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I wanted a Gravely HD 60 with a Kawasaki engine, but I'm told the Kawasaki's are back ordered and it will be at least 6 weeks before it will be available. However, the unit with a Kohler series 7000 Pr V is available now. How does the Kohler compare to the Kawasaki?

Being in the repair side of it I would take a Kohler over a Kawasaki. Kawasaki would be my last choice.

reynoldston said:

Being in the repair side of it I would take a Kohler over a Kawasaki. Kawasaki would be my last choice.

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That may be so, however I believe that Kawasaki has the best engines on the market right now. I would wait and order with the Kawasaki. There is a reason they are backordered :/

My choice was the Kawasaki. The Kawasaki has been the engine of choice for some time. As a matter of fact, the Gravely HD only came with the Kawa. Now they're pushing the Kohler, which non surprisingly is what the comparable Ariens come with. However, the Kohler 7000 series was released last fall and their promotional materials imply a lot of new, heavy duty stuff. It's spec data seems to compare favorably to the Kawa. This all leads me to believe that this new Kohler might just be a good one. Have you heard anything about this new engine?

polar bear said:

My choice was the Kawasaki. The Kawasaki has been the engine of choice for some time. As a matter of fact, the Gravely HD only came with the Kawa. Now they're pushing the Kohler, which non surprisingly is what the comparable Ariens come with. However, the Kohler 7000 series was released last fall and their promotional materials imply a lot of new, heavy duty stuff. It's spec data seems to compare favorably to the Kawa. This all leads me to believe that this new Kohler might just be a good one. Have you heard anything about this new engine?

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I saw a Kohler 7000 series on a Bad Boy ZT Elite at TSC yesterday. I was NOT impressed(very cheap-looking valve covers and not an engine I would go looking for:0(
Wait on the Kawa!!!!!

The 7000 is a very solid engine. It is the same build as the Confidant (Kohler's new Commercial Engine), without a few of the frills. While it will take a few years before we can answer the endurance aspect of this question, the performance aspect definitely goes to Kohler (Flatter HP and TQ curves; drastically less governor droop):wink:

So is the Kohler a brand new series of engine? If so, it might be wise to wait a bit until some of the bugs are worked out. Seems nearly all of the manufacturers have some glitches at first.

Ive owned both, the kohler was a good motor but not near as good imo as the current kwai offerings, IMO its kawi ,kohler then B&S, and most mower companies must agree cause pricing goes in that order as well.

The Kohler 7000 is a new product this year. It has a few minor flaws (as does the Kawi), but the higher price for the Kawi from the OEM is due to: 1. The Kawi costs them more in the first place, and 2. Kawi is a pain to deal with in terms of both material handling and technical assistance (unless you happen to be John Deere rep.; they pay particular interest to J.D.)

If your choice was Kawasaki anyways why ask. I say go for the Kawasaki if that is what you want, just being in the repair end of it sure wouldn't be my choice. What do I know I just repair them, Kawasaki's are good money makers.

My 2004 Craftsman Briggs Intek has a few hours on it so I listen to this discussion in this forum. My recollection is that Kohler was once good, but some engines are problems. I have had reliability problems with the Intek. Favoring the Kawasaki I visited the local dealer who told me some "commercial" Kaw engines push guides like my Intek. That was a surprise. I guess the air cooled bunch are all vulnerable to excess heat and load, but I still favor Kaw based upon reports here. I have tried to like Briggs, but their advertising seems fluffy on the non- commercial units (Intek), and it sounds like Kohler is also doing some "badge engineering" to promote sales. The advantage Kaw "should" have is cross pollination from the motorcycle division-metallurgy etc. But I do not know if that is going on. Sometimes companies simple operate in isolation to one another. More input from readers, please!