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Given normal maintenance, what should the average life expetancy of the 25 hp Kohler 747cc engine manufactured between 2013-2016 be in hours? I'm looking to buy a used one and I'm looking at models with between 900 and 2400 hours and don't know how to factor in hours.
Also, I am looking at some that were owned and operated by municipalities and wonder whether they typically get better, similar or worse upkeep than home units. Obviously, it will depend upon the municipalities but i'm thinking in generalities.
thanks in advance for any feedback.

The SV and KT series are rated by Rehlko at 1500 hours. The CH/CV are rated at 2500+ hours.

revtim said:

Given normal maintenance, what should the average life expetancy of the 25 hp Kohler 747cc engine manufactured between 2013-2016 be in hours? I'm looking to buy a used one and I'm looking at models with between 900 and 2400 hours and don't know how to factor in hours.
Also, I am looking at some that were owned and operated by municipalities and wonder whether they typically get better, similar or worse upkeep than home units. Obviously, it will depend upon the municipalities but i'm thinking in generalities.
thanks in advance for any feedback.

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Go for the lower hour engine. The ratings stated are with regular maintenance and not abused. I would cut the hour rating to 2/3 for realistic outcome.

I would be more concerned with a leakdown test and a oil pressure reading. If you have minimal leakdown, both rings and valves should be in reasonable condition, and would have a remaining working lifespan related to how well they currently seal. The oil pressure should give an indication of the rod and main bearings. If the oil pressure takes longer to build, and drops off instantly when the engine is shut down, one can reasonably infer that the clearances are more open than a similar result where the oil pressure came up instantly on start, and took a few seconds to bleed down when the engine was stopped.
Listening for internal engine sounds can also give an indication.
My take on service life is that the results are totally based on service done and how the engine was used. Engines that are started and put to work without a few seconds warm-up will generally last a shorter time than those that are given a bit of warm-up time. Generators seem to be the most severe conditions, where they are expected to start cold, and run to full speed within seconds. In those cases, lubrication is likely not well supplied though modern oil will minimize the lack. Oil and filter change intervals, and whether the oil was left to the point all additive packages were worn out also affects longevity.
If you can inspect the equipment at the same time, it might give an indication of the general care given. Rusted and dented equipment generally indicates it was driven and use like it was stolen... i.e., run hard and put away wet, never given reasonable service. The other end of the scale, where equipment is not in poor condition generally indicates at least some service. And best would be talking to a maintenance crew to see if they have an idea of the service provided.
So, IMO, hours of use can indicate something, but are not an absolute measure. FWIW.
tom

revtim said:

Given normal maintenance, what should the average life expetancy of the 25 hp Kohler 747cc engine manufactured between 2013-2016 be in hours? I'm looking to buy a used one and I'm looking at models with between 900 and 2400 hours and don't know how to factor in hours.
Also, I am looking at some that were owned and operated by municipalities and wonder whether they typically get better, similar or worse upkeep than home units. Obviously, it will depend upon the municipalities but i'm thinking in generalities.
thanks in advance for any feedback.

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What is normal Maintenace? If the machine is frequently run in very dusty conditions, the maintenance interval would have to conducted at lower hours.

If they can provide an actual maintenance history, it would help. An actual history like an automobile would be rare.

If a machine looks beat up badly, it is likely only had extended servicing only when someone happened to remember.

If it looks too clean, I would also be cautious, because I've seen many that were washed and even waxed, but the oil was never checked or changed on. (Vanity outweighs common sense often)

Selling tricks are oil that is too clean, or "it was just changed".

If you start the engine cold listen very carefully for a muffled knock or thumping that goes away quickly, that is a sign of a worn-out connecting rod.

Used commercial equipment is a huge gamble in my opinion, so I will not entertain the "how long will it last" open ended question.

An hour meter means zero on lawn equipment. Could of unplugged, stopped working, just installed and several other factors.

The main buying word you need to focus on is used.

slomo said:

An hour meter means zero on lawn equipment. Could of unplugged, stopped working, just installed and several other factors.

The main buying word you need to focus on is used.

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An hour meter means a lot as far as value on a mower. It is like an odometer on a car. Yes, an hour meter can be defective or tampered with, however, for the most part, it is one of the first things that should be checked. If the condition of equipment an hours on meter don’t add up, that is another factor.

Tiger Small Engine said:

An hour meter means a lot as far as value on a mower. It is like an odometer on a car. Yes, an hour meter can be defective or tampered with, however, for the most part, it is one of the first things that should be checked. If the condition of equipment an hours on meter don’t add up, that is another factor.

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And after the first 5 years or so the internal battery to the hour meter is dead and the meter no longer works. So should be fairly accurate up to the point it stops working. Or like the one on my brother in laws CC that will randomly just restart from 0 hours.