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Looking at purchasing a zero turn mower this year and dont have a good feel about the Kohler and Kawasaki engines yet. I'm leaning towards the low end of the commercials as of right now. Thinking Hustler, Exmark, or Dixie Chopper to name a few. My closest friends are both running kawasaki engines on their mowers without problems but people I work with are recommending I stay away from the 'sakis and go Kohler. Opinions (and your reasons) please! Thanks.

Take your pick, you won't go wrong with either one. In Z's I recommend Kubota Kommander.

gabowman said:

Looking at purchasing a zero turn mower this year and dont have a good feel about the Kohler and Kawasaki engines yet. I'm leaning towards the low end of the commercials as of right now. Thinking Hustler, Exmark, or Dixie Chopper to name a few. My closest friends are both running Kawasaki engines on their mowers without problems but people I work with are recommending I stay away from the 'sakis and go Kohler. Opinions (and your reasons) please! Thanks.

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As Rivets said Take your pick. I've run the Kohlers for years and not had any problems. I also run Three Kawasaki engines the FJ, FR and FS models and all have been fantastic. If your leaning towards the low end commercials I personally would look at the Toro Line of Zero Turn seeing they and the Exmark are one in the same and made by the same company and would be less expensive than the Exmark in some cases. As far as your friends saying or recommending staying away from the Kawasaki I have to wonder if they have ever owned or run a Kawasaki.

Kind of if you like Ford or Chevy. Both are good, it comes down to personal preference.
For me, I will always pick the Kawasaki (and Ford) but your mileage may vary.

I like the Kawasaki. I've bought one of my father's hand me down mowers that had a Kohler engine. It only lasted 3 seasons before going out on me. I now have a Deere x500 with a Kawasaki and love how quiet and smooth it is compared to the other. However, it was a Cub Cadet, so maybe its not a fair comparison. He did have a Turf Tiger with a Kohler engine that gave him problem. He took it back and bought a Deere zero turn with a Kawasaki engine and has had no problems. I forget which one he bought.

Ric said:

As Rivets said Take your pick. I've run the Kohlers for years and not had any problems. I also run Three Kawasaki engines the FJ, FR and FS models and all have been fantastic. If your leaning towards the low end commercials I personally would look at the Toro Line of Zero Turn seeing they and the Exmark are one in the same and made by the same company and would be less expensive than the Exmark in some cases. As far as your friends saying or recommending staying away from the Kawasaki I have to wonder if they have ever owned or run a Kawasaki.

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What he says....I have had both. Older Kawi's will probably outlast the mowers there were put on, I have a Kohler Pro SV840 on my new Komander... I believe maintenance will be everything no matter what motor you get.

As far as your friends saying or recommending staying away from the Kawasaki I have to wonder if they have ever owned or run a Kawasaki.

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Your friends don't know what they talking about.

Kawasaki for me. I'm a 30 year golf course tech,and have had plenty of dealings with both. I have 8 Toro walking greens mowers,1995's,with 5 hp Kawi's. They have had nothing done to them but oil,air,and plug changes once a year for the last 18 years. They start first/second pull,some with no chokes. Don't use a drop of oil. I presently use 14 Kawi's on various other pieces of equipment.

I know there a lot of faithful Kohler users out there,but I phased out the Kohlers that came stock on our mowers and other equipment some years ago,and retro-fitted them with the Briggs Vanguard 18 and 20 h.p. units. Super reliable,lighter,quieter, and much better on fuel. I presently run 5 of them.