MSBiker 46 #1 Posted December 3, 2023 Is it possible to repower a 1968 Lawn Ranger with a Kohler K181 without too much fanfare. My yard is very hilly and the extra couple horse power would be handy. Found a K181 for a reasonable price. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,900 #2 Posted December 3, 2023 (edited) Hey there, it should work just fine. I am not positive if the LR tractors had a Tecky on them, but my 502 originally did. The front tab for the belt guard to bolt to the engine doesn’t quite line up. I used an 1/8” plate bolted to the engine and tapped it to fit the hole on the belt guard. Some people have removed and rebuilt the tab however. *edit* my 502 has a K181 now too. Edited December 3, 2023 by Pullstart 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dclarke 4,032 #3 Posted December 4, 2023 Mine has a K181 in it, it’s not hard to do. 3 5 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jon Paulsen 290 #4 Posted December 4, 2023 @dclarke nice looking tractor. Engine looks right at home in there. I dig it! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 17,741 #5 Posted December 4, 2023 14 hours ago, dclarke said: Mine has a K181 in it, it’s not hard to do. How did you rig up the gas tank to align with the original hood hole. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dclarke 4,032 #6 Posted December 4, 2023 4 hours ago, pfrederi said: How did you rig up the gas tank to align with the original hood hole. I cut the original tank bracket as needed then welded some flat steel to it so I could bolt it to the engine. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MSBiker 46 #7 Posted December 4, 2023 Thanks folks for the info! I might just go this route if I can get this engine fo cheap. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike'sHorseBarn 2,998 #8 Posted December 4, 2023 Mine has a k181 swap as well, totally doable though I bought it that way. An atv battery had to be used in place of a standard garden tractor battery though because of fitment issues. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MSBiker 46 #9 Posted December 4, 2023 Nice. Thanks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Keaton 435 #10 Posted December 5, 2023 that looks awsome i have a k181 in my 856, big power, small tractor Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
