Export thread

Grasshopper recently started running these in their machines. We sold our first ones this year. No problems yet, but I'm sure they are coming down the line. Does anyone have any tips on what parts I would need to carry or what the common issues are?

OUTDOOR CONCEPTS said:

Grasshopper recently started running these in their machines. We sold our first ones this year. No problems yet, but I'm sure they are coming down the line. Does anyone have any tips on what parts I would need to carry or what the common issues are?

Click to expand...

They have been running them in cars for years now and in the last few in years in cycles. You are going to find that they will be very trouble free. Just think when was the last time you had a problem with your cars EFI. They are more sedative to dirt then then carburetors so fuel filters will be the biggest issue.

That's what I was hoping to hear. I just didn't know if anyone has had trouble with the electronic side of things.

OUTDOOR CONCEPTS said:

That's what I was hoping to hear. I just didn't know if anyone has had trouble with the electronic side of things.

Click to expand...

Wires and heat are electrics enemies well sun exposure and heat probably

Attending the Kohler update school last year calmed my nerves on them some. Diagnostics on the EFI system is as easy as going around the wiring harness sequentially checking. Point 1, good. Point 2, good. Point 3, error. Problem lies between 2 and 3. Hopefully!

The main things to remember is never disconnect the battery or a jump pack while running. And also make sure there is a good diode between the leads on the electric clutch. electrical spikes from disconnecting batteries and shutting off electric clutches without clamping diodes while fry the CPU. and I know of one case where a tech had his laptop connected doing diagnostics, and shut off the electric clutch, and it fried the CPU and his computer.

Good point, that issue came up. The wiring harness was replaced with one with an extra purple wire to ground out excess juice. Hopefully.

Lots of good info, ill pass it on to our mechanics!

OUTDOOR CONCEPTS said:

Lots of good info, ill pass it on to our mechanics!

Click to expand...

Looked at your website. Looks great!!! Are you an owner or a mgr?

I run the Parts dept the social media sites and the website....never a dull moment!

I was usually the old fat mechanic that the owner and the parts dept. would constantly call up front to help them, but was always punished for not billing out as much
as the ZTR mechanics, but I was also the main 2 cycle tech as well, etc..... Biggest mistake ever, bragging about your 2-cycle abilities in the job interview.....

Doomed if they hire you...........

OUTDOOR CONCEPTS said:

Grasshopper recently started running these in their machines. We sold our first ones this year. No problems yet, but I'm sure they are coming down the line. Does anyone have any tips on what parts I would need to carry or what the common issues are?

Click to expand...

My kymco 300i downtown scooter has EFI ,. I never had any problems for the two years and 41.000 km. it is a 1 cyl. engine with 28 hp. 4 stroke starts very good in all temp,s from 20 below to 100 F. and from sea level to 6,000 ft in the mountains,.

de dee said:

My kymco 300i downtown scooter has EFI ,. I never had any problems for the two years and 41.000 km. it is a 1 cyl. engine with 28 hp. 4 stroke starts very good in all temp,s from 20 below to 100 F. and from sea level to 6,000 ft in the mountains,.

Click to expand...

I think the cold weather starting will be huge for us. We run several grasshoppers with blowers and blades!

de dee said:

My kymco 300i downtown scooter has EFI ,. I never had any problems for the two years and 41.000 km. it is a 1 cyl. engine with 28 hp. 4 stroke starts very good in all temp,s from 20 below to 100 F. and from sea level to 6,000 ft in the mountains,.

Click to expand...

Motorcycles ,ATV's and snowmobiles have all EFI. As you see very trouble free. The only time I ever had problems is when a ATV came into my shop that someone broke the plug out of the computer. That was about a two and a haft day job for me that I just refused to give up on. As I said the biggest trouble spot is plugged fuel filters.

We got our Kohler EFI cable and software today...cant wait to use it. I hope it collects some dust before we use it tho!

After fussing with the car systems for some time I think users will love the EFI. As noted much sensitive to dirt so filters must be clean. Next, some cars have problems with the fuel pressure regualtors after much use. Grounds are very important. By that I mean the (typically) black wire-lugs that are screwed to the chassis. On board fault lites (assume the tractors will have a 'check engine' lite also) are easily triggered by corroded or loose grounds. Starting should be greatly improved as long as the cold start sensors and injector nozzles are ok (normally very reliable). With the EFI (?probably) comes electronic ignition which is light years ahead of the magneto systems and also should help starting (especially cold). Idling and maintenance of proper max engine speed should improve.

I'm winging this from the auto systems I am familiar with. If a check lite system is included there should be a trouble guide. If the tractor is user friendly it will flash "semaphor " signals for you without special diagnostic equipment, but isolation of the fault can still be difficult. One feature that may be troublesom is how the mfgr has handled the vibration. This is a killer of electronic components which exist on the CPU ( resistors transistors etc). So proper isolation from vibe and heat would seem a major issue.

Oh, yeah, power and emissiona should be greatly improved so I would expect smaller engines to replace the big ones like the 45 inch "harley" Intek I have.