The Green Industry's Resource Center

georgiagrass · #11 01-20-2010, 02:25 AM

We have Kaws on everything except the Walkers (26 hp efi) and our Navigator (27 hp). We've had good luck with all of them. I particularly like the 26 hp efi Kohler. We have had great luck with the 15 hp and 17 hp Kaws on our Turf Tracers.

Charles · #12 01-20-2010, 07:11 AM

I have had good luck with Kohlers too. I am sure with the high volume they sell there is going to be a certain % of lemons and a certain % of poor maintenance. Same with the Kawasaki's. So I look more at the price of the mower and replacement parts. Kohler is a lot more reasonable when it comes to price

JimQ · #13 01-20-2010, 09:25 AM

Don't let the HP figures fool you. The 31hp Kawi is a lot more engine that the 30 hp Kohler. There is a substantial real-world power difference. The Kawi is the stronger of the two by far. The 30hp Kohler is a 747cc engine while the Kawi is an 852cc engine.

Q

Grass Shark · #14 01-20-2010, 10:26 AM

imo kawi all day, most times they want $600 to upgrade to a kawi from kohler. Kawi is a lot better quality motor. Good luck! You will love the hustler!

Krafty · #15 01-20-2010, 10:44 AM

Well thanks for all the info. Love this site you can find all the info you ever wanted so quickly.
I am looking at both as Charles said Kohler didn't make a billion engines that were all junk. I think I am going to go with the Kawi though. I really find it weird that the kawi was cheaper. I really havnt checked the prices on the kawi replacment parts. But to be honest with my ferris I have never had a problem that need replacement parts. I am a freak about maintenance, maybe that helps. GUes we will see where the other dealers com in at!

Mahoney3223 · #16 01-20-2010, 10:46 AM

I have owned plenty of both..Kawi's are thought to be the best, and their price reflects it. I have Kohler's too. I have a 27 command, and a 26 efi. The most obvious advantage is that you can shortblock a kohler. With a kaw, your S.O.L. I have a new 35 Big Block briggs on my tiger and I will say they are coming around as well. All personal pref. really

soloscaperman · #17 01-20-2010, 10:55 AM

I have owned a 15HP Kawa and now the 27HP Kohler.

I miss the kawa that thing never smoked and started every first or second pull. The Kohler smoked once in a while when starting but goes away in seconds. My Kohler sat since early November and never started it or changed the gas and actually started on the first try 3 days ago! Also no smoke!! I guess they smoke when you start and stop them then wait hours or a day. I use Mobil one after the first 85 hours and it helps on the smoking. Now it smoke 2 out of 10 times and only last alittle bit.

topsites · #18 01-20-2010, 10:58 AM

I myself prefer Kohler and supposedly Kawasaki is better but just the fact that both engines
are being compared side by side in the same conversation speaks volumes of either.

And the reason I took my Ztr with the Kawasaki is...
Because it was cheaper than the Kohler.

I never did figure that one out either.

Krafty · #19 01-20-2010, 11:35 AM

Yeah smoking a little bit on start up seems to be the common thing.

So Turf Shark you think I will be happy with the hustler? I have added a few properties this year taht are around 4 acres, thats why I am stepping up to the 60"