Kohler 824 EFI Engine

vlcakc · Mar 23, 2017

Looked at a 72" cut Hustler Super Z mower today with the Kohler 33 hp 824 efi engine today. I have been running Kawasaki engines on my mowers for a long time and have no experience with the Kohler. Any feedback positive or negative? Thanks, Victor

vlcakc · Mar 28, 2017

Wow! Over 100 views and no replies! This Kohler must not be a very popular engine. Wonder if I should just step up to a Super Z HD with the Vanguard EFI engine? Vic

Poopdeck Pappy · Mar 28, 2017

I've got a Vanguard 29hp on my Grasshopper, and a 26hp Kohler ECV749 EFI on my Scag VRide. Both of them are good engines. The Vanguard is more powerful, but it's rated at 3hp more, so it's supposed to be.

824cc seems a little small to be running a 72" deck.

The Super Z HD with the 37hp Vanguard EFI engine would be a great combination. The Super Z HD is blindingly fast, and the Vanguard EFI is supposed to be a monster.

Personally, I prefer Vanguard engines to Kawasaki or Kohler, but the Kohler is a good engine and the EFI versions do just lightly sip fuel compared to a carbureted engine.

vlcakc · Mar 28, 2017

Poopdeck Pappy said:
824cc seems a little small to be running a 72" deck.

That's a good point. Our Bermuda grass lawns can get pretty thick and tough to mow in mid-season. Think I'll look into a Super Z HD with the Vanguard EFI engine. Checked with the local Scag dealer today about the Turf Tiger II with the Kawasaki liquid cooled EFI engine. Unfortunately, they have quit stocking the Scag line and are pushing Toro now although they can still sell Scag. Thanks for the response. Vic

vlcakc · Apr 13, 2017

Decided to go with the Super Z HD with 37 hp Vanguard EFI engine, mulching kit, spring forks and 72" deck. None of the area dealers had one in stock, so it will have to come from the factory. No firm delivery date yet, but the dealer thinks sometime next week. It's probably overkill for my needs, but it should cut down mowing time compared with my old Z with the 25 hp engine and 60" deck. I hope the air suspension seat and spring forks will improve the ride and reduce my back pain on some of my rough ground. I'll post a review after a month or so of use. Vic

Poopdeck Pappy · Apr 17, 2017

Congrats on the new mower. Super Z HD (really, REALLY fast mower), with 72" deck and 37hp Vanguard EFI should cut some serious time off your mowing. Please give us a report (with pics) after you get it and have a chance to use it.

vlcakc · Apr 22, 2017

The new Hustler Super Z HD was delivered late yesterday afternoon, Friday April 21st. We've had heavy rains the past few days, so mowing conditions today were not ideal to say the least. Since we have relatives coming to visit tomorrow I decided to mow anyway. Here are some of my initial impressions:

1. Don't sell your old mower just before the start of mowing season and until the new mower has been delivered! This was the first cutting this Spring and besides the grass being wet, the cool season grasses were 10-12" high in places. The Bermuda grass was just coming out of dormancy and was 3-4" high.
2. Despite the tall wet grass I decided to leave the mulching kit block off plate in place to see if the mower could cope with it. It actually mowed really well for the most part. Except for the really tall areas the clippings were well mulched and mostly disappeared. The few clippings visible should be eliminated with the next hopefully dry mowing.
3. I used all the power of the 37 hp Vanguard engine mowing the really tall, wet grass. The shorter areas were cut with seemingly effortless ease. I'm glad I decided on the larger engine even though in dry normal length grass mowing I think the engine will be lightly stressed. I do have some field mowing to do that will probably utilize the full capability of the mower.
4. I didn't check mowing time since the conditions were so different than normal. My impression though was that mowing time will be much faster. Not only because of the wider 72"cut vs. the 60" cut of the old mower, but the faster speed the new mower can maintain.
5. The air suspension seat on the new mower is much easier on my old back than the spring suspension seat on the old one. Should result in a lot fewer aches and pains after mowing!
6. Fuel consumption with the 37 hp EFI engine seems to be very good compared with the 25 hp carburated engine of the old mower. Won't really know until the engine is thoroughly broken in and I have a chance to refuel a few times.
7. All in all I'm very pleased with the new mower as you can probably tell from my first impressions.

I plan to start a new thread later after I've had more experience with the new mower and wil try to include some photos. Vic