I have been looking at ztrs this week and I pretty much had narrowed it down to Scag or Exmark. In talking to a local dealer today I was more swayed to Exmark, not only because they are mostly what one sees around here, but he advised me that the parts for the Exmark would be cheaper in the long run than the Scag. They have the Cub 48"/19hpkaw for 6000 grand now, that's why I was looking at Scag. Anyhow, I was wanting to get a 48 or 52 deck HP but I was wondering why the difference in horsepower ratings with the Kaw and Koh units. Do you have to have more horsepower in a Kohler to get equal results that a smaller horsepower Kaw produces. Also, why does the Kohler come standard with the canister air filter. Does it need one more than the Kaw. I believe all models could use it. The dealer said they had an easier time with warranty issues with Kohler than Kawasaki. Did I even spell Kawasaki right? Thats why I have been abrieviating it. There was one 52/20Koh HP on the floor. I was concerned that the motor may not be enough for that deck. The dealer said it would but I have been told that before only to have a mower bog down in semi heavy stuff or slightly damp grass. So what I am really asking is a 17hp Kaw the same as a 20hp Koh in power? Or is the Kohler just a little cheaper in price? I had an easier time picking a wife than a mower. It's kind of funny. I have spent more time looking at 6-7 thousand dollar mowers than I did for my 40 thousand dollar truck. I need to be institutionalized.