Kawasaki or Kohler engine?

[DMA]

Think I have decided on the Hustler 60 inch mower. I looked at the one with the Kawasaki 25hp but I think for an extra $100 I can get the 27 hp Kohler. Which is the best motor? Thanks

[The Lawn Boy Pro]

Im a kawasaki guy, but for that much more for the money, sounds worth it to me.

[ElephantNest]

Kawi

[Heron Cove PM]

kawasaki

[LAWNGODFATHER]

KOHLER

[grassdaddy]

I like kaw better,but I would spend the 100 for the ponies.

[Tbarchaser]

Kaw.... If you dont, you will see how bad Kohlers warrenty is. And how they dont back it up.

[ULTIMATE LAWN]

Have had some Valve problems w/ the twin Kaw. but Nothing Major w/the Kohlers.

[dabmower]

I asked the same thing before buying my 27hp kohler 72in. superZ.I demoed the 25 kawasaki 60in.superZ and the kohler was well worth the extra $100 and if your property will alow it I would pay the$300 more for the 72in.plenty of power.Only have had it two weeks so can't say any thing about reliabilaty. But in my case home owner of 13acres open mowing this thing is great.And if you call the factory I think you will find the people there are great also.Go for it.

[Flex-Deck]

Have one of each - like them both

[C & S]

Kawi; had both, I think the Kawi is smoother and more reliable.

[Pecker]

Kawi. Plus, the Kawi's 25 hp is that of a V-Twin. Mine just growles right through thick and wet grass (60 in. deck).

[Envy Lawn Service]

I thought I read somewhere that you would actually have to get a 27hp Kohler in order to equal the mowing power of the 25hp Kawasaki.

Isn't that the case or am I having a brain lapse?

[dcondon]

Kawasaki !!!!

[C4chris70]

I have both kawis and kohlers. I like the liquid cooled Kawis, but I prefer the air cooled kohler to the air cooled kawi.

[Royalslover]

Kawasaki; I'll never own another Kohler if I can help it. If you do get the Kohler, keep a close eye on the little breather cup deal that is mounted on top of the right valve cover. Makes sure it has a tight connection. or crap gets in the valve cover. Seems like it shouldn't since it builds up pressure but I think that started both of my Kohlers on the path to ruin. I know that Kohler had lots of problems with the 25 hp so I'd do some dd on the 27.

[NCSERVICE]

Envy lawn care, 25 hp is 25hp, same for 27. i used to be a kawi fan but definetly going towards kohler, the kawi that sold me was the fb460. both are very good engines, but we are begining to see more hondas...... thank god

[bob]

Kawasaki

[lawn perfection]

I have both never any problems with either.

[lawnman_scott]

Kawasaki

[accuratelawn]

Kohler! I have three. No engine problems 2000 hours on one ,900 on the other and 250 on the third.. I do have a 17 Kaw on a wb. It does fine.

[rob1325]

Hustler is gonna offer the 27 Liquid cooled Kawi I would get that instead.

[65hoss]

The kawi makes more torque. You want power in the grass you need torque. Get the kawi.

[cutting edge]

Flip a coin.

In 2000 when I purchased my Lazer HP I planned on going with Kawasaki (after doing some reading on lawnsite), but my dealer steered me towards the Kohler. He said he was having trouble getting Kawasaki to stand behind their product. That was over three years ago, maybe Kawasaki has changed.

[SLS]

Kawasaki

[65hoss]

Originally posted by cutting edge
Flip a coin.

In 2000 when I purchased my Lazer HP I planned on going with Kawasaki (after doing some reading on lawnsite), but my dealer steered me towards the Kohler. He said he was having trouble getting Kawasaki to stand behind their product. That was over three years ago, maybe Kawasaki has changed.

Kawi has changed a lot since then. In 2000 parts and service were harder to get. Since then, it has been different. Thankfully.

[battags]

I've never 'skimped' on any of my other equipment, I won't short change myself on an engine. Kohler, hands down!

[Red Dwarf]

Originally posted by NCSERVICE
Envy lawn care, 25 hp is 25hp, same for 27.

Actually, different mfg's can rate their engines differently, either higher or lower than the engines acually put out.

Also, since "horsepower" isn't "real", but rather a mathematical derivation of torque and RPM, one engine that has more horsepower may not have as much "useable" horsepower as the other lower rated engine.

NASCAR engines make a huge amount of power at 9,000 RPM, but if you govern them to 3400 like most lawn mowers, the horsepower figures would't be nearly as impressive

[DieselDeere]

I have a 15HP Kohler an a JD lawn tractor and a 27HP Kohler on my Lazer Z, they both have been great!

[dougmartin2003]

kawi

[MTR]

own a 12.5 Kawi, have lots of experience with it before at early days, had used 15, 17 kawi twin, they are the best to me. Kawi and only Kawi.

[Pecker]

65Hoss, and whomever he quoted: I asked a dealer last year why there seems to be so many Kawi's on so many newer mowers and here's what he told me.
Kawasaki's were always known to be great engines, but when they needed repair, the parts were a real hassel to get and took very long / long down time. In recent years, they have completely redone their distribution system and parts and such are now easy to get.
Anyhow, that's what I was told and it makes sense to me. They are everywhere now and I'm glad because with a Kawi atv, Kawi dirtbike, Kawi engine on my blower, and Kawi on my ZTR, they've all been VERY reliable, easy to start, and smooth - running.
Hope Kawi serves you all as well as it has me thus far. Nothing against Kohler or the others, just my experiences.