Buying Advice Need advise on Cub Cadet purchase

[kstandley]

The 1042 has a 19hp Koehler. The mower was set up by TSC and according to them, as well as the owners manual, there is not a break in period. I spoke with the folks at my local TSC this morning and they stated that since the mower was purchased less than 30 days ago, bring it in for a replacement. I did take an oil sample this morning and it is obvious there is an internal failure (metal particles in the oil).
I should have mentioned that prior to seizing the engine turned over very rapidly and would back fire through the intake. This would indicate an intake valve failure but since it's under warranty I will not be taking it apart to validate my suspicion (sp?).

 

[Geo148]

IIRC, the 19hp Kohler is the courrage. New design and unproven. (per the dealer) I hope yours was just a "Monday" assembled machine. Mine is coming with the 18hp command, a proven and much relied on motor (per the dealer). last years LT 1018 came with the B&S, the dealer told me that there was a shortage of the B&S motors at the factory, hence cub put on the 18hp Kohler, I hope that the other Poster on this thread, that his machine was also just a "monday assembled". man would I be majorly Pissed off if that where to happen to me

 

[kstandley]

George, while I was anything but pleased with the engine failure I was thrilled with the way TSC handled the situation. I carried the mower back to them and within 30 minutes had the new one on the trailer.
The replacement mower has a much smoother and quieter engine then the original so I, like you, hope it was a Monday thing.

 

[TENet]

I bought a 2518 last year. The only advice from me is: if it's at all possible stay away from a Kohler engine. Compared to, say, a Briggs Vanguard engine, the Kohlers are junk. Terrible fuel economy. The engines surge (hunt) and backfire upon shutdown (and there's NO carb adjustment). I don't even think they have a ball bearing on the PTO end of the crank. More marketing than hardware, for sure. Kohler, like Cub, *used to be* a good product.

 

[CubTech]

Kohler engines are actually exactly the same as Briggs or anything else made.

You can only design and manufacture a cylinder and crankcase and block a few ways.

Its unwise to talk down about a brand or engine manufacturer.

No carb adjustment? Thats correct.. no new engine made recently has carb adjustments. Thats because the EPA jumped in and closed it.

You fiddlin with the carb isn't going to help any. You are doing more harm then good.

Engine surge is most likely a bad or dirty carb. Change your fuel and clean your carb. Thats not the engines fault.

Backfire issue is a fuel shutoff solenoid on the carb.

NO, there is no ball bearing on the PTO or crank. There is a bearing pressed inside the PTO itself tho.

All tractors can be a good product... it all depends on the owner/dealer.

 

[LBrown59]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( IowaAndy,

Is this an April fools Prank Post ? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Ducati )</font>What made you say this? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[LBrown59]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( </font><font color="blueclass=small">(

Andy

)</font>
/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
So how much air did you catch when you jumped those hills in your yard remember you should always wear a helmet, because stupid hurts..... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif )</font> <font color="red"> What the H ? </font>

 

[JTKub]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Kohler engines are actually exactly the same as Briggs or anything else made.

You can only design and manufacture a cylinder and crankcase and block a few ways...... )</font>

That's true to a point, they are all small air cooled, overhead valve engines (mostly) & some overhead cam even, but briggs & kohler have substantially different valvetrains. Briggs uses manual tappet adjusters while the kohlers have hydraulic valve lash adjusters/lifters.
I agree that they're all good. It totally depends on how they are used and what they are attached to!
G/luck
Joel

 

[cwave]

I have a 2 cyl. 20 HP Kohler - 10-12 years old - only 287 hours - smokes on hills. Tried different oil levels - a little below fill mark - overfilled - ?????

TSC Man sey's if engine has spin on oil filter it should be o. k. - (which it has) - also could be leaking oil into cylinder.

 

[LBrown59]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I bought a 2518 last year. The only advice from me is: if it's at all possible stay away from a Kohler engine. 1*Compared to, say, a Briggs Vanguard engine, the Kohlers are junk. Terrible fuel economy. The engines surge (hunt) and backfire upon shutdown (and there's NO carb adjustment). I don't even think they have a ball bearing on the PTO end of the crank. More marketing than hardware, for sure. Kohler, like Cub, *used to be* a good product. )</font>

===============
1*So is the Brigs on my PowerKraft.

You will have these problems on any brand engine.

To reduce pollution the EPA is forcing the manufacturers to design products that won't run.
Won't Run = Wont Pollute: Very Effective.

Another problem is with the way gasoline is being refined today.