The Forestry Forum

General Forestry => Sawmills and Milling => Topic started by: jmouton on May 15, 2016, 05:48:19 PM

Title: blown motor
Post by: jmouton on May 15, 2016, 05:48:19 PM
so there we were sawing and making some good lumber, after 7 hrs , the honda 24 hp blew a huge hole in the side of the block and oil everywhere,had 3 logs and a burl to saw ,  so i loaded them up on my truck and took them with us until we get new motor ,  i am thinking about the kohler 26 hp  ,what do you guys think??  cant put a big diesel on it ,, its only a lt-25 ,  the honda was a perfect fit on it and sawed alot of wood , would like another one but  alot of you run the kohler  so i am leaning that way ,gonna buy a brand new one, the honda was used and not sure of hrs on it ,,we had it for 3 rs ,


                                                                                                                  jim
Title: Re: blown motor
Post by: Kbeitz on May 15, 2016, 05:53:16 PM
I would stick with Honda... Kohler has some plastic cam gear problems...
Title: Re: blown motor
Post by: fishfighter on May 15, 2016, 06:35:30 PM
Honda, even though my mill has a Kohler. Even you said that you had no idea as how many hours. That should tell you something. ;D
Title: Re: blown motor
Post by: Ox on May 15, 2016, 06:46:58 PM
If I had a choice between Honda and Kohler I'd take a Honda any day.  I've seen Hondas take abuse that would have killed  other engines.
Title: Re: blown motor
Post by: red on May 15, 2016, 07:02:55 PM
Kohler is fine if you have two legs and feet . . If you have four legs and hooves your BEAT
Title: Re: blown motor
Post by: Chuck White on May 15, 2016, 07:09:57 PM
I bought my 25hp Kohler over 2 years ago and have had absolutely no issues with it!

It came as a complete kit, including a new belt, a new belt shield and the throttle linkage along with the owner/maintenance manual.

I wouldn't hesitate buying another, when/if needed.
Title: Re: blown motor
Post by: sawguy21 on May 15, 2016, 11:48:13 PM
I agree with fishfighter, you had 3 years out of a used motor. It will be plug and play, no need to mess with controls and matching wire connectors
Title: Re: blown motor
Post by: barbender on May 16, 2016, 10:45:34 AM
I'm for the Honda, too. Nothing against Kohlers, I just don't have much experience with them. I've used and abused Hondas a lot in my years, and my experience is that they just run. My generator has a Honda, not sure, 8 or 9 hp. I rarely use it, I never drain the gas (non ethanol premium) and fire it up once a year just to get things circulating. It starts on the second pull. The other brand I have a fair amount of experience with, Briggs- typically involves valves that need reset or the starter motor can't crank it over, needle valves that stick and fill the crank with fuel, etc. I hate Briggs. Not that you were asking about those ;D
Title: Re: blown motor
Post by: millwright on May 16, 2016, 11:21:52 AM
Around here the  kohler and Honda are near the same price. I would go with the Honda
Title: Re: blown motor
Post by: Klicker on May 16, 2016, 04:04:41 PM
I know a person a 20hp Honda on a clark mill he burns twice as much as I do.
Title: Re: blown motor
Post by: petefrom bearswamp on May 16, 2016, 07:16:42 PM
Ford Chevy? Honda Kohler?
They are both good go with your gut.
Title: Re: blown motor
Post by: jmouton on May 16, 2016, 09:34:50 PM
i know what you guys are saying about the honda ,  we have honda s on every concrete saw ,and compactors at work ,they never break ,  they take the abuse,    but  we chose the kohler 25 from woodmizer,   we will see how that works for us ,,,  i have a kohler 25 in my miller trailblazer welder and i ve got about 600 hrs on it , so far so good ,,
Title: Re: blown motor
Post by: Kbeitz on May 17, 2016, 03:29:01 AM
They do break. I just got one from the junkyard yesterday
that looks almost new. The end if the crankshaft is snapped right off.
Title: Re: blown motor
Post by: SineWave on May 17, 2016, 05:50:13 AM
I'm surprised more people aren't using the Harbor Freight 22 hp for $700. It's not a Honda or Kohler but you can't beat the price.

Getting ready to build my first mill and I was seriously considering the HFT 22hp. Does anyone have any experience with that motor?

Here's the info on it:

http://www.harborfreight.com/22-hp-670cc-v-twin-horizontal-shaft-gas-engine-epa-61614.html
Title: Re: blown motor
Post by: Ox on May 17, 2016, 10:19:51 AM
Those Predator engines are pretty good!  Good reviews everywhere, a few people on here like them too.  I have the 13hp on my mill and I'm very happy with it.  It feels like more than 13hp, closer to 15 I would guess.  It sat all winter, I forgot to shut off the gas valve and run the bowl dry and it started the first pull this spring and ran good.  The only complaint I have is the carburetor is not adjustable and it's a hair lean due to EPA.  You can either bore out the main jet a touch or just run with the choke slightly closed, then it's happy.  It's the spitting image of a Honda and runs and starts like one too.