I am looking to buy a M60 tank within the next couple of months. I have three acres to mow, plus about 3000 feet of walking paths and a pond dam that sometimes get away from me (and get high). I am trying to decide if the Kohler 30hp engine is enough, or if I need the Kawasaki 31hp, which is supposed to have more torque. Does anyone have thoughts as to which is the best engine for not only torque but is the most trouble free and longest lasting?
M60 Tank 2008
- Thread starter mbouldin
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kthompson
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Moe, not a military person, but thought there was a M 60 tank. Guess too much History Channel.
Mbouldin, no idea what the Cub Cadet you are talking about is like, but I have had and used a few mowers with Kohler engines. They have always held a load very well. No idea how their torque compares but that would be my choice, one reason, many more mechanics here and parts for the Kohler.
I realize there are many dam designs but I would look very carefully at a mower to use around a pond. You need a cutting deck that extends a good bit past the wheels or depending on the dam itself one to cut the sides of it. Have played with this idea a lot and maybe the lowest cost was a self powered pull unit such as DR or Swisher sells. I found two problems for me, one was the angle of my sloops were greater than the engines were safe for lubrication and the other was they had wheels past cutter width, limiting it. No idea how this may vary between the two engines you mentioned but suspect either will handle all the angle or sloop a ride on mower will.
Mbouldin, no idea what the Cub Cadet you are talking about is like, but I have had and used a few mowers with Kohler engines. They have always held a load very well. No idea how their torque compares but that would be my choice, one reason, many more mechanics here and parts for the Kohler.
I realize there are many dam designs but I would look very carefully at a mower to use around a pond. You need a cutting deck that extends a good bit past the wheels or depending on the dam itself one to cut the sides of it. Have played with this idea a lot and maybe the lowest cost was a self powered pull unit such as DR or Swisher sells. I found two problems for me, one was the angle of my sloops were greater than the engines were safe for lubrication and the other was they had wheels past cutter width, limiting it. No idea how this may vary between the two engines you mentioned but suspect either will handle all the angle or sloop a ride on mower will.
VinceSMTA
Silver Member
I wouldn't worry about slopes around a pond with the M60. My friend mows commercially and he braggs about how his wide track M60 holds the retention pond slopes. I've never witnessed it first hand but I do trust his word. As far as kohler vs kawasaki...I'm not really sure what guys run on commercial mowers, it would be interesting to find out. I know my kohler command runs very nice on my 2542.
Jimbrown
Veteran Member
In my youth, on a cold morning I remember encountering a good ole boy from TN crawling out of one of those things in Germany said his name was Elvis I beleive.
Kthompson, Thanks for the comments. I am careful about the slope. I only go so close to the water, and the slope isn't that bad on this dam. Mainly, I just cut the top and the safe part of the front of the dam. VinceSMTA, I know the kohler is a good engine. I have a 27hp Kohler in what I am using to mow with now. Reviews of the Kaw engine really sound better than the 30hp Kohler from what I can tell, but the parts are a factor. The dealer that I plan to buy from likes the Kohler, but it might be that he just likes working on Kohler engines better. Anyway, I will by buying one in the next couple of months. I just need some help with the hours of maintenance. I like to play (work on the things I like to do, like gardening etc), instead of mowing and maintenance. I know this is an expensive mower for the three acres I have, but I think it would last a very long time. I think a residential zero turn would be a mistake for me. Three acres with lots of things to mow around and a lot of extra (pond dam and 3000 feet of walking paths keep me pretty busy in May and June). I am just old enough to need to do things the easy way
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DieselPower
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Something else to consider is a Swisher mower, a pull behind self powered mowing deck. My neighbor got one of those that he pulls offset behind his garden tractor to do around the fields and through his orchard. He now cuts a little over a 6 foot path with the two decks (one on the mower and one offset behind). Just something to consider if your looking to save some money. They are a whole lot cheaper than a new mower.
