Ken B 3,164 #1 Posted February 23, 2013 I often hear comments about how the Onan is the best sounding motor on our Wheel Horse's. I have two video's of two of my tractors for you to compsre and see what you think. One is a C-175 With a 17hp Kohler Series 1. I got the C-175 from Stevebo that I believe Butch now owns. I still have my 520. We have all heard about the Series 1 oiling issues a zillion times (just like all of the Onan issues) but this Series 1 ran as strong as my Onan 20 and in my opinion, the Kohler sounds better! What say you? C'mon, be honest! Lol! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmaynard 15,407 #2 Posted February 23, 2013 It's close, but I think the Onan sounds better. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Butch 194 #3 Posted February 23, 2013 I like the Kohler. But then again it's my tractor! The Kohler had a deep throatier sound. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
varosd 1,185 #4 Posted February 23, 2013 Dang Ken! When did all that snow go? thumbs up for the Onan Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JimD 3,345 #5 Posted February 23, 2013 The Kohler, hands down! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VinsRJ 721 #6 Posted February 23, 2013 (edited) Kohler for me, Ken. Edited February 23, 2013 by VinsRJ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tankman 3,518 #7 Posted February 23, 2013 Vote for the Onan sound, I do like it. My Kohlers are all single cylinder working Stallions, sound great working too. My 1st vote is for the green grass, I prefer the smell of cut grass over the crunchng sounds of tractor chains in the snow. All this "sound" talk reminds me of waves crashing on the beaches of Long Island and the salt smell........clam bakes.........grilling steaks......warm summer sunshine..........pickin' fresh tomatoes in the garden. Not to leave out the dirty pickup watchin' the Horses gettin' showered and rubbed down. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
leeave96 487 #8 Posted February 23, 2013 Without a doubt the Onan - but the black hood looks great! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
baerpath 517 #9 Posted February 23, 2013 Kohler. Especially when really working them harder than light mowing Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maxed500 10 #10 Posted February 23, 2013 definitely the deeper sound of the kohler Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kelly 1,029 #11 Posted February 23, 2013 I have a KT19 in my C-195 and it sounds like a Harley deep tone and I love it, idling it is sweet music, now I also have a few 520's and I love them also, they are not as deep but a sweet smoooooth tone, so I can't decide?????? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Challenger 27 #12 Posted February 23, 2013 Prior to this back to back demo I would have said the Onan. I've had various 520h machines and, in person, loved the sound. HOWEVER, your demo has me liking the Kohler sound better. Maybe it is the microphone and some sonic change via video but that Kohler sounds mighty fine to me. At the moment, both at home and at work, our Wheel Horses are all Kohler twins with the exception of a "new to us" one with a Kawasaki water cooled which sounds good too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dresden Guy 24 #13 Posted February 23, 2013 I vote for the Kohler, but then again, I'm prejudice..... Kohler is to Wheel Horse, like grease is to fried chicken, like maple syrup is to pancakes, like pulled pork is to BBQ sauce........ I'm making myself hungry, but hopefully you get my point. The whole "sound" thing, IMHO, is due largely to the type of baffling in the mufflers and the sound attenuation that results. To get an actual "apples-to-apples" test, remove the mufflers from the 520 and the C-175, and see how a "straight pipe" test might sound. (by the way, my wife says I sometimes suffer from "paralysi of the analysis") I'm just glad they never "muffled" the old 1930s/1940s old John Deeres farm tractors.... there is a true classic sound, and probably how many of us RS folks relate to the Kohler "music". Agree or disagree, or have I inhaled too much Seafoam fumes? 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hydro 131 #14 Posted February 23, 2013 I have to say I like the sound of the Kohler over the Onan and I have often said there is nothing like the sound of an Onan at work but then again neither of these engines were working very hard. Great videos, nice tractors! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fisherman 39 #15 Posted February 23, 2013 Kohler, all at horses comeing out of 1 cylinder, to say an onan sounds better would b like saying a harley would sound better with 4 cylinders. old schoo 4 me all the way! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KC9KAS 4,741 #16 Posted February 23, 2013 I vote for the Kohler, but then again, I'm prejudice..... Kohler is to Wheel Horse, like grease is to fried chicken, like maple syrup is to pancakes, like pulled pork is to BBQ sauce........ I'm making myself hungry, but hopefully you get my point. Couldn't have said it better! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JC 1965 1,530 #17 Posted February 23, 2013 My vote is for the Kohler but would just like to say both tractors sound good and I can see they are very well maintained. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
scWHhauler 96 #18 Posted February 23, 2013 Kohler nice deep sound Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
can whlvr 993 #19 Posted February 23, 2013 both are very nice tractors,but im a true kohler guy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 37,125 #20 Posted February 23, 2013 No Tecumseh? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jimt1971 237 #21 Posted February 23, 2013 Kohler all the way. Techy blew up white getting the camera. lol 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Don1977 604 #22 Posted February 23, 2013 I like the Kohler better. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GlenPettit 1,716 #23 Posted February 23, 2013 Kohler, for sure . . . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CRE1992 135 #24 Posted February 23, 2013 I think both sound great. However I like the sound of the onan better. I had a 418A and a 416H, I would rather listen to the onan all day long. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 41,010 #25 Posted February 23, 2013 I think the red one sounds better! Kohler all the way. Techy blew up white getting the camera. lol :ROTF: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
