Kohler 25 hp on 2003 Max IV - any good

[shorty]

I just bought a 2003 Max IV, dressed up all nice and hardly used. It comes with a 25 HP Kohler Command. What are people's experience with this engine? My 1993 Max IV has a 16 HP B&S and its bullet proof. I like the power a 25 HP promises, but i remember having a Kohler in our Terra Jet back inthe '70s, and I also remember all the new four letter words I learned from Dear Old Dad when he worked on it. I see posts onthe internet about blown head gaskets, etc. But Bit****g is free so I don't know how much stock to put in that.

Any comments or ideas?

[Noel Woods]

The Kohler Command engine is one of the toughest, most torquey, and bullet proof engines out there. It is more than sufficient for your Max4 and will provide you with reserve power to pull out any other machine from the stuck position. Its a fairly quiet motor as well in stock form. I've admired these motors in Max 4 machines for years. I actually have the same motor in a John Deere lawn tractor and its been superb. I often use the lawn tractor to move my bass boat and trailer around in the yard, I also move a 16' loaded utility trailer around the yard and the motor has so much power that neighbors are often surprised by what I pull behind it. My motor has nearly 500 hours on it and has been problem free.

[shorty]

thanks

Thanks for the confidence booster. the machine has been lying dormant for quite a while so i plan to go through it with a fine tooth comb. It fired right up and while it needed a little extra choke, it ran well. I 'm in the middle of nowhere so i really depend on the Max.

ts good to hear your comments. Can you tell me anything about gas filter, air filter, oil filter, plugs - all the fun stuff? Is synthetic oil okay?

[Noel Woods]

Sure, here is the info off my Kohler Command, its a 2003 year model as well so it should be the same info as for yours: Airfilter is a Kohler #4708303, prefilter is a Kohler #2408301, oil filter is a Kohler #1205001, plugs are Champion RC-12YC, I run exclusively Mobil-1 in 10w-30. The fuel filter is a universal part. I hope this helps.

Noel

[shorty]

Great!

It sure does help. Thanks a bunch. Have a good weekend. I'm heading out to the camp - its supposed to snow so at least the flies won't be too friendly. Back out with the 18 hp this time - maybe next time i can rock and roll with the Beast (or 'Shrek', as my daughter calls it)!

[rdr]

iwe have a 2007 with the 23 kohler and love it getting ready to hop it up to the tuen of 50+hp robbie

[Dirty Harry]

Shorty-

Last summer I bought an '04 that's the same set-up as yours and so far I have had ZERO problems. I am loving this Max IV. So much more power than my mid-90's Max II. Night and day difference. I think you will be very happy with your new toy.

[shorty]

Thanks, all.

I began tearing down the Bug yestrday. I'm itching just to get out on the trails (and off!) but its better to take everything apart and make sure its good to go. I tried to tell the wife that I should stay home from work to get this really important job done, but that argument had no traction.

[robertkbush]

i have a Kohler Command 25 hp in my lincoln welder and its been a great motor the only thing that I've had to do to it in 5 years is change the battery

[mad_max_500cc]

i have a 25 kohler command stuffed into my max 2 for 4 years now and haven't had an ounce of trouble! i got the engine used and the only things I've done was clean out the carb change the oil and spark plugs and beat the crap out of it!!!!!!! definitely a few steps up on power from my 18hp briggs that i had!!!!