new 2042

[tonybada]

well I decided on the CC 2042 like keltoncrew and just finished cutting my yard for the first time on it. I am very impressed with the turning radius on this thing compared to what I had (an old 36" rally 10 hp (AYP) that I bought used for $200 bucks 10 yrs ago) and it is soooo much quieter. I had to keep checking to see if the pto was on since i was used to a much louder machine. The front right tire does not seem to track strieght I will have to check this, but everything else is awsome.

 

[keltonkrew]

glad you like it. My wife loves ours. She was using a Yardman 42" that I bought used for $150. It was ok until I blew the engine up on it 2 weeks ago...hence I needed to buy a new one.

Now I just need to see if the 14hp Kohler that is in my Craftsman 42" will fit in place of the B&S that I blew up. the frame/deck on the Yardman is decent for a back-up (and to mow my ditches, etc).

Once again, glad you're not disappointed in the CC2042!

 

[keltonkrew]

also, doesn't that Kohler look SWEET under the hood....reminds me of a small automobile..... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[tonybada]

It does look sweet and sounds sweet as well.

 

[Rhoderman]

Hey Tony,
Glad you like your tractor.
Here's a few things I want to pass on to you...
Adjust the deck wheels to about the middle position unless you mow lower than 4.
Check the spring clip in the linkage for the hydro pedals. Mine was binding and it would stay moving forward after you let off the pedal. It was binding on the right step.
Reroute the LF headlight wires so they don't touch the exhaust heat shield.
Check the tow-in. If you sight along the front wheels, the outside edges should line up with the rear tire edges. Mine was waaay off.
Change the oil at 5 hours. Somewhere deep in the owner's manual, it says this.
Change the hydro filter at 10 hours. Jack up the front of the tractor and do it quickly. It will lose about 1/2 quart of hydro fluid.
Check the hydro fluid level. Mine was overfilled at the factory. My service guy said it was fine that way, but the manual cautions about overfilling.
Remove the headlight bulbs and put them in the bag with the manual. You don't need them unless you're mowing in the dark, and if you are mowing in the dark, you want to make it harder for the neighbors to get a clean shot at you!
Check the air in the tires. Mine were overfilled, but that might be due to the altitude change.
When you finish mowing, fast-idle it for about a minute or so, then idle down and kill it.
When you shut it down, raise the hood and let it cool off. Otherwise the built up heat will stay in the engine compartment.
If you mow in setting 6 and it doesn't seem to cut right, check the tension on the belt that stays on the deck. Mine was binding the spring loaded take-up pulley and the belt was slipping.
Geez, I feel like I wrote a novel here. Hope some of this helps you or others!
- Rhoderman

 

[JTKub]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( ...When you finish mowing, fast-idle it for about a minute or so, then idle down and kill it...
- Rhoderman
)</font>

/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif You will backfire almost every time if you s/d a newer kohler command at idle. Per design (electric fuel cut-off solenoid) & per the ops manual, you need to be between fast idle & full throttle for s/d. I know it 'feels' un-natural, but it works /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
G/luck
Joel

 

[Rhoderman]

No sh.. um, kidding?!
I've never had mine backfire yet, and I've shut her down at idle every time. I will admit that sometimes I shut it down at a fast idle from backing it into the shed, but it's not that fast.

So I guess that's another thing in the manual I missed, huh? Thanks for the info!

 

[Bob_Bainbridge]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( </font><font color="blueclass=small">( ...When you finish mowing, fast-idle it for about a minute or so, then idle down and kill it...
- Rhoderman
)</font>

/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif You will backfire almost every time if you s/d a newer kohler command at idle. Per design (electric fuel cut-off solenoid) & per the ops manual, you need to be between fast idle & full throttle for s/d. I know it 'feels' un-natural, but it works /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
G/luck
Joel )</font>

That doesn't seem to work on my 23hp Kohler in 2000 3235. If I shut it off at half to full throttle it will backfire almost every time. If I idle it all the way back for a minute and then shut it down it rarely ever backfires.

Bob B.

 

[JTKub]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( <font color="blueclass=small"> That doesn't seem to work on my 23hp Kohler in 2000 3235. If I shut it off at half to full throttle it will backfire almost every time. If I idle it all the way back for a minute and then shut it down it rarely ever backfires.
Bob B. )</font>

Dunno Bob /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif My 2005 kohler command 20 will just about knock your socks off (BANG!) on an idled s/d, as would the briggs AVS 17hp single I had on my /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif yard machines. Some do & some don't I guess. The ops manuals for both specified to s/d at full throttle.
!@#$ Dang I can never get the quote/color stuff right on this site !@#

G/luck
Joel

 

[Rhoderman]

From the Kohler Command Owner's Manual:

Stopping
1. Remove the load by disengaging all PTO driven
attachments.
2. For Carbureted Engines Without A Shutdown
Solenoid: Move the throttle to the .slow. or
.low. idle position. Allow the engine to run at idle
for 30-60 seconds; then stop the engine.
For Carbureted Engines Equipped With A
Shutdown Solenoid: Position the throttle control
somewhere between half and full throttle; then
stop the engine.
For EFI Engines: Move the throttle to the "slow"
or "idle" position; turn key ..off.. to stop engine.

Somewhere between half and full throttle it says. I'm pretty sure mine has the solenoid. It's the little round thing with a single wire attached to it, right? I guess mine is one of them that doesn't backfire.

 

[tonybada]

wow that is a lot of good info there. I will definetely check these items. I also got the bagger which I believe comes with the high lift blades I think I may put those blades on over the 3 in 1 and see what they do, someone else posted that they are better blades.

 

[Rhoderman]

Mine had those multi-curved (mulching?) blades on it when I got it. They didn't impress me much. My dealer just gave me a set of hi-lift blades. Much better! And a heck of a lot easier to sharpen I'd think...

 

[tonybada]

I put the high lift blades that came with the bagger and like them much better. Which position did you put the anti-scalp wheels on, there are 4 positions they were set to the top position I dropped it down 1 position, I was getting some scalping going around trees.

 

[Rhoderman]

I'm running my AS wheels at the 2nd up from the bottom position. This position seems to be ideal for dropping the deck over the green spots where the sprinklers are to cut them a little lower. The lever goes down to about the 3 position and if you hold the button in, the deck floats on the wheels.

 

[JTKub]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( .... there are 4 positions they were set to the top position I dropped it down 1 position, I was getting some scalping going around trees. )</font>

Yep, you have to adjust the AS wheels per your conditions. I have to keep mine real close to the lowest holes to keep from bottoming out in areas. Remember not to let those wheels ride on the ground. Ocassional hits is what the wheels and deck are designed for.
G/luck
Joel

 

[tonybada]

Yes I may drop the AS wheels 1 more notch (second from bottom). I got my front wheel replaced there must have been a defect in the rim, the tech couldn't believe how much it wobbled. I am so glad I am dealing with a dealer and not Lowes /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[JTKub]

Tony- good to hear you got that front wheel thing resolved! Kind of a disturbing thing /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif, but atleast it was fixed w/out issue.
G/luck
Joel