Kawaski gas motors ...

DAP · Jan 17, 2004

My 2.5 yo LX288 18hp vertical twin Kawaski gas w/ 150 hours has been sitting in the shop for 3 months without a start. Today, I emerged from this NE frigid grasp to a relative 30 degree bliss.

Low on firewood, before hauling some ash to buck up outta the forest, I needed to know if I was gonna haul it by hand or with my 7 ft. estate wagaon on the back of the JD.

Throttle 3/4, choke fully depressed, key turn .... plup plup cough plup VAROOOOOOOOOM.

Not bad for a $4500 finish mower.

/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

yellowsocks93 · Jan 17, 2004

Kawasakis are great. That's all we run in our mowers.

Old_Hickory · Jan 17, 2004

In all the mowers ? Riding mowers included ?

Tractors4u · Jan 17, 2004

I think Kawasaki engines are pretty much the standard on the high end Deere riding mowers. The exception would be the Spin Steers. My SST 18 Spin Steer has an 18hp that looks like a Briggs but the salesman told me it was a Briggs design built by Dahaitsu. The Deeres sold at Home Depot have Kohler and Briggs.

JDgreen227 · Jan 17, 2004

WOW---I have an '88 vintage 5 hp Tecumseh on my Craftsman 5 hp self propelled blower and it hasn't been used for over a year. Add new gas, two pushes on the primer and it started on the second pull. Anybody got a 1988 Kawasaki that starts that fast in 5 degree weather? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

bigpete · Jan 17, 2004

The fuel-injected Kaw V-Twin in my late, great 2000 JD 445 was flawless. It's still running flawlessly for a gentleman a few miles away with 600+ hours on it. It barely even missed after start-up even when the temps were in the teens.

Kaw made a few design mistakes in several engines produce in 1998-2000 by using nylon cam gears. That's about the only bad thing I've ever heard.

smilingreen · Jan 18, 2004

Kawasaki makes a great engine. I have a 25 HP V-twin in my JD 757 Z-track, A 14 HP single in my JD HD45 and a 20 HP twin in my JD 335. All great motors. And we use them all commercially. 757 has over 300 hours on it, HD 45 has almost 100 hours and the 335 is approaching 400 hours. And, well, my 790 has a Yanmar.
Oh, I guess I can't forget, my SR 650 is a Kawi also, but it balances on 2 wheels and goes a heck of a lot faster!! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

yellowsocks93 · Jan 19, 2004

Well, ok you got me. The GT242 and 320, and Gator use Kawasaki. The '94 JD 320 garden tractor has over 400 hours. The push mower uses a Tecumseh. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif