17 hp Kohler engine vs 16 / 18 hp engine

[hudog 0]

I'm picking up a 417A next week with the 2 cyclinder 17 hp Kohler. There's a lot more 418's than 417's around.

I'd be interesting in knowing why Kohler marketed the 17 hp engine vs the much more common 18 hp engine.

The 1 hp lesss doesn't seem to be enough to justify the slightly lower cost of the 17 hp vs 18 hp engine.

thanks,

George

[jtmoyer 1]

the early 17hp's had an oil problem. they were splash lube and if you used them on a lot of hills the would blow up. they fixed the prob with the s2 (like yours will have in it) but the damage was done and no one wanted a 17hp. i have a 417-8 and after 12 years of sitting outside and not being started i changed the fluids, new battery and it started right up. tilled with it this year.

i think all the kohler 16's were single cylinder until the onan's then the 16hp was a twin. had a 16 onan and loved it, i never noticed a difference in power between the 16 and the 20 with mowing, blowing, and tilling

[boovuc 1,090]

Hi George,

I have an early 80's C-175 with the S1, (Series 1 "splash"), KT17 Kohler. I used it on a very hilly yard for the better part of 5 years before moving to the flatlands. I had a top end rebuild on mine due in large part to those hills no doubt but the engine is fine and has been used every single year as my primary mower/plower/blower.

My opinion is you'll have no problems with it as long as it was maintained.

Boovuc