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Kawasaki Engine ?

#1

B

beretta22

What is the difference between a FR730V, and, a FS730V engine ? Is one more reliable than the other ?


#2

T

txmowman

Both have the same long block. The FR crankcase is cosmetically different, but internal components are the same. The FR uses a different air filter design. The design of the FR is not the best application on a zero turn mower application, where the engine is out in the open. The FR engine is better suited on tractors, with a hood covering the engine.
For those that are particular about the maintenance of their engine, which aren't many, the FR may provide many hours of great service on a zero turn application.
All Kawasaki engines are commercial grade.
Although all engine manufactures (Kawasaki, Kohler, Vanguard, etc) have thing that could be improved, it basically comes down to taking proper care of the product. Amazon and eBay are full of very low cost and low quality replacement parts. Then, unsuspecting consumers wonder why warranty will not cover failures. Spend the extra and get genuine parts.


#3

B

bertsmobile1

Carb, air filter, governor spring & blower housing
FR is the lowest spec, then FS followed by FX
Fairly sure FF only come with 1" PTO
FS & FX are 1" or 1.125" PTO
I have fitted FS to a couple of commercials and they are running fine but I upgraded the air filter to the FX dual element Donaldson type filter
The bolt patterns are the same but the FR is physically more compact to fit in tighter spaces
From memory the FS has blow out ports in the blower housing & the FR does not so you have to remove the blower housing to clean the fins
FR's have a single barrel carb, FS has a duel barrel carb
Blocks are the same cast iron liners and all of the guts are the same .
The FR's are a Hp or 2 lower but the torques are almost identical and it is the torque that does the work .
However the specs change all the time but basically it is window dressing so cheaper mowers can have a cheaper engine .
Down here the warranties were different , 2 years on FR, 3 years on FS & 4 years on FX


#4

T

txmowman

bertsmobile1 said:
Carb, air filter, governor spring & blower housing
FR is the lowest spec, then FS followed by FX
Fairly sure FF only come with 1" PTO
FS & FX are 1" or 1.125"
Click to expand...

bertsmobile1 said:
Carb, air filter, governor spring & blower housing
FR is the lowest spec, then FS followed by FX
Fairly sure FF only come with 1" PTO
FS & FX are 1" or 1.125" PTO
Click to expand...
All of which should be of no real concern to most owner/operators.
The FR is available with 1-1/8" diameter crankshafts, OEM specific. Again, of no concern to the owner/operator.


#5

7394

7394

FS air filter has screen mesh outside the filter media.

FS has single barrel carb, like the FR,

FX is a 2 barrel.. Just saying..


#6

T

txmowman

7394 said:
FS air filter has screen mesh outside the filter media.

FS has single barrel carb, like the FR,

FX is a 2 barrel.. Just saying..
Click to expand...
Use to be..FX are now single barrel as well. Just so you know..


#7

T

txmowman

bertsmobile1 said:
Carb, air filter, governor spring & blower housing
FR is the lowest spec, then FS followed by FX
Fairly sure FF only come with 1" PTO
FS & FX are 1" or 1.125" PTO
I have fitted FS to a couple of commercials and they are running fine but I upgraded the air filter to the FX dual element Donaldson type filter
The bolt patterns are the same but the FR is physically more compact to fit in tighter spaces
From memory the FS has blow out ports in the blower housing & the FR does not so you have to remove the blower housing to clean the fins
FR's have a single barrel carb, FS has a duel barrel carb
Blocks are the same cast iron liners and all of the guts are the same .
The FR's are a Hp or 2 lower but the torques are almost identical and it is the torque that does the work .
However the specs change all the time but basically it is window dressing so cheaper mowers can have a cheaper engine .
Down here the warranties were different , 2 years on FR, 3 years on FS & 4 years on FX
Click to expand...
From Kawasaki, all engine models are 3 year warranty. I wish it was as you wrote.


#8

H

hlw49

beretta22 said:
What is the difference between a FR730V, and, a FS730V engine ? Is one more reliable than the other ?
Click to expand...
Basic engine is the same. If properly maintained they are about the same.


#9

B

bertsmobile1

txmowman said:
From Kawasaki, all engine models are 3 year warranty. I wish it was as you wrote.
Click to expand...
Warranties vary from country to country
OZ has longer warranty on most things


#10

7394

7394

txmowman said:
Use to be..FX are now single barrel as well. Just so you know..
Click to expand...
Thanks, did not know of the change..


#11

B

bertsmobile1

txmowman said:
Use to be..FX are now single barrel as well. Just so you know..
Click to expand...
Intereting.
I just checked the 2022 engine catalogue from my distributor and they list the FX with twin barrel carb
Checked all of the service updates and no mention of a carb change so again perhaps just a USA thing
This wholesaler has also dropped the FS from their line up for 2022 which explains why they were so cheap last year as they were sneakingly running out old stock .( should have bought a couple for Ron )
So I only have a choice of FR or FX now.
Noteing this is via my wholesaler as I am not a direct Kawasaki dealer .
Stens down here dropped Kawasaki last year in favour of supplying Loncins then they could not get a supply.
Shame because the prices quoted were really good .


#12

7394

7394

Interesting they dropped the FS line..


#13

B

bertsmobile1

they installed an new manager from one of our biggest supermarket chains who has less than no idea about mowers and is systematically destroying the business by dropping everything that does not sell well .


#14

B

beretta22

bertsmobile1 said:
Intereting.
I just checked the 2022 engine catalogue from my distributor and they list the FX with twin barrel carb
Checked all of the service updates and no mention of a carb change so again perhaps just a USA thing
This wholesaler has also dropped the FS from their line up for 2022 which explains why they were so cheap last year as they were sneakingly running out old stock .( should have bought a couple for Ron )
So I only have a choice of FR or FX now.
Noteing this is via my wholesaler as I am not a direct Kawasaki dealer .
Stens down here dropped Kawasaki last year in favour of supplying Loncins then they could not get a supply.
Shame because the prices quoted were really good .
Click to expand...
The FS is listed in the 2022 Kawasaki catalog. I have the FS730V.


#15

B

bertsmobile1

This wholesaler has also dropped the FS from their line up for 2022
Click to expand...
Didn't say Kawasaki dropped the FS
I said my AUSTRALIAN WHOLESALER dropped the FS series


#16

B

beretta22

bertsmobile1 said:
Didn't say Kawasaki dropped the FS
I said my AUSTRALIAN WHOLESALER dropped the FS series
Click to expand...
Ok , sorry. Thought that might be the case after I re -read it.


#17

G

grikinis

In case you guys need to find parts to restore the engine I suggest using this page https://bestsalvageyards.com/ they have every store and their rating so you wouldn't get fooled by the awful ones.


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