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Buying a new Tiger Cat 52". What Engine should I get?
- Thread starter Champ
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Export threadplateauman57
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Personal experience I would go with the kaw.
Mad Mackie
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If you have any possibility of adding a collection system, then I would go with the most HP available. If not, the Kawi is the first choice!
Mad Mackie in CT:laughing::biggrin::smile:
Mad Mackie in CT:laughing::biggrin::smile:
If you have any possibility of adding a collection system, then I would go with the most HP available. If not, the Kawi is the first choice!
Mad Mackie in CT:laughing::biggrin::smile:
Thanks both for your replies. I won't be adding a collection system. I've always been a "the more HP the better" believer. Why no love for the Kohler? Is the Kawi really 5 HP less or is it how each company rates theirs? Thanks.
Mad Mackie
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The Kwai FX 730 was rated at 26 HP and changed to 23.5 HP after the class action suit against all the small engine manufacturers. The FX 691 now rated at 22 HP probably was 24 HP back when.
As for EFI or DFI on a small engine, most that have it like it until electrical/electronic problems show up and the electronic components are fairly expensive and difficult to troubleshoot. Carbs are easier to deal with and don't need an electric high pressure fuel pump.
Mad Mackie in CT:laughing::biggrin::smile:
As for EFI or DFI on a small engine, most that have it like it until electrical/electronic problems show up and the electronic components are fairly expensive and difficult to troubleshoot. Carbs are easier to deal with and don't need an electric high pressure fuel pump.
Mad Mackie in CT:laughing::biggrin::smile:
The Kwai FX 730 was rated at 26 HP and changed to 23.5 HP after the class action suit against all the small engine manufacturers. The FX 691 now rated at 22 HP probably was 24 HP back when.
As for EFI or DFI on a small engine, most that have it like it until electrical/electronic problems show up and the electronic components are fairly expensive and difficult to troubleshoot. Carbs are easier to deal with and don't need an electric high pressure fuel pump.
Mad Mackie in CT:laughing::biggrin::smile:
I agree with you on the EFI. I have a shot at diagnosing a carb problem. No way with EFI. What don't you like about the Kohler?
Mad Mackie
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I really don't have any heartburn with Kohler engines in general. However I do know three dealers, two in the Midwest and one locally, that are Hustler dealers and they will not stock Kohler powered Hustler machines particularly the Courage line of Kohler engines.
As for my local Scag dealer, they have sold many Kohler powered machines and continue to do so with no noticeable increase in servicing or failures with Kohler engines. In the commercial circles, the greatest percentage of operators have Kohler powered Turf Tigers, some operators have 5 or 6 machines and some with very high time engines.
About ten years ago I had a commercial operator with an early Kohler Command powered Turf Tiger stop by in a panic as his engine failed nearby. He had a new spare engine that I was able to quickly change out for him and got him back into business. I tore down the bad engine and found that the oil gallery plug had loosened and blown out causing a total failure of the engine. I called my friend in WI who has his own power equipment business and had been employed at Kohler in the past and he commented that the oil gallery plug wasn't a tight enough fit but Kohler sent out hundreds of engines with this problem, I haven't heard much any more about this problem since, but not many mechs will tear down a failed engine to see what caused the failure, but I have torn some down just to see what may have caused the failure, however I'm a retired mech and don't get beat on by my boss to make dollars!!!!
If HP is a major interest to you deciding which engine option to buy, go for the most HP in a carburetored engine.
My Scag Tiger Cub was B&S powered initially and I repowered it last March with another B&S engine as this was the easiest and cheapest direction to go in. The original engine had compression loss in one cylinder at 500 hours and I just swaped it out with a new engine. The #1 cylinder on the old engine had seriously stuck piston rings, ran fairly well at power, but sneezed at idle which I didn't like, so it went away!!!! #2 cylinder had 145 PSI compression, go figure!!!
Mad Mackie in CT:laughing::biggrin::smile:
As for my local Scag dealer, they have sold many Kohler powered machines and continue to do so with no noticeable increase in servicing or failures with Kohler engines. In the commercial circles, the greatest percentage of operators have Kohler powered Turf Tigers, some operators have 5 or 6 machines and some with very high time engines.
About ten years ago I had a commercial operator with an early Kohler Command powered Turf Tiger stop by in a panic as his engine failed nearby. He had a new spare engine that I was able to quickly change out for him and got him back into business. I tore down the bad engine and found that the oil gallery plug had loosened and blown out causing a total failure of the engine. I called my friend in WI who has his own power equipment business and had been employed at Kohler in the past and he commented that the oil gallery plug wasn't a tight enough fit but Kohler sent out hundreds of engines with this problem, I haven't heard much any more about this problem since, but not many mechs will tear down a failed engine to see what caused the failure, but I have torn some down just to see what may have caused the failure, however I'm a retired mech and don't get beat on by my boss to make dollars!!!!
If HP is a major interest to you deciding which engine option to buy, go for the most HP in a carburetored engine.
My Scag Tiger Cub was B&S powered initially and I repowered it last March with another B&S engine as this was the easiest and cheapest direction to go in. The original engine had compression loss in one cylinder at 500 hours and I just swaped it out with a new engine. The #1 cylinder on the old engine had seriously stuck piston rings, ran fairly well at power, but sneezed at idle which I didn't like, so it went away!!!! #2 cylinder had 145 PSI compression, go figure!!!
Mad Mackie in CT:laughing::biggrin::smile:
As for my local Scag dealer, they have sold many Kohler powered machines and continue to do so with no noticeable increase in servicing or failures with Kohler engines. In the commercial circles, the greatest percentage of operators have Kohler powered Turf Tigers, some operators have 5 or 6 machines and some with very high time engines.
Why is Kawi your number one choice? The above seems like a good reason to go Kohler. It's been a long time since I purchased a new mower. Appreciate your input.
Mad Mackie
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My Hustler X-ONE/ 60" rear discharge deck has a Kawi FX730V engine and it is one sweet running engine. Lots of power and great fuel economy. Over the winter I've stopped at my local Scag dealer to drool on a new Tiger Cat/52" deck, they have mentioned that they will only stock this machine with a Kawi FX730V, but didn't say why. The Turf Tigers they stock all have the big block versions of the 3 majors, Kawi, Kohler and Briggs. I've been informed that the Kawi big blocks are having some problems and Briggs or Kohler are the better choices on a new Turf Tiger. I have no interest in the Cheetah or the Freedom Z, other than I have the same model 30 HP Briggs on my Tiger Cub that is on the wider deck models of the Freedom Z.
On machines with any type of hydraulic drive, a portion of the available horse power from the engine is used drive the machine. Regardless of the engine HP, the machine will only go as fast as the hydraulic drive system can handle. The balance of engine power is used by the mower deck and this is where higher HP will be evident when the load on the mower deck increases due to conditions.
Mad Mackie in CT:laughing::smile::biggrin:
On machines with any type of hydraulic drive, a portion of the available horse power from the engine is used drive the machine. Regardless of the engine HP, the machine will only go as fast as the hydraulic drive system can handle. The balance of engine power is used by the mower deck and this is where higher HP will be evident when the load on the mower deck increases due to conditions.
Mad Mackie in CT:laughing::smile::biggrin:
Over the winter I've stopped at my local Scag dealer to drool on a new Tiger Cat/52" deck, they have mentioned that they will only stock this machine with a Kawi FX730V, but didn't say why:
The Scag web site says the 52" Tiger Cat comes with the 691FX and the 61" with the 730FX. Are they similar builds with different HP?. I'm going to the dealer tomorrow and hopefully will make an engine decision. Kohler is $300 more. Thanks for your help. I'll let you know how I make out.