Originally Posted By: bchannell
I don't doubt the Chinese engines are very good. We've worked on a bunch of newer Kohler v twin tractor engines and they're not on par with the reputation of the Magnum or K-series. I would actually pick the chinese over the Kohler. I could relate some really terrible stories of tractors we've repaired with big Kohler v twins in the 26HP range. I saw someone on here say that they're called Courage engines because you needed courage to buy one. I couldn't agree more.
Funny story, .. There's a couple that have us do their work on garden tractors. They are, without a doubt, the hardest people on OPE you will ever run into. True story, it took them a bit over 3 years to completely destroy a JD 318 w/18hp Onan (one of, it not THE most bullet proof machine made). A 26hp kohler powered Husqvarna commercial garden tractor didn't even make it through one mowing season, before they smoked the motor. Needless to say, there's not much work we can do most of the time. Both had puked motors from abuse and buildup of debri in cooling fins and ducts.
When I bought mine the dealer told me Kohler had some problems with the Courage engines, but the 7000 series have been rock solid both from what he has seen and what the Kohler rep told him a week prior. I think the 7000 series have been out about 3 years. He had lawnmowers with both Kohler and Toro engines in stock so he had no reason to be untruthful. He actually would have made more money by selling me the 2018 with Toro engine.