tomtractor 71 #1 Posted June 4, 2013 How reliable is the Kohler k532 motor? Is there any known flaws of things to watch out for? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rock farmer 41 #2 Posted June 4, 2013 I can only tell you that I have one. I'm still working out the bugs with it. I have not found much on the Web about these motors. But, I think it will be better than the onan counterpart. Are you thinking of buying one? Joe Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tomtractor 71 #3 Posted June 4, 2013 I am considering a Bolens HT20 with that motor. I presently have a K series 12 hp and love it. Although I need more power with my next tractor. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarkPalmer 81 #4 Posted June 4, 2013 My experiences with K532's was mainly service on the green machines, esp the 400 model , but there aren't any horror stories to tell on these engines, in fact they are very strong and reliable and can last next to forever if maintained half way right. Adequate power isn't usually an issue with this engine, although they do like to drink gas. They aren't as commonplace as other small engines found on tractors because they were only used on very high end garden tractors and commercial/industrial equipment. Rebuild parts are available, but don't expect to find them as easily as on the K series single cylinders. I think a lot of people who scrapped these engines out for lesser cost re-power 15-20 years ago are kicking themsleves for doing so now. These engines aren't quite as smooth as the Onans, but can eat them up with torque and can be rebuilt multiple times like the K singles. -Mark- 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SousaKerry 502 #5 Posted June 4, 2013 IIRC we had one of these on a high boy sprayer (it may have been a slightly different model) only problem I remember having with it was the crazy magneto that that one had on it I believe it was a WICO and it would get water inside it and short out. But that said the machine sat outside in the weather all the time. My Dad wound up parking the machine in a field to rot. Somehow pushing it around with a loader tractor he broke the intake manifold and carb off. I believe the carb was a Zenith.... Couple of years later he scrapped it, Damn!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tomtractor 71 #6 Posted June 5, 2013 Awesome. It seems like a cousin to the K series and just as reliable. I am happy to hear that. The Bolens is a HT 20 with 54 inch mower deck. He is asking $1800 for the tractor. He believes the tractor has about 300 hours on it. (or maybe that's just what the hour meter stopped at? He said the tractor runs great and does everything it needs to. Do you think it is a fair price? Tom Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarkPalmer 81 #7 Posted June 5, 2013 Awesome. It seems like a cousin to the K series and just as reliable. I am happy to hear that. The Bolens is a HT 20 with 54 inch mower deck. He is asking $1800 for the tractor. He believes the tractor has about 300 hours on it. (or maybe that's just what the hour meter stopped at? He said the tractor runs great and does everything it needs to. Do you think it is a fair price? Tom It can be worth that much. With many of those old hour meters, they often stop long before the tractor does so you can't trust them. But if the claim of 300 hours is remotely real and the tractor was always stored indoors and maintained right, it should still be almost new. My thinking is $1800.00 isn't even going to get you much in one of those jumbo disposable lawn tractors at the box store, none the less something like an HT20 so if it's as nice as it sounds I would seriously consider it. -Mark- Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rock farmer 41 #8 Posted June 24, 2013 I'm still working on mine. When I got it it only smoked on start up. Now it smokes all the time! Could the fuel pump leak directly into the crankcase? Joe Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
