82Caddy 851 #1 Posted September 28, 2015 What are common issues/problems with this engine? Has ~600 hours and is from a parts tractor that the rear end/mower gave out on. I was told it runs good. Besides the obvious nastyness of this particular engine, is it a good buy at 300$? I'd be looking at it to repower my D200 parts tractor turned project tractor that doesn't have an engine now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
djohn24 10 #2 Posted September 29, 2015 82Caddy, I can give you a comparison. My father had a 2000 918H Agco Allis that had the TH18 OHC 18HP Kohler in it. After 10 years of nothing but mowing with it,{2 acres} the engine was wore out. No hour meter on the tractor but at a good est. of 700 to 900 hours of use. Checked into getting cylinders honed and new rings. Only to find out...Kohler discontinued the engine and most parts in 06. Could not find new rings anywhere! He kept the oil and air filter changed every spring too. I found some info online on the TH18 and read other owners had the same issue, low hours and worn out engine. Now, I don't know if your Kohler Command has had the same issues but, I would definitely do some research. Why not look into a P Series Onan with low hours? If you don't mind doing a little extra maintenance. Have heard some owners getting up to 3000hrs out of them. I guess at 600 hours and $300 bucks...not a bad deal if the engine is strong. maybe ask seller to do a compression test or leak down test? Just my 2 cents. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
82Caddy 851 #3 Posted September 29, 2015 That's just it, I don't know a thing about the command series engine. This engine was local (15 min away) and seemed to be priced right. I think I'm might just bite the bullet and wait it out to find another K341 as I know parts are available and it'll do everything I want. Plus, it's a pretty simple engine and I like the sound of the old cast iron engines... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
clueless 3,258 #4 Posted September 29, 2015 The twin commands or damn fine engine 3000+ hr if maintained. Just like all air cooled engines heat and bad maintains are their biggest issues. The biggest problem with these shaft driven off the fly wheel mowers is that it sits directly above the front of the deck. since the engine is cooled by the fly wheel sucking air in and blowing it over the cooling fins a lot of dust, dirt, and chafe gets blown on to them. Add a little oil leaking over time and more chafe you can have a build up on the fins over 1/4 in thick. Ain't going to make 1000hr like that. The other problem with the these fly wheel driven engines is is difficult to remove the fly wheel cover with out removing the engine from the tractor so the crap behind it goes unnoticed. All that being said that command look pretty dirty on top, so my guess is may be even worse behind the covers,you won't know till you pull it. $300.00 is not a bad price buy it and clean it up and you may have a great engine. Also after some hours the carbs can get a little out of sorts, ha its a kohler. Probably way TMI.Chris in Florida. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
82Caddy 851 #5 Posted September 29, 2015 Thanks for the info. I'm just not confident enough in that particular engine to buy it. I didn't get the best feeling from talking to the guy on the phone about it, so I'm going to pass.I think I'm just going to keep an eye out and see what else comes up for sale locally that would be a good fit for this particular tractor. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
