choices?

[SuperZ]

PJ,
I know that you have stated many times that Hustler is concerned about the R&D to be sure that mowers are outfitted with quality engines, however it surprises me that they have not made the jump to more EFI engine choices. I realize the initial cost of the EFI engines is more expensive, however it seems to be the trend with small engines (probably because of the EPA). I know that Hustler has a good relationship with Kawasaki and I believe they have several fuel injected engines available however the only one currently being offered is the 28 hp. Kohler. Are there several EFI engines to be introduced in the near future, or is there some reason the EFI engine choices are not there?
SuperZ

[mowerconsultant]

Part of the lack of EFI's is due to not having many vertical shaft EFI engine options.
I am not aware of any new EFI options coming from us in the near future.

Pj

[puppypaws]

Part of the lack of EFI's is due to not having many vertical shaft EFI engine options.
I am not aware of any new EFI options coming from us in the near future.

Pj

From my understanding; talking with Kohler, our EPA is in the process of moving all small engines to efi by requiring better fuel economy (by 22%), and lower emissions which can only be met through efi efficiency. Kohler said they had a 40 hp efi that would be in the field within the next 3 months and were in the procedure of working their way down the hp line with efi on all Kohler engines. I feel assured Hustler is aware of EPA information coming down the pike and are in the process of engineering this into their future.

[blackandgold]

Although the customers that purchase efi mowers swear by them, it is only a small percentage of sales for us in the midwest. Perhaps this is because Hustler only offers the one option, or people just can't justify the cost. Maybe customers are concerned about their dealers service knowledge of this engine, I don't know. But the 31hp Kaw is over 80% of our business in the Super Z's sold in our 9 state midwestern territory. I noticed that brand X no longer offers an efi engine, but I am not sure why.

[djagusch]

The 31Hp is 80% of the biz. I wonder if you had a 35HP if that would end up being 80% of the business?

I drove a demo Super Z 31HP this last week and it was really smooth. After the grass starts growing up here I'm going to take it out and give it another chance. I'm hoping that I can get a better cut at 15 or so mph.

[puppypaws]

Although the customers that purchase efi mowers swear by them, it is only a small percentage of sales for us in the midwest. Perhaps this is because Hustler only offers the one option, or people just can't justify the cost. Maybe customers are concerned about their dealers service knowledge of this engine, I don't know. But the 31hp Kaw is over 80% of our business in the Super Z's sold in our 9 state midwestern territory. I noticed that brand X no longer offers an efi engine, but I am not sure why.

I think it is some of all the above, but listening to Kohler makes me think all mechanics need to make themselves knowledgeable on efi engines because in the future there will be no more carburetors.

[DAR57]

I have to speak out for the CARBS! I have a Super Z w/30HP Kohler and I avg. .7 GPH all season long.I did very accurate checks to see which mower to grab 1st. At the extra savings on intial cost I would be hard pressed to choose an EFI.

[nick858]

Everybodys style is different. Here in central Iowa, we get about .9 gph out of our efi, and about 1.3 out of the carbs (30KOH) It takes quite awhile for the efi to pay back, but it sure is smooth!

[puppypaws]

I have to speak out for the CARBS! I have a Super Z w/30HP Kohler and I avg. .7 GPH all season long.I did very accurate checks to see which mower to grab 1st. At the extra savings on intial cost I would be hard pressed to choose an EFI.

.7 GPH of fuel used by a 30 hp Kohler engine is very interesting to say the least, especially when my 28 efi Kohler burns close to 1 gallon per hr. Maybe the efi engines are not the way to go; if the government is interested in lowering fuel consumption, and lessening emissions.

[Imow4u2]

Everybodys style is different. Here in central Iowa, we get about .9 gph out of our efi, and about 1.3 out of the carbs (30KOH) It takes quite awhile for the efi to pay back, but it sure is smooth!

That's the most realistic numbers I've heard for the mid-west.. In heavy cutting and hills my 28 will easily burn over 1GPH. It's been my experience that poor dealer support can sour you on any make/model...

[DAR57]

Maybe I should explain the fine printing here for my .7GPH. Keep very sharp blades on,- running 60" XR7, and to brag -at 51 years young I am the youngest guy :-]

[puppypaws]

Although the customers that purchase efi mowers swear by them, it is only a small percentage of sales for us in the midwest. Perhaps this is because Hustler only offers the one option, or people just can't justify the cost. Maybe customers are concerned about their dealers service knowledge of this engine, I don't know. But the 31hp Kaw is over 80% of our business in the Super Z's sold in our 9 state midwestern territory. I noticed that brand X no longer offers an efi engine, but I am not sure why.

I think you meant to say, "I noticed that brand X no longer offers an dfi engine, is this not what you meant to say?

[blackandgold]

I do not see any DFI or EFI options in the 09 price sheet for brand X.

[puppypaws]

I do not see any DFI or EFI options in the 09 price sheet for brand X.

Brand X only offers carbureted gas engines at this time. I find that extremely odd with them being aware engine manufactures are moving very quicky towards fuel injection because of new government regulations.

[djagusch]

They must think they don't need it to make the emission standards or they don't have it to meet a certain price point. Either way if it works it works.

[blackandgold]

Does anyone make a thirty something hp EFI Vertical Shaft gas engine? I am not aware of one, but I think there is a market for this...

[puppypaws]

Does anyone make a thirty something hp EFI Vertical Shaft gas engine? I am not aware of one, but I think there is a market for this...

Kohler now makes a 30, 34, 36, 38, and 40 hp vertical shaft engines. In the very near future these will be electronic fuel injected engines. The 40 will be released within a couple of months. Whether they will offer these engines without efi, I'm not sure. Listening to them talk, I got the impression government regulations were causing efi technology to be set in place at a considerably faster timetable.

When you look at this link, you will see efi is coming on possibly earlier than we thought.

http://www.kohlerengines.com/new/landing.htm

[Tockit]

Kohler now makes a 30, 34, 36, 38, and 40 hp vertical shaft engines. In the very near future these will be electronic fuel injected engines. The 40 will be released within a couple of months. Whether they will offer these engines without efi, I'm not sure. Listening to them talk, I got the impression government regulations were causing efi technology to be set in place at a considerably faster timetable.
I think the 30 and the 34 EFI would be great. Above that is overkill in my opinion.

[rwaters]

I think brand x and hustler both know it is not all rosy with the DFI and EFI engines yet, when you get a bad one you really have a mess.

[puppypaws]

I think brand x and hustler both know it is not all rosy with the DFI and EFI engines yet, when you get a bad one you really have a mess.

They may as well get ready because all engine manufactures are moving to fuel injection at a very fast pace. Kohler told me personally that dealers not interested in efi technology best be getting the test equipment and their technicians trained as quickly as possible because carbureted engines were heading the way of the dinosaur.

[rwaters]

I think most dealers are ready for repairing the fuel injected engines. As a dealer myself repairing them is not a problem, feeling bad for the $100 fuel pump because the customer ran out of fuel 1 to many times or the computer going out due to the rough treatment. If a customer is rough on equipment an efi engine is a nightmare, if you take care of it, you will be happy. But a lot of dealers wont push them due to it is hard to tell what customer will take care of it.