Need advice/recommendation on repair/rebuild/replace Kohler KT735

[rbstern]

Sans motor:

 

[Carl_NH]

Good Job - unit looks pretty clean too. You will be back in business in no time now!

 

[rbstern]

Mower is up and running again. Finished a few hours after UPS dropped off the B&S and muffler. Had to thread the bolt holes on the new motor, but the Ariens frame already had a second set of mounting holes that matched the motor. That was the only serious work. Main electrical plug mated perfectly, pulleys went on the new motor shaft without issue. Throttle action is reversed but works well as a single control for both throttle and choke. Muffler fit perfectly, although I will have to add some type of rear bumper, since it now extends beyond the frame. Was glad I didn't have to cut the frame for the pipes.

Added oil, connected the battery, it fired right up, drove around to warm up, then let the wife do her thing with the lawn. She's happy. Which means I am happy.

Thanks for the chip in of suggestions, all.

 

[5030]

Good deal.

 

[Carl_NH]

That was a fast change out - looks good. Noticed the fan shroud is missing on top of the engine..

Neighbor has the same engine on his Simplicity 48" ZT mower I just finished working on - one of the valve pushrods fell off then would not start easily - stumped me for a while until I found the spring for the auto choke was not connected.

Glad you got this fixed and back in business.

 

[rbstern]

That was a fast change out - looks good. Noticed the fan shroud is missing on top of the engine..

Neighbor has the same engine on his Simplicity 48" ZT mower I just finished working on - one of the valve pushrods fell off then would not start easily - stumped me for a while until I found the spring for the auto choke was not connected.

Glad you got this fixed and back in business.

Yeah, came out of the box with the shroud missing. I'll call the vendor on Monday to see if that's an extra cost part.

I also had to go digging through my spare hardware drawer to find four nuts that fit the exhaust bolts. And happily, had a 1/2" deep socket to put them on. Impossible, otherwise. Zero wrench room on two of them.

That auto choke is a bit of a mystery to me. The mechanism is funky looking. But it works, so I'll assume the engineer who imagined that knew what he was doing.

 

[Richard001]

Great job, looks good.

You my want to consider adding a 45 or 90 deflector on the out end of the muffler to direct the exhaust down and away from you.

 

[tomplum]

Nice job on the muffler set up. A lower tone than what you had I'd think.

 

[RandyT]

That was a fast change out - looks good. Noticed the fan shroud is missing on top of the engine..

Neighbor has the same engine on his Simplicity 48" ZT mower I just finished working on - one of the valve pushrods fell off then would not start easily - stumped me for a while until I found the spring for the auto choke was not connected.

Glad you got this fixed and back in business.

Most Briggs engines don't have a shroud over the rotating screen. So not a missing part, just not supplied on that engine type. Unless you are going to be putting your hand on the engine while it is running or have your fur baby ride on the engine while mowing, not a big issue.

 

[rbstern]

Nice job on the muffler set up. A lower tone than what you had I'd think.

Sound is a nice improvement over the Kohler. Both lower tone and quieter.

 

[rbstern]

The bottom skid plate from the Kohler muffler setup provided the needed materials for the Briggs muffler heat guard. Won't put up much of a fight if it backs into something, but will work fine to keep hands and knees away from the muffler when hot.

 

[rbstern]

Follow up question:

Was greasing the front wheel bearings. They're pretty worn and loose. Think it might be time for new bearings, or even new front wheel assemblies.

Anybody running the "no flat" version of the typical zero turn front wheels (11x4)? If so, how are they holding up?

 

[Carl_NH]

My Ferris has 13x6.5 fronts and I ran one into granite curbing a few years ago- went flat - reinflated - went flat again. Took off cleaned bead and added rubber sealant and it’s fine now for last two years

Looked into run flats $150 decided don’t need to spend the $ or change the ride

As for bearings they are easy to replace but why so soon? We’re they run dry? I have bearings 10 yrs old still good at 400 hours on the Ferris and over 700 hours on other machines with no issues

 

[stevem5215]

Caution on the solid tires on the ZTR. I put one on my ZT2500 Simplicity and it was a terrible rough ride. So much that I fixed the original air filled tire and put it back on and have the solid one as a spare only now.
It's like those run flats on cars. Most people hate the ride quality and put air filled tires on in place of them.

 

[rbstern]

My Ferris has 13x6.5 fronts and I ran one into granite curbing a few years ago- went flat - reinflated - went flat again. Took off cleaned bead and added rubber sealant and it’s fine now for last two years

Looked into run flats $150 decided don’t need to spend the $ or change the ride

As for bearings they are easy to replace but why so soon? We’re they run dry? I have bearings 10 yrs old still good at 400 hours on the Ferris and over 700 hours on other machines with no issues

I can't say I've been great about greasing them often, but the biggest issue: Our pounding terrain. I've replaced one axle bolt in the past (sheared), and the front tires have been knocked off the rim more than once. Our lawn and property in general is a bumpy ride.