Buffalo with 20 HP Kohler Top Speed?

[J0nny216]

I have a 95 Buffalo with a Kohler Command 20. This is NOT a dump bed Buffalo. I didn't expect it to go all that fast but after we got my wifes Max II with 18hp Vanguard I had to question it. I know my machine is at least 200lbs heavier, plus I am at least 100Lbs heavier....all muscle if that was unclear but she runs circles around me. Right now we are both running tracks in the snow, she has factory rubber and I have adair pros...I know more weight. In the summer with bigger tires mine probably hits 20mph, but hers hits that now with tracks.

I understand mine is a utility vehicle and the max IIs are for fun, but is the speed difference that large? Also, mine was treated like poo poo for almost 400 hrs and hers seems to have been treated really well...

Any info would be great, and I am willing to except that "its how it is" because I have still really enjoyed recreating with the buffalo and using it for work.

Thanks!

[Noel Woods]

I had a similar issue between my tan Max2 with a 18hp B&S compared to my green Max2 with a 20hp Kohler. From the first ride I was perplexed as to why the 18hp machine accelerated quicker and had a higher top speed and just seemed to run better throughout the power range. After several rides I figured it out that the throttle was not adjusted for optimal performance on the Kohler. It took a few times fiddling with the linkage but I eventually got them on par.
I at one time had a Max4 that I put a single cylinder 16 HP Kohler in, guess what, it ran circles around the 18Hp B&S and in a heavier machine.
I also installed a tiny tach on each and noted the Kohler 20 was set with a much lower rev limiter at 500 rpm less than the B&S. I never fiddled with that as I was happy with the performance but you may want to look at that as well. The Kohler 16 ran at a much higher rpm than the bigger motors.
Granted these are all small air cooled engines and the rate of decline on these can happen at varying rates over the years and can also vary some straight from the factory due the carb and jet settings.

[ARGOJIM]

The Buffalo are geared lower.

[msafi65]

Total gear ratio is lower in buffalo truck as Jim stated. Truck with dump bed is at least 400 pounds heavier than II. I change the gear ratio on our trucks to top speed of 12 mph. With heavy loads in the swamp it ate those expensive belts daily. It’s not uncommon to load a 1000 lbs with passengers and tow a small trailer. Buffalo trucks are a working vehicle.

[J0nny216]

Thanks for the info guys. That's kind of what I figured but wanted to ask the people who know. Right now I use it a lot for recreation and a little for work, but once we move it will be the opposite.

Thanks again for the info.