[Pelican]

I'm looking at replacing my hydrostatic walkbehind mower this season and have a choice of engines on the same model mower. I've ruled out Kohler due to the problems I've had in the past. My choices are Kawasaki and Honda 21 hp engines. The Honda runs just under $200 more than the Kawasaki.

Can anyone make a comparison between these two?

Thanks!

[jwholden]

Pelican,

I hear you on not going with the Kohler. I don't know why American engines are not built as well as the foreign stuff. I had a 20 HP kohler command with VERY noisy valves and it would get water in the oil, on an air cooled engine.

My second commercial mower (bought in 1988) had a 12.5 hp Kawasaki Engine (FB460V) that ran like a bear and still runs today. My only complaint with that was that once in a while it would kick like a donkey when I pull started it!

I have no experience with Honda engines that large, though I've never had a problem with a Honda in the 5-9 HP range.

IMHO, you couldn't go wrong with either, and I would have to research more throughly before I could make my final decision.

[Nebraska]

Kawasaki and Vanguard in sizes above 12.5 have always treated us well as long as we've treated them well. We check oil levels and clean filters daily, monthly change oil and oil filters, and yearly tune them up. One Vanguard is going on 5-6 years old and has over 3400 hours on it.
Not that the following information is first hand...for some reason alot of folks 'bad mouth' the larger Honda...
Yet my brother who runs 4 of them on hydrostatic mudjacking pumps has good luck with them>>> In the end though I find myself leaning towards Kawasaki. Hope that helps?

[Bill Schwab]

We have never had a problem with any Kohler we have run, and have had them last over 3600 hours.

Kawasaki on the other hand, we had several blow well into warrantee and they refuse to honor thier product.

I currently use a 17 hp Kaw for a boat ancho0r, and it works well in 500 ft seas. Go Honda or Kohler

[Pelican]

Bill, I've had two Kohler Magnums, one a 20, the other a 22. Both have been problematic. I've changed oil and filter in each every 50 hours, Kohler recommends 100 hrs.

These machines are a bear to start in cold weather, and the carburetors are hyper sensitive to foreign matter. I have to clean the carbs monthly to keep the machines running smoothly, I can't figure how the dirt gets past the filters.

Each one has had intake gaskets sucked in numerous times, the dealer says this is a common problem. I tried to finish the day out in this condition and burned an intake valve.

I've had to replace a coil on one when it dropped a cylinder.

The lifters make noise so bad on occasion you'd swear they were going to come out the side of the block! Again, the dealer says this is a common problem, let them fast idle until it goes away. It has taken up to an hour for this to clear.

The amount of time I've lost from both down time and transport time to the dealer is considerable, not to mention rental fees for a replacement machine to stay on schedule. Reliability will be the major factor in making my engine choice, not price.

[Bill Schwab]

Seriously, if you are considering from your experiences, and Kohler is out, go Honda. We lost 4 Kawasakis under warrantee, every one was denied for bogus reasoning. I know a company manager who had 34 engiones go within 3 months each. Kawasaki told him it was because the shop foreman used the wrong cleaning fluid when the machines were sprayed. Every claim denied. The only thing Kawasaki is interested in is selling new products and not servicing the machines they have.

Every Honda product we ever have had starts in 2 pulls cold. My daughters have GX-160's in thier 1/4 midgets and hold the two fastest lap times in the Southern California circut.

Do what works best for your company, Kawasaki has left a taste in my mouth that will never go away.

[Pelican]

Thanks Bill, I appreciate the input!

[dan deutekom]

Personally I don't think you can go wrong with a Honda. Over the years I have abused Briggs, Kawasaki, Kohler, Tecomsa, Robyn and Honda. It seems that the Hondas last the longest and are the most reliable. Honda always starts after sitting all winter with just a couple of pulls and maybe a little gas dumped in the carb. The rest all have not lasted nearly as long as a Honda and most have been a bear to start when they havn't been used for a long time. Also the Honda seems quieter then the rest and more fuel efficient. This applies to most Honda equipment except their push lawn mowers. I consider them overweight junk.