Aside from all what you mentioned above---would YOU install a cannister air filter on your machine?Of course they are not going to tell you to do any modification. That would be a violation of Federal law. Give them a call and ask them. This is unedited from their website. “NOT FOR SALE TO CALIFORNIA DUE TO EMISSIONS RESTRICTIONS - all other states please check your local emissions laws before ordering. Installing this kit may affect your emissions and engine warranty. We are not liable for issues with your machine meeting emissions standards for your state or warranty coverage issues. You are installing this kit at your own risk."
Other so called experts on this forum scoff at this and will tell you that you are fine. Especially one expert that doesn’t even live in the US. The EPA fine is $44,000. Their poor advice won’t pay your fine or warranty claim. You decide.
And with that statement it wouldn't be hard for the EPA to prove that the seller didn't reasonable know that the sold parts would violate the emissions law. So therefore the seller is subject to the $44,000 fine and the purchaser the $4,400 fine for installing it.Of course they are not going to tell you to do any modification. That would be a violation of Federal law. Give them a call and ask them. This is unedited from their website. “NOT FOR SALE TO CALIFORNIA DUE TO EMISSIONS RESTRICTIONS - all other states please check your local emissions laws before ordering. Installing this kit may affect your emissions and engine warranty. We are not liable for issues with your machine meeting emissions standards for your state or warranty coverage issues. You are installing this kit at your own risk."
Other so called experts on this forum scoff at this and will tell you that you are fine. Especially one expert that doesn’t even live in the US. The EPA fine is $44,000. Their poor advice won’t pay your fine or warranty claim. You decide.
No offense to the above replies, my gut tells me that it would not be a mistake to install based on Kawasaki's FX series engines come standard with the cannister type filters. Perhaps I should contact Kawasaki for their feedback.And with that statement it wouldn't be hard for the EPA to prove that the seller didn't reasonable know that the sold parts would violate the emissions law. So therefore the seller is subject to the $44,000 fine and the purchaser the $4,400 fine for installing it.
The truth is the engine will most likely run fine with the canister air filter. And the truth is most likely the EPA wouldn't really care, but they have been known to get stupid sometimes. Things like the EPA raiding a Toro dealer a few years back because their distributor accidently shipped they spring order before the first of the year that had the following years EPA certification stickers. Like shipping a 2013 certified mower in January prior to the label being valid. Or MTD stopped selling the carb adjustment tools to their dealers because they were theatened because the service centers didn't have the proper testing emissions equipment to prove they still meet the emissions certification after adjustment.No offense to the above replies, my gut tells me that it would not be a mistake to install based on Kawasaki's FX series engines come standard with the cannister type filters. Perhaps I should contact Kawasaki for their feedback.
Clown show as usual with these fools on here.Aside from all what you mentioned above---would YOU install a cannister air filter on your machine?
By posting the conversion kit, yes sir, I consider you part of the clown show. Also by false advertising your kit as "genuine Kawasaki heavy duty air filter conversion kit". The kit parts might be genuine, the part numbers might genuine, but there is no such kit from Kawasaki.Hopefully the clown show connent is not directed at me...
Of course Kawasaki want you stick with the FR setup as they lots of replacement filter covers though the new style may cut down on that. But I do see a need for the canister filter on many of the ZTRs with the FR engine. Usually those come in with the FR filter nearly completely clogged with crap. The canister filter takes a lot longer to clog up especially with the dust ejector setup.
Actually the conversion kit is genuine made by Kawasaki and sold through my wholesaler RGS which is why I posted the link to their catelogue page.By posting the conversion kit, yes sir, I consider you part of the clown show. Also by false advertising your kit as "genuine Kawasaki heavy duty air filter conversion kit". The kit parts might be genuine, the part numbers might genuine, but there is no such kit from Kawasaki.
Actually the conversion kit is genuine made by Kawasaki and sold through my wholesaler RGS which is why I posted the link to their catelogue page.
RGS is Kawasaki's major distributor in Australia and they are genuine factory parts which is coded into the part numbers starting the KAW so techs like me can choose between genuine Kawasaki parts and their generic after market part which for an air filter would be AIR????
I posted a link to that page several years ago because people were confused by a pile of contradictory BS they saw all over the place posted by people who have no idea about what they are posting .
Star also kept a copy of the text from the page for his information it is 100 % genuine and 100% legal in any country other than the USA where it may or may not contravine the USA EPA Laws
It is backed by Kawasaki and covered by Kawasaki and is both covered by warranty which does not affect the engine warranty in Australia . Politically / leagally it may be different in the USA but mechanically the conversion is 100% sound, good propper and well worth the effort of doing .
There is only one reason why there is a FS,FR & FX version of the same engine and that is TICKET PRICE pure & simple .
Kawasaki would be more than happy to only make the FX version as the extra volume would probably drop the cost around 20% but the mower manufacturers want some thing to make the commercial version look different to the residential version in order to justify the higher ticket price of the commercial mower .
Ariens madea mess of the reintroduced Ariens/Gravely range as there is no obvious difference between the cheaper residential Orange Ariens & the exact same grey painted Gravely with a 20% higher ticket price.
To suggest hat there would be any differenece to the exhaust emissions between the 3 engines shows a gross lack of understanding of engine dynamics and combustion technology .
And to nit pick the Donaldson air filter has 3 times the surface area of the standard filter, it take a lot longer to become clogged which causes the engine to run rich & blow particulates out of the exhaust so in the long term is CLEANER that the filter used in the FS & FR .
Plus it filters finner than both of the others and seals better so ther is less dust in the air thus less wear on the rings & bore so it will remain EPA compliant for a lot longer
These are not NASCAR top fuelers they are mower engines running under 4000 rpm and governed .
When the USA used to manufacture rather than import and assemble there were cheaper ways to differentiate betwen the bottom line & top line of the same mower .
For residentials the cheap version got a Tecumseh the middle version got a Briggs & the top line got a Kohler and each one got an extra $ 500 added for the "better" engine .
commrcials came with a Briggs a the cheap option then Kohler then Honda .
This ended when Honda ceased supplying mower engines because they would not cheapen their engines to the price level that the mower companies would pay for.
Now days there is no maker of throw away engines so the mower factories have to go down a different path.
Kohler tried to do two versions of the same engine with the original Courage & Command engines but very quickly the number of different parts just became too much & the economy of scale was lost so they ended up only the raw casting being the same .
Provide the genuine Kawasaki part number. I’d like to see this genuine kit.Actually the conversion kit is genuine made by Kawasaki and sold through my wholesaler RGS which is why I posted the link to their catelogue page.
RGS is Kawasaki's major distributor in Australia and they are genuine factory parts which is coded into the part numbers starting the KAW so techs like me can choose between genuine Kawasaki parts and their generic after market part which for an air filter would be AIR????
I posted a link to that page several years ago because people were confused by a pile of contradictory BS they saw all over the place posted by people who have no idea about what they are posting .
Star also kept a copy of the text from the page for his information it is 100 % genuine and 100% legal in any country other than the USA where it may or may not contravine the USA EPA Laws
It is backed by Kawasaki and covered by Kawasaki and is both covered by warranty which does not affect the engine warranty in Australia . Politically / leagally it may be different in the USA but mechanically the conversion is 100% sound, good propper and well worth the effort of doing .
There is only one reason why there is a FS,FR & FX version of the same engine and that is TICKET PRICE pure & simple .
Kawasaki would be more than happy to only make the FX version as the extra volume would probably drop the cost around 20% but the mower manufacturers want some thing to make the commercial version look different to the residential version in order to justify the higher ticket price of the commercial mower .
Ariens madea mess of the reintroduced Ariens/Gravely range as there is no obvious difference between the cheaper residential Orange Ariens & the exact same grey painted Gravely with a 20% higher ticket price.
To suggest hat there would be any differenece to the exhaust emissions between the 3 engines shows a gross lack of understanding of engine dynamics and combustion technology .
And to nit pick the Donaldson air filter has 3 times the surface area of the standard filter, it take a lot longer to become clogged which causes the engine to run rich & blow particulates out of the exhaust so in the long term is CLEANER that the filter used in the FS & FR .
Plus it filters finner than both of the others and seals better so ther is less dust in the air thus less wear on the rings & bore so it will remain EPA compliant for a lot longer
These are not NASCAR top fuelers they are mower engines running under 4000 rpm and governed .
When the USA used to manufacture rather than import and assemble there were cheaper ways to differentiate betwen the bottom line & top line of the same mower .
For residentials the cheap version got a Tecumseh the middle version got a Briggs & the top line got a Kohler and each one got an extra $ 500 added for the "better" engine .
commrcials came with a Briggs a the cheap option then Kohler then Honda .
This ended when Honda ceased supplying mower engines because they would not cheapen their engines to the price level that the mower companies would pay for.
Now days there is no maker of throw away engines so the mower factories have to go down a different path.
Kohler tried to do two versions of the same engine with the original Courage & Command engines but very quickly the number of different parts just became too much & the economy of scale was lost so they ended up only the raw casting being the same .
Go back to post #6 and rad the description on the web pageProvide the genuine Kawasaki part number. I’d like to see this genuine kit.
KAWKIT2 is not a genuine Kawasaki part number. It might be made up of Kawasaki parts, yes, but the “kit” is not a product of Kawasaki.Go back to post #6 and rad the description on the web page
In OZ you can not lie in a product description
So when the product is described as a "Genuine Kawasaki Heavy Duty Conversion Kit " then that is exactly what it is
Unfortunately I can not post a link to the dealers page
However if you click on the "About US" tab in the navigation bar and then the "partnerships" in the drop down menu you will read that RGA is the exclusive distributer for Kawasaki in Australia.
Thus the conversion kit is GENUINE, exxactly the same as 5 genuine Walbro parts constitute a "Genuine carb rebuild kit" regardless of weather theey come in a bag together or as 5 individual parts .
I fail to understand your pig headded attitude to this
Now weather it is a violation of US EPA laws or a deal between Kawasaki & their various customers I have no idea
All I do know is Kawasaki will honour the 5 year warranty on any converted engine provided that the conversion is done by an certified Kawasaki technican and despit the fact that am not certified that includes me as kawasaki now allows me to file warranty claims althogh I can not do the warranty work as I do not have a direct account with Kawasaki only through Roy Gripskie & Sons and furthermore when I do a conversion o a mower being used commercially they extend the 3 year commercial warranty to the residential 5 year warranty .
SO apporved by Kawasaki it certinally is
BTBO originally asked if what he was told was true which it was
If you feel inclined to make him aware that he could be contravining US EPA laws then that is a proper thing to do
One of the outstanding things about living is a democracy is we are free to obey or disregard regulations providedthat we do so with full understandings of the possible sonsequences of out actions .
So it is up to BTBO to decide if he wants to go through with the conversion
The rest of the posts are trite & nit picking to the Nth degree
Go back to post #6 and rad the description on the web page
In OZ you can not lie in a product description
So when the product is described as a "Genuine Kawasaki Heavy Duty Conversion Kit " then that is exactly what it is
Unfortunately I can not post a link to the dealers page
However if you click on the "About US" tab in the navigation bar and then the "partnerships" in the drop down menu you will read that RGA is the exclusive distributer for Kawasaki in Australia.
Thus the conversion kit is GENUINE, exxactly the same as 5 genuine Walbro parts constitute a "Genuine carb rebuild kit" regardless of weather theey come in a bag together or as 5 individual parts .
I fail to understand your pig headded attitude to this
Now weather it is a violation of US EPA laws or a deal between Kawasaki & their various customers I have no idea
All I do know is Kawasaki will honour the 5 year warranty on any converted engine provided that the conversion is done by an certified Kawasaki technican and despit the fact that am not certified that includes me as kawasaki now allows me to file warranty claims althogh I can not do the warranty work as I do not have a direct account with Kawasaki only through Roy Gripskie & Sons and furthermore when I do a conversion o a mower being used commercially they extend the 3 year commercial warranty to the residential 5 year warranty .
SO apporved by Kawasaki it certinally is
BTBO originally asked if what he was told was true which it was
If you feel inclined to make him aware that he could be contravining US EPA laws then that is a proper thing to do
One of the outstanding things about living is a democracy is we are free to obey or disregard regulations providedthat we do so with full understandings of the possible sonsequences of out actions .
So it is up to BTBO to decide if he wants to go through with the conversion
The rest of the posts are trite & nit picking to the Nth degree
After reading all the different responses and knowledgable comments, I have to admit----I am glad that I asked for advice on installing the cannister air filter on my Kawa FR651V. One gentleman said that if I have more exposed dirt in my yard which would kick up clouds of dust, then the cannister would be the way to go. Heck, I may have the occasional fire ant mound that would make a puff of dust, but that wouldn't justify the $250 cost for the upgrade. Also mentioned was how long it would take for the plastic blower housing to crack. If I were to get the cannister, I would use either fender washers or metal flatbar on the backside with bolts and nylock nuts instead of the two screws holding the filter cover hinge to the blower housing.Go back to post #6 and rad the description on the web page
In OZ you can not lie in a product description
So when the product is described as a "Genuine Kawasaki Heavy Duty Conversion Kit " then that is exactly what it is
Unfortunately I can not post a link to the dealers page
However if you click on the "About US" tab in the navigation bar and then the "partnerships" in the drop down menu you will read that RGA is the exclusive distributer for Kawasaki in Australia.
Thus the conversion kit is GENUINE, exxactly the same as 5 genuine Walbro parts constitute a "Genuine carb rebuild kit" regardless of weather theey come in a bag together or as 5 individual parts .
I fail to understand your pig headded attitude to this
Now weather it is a violation of US EPA laws or a deal between Kawasaki & their various customers I have no idea
All I do know is Kawasaki will honour the 5 year warranty on any converted engine provided that the conversion is done by an certified Kawasaki technican and despit the fact that am not certified that includes me as kawasaki now allows me to file warranty claims althogh I can not do the warranty work as I do not have a direct account with Kawasaki only through Roy Gripskie & Sons and furthermore when I do a conversion o a mower being used commercially they extend the 3 year commercial warranty to the residential 5 year warranty .
SO apporved by Kawasaki it certinally is
BTBO originally asked if what he was told was true which it was
If you feel inclined to make him aware that he could be contravining US EPA laws then that is a proper thing to do
One of the outstanding things about living is a democracy is we are free to obey or disregard regulations providedthat we do so with full understandings of the possible sonsequences of out actions .
So it is up to BTBO to decide if he wants to go through with the conversion
The rest of the posts are trite & nit picking to the Nth degree
If you are not in extreme conditions and inspect your filter regularly and replace when necessary, you will be fine. Do not blow filters out to try to extend the life, they are paper. Do not oil the pre filter. Proper filter inspection involves removing the filter and also checking the bottom side. (Don’t let grass and debris get trapped under the filter). Make sure the clamp is a tight as you can possibly get it by hand and check it every time you visually inspect the filter. Use oil that contains a healthy dose of zinc, like Kawasaki oil. Check your oil regularly and keep it at the full mark. You’ll get a lot of great service from that engine.After reading all the different responses and knowledgable comments, I have to admit----I am glad that I asked for advice on installing the cannister air filter on my Kawa FR651V. One gentleman said that if I have more exposed dirt in my yard which would kick up clouds of dust, then the cannister would be the way to go. Heck, I may have the occasional fire ant mound that would make a puff of dust, but that wouldn't justify the $250 cost for the upgrade. Also mentioned was how long it would take for the plastic blower housing to crack. If I were to get the cannister, I would use either fender washers or metal flatbar on the backside with bolts and nylock nuts instead of the two screws holding the filter cover hinge to the blower housing.
But for now, I will just buy a few new air filters and several of the foam pre-filters. Thanks again to all for your help and input.
txmowman---I am not in extreme conditions, except living in south Louisiana where summertime temps are 95+ degrees with humidity at that level or higher. The occasional fire ant mound is really the only dust that gets kicked up, or if the wind is blowing stuff toward the engine. After each weekly cutting, I do lift the air cleaner cover and blow out any debris with the leaf blower---no compressed air. I do also have a foam pre-filter. I just started using Valvoline synthetic racing oil because of the higher zinc content and claimed anti-wear properties. Also, I plan on removing the blower housing to inspect for and clean any foreign debris. Thanks for your advice!!If you are not in extreme conditions and inspect your filter regularly and replace when necessary, you will be fine. Do not blow filters out to try to extend the life, they are paper. Do not oil the pre filter. Proper filter inspection involves removing the filter and also checking the bottom side. (Don’t let grass and debris get trapped under the filter). Make sure the clamp is a tight as you can possibly get it by hand and check it every time you visually inspect the filter. Use oil that contains a healthy dose of zinc, like Kawasaki oil. Check your oil regularly and keep it at the full mark. You’ll get a lot of great service from that engine.
Low oil operation and dirt ingestion and the biggest issues I see in my shop.
If you are using Valvoline VR1, this is a healthy 1400 ppm of zinc. The foam filter is intended to keep larger debris away from the filter media which can extend the life. A lot of people lift the cover, view the foam and think it looks good, but never check the paper media below it. My recommendation, since you don't need a tool to remove the filter, is to remove it regularly and pull back the foam. Also look inside. It literally takes 1-2 minutes at best. You should see zero evidence of dust/dirt on the inside. If so, change the filter. Looks like you have a good system. Keep it up.txmowman---I am not in extreme conditions, except living in south Louisiana where summertime temps are 95+ degrees with humidity at that level or higher. The occasional fire ant mound is really the only dust that gets kicked up, or if the wind is blowing stuff toward the engine. After each weekly cutting, I do lift the air cleaner cover and blow out any debris with the leaf blower---no compressed air. I do also have a foam pre-filter. I just started using Valvoline synthetic racing oil because of the higher zinc content and claimed anti-wear properties. Also, I plan on removing the blower housing to inspect for and clean any foreign debris. Thanks for your advice!!
Yes, the oil is the VR1 in the black bottle. I just ordered two new filters w/pre-filters since I haven't replaced the original. The engine has 148 hrs, so it's time to change it.If you are using Valvoline VR1, this is a healthy 1400 ppm of zinc. The foam filter is intended to keep larger debris away from the filter media which can extend the life. A lot of people lift the cover, view the foam and think it looks good, but never check the paper media below it. My recommendation, since you don't need a tool to remove the filter, is to remove it regularly and pull back the foam. Also look inside. It literally takes 1-2 minutes at best. You should see zero evidence of dust/dirt on the inside. If so, change the filter. Looks like you have a good system. Keep it up.
My shoe size is 12 and decided the $250 cost for a cannister air filter isn't worth it, not to mention I wasn't at all worried about the EPA. With that said, I did order two OEM Kawa filters w/pre-filters, which will be installed shortly.I have read through this whole thread and just want to add that worrying about the EPA isn't a thing to get too concerned about. Why do I say this? Almost EVERY Harley Davidson motorcycle on the roads here in the USA is in violation of express EPA rules that state that exhaust systems must not be modified by rule of law. It's even stamped on the bike's exhaust system. Yet the first thing most every owner does is take the factory pipes off (i.e. mufflers) and put near straight pipes on their bike. EPA rules be damned.(and your ears). Adding extra intake filtering wouldn't and shouldn't raise emissions unless it restricted air flow to cause overly rich mixture conditions. A clogged original filter would more likely cause overly rich condition with more pollution. (my shoe size is 9 1/2,btw)
12? that is getting close to that afore mentioned poster description! LOL!My shoe size is 12 and decided the $250 cost for a cannister air filter isn't worth it, not to mention I wasn't at all worried about the EPA. With that said, I did order two OEM Kawa filters w/pre-filters, which will be installed shortly.
That's good advice berts, thanks for it.The only thing I will add to theis is to be very careful that you do not over tighten the air filter elbow connector at either end
Over tightening will cause distortion and allow the engine to succk unfiltered air
The 6 times I have rringed there engines in every case the owner was a strong man ( carpenters/ builders/ brikkie / concteter ) and in every case the cause was collapsing the elbow by overtightening tht thumb screw .
Do it up at the bottom only till the elbow can no longer rotate on the manifold
Then do the same with the filter
A spot of rubber grease works wonders
When you see it stop being forced out of the joint you are on the verge of overtightening .
The FR's are great engines. If you want a canister air filtration system. Go for it.I have A Scag Liberty Z 48 with Kawasaki FR651V, and am wanting to get a cannister air filter from Power Equipment Man. They say no need to re-jet the carb or other modifications. What say the great minds on this forum?