Kawa or Kohler engine on Lazer ZTR?

[Bassman]

Leaning towards a Lazer Z HP (48&quot for first ZTR. Which engine would be the most reliable. Kawasaki V-Twin 19 HP or Kohler Command Pro 18 H.P.? Thanks for suggestions and reasons why. <br>

well i like the kawy's in fact just bought a new HP48 last week with the 19hp kawy

[bdemir]

Well id go with the kawasaki but ive heard good things about the kohler. the kaw is more quiet and runs a little smoother in my opinion. The quality is something i do not enough experience with. But from what ive heard and read the kohler holds up well and i s easy to get parts for.

[Lazer]

Not even a decision with those choices. I've got a few Kaw 19's. I'd buy another one in a heartbeat. Our experience has been far better than that with the Kohlers.

AMEN!! to that lazer

[Cannonturf]

Kawasaki is a much better engine!<br>Dont sing the song of the kohlers BLUES!

[Charles]

I had a 92John deere 420 20hp kohler. The engine lasted 2600 hrs with No repairs. I hope my Lazer last longer than that.But that was very good. I think anyone can a lemon when you buy anything. You can't just generalise every peice of equipment because you had a bad experience.

[Lazer]

Charles, that is true.<p>But, when you've owned over 20 of them, can you start to generalize?<p>The only reason I kept buying Kohlers is because that was the only engine eXmark offered in the model I wanted.<p>My buddy got so sick of Kohlers, he ordered in 4 eXmarks without engines and put on 20hp Hondas. (which are pretty nice, too)<br>

[gorrell]

I've had good and bad experiences with Kohler. I had a CV-22 that was wonderful until the warranty expired. Then it was 3 ignition modules, valve guides, valves, etc. Just a lemon. I have CV-22 still running with over a 1000 hrs and we never add any oil between changes(every 30-40 hrs). So go figure. Obviously Kohler makes good engines, because they outsell everyone else combined. It is obvious, though, that if you can possibly get a liquid cooled motor, that is your best bet. They run so much cooler that their lifespan usually triples an air cooled engine. I've got two 3 cylinder Kubotas on my grasshoppers and they are sweet running engines. My thoughts, Lynn Gorrell

[Lazer]

The problems stated with your Kohler are standard. I've owned dozens and know what the units in my local dealer were in for. UPS could be profitable just delivering &quot;SAM&quot; modules. We replaced an average of 1 per unit/per year. That's a lot of ingnition modules.<p>Now as far as Kohler outselling all their competition combined? In what size/configuration range? More air-cooled engines than Briggs?<p>Anyway, I agree about the liquid cooled. It'll be interesting to see how the Kohler V-shaft liquid will do on mowers.