FR730V-CS15 needs to be replaced; will the S00 variant work?

[jz8fenton]

I recently purchased a 2017 Gravely ZT HD 60" with the Kawasaki FR730V-CS15 engine. Hour meter has 393 hours. After replacing the engine oil, filters, etc ... we ran it for an hour ... no issues. However, after restarting it for the next mowing job, the motor died.
Upon pulling the cylinder head, it became apparent one of the valves snapped and destroyed the top of the head and the piston. Regardless of how or why it happened, I'm planning to replace the engine with a new FR730V engine.
I've found a FR730V-S00 replacement engine (new). Can you help me to confirm the S00 variant will fit my application?
Thanks in advance.

 

[txmowman]

Yes, that is the correct replacement. Currently FR730VJS00S. It will be money well spent to go with an FX model for a few hundred more. If you stay with FR, make sure you keep tabs on your air filter.
It may need more attention besides flipping up the cover and saying it looks good.

 

[jz8fenton]

Yes, that is the correct replacement. Currently FR730VJS00S. It will be money well spent to go with an FX model for a few hundred more. If you stay with FR, make sure you keep tabs on your air filter.
It may need more attention besides flipping up the cover and saying it looks good.

Thank you @txmowman . If I were to consider the FX ... do you happen to know which FX730V variation I should be seeking? Will there be an issues with the wiring between the FR/FX swap?

I have a 2023 Gravely Pro Stance with the FX730V, and I love it.

 

[jz8fenton]

 

[txmowman]

Thank you @txmowman . If I were to consider the FX ... do you happen to know which FX730V variation I should be seeking? Will there be an issues with the wiring between the FR/FX swap?

I have a 2023 Gravely Pro Stance with the FX730V, and I love it.

FX730VFS12S. The starter is a shift type (heavy duty) as opposed to the bendix type. If your FR starter is good, you could just swap the starter from the FR to the FX.
If you use the FX starter, there will need to be a simple wiring modification. Other than that it would be identical unless your FR has some type of oil drain assembly.

 

[txmowman]

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The cylinder being overheated, leading to metal fatigue is what causes this failure. The valve broke where the valve head is welded to the stem.

 

[txmowman]

@jz8fenton, what is the serial number of this engine (e/no)? I can call Kawasaki tomorrow and find out if there is any previous history on this engine.

 

[jz8fenton]

The cylinder being overheated, leading to metal fatigue is what causes this failure. The valve broke where the valve head is welded to the stem.

Good to know. The person that I bought the mower from didn't do any maintenance on the unit. He was the 2nd owner and claims he only used it to mow his personal property for 1 summer (NY). In my opinion, the lack of maintenance was a contributing factor to this failure.

 

[txmowman]

Good to know. The person that I bought the mower from didn't do any maintenance on the unit. He was the 2nd owner and claims he only used it to mow his personal property for 1 summer (NY). In my opinion, the lack of maintenance was a contributing factor to this failure.

Usually is. Service is what keeps a lot of shops in business. People just don’t give their mowers any consideration for maintenance because it only gets used once a week, maybe. There are a lot of people too where their pay check depends on the mower and they do crappy maintenance as well. Down time costs more than maintenance!

 

[jz8fenton]

@jz8fenton, what is the serial number of this engine (e/no)? I can call Kawasaki tomorrow and find out if there is any previous history on this engine.

@txmowman thank you for the offer! E/NO: FR730VC24580