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Posted by Dan (NH) [173.9.49.14] on Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 12:27:42 :
In Reply to: OT Kohler vs Kawasaki small engine posted by ol' red [206.74.179.143] on Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 10:10:15 :
I used to work on those larger commercial Scag, Toro and Exmark mowers with both those engines available on either. The Kohlers are usually 1000 hour engines, although you can get more out of them if they are maintained well. The Kawasaki engines hold up better if the owners don't take care of the units, and will last quite a while longer if they are maintained with common sense. The Kohler and the Kawasaki engines both suffer from the debris that gets sucked in and packed into the cooling fins. If either get to hot the valve guides usually slip out and the engine eats the exhaust valve. Kohler also had an issue with the gap between the valves on the heads cracking because they machined the valves so big trying to squeeze out more HP to compete with the Briggs 30hp that is made in China. "Don't get me going on those".
if anything is going to happen with the engine it is usually around the break-in period.
The smaller 18-22 HP Kohlers were rebuild-able "bore and grind" as long as the cylinders are not chromed, where the Kawasaki engines are just replaced.
Just my two cents. You should be more worried about the variable volume piston pumps from Hydrogear in the units. I have change many of those that failed due to the workers drag racing the units and popping wheelies.