hustler ztr--honda or kohler?

sandman98 · Apr 20, 2005

i'm looking at the hustler fastrak for residential use (1.25 acres in southeast pennsylvania). i'll probably opt for the 44" deck, which is offered with an 18hp honda ($4475) or and 18hp kohler ($4175). for $300 difference, which do you think is the better option, and why? thanks in advance for replies.

ChrisW · Apr 20, 2005

I was going to get the fastrak 20hp Honda w/52" cut until I was offered the Mini Z for $500 more with a Kawi 19hp 52" cut. I liked the honda better than the Kohler because they make more engines than anyone in the world. They also cost a little more but I have never heard anything bad about Honda at all. I went with the Mini Z because it is a commercial unit and will last longer.

Chris

Charlie_in_TX · Apr 21, 2005

I have not had large numbers of either so take this for what its worth. I have had 0, none, nada, GOOD Hondas. Hated every one I have owned. I have 0, none, nada, BAD Koylers. No way I would pay extra for what my experiance has proven a bad motor.

Dargo · Apr 21, 2005

Wow, sorry to hear that Charlie. Counting motorcycles, cars, ATV's, and small engines, I've probably owned 50 or 60 Honda engines. I've never had a problem with a single one. They have been the most reliable engine by far that I've ever owned.

sweettractors · Apr 21, 2005

I agree, We had a Honda on a remote located oil well pump jack a couple years ago and it would run good until we drove out of sight /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif. We finally replaced it with another unit and had problems with it also. I would go with Kohler. We sell more new ZTR Dixon mowers with Kohlers that the Briggs or Kawasaki options--Email- sweet@scrtc.com --Ken Sweet

DmansPadge · Apr 21, 2005

Wow... I'm surprised to hear anyone with bad experiences with Hondas. I have had several Honda engines and they have NEVER let me down. They seem to be the toughest out there IMO. If I was buying something and could opt for a Honda engine I would get it for sure and wouldn't even blink at the extra $300.

milkman · Apr 21, 2005

Charlie, you the one who won't own any Jap crap, your words, maybe that's the reason you have bad luck with them, they're japanese.

sportzkat · Apr 21, 2005

I have looked at and done a little research on this same mower (the 52", 20hp version). I can't say anything from personal experience, but I got input from several (well, actually 4) mechanics who told me there was no way they would pay extra for the Honda. In fact, two of them told me they would pay extra for the Kohler! I was surprised, but to a man they said the best engines in this size range and application, were: 1) Kawasaki; 2) Kohler; 3) B&S Vanguard; 4) Honda. They said that Honda has built up a great reputation from engines that were very well built in the past, but that the engineering on their newer enigines was inferior to the others, Kawasaki and Kohler in particular.

Take this for what it is worth...