Quick! Kohler KT17....

[Tractor Beam]

Cast iron bore, or aluminum? Are they a decent engine? They are in the 317 which I'm lining one up to buy..........

 

[greg_g]

Cast iron bore, or aluminum? Are they a decent engine? They are in the 317 which I'm lining one up to buy..........

There were two versions; one was splash lube, the other pressurized. Stay away from the splash-lube model. Pretty sure they're both cast iron and sleeved.

//greg//

 

[Tractor Beam]

Excellent! Any idea how to tell them apart?

 

[Tractor Beam]

Just found out that the pressurized Kohler is the series 2. I'm wondering if they were any good?

 

[greg_g]

A well-kept 317 tractor with the series2 KT17 is a good combination. Before I knew the difference, I had the splash version. Hindsight taught me that it's no good for mowing anything but billiard tables. When mowing off-level, the uphill cylinder gets oil-starved. Ignorance cost me an engine.

Examine both front spindles closely though, they have a tendency to crack with age. If you see a crack - it may look just like a rusty hairline - you can count on replacing it after some future bump in the road. Also make sure there's no binding in the deck lift mechanism. It's getting harder find 317 deck parts these days. You want it to move up and down without noise or hesitation.

//greg//

 

[Tractor Beam]

Gosh, I'm beginning to really lean towards the 112. I found a fully restored one in my area for a bit much, but geeze is it cool!

 

[beenthere]

Enjoy it.

 

[greg_g]

Gosh, I'm beginning to really lean towards the 112. I found a fully restored one in my area for a bit much, but geeze is it cool!

You do realize don't you, that the 112 is a one cylinder? That's 663 pounds of machine plus 16 pounds of gasoline plus you - on a 12 hp Tecumseh one lunger that was made at least 40 years ago. Unless you get one of the last two model years ('73-'74) that is. They were Kohlers, but pretty sure still 12hp one cylinder.

//greg//

 

[Tractor Beam]

Actually 10 and this one is a 1970 but it's been restored. We're sort of all over the place, considering also the 400 and looking at a new Kubota diesel as well. The 112 would be a slow way to go for our large lawn, but we might get a 6 foot brush hog to help curb the grass a bit too. still mulling it all over.:confused2:

 

[NickTaylor]

I've got a 317 with a kt17 series 2 in it. I put in the series 2 after my series 1 blew. The series 2 is a really strong reliable engine. I've used my 317 for mowing 3 acres, tilling a one acre garden and running a 49 snow thrower.

 

[greg_g]

We're sort of all over the place, considering also the 400

FWIW, I just bought an X500 last year - after previously owning a JD317 gas and a JD430 diesel and a Kawasaki-powered Husqvarna. Looked at Kubota, but they were priced above what I was willing to pay. The terrain I mow is diverse, and over the years I ended up getting ALL my riding mowers stuck to the point of having to be towed out at one time or another. So I started shopping for the least expensive model that featured differential lock. That turned out to be the JD X500. Still under 100 hours on it, but so far I don't regret the decision. Still a little tippy on the right of way, but I intend to remedy that this spring by ballasting the tires.

//greg//