Kohler or Kawasaki - Zero turn mower

I'm getting ready to purchase a new zero turn mower and I've narrowed it down to Cub Cadet's new ZT1 series mowers. I have no experience with Kohler or Kawasaki engines. Any opinions appreciated between the 2 engines.

 

The Kawasaki is known as the more commercial, the Kohler as the prosumer grade.

That said I just bought an ariens X 42 with the kohler motor. For my use I think it will be great, no need for anything 'more'.

I run ethanol free gas, change oil yearly, and use asl camguard to help prevent corrosion internally in florida.
https://aslcamguard.com/shop/

I got last year ariens X 42. Really happy with it.

Saved some significant money ordering online and getting truck shipping. A little scary. If you go this route, there is some risk your local dealer might be a dick during warranty issues

 

I am wanting to try and find a smaller zero turn mower too, haven't started looking at any brands yet, any to avoid?

 

Kawasaki aaaaaaall day long.

 

The Kaw is likely going to perform better over the long haul, though the Kohler is also likely fine especially if you are only using it for home. What hp are the motors, # of cylinders, and will you be using it for home or commercial?

Good luck... I have a Vanguard on my Scag and no complaints.

 

Beautiful lawn and landscaping!

 

I have a kawasaki on my ferris commercial walk behind. Kawasaki claims shooting flames out the exhaust is not a issue.

I will never buy another Kawasaki again. I have had many mowers and motorcycles powered by kawi.

 

I have a Toro with the Kohler, it's been perfect for five years now.
I mow a 1/2 acre house and a three acre barnyard. The z-turn is not a good fit for a smaller yard like my house in the burbs, but is great at the farm where I have a large area to mow.
If you're mowing less than a acre I would stick to a lawn tractor.

 

IMO, both engines will provide you with many years of dependable service if maintained properly. Keep the air filter clean, and replace the oil and filter every 25 hours.

If I was spending the money, I would lean towards the Kawasaki.

 

@Bluegrass Taco

 

FWIW when I was working as a small engine mechanic through college I worked on both Kawasaki and Kohler engines. We ended up doing the most warranty work to the Kohler engines and at one point had one throw a rod through the side of the engine. Granted, that engine was neglected by the owner. Both are great when you take care of them, perform the preventative maintenance and don't run crappy gas.

 

I have a 17 year old rider with a Kawasaki v- twin. Mow yard and pasture with it. I use this thing alot! Never been in the shop. Never had any issues with the engine! When I evenually replace it, I will be looking for something with a Kawasaki engine, PERIOD. Take it for what it’s worth.

 

I have a late 90s Cub Cadet 3225 with a Kholer and it has been fantastic. I only have a little over 500 hours on it, but all have been trouble free. No matter what mower/ engine you get, make sure to get a roller accessory if you want to have nice manicured lines throughout your yard. Kind of hard to see in these pics of my yard, but you get the idea.

 

Kawasaki all day, every day for a zero-trun. Have a few Exmarks that still run perfect with over 1200 hours, yup Kawasakis. These are no longer used commercially, but did so and did very well.

 

I'm on my third kholer, my last one was a Dixon with a Kholer command I used for 19 years. Kholer is all I'll ever own...

 

Rollers are over rated. Dont have one on my mower, but have the deck setup properly and running the right blades.

 

In college I worked parks and rec maintenance and we had one mower with a Kawasaki and the rest were scag turf tigers with kohlers. All I know is we put those things through hell. The kohler went down a lot more but those were used a lot more, whether that extra use justified the extra down time I’m not sure, basically we had one or two go down every summer

 

No roller here, since we are dropping lawn shots and all

 

Nice striping! I wish St Augustine would strip that nicely.

OP - any update?

 

Looks like I can't go wrong with either. Between the 2 that I'm looking at, there is only a 1 hp difference and a 4inch difference on the cut width. The one with the Kohler has the extra hp and bigger deck and is $100 cheaper. Thanks for the responses.