Texasmark
Elite Member
- Joined
- Apr 24, 2012
- Messages
- 3,694
- Location
- N. Texas
- Tractor
- Ford: '88 3910 Series II, '80 3600, '65 3000; '07 6530C Branson with FEL, 2020 LS MT225S. Case-IH 395 and 895 with cab. All Diesels
I went to the Yesterday's Tractor forum that Ruffdog identified and read through it. Very interesting reading.
I am currently replacing a 20 HP Kohler Courage single cylinder on my Husqvarna 26" rider. I had oil leaks on the floor under it for quite some time. I always check the oil prior to use and I am the only user so low oil was not a root cause for a failure.
First I found the head bolts loose. Then hours later the OHV assy bolts were loose. Finally some hours later still, I found the crankcase cover was loose and the housing where it mates to the cover had a 2" crack down the side which I was able to seal with red RTV (and stop that oil leak) after I reseated the cover gasket and tightened it back.
Mower has 380 hours. Keep clean syn. 10W-30 in in per own. man. I thought it was just because it was a single cylinder developing 20 hp. Thought that maybe that was too much power for a single stroker with an aluminum casting; balance problem. Another thing this Courage uses an inverted casting if that matters. The cover that is usually on the bottom of most cases is on the top.
I bought a 20HP twin BS from Brand New Engines for a super price and it will be here Monday. I figured a twin at that HP would be better balanced.
HOWEVER: The engine to tractor frame interface has the same 4 bolts as mentioned and they were loose. After removing the engine, one location on the mounting deck had wear marks where the engine attaching bolts had loosened up some time ago allowing the engine to vibrate with respect to the deck.
There is no lock washer but there are ridges on the bolts to provide a locking, like a star washer would provide.
No doubt with one cylinder and only 2 blades to cover 46" this thing vibrated like a spa massager (I guess, never went to one). Don't knock the 2 blades though. I like them and the stamped steel deck on this mower as I can mow fairly wet grass with it and it doesn't clog and there are minimal grass deposits left under the deck.
Soooooo I am going to keep tabs on my engines from now on. I may have been throwing rocks at the Courage design and possibly it didn't deserve the abuse (rocks) from me. I have two other Kohlers but they are Commanders. Have had them for many years and no problems.
Sooooo today when I go out to the shop I am going to check all of my mower engines and when I install the new engine I am going to add some Locktite to clean/oilless threads prior to installing the bolts.
Mark
I am currently replacing a 20 HP Kohler Courage single cylinder on my Husqvarna 26" rider. I had oil leaks on the floor under it for quite some time. I always check the oil prior to use and I am the only user so low oil was not a root cause for a failure.
First I found the head bolts loose. Then hours later the OHV assy bolts were loose. Finally some hours later still, I found the crankcase cover was loose and the housing where it mates to the cover had a 2" crack down the side which I was able to seal with red RTV (and stop that oil leak) after I reseated the cover gasket and tightened it back.
Mower has 380 hours. Keep clean syn. 10W-30 in in per own. man. I thought it was just because it was a single cylinder developing 20 hp. Thought that maybe that was too much power for a single stroker with an aluminum casting; balance problem. Another thing this Courage uses an inverted casting if that matters. The cover that is usually on the bottom of most cases is on the top.
I bought a 20HP twin BS from Brand New Engines for a super price and it will be here Monday. I figured a twin at that HP would be better balanced.
HOWEVER: The engine to tractor frame interface has the same 4 bolts as mentioned and they were loose. After removing the engine, one location on the mounting deck had wear marks where the engine attaching bolts had loosened up some time ago allowing the engine to vibrate with respect to the deck.
There is no lock washer but there are ridges on the bolts to provide a locking, like a star washer would provide.
No doubt with one cylinder and only 2 blades to cover 46" this thing vibrated like a spa massager (I guess, never went to one). Don't knock the 2 blades though. I like them and the stamped steel deck on this mower as I can mow fairly wet grass with it and it doesn't clog and there are minimal grass deposits left under the deck.
Soooooo I am going to keep tabs on my engines from now on. I may have been throwing rocks at the Courage design and possibly it didn't deserve the abuse (rocks) from me. I have two other Kohlers but they are Commanders. Have had them for many years and no problems.
Sooooo today when I go out to the shop I am going to check all of my mower engines and when I install the new engine I am going to add some Locktite to clean/oilless threads prior to installing the bolts.
Mark
