Oil & Fuel No oil or heat issues here

[micman32]

I have read many threads about oil and high heat temps on the Kolher Command engines. I have a 20 HP in my unit. My 2518 has 331 hours on it and I have had no problems at all with the engine.The oil looks fairly clean on the dipstick and I have added oil once this season. I have had no heat issues either. I have the metal 3 piece hood and cool air is pulled in under the steering wheel and the sides with the hot air coming out the front. I blow the engine out regulary so there are no problems with air flow.
I do get the burnt spot on the grass once in a while but that doesn't excite me anymore, the grass grows back.
It's too bad so many are having problems with their Cubs. Even though warranties cover the problems ( or should cover them) It's a PIA at best when the grass needs mowed.

Michael

 

[JTKub]

My '05 has been great as well. The engine oil barely darkens after a whole season. I only have ~85hrs on mine though. Not a whole lot of use out of it this season. I did loose one wing-nut, cone and spring assy for a hood side-panel. It vibrated off at some point. My dealer only stocked the plastic wing-nut and cone. I still need to come up with a spring. I should have asked them to order me one. He never offered.

Joel

 

[EuropaChris]

Ditto here on my '05 2544. Just about to the 90 hour mark, 35 hours on this oil change, and the oil is barely even starting to darken and it's used zero oil. Amazing for an air-cooled engine.

It does seem to put out a lot of heat, but I don't really have anything to compare it to. Last time I really put any time on a riding mower was 25 years ago on one of the original Simplicity 7hp Broadmoor tractors.

We had 13" of rain here the first 3 weeks of August. Between that and the late summer fertilizing I did, I'm mowing every 2 or 3 days right now. We went on vacation for a week, and came back to 9" tall grass. Whacked it off at setting 5 (my usual) and the machine hardly even noticed. Followed it up 2 days later on setting 5 with the mulch plug in to help recycle all the clippings. Worked pretty good and the yard looks like a golf course.

I luv my Cub!

 

[JSharp]

Even with the heat issues my '06 model has used no oil. I ran dino oil until 60 hours then changed to synthetic. I've seen no consumption at all.

I never cared for the way the side panels were attached to the metal hood models but the older units might cool the engine better. If anyone has a way to measure engine temps on one of the older models we'd know for sure.

 

[bobofish]

75 hours on my 05 2544 and all is well here! Wish it would cut the deeper weed growth better but it does a good job on the grass. Bob

 

[Northstar]

53.5 hours on my 2544. I removed the center louver cover and it quit backfiring when I shut it down and I lost a Zerk fitting but no major complaints. It's really a nice machine. One point of interest. I have 2 Harleys in the barn. One an '06 and the other an '08 (the Mrs.) The '08 runs considererably hotter than the '06. My dealer tells me this is because of the EPA rules and regs. This applies to all gasoline engines. They all are running hotter because they are running leaner to meet the clean air and gas mileage guides set by the EPA.

 

[JTKub]

I have 2 Harleys in the barn. One an '06 and the other an '08 ...

Can I come over to play?

Joel

 

[Northstar]

Just got back from Olean, how fars that from West Falls ?

 

[JTKub]

Olean is just under an hour from me. I lived there some years ago when I worked for Dresser-Rand in Olean. Nice little town.

Joel

 

[Northstar]

Joel, I'm less than an hour on the other side of Olean in Wilcox, PA. I was off today so I took a ride up into NY. (Cut the grass yesterday) Won't be long and the bikes and the Cub will be put up for the winter.I'm starting to dislike winter more each year. You must be up around Buffalo ? You guy's got some nasty snow last year. Larry