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I am getting ready to purchase a 61" Scag but have to decide what engine I want. The 27 hp Kohler or the Kawasaki 730FX (23.5 hp). Any recommendations and why? Thanks!!

VirginiaMoo said:

I am getting ready to purchase a 61" Scag but have to decide what engine I want. The 27 hp Kohler or the Kawasaki 730FX (23.5 hp). Any recommendations and why? Thanks!!

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I have heard from more than a few people that the Kawasaki engine is one of the best, and my second pick woujld be the Kohler! The only Kawasaki engine I own right now is on a 200 MPH sportsbike, and it has been a flawless engine!

Thanks! I guess my main concern (keep in mind I don't know that much about engines, etc) would be the difference in horse power. Is that a legitimate concern?

VirginiaMoo said:

Thanks! I guess my main concern (keep in mind I don't know that much about engines, etc) would be the difference in horse power. Is that a legitimate concern?

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Well if you are going to be mowing high weeds, up steep hills, and pretty much putting the mower through the ringer, then the horsepower rating would matter much more. If you have a rough hilly yard or a field that you are going to mow, then the Kohler may be the best choice. The Kohler is a great engine and the only reason I would prefer the Kawasaki is it is somewhat more dependable from what i have heard.
You can't go wrong with the Kohler as long as you maintain it properly, so if you really need the additional horsepower, go for the Kohler! If you have a flat yard that is easy to mow, get the Kawi!

Thanks again!! It will be used on our farm... so will have some weeds and such. Certainly much more work than a "lawn" would take!

VirginiaMoo said:

I am getting ready to purchase a 61" Scag but have to decide what engine I want. The 27 hp Kohler or the Kawasaki 730FX (23.5 hp). Any recommendations and why? Thanks!!

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I'd go Kawasaki. I run a 34hp FX on a 72" zt. It is a top of the line commercial engine.

Parkmower said:

I'd go Kawasaki. I run a 34hp FX on a 72" zt. It is a top of the line commercial engine.

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Amen....Kawasaki FX691V here on my Gravely. The Kawasakis(FR=Residential, FS=Heavy Duty, FX=Commercial) are indeed recognized as the most dependable small engine on the market today.

Thanks You!!!

I have a 22 hp Kawasaki on my 61" Turf Tiger and it's more than enough. I do a lot of hills and it's not a problem.

Scrub said:

I have a 22 hp Kawasaki on my 61" Turf Tiger and it's more than enough. I do a lot of hills and it's not a problem.

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Scrub,
Yeah, my understanding is that with the recent year turmoil over hp ratings(and some not rated appropriately) that the real determination of cutting power is in the cc displacement and torque produced rather than the hp.

Hey All! I too have been testing out the Scags. I lightly tested (at dealers field) the V Ride, Freedom Z and Tiger Cat. Horsepower/Torque aside, the Kawasaki idles lower and runs smoother through the throttle ranges. Quiet considering the proximity to rider. But I to am concerned the Kawasaki may not have the low level grunt (torque) to handle higher grass, hilly terrain and added power-robbing grass catcher assembly I'm considering. My dealer has me convinced the Kohler is optioned just for that reason on the Tiger Cat. This will be my first ZTR, and I expect to get at least a few thousand hrs out of it without any engine related issues. Reliability and durability is high on my list. My heart sez Kawasaki because I like the reviews of these Kawasaki's but practically speaking, the Kohler makes more sense. FWIW, I'm leaning Tiger Cat...truly a commercial unit in a compact package.

djdicetn said:

Scrub,
Yeah, my understanding is that with the recent year turmoil over hp ratings(and some not rated appropriately) that the real determination of cutting power is in the cc displacement and torque produced rather than the hp.

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When I started comparing models that offered 2 different motors, I got curious as to why there was big disparity in HP offered. Usually it was offered with like a 27hp B & S, or a 22hp Kawi. When you look at the torque numbers between the 2, it becomes obvious. Kawi's torque #'s are like ~1.5X what B & S are.

RatRacer said:

When I started comparing models that offered 2 different motors, I got curious as to why there was big disparity in HP offered. Usually it was offered with like a 27hp B & S, or a 22hp Kawi. When you look at the torque numbers between the 2, it becomes obvious. Kawi's torque #'s are like ~1.5X what B & S are.

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So RatRacer, have your seen any graphs or charts from KawPower detailing where the FX motors make power?? I have been all over the web and can't find anything proving this. I agreed with you, I think with the litigation about ratings and all, that Kawa has done some homework. I want to see some chart or something.

DieselDom

dieseldom said:

So RatRacer, have your seen any graphs or charts from KawPower detailing where the FX motors make power?? I have been all over the web and can't find anything proving this. I agreed with you, I think with the litigation about ratings and all, that Kawa has done some homework. I want to see some chart or something.

DieselDom

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Unfortunately, no. I made that statement based solely on my observations of listed specs during my journey to find the best bang for the buck, along with the best fit for my use spec-wise. My small engine repair guy confirms this too, and he is a B & S fanboi, and is curious as to how Kawi pulls it off.

Maybe there is a market for a lawnmower dyno business that they are missing the boat on?:confused2:

Well there goes another vote for the 691FX! Seems the more I read the less I act! :confused2: I have come to respect the Kawasakis' since my 1988 Toro GTS Kawa is still running strong. Only thing holding me back right now is not knowing specs at a given RPM. The Kohler does feel like it has more power though. I would love to talk to a few crews running these engines before I buy. Real world is for real. They would give good advice.
Now to build a ZTR dyno....:laughing:
DD:thumbsup:

djdicetn said:

Scrub,
Yeah, my understanding is that with the recent year turmoil over hp ratings(and some not rated appropriately) that the real determination of cutting power is in the cc displacement and torque produced rather than the hp.

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Yeah, and I went with the Kawasaki after all..... Happy so far!! Thanks for everyone's help!!

VirginiaMoo said:

Yeah, and I went with the Kawasaki after all..... Happy so far!! Thanks for everyone's help!!

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Congratulations! :cool2: Please post pix.

DD

RatRacer said:

Unfortunately, no. I made that statement based solely on my observations of listed specs during my journey to find the best bang for the buck, along with the best fit for my use spec-wise. My small engine repair guy confirms this too, and he is a B & S fanboi, and is curious as to how Kawi pulls it off.

Maybe there is a market for a lawnmower dyno business that they are missing the boat on?:confused2:

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RatRacer,

So, what's with the "REJECTED" avatar???? Is that the Big Dog(I thought you bought) or a Gravely(I can't really tell, but the ID on the gass tank could be). What "statement" are you making with that pic?????

I bought a 2011 scag v ride with the 29 Hp Kawasaki just about a month ago. I have yet to be disappointed. I mowed a few properties that were way past due and extremely tall. The Kawasaki handled them with ease. It made a nice clean flat cut and does a great job discharging the clippings. I mow a few slight hills and it doesn't have any troubles. So far I've been very eased with the Kawasaki.