For contractors looking for mower repowering options, Kohler has recently introduced two vertical-shaft Kohler Confidant 21-hp twin-cylinder models (recoil or electric start) for commercial wide-area walk-behind and stand-on mowers.
“The Confidant engine is really versatile for a repower, with the choke and throttle control bracket allowing for multiple cable configurations and offering a good fit to make ongoing mower maintenance easy,” said Buff Doty, owner of Biddy Saw Works in Columbus, MS. “Our customer says the Confidant starts easy with the pull start, and after testing it for a week he’s looking at repowering another mower with the Confidant.”
Features attractive to landscapers
The engines were tested to exceed Kohler’s commercial duty-cycle demand and offer features that appeal to landscapers. The Confidant features quick, reliable starting and Consistent-Cut technology to provide consistent power to the deck, a cast-iron cylinder liner to protect the engine in extreme operating conditions, and a heavy-duty professional filtration bundle. The high-impact nylon shroud and valve cover protect internal components when mowing around bushes and branches, and the chopper grass screen guard prevents grass and debris build-up.
A heavy-duty cyclonic air cleaner that traps fine contaminants such as grass will help maximize power and engine life. The air cleaner on Kohler engines will likely offer better performance than the one on current engines in many wide-area walk-behind mowers. Kohler’s side-mount muffler is a popular option for wide-area walk-behind mowers, and additional muffler options are in development.
Kits and guide
Commercial landscapers who take advantage of the offer at participating Kohler dealers nationwide will receive special pricing on both the engine and muffler kit. Kohler has also created a “Repower Description Guide” containing everything dealers need to know about an engine to perform a repower, including: engine and muffler dimensions, PTO crank size, and wiring harness diagrams.
