Best engine

[Paul_B 0]

I've just sold a couple of tractors and am looking for a second Sovereign. My current sovereign is a 917 repowered with a 16HP briggs from a 3416H. I'm way behind on the newer twins found in sovereigns. What's good and not? I see alot of of Kohler KT's and Commands. I know this is a big can of worms, but any help would be appreciated! I have thought about rebuilding another 16HP briggs and putting that in a 7100/900 chassis.

[BLT 725]

I have a Command 20 in my Sunstar and overall it is OK. I have a 7100 and DA 917 both with 16 HP Briggs, the 917 being a repower. My self, I am partial to Briggs as they have given me good service, even the IC's, and the biggest engine in a Soverign was a CH 18, I beleive. I don't really know if that extra HP would make a real difference for the average operation.

[MikeES 467]

The Magnum replaced the KT engines. Very good engines, with good torque. The newer sovereigns used a CH18 (Kohler Command V-twin OHV 18 hp). The Command and Command Pro up to 26hp have been generally good engines. Kohler also made a Overhead Cam V-Twin engine designated has TH18 (Triad). This engine has not had a good reputaton. I have heard of some of the last year sovereigns came with this engine???

[Roy 0]

"Overhead Cam V-Twin engine designated has TH18 (Triad). This engine has not had a good reputation. I have heard of some of the last year sovereigns came with this engine???" THC 18 = Triad. Disaster for Kohler. They and Simplicity replaced quite a few with Command 18's under warranty. My new Sovereign came with the OHC engine. It lasted 107 hours. The CH18 Commands are good engines. My experience.

[MPH 12]

Go with Briggs, I just saw a new add on the tube for Kohler, man, that guy was flushing everything, his wifes make-up, bag of dog food, anything he could get his hands on:D:D:D

[andrewk 0]

quote:

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Originally posted by Roy
"Overhead Cam V-Twin engine designated has TH18 (Triad). This engine has not had a good reputation. I have heard of some of the last year sovereigns came with this engine???" THC 18 = Triad. Disaster for Kohler. They and Simplicity replaced quite a few with Command 18's under warranty. My new Sovereign came with the OHC engine. It lasted 107 hours. The CH18 Commands are good engines. My experience.

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Maybe Al will chime in here. We did a few OHC repowers while I was there, and so long as you kept them clean, they were great engines. They were way ahead of their time, IMO. The triad had problems in the sovereign especially because they would suck up grass from the deck, and they would get hot and well, the rest is obvious. I think the policy was that Simplicty/Kohler would warrant nearly any failures with these engines... not sure though, since its been a long time since I dealt with that stuff. Andy

[Roy 0]

Andy, My OHC must have been an early model. Had problems with the fuel pump valve cover leaking, the fuel pump cam lobe disintegrating, worn timing belt pulleys, and keeping the air filter clean. Got so bad it finally starting missing and sputtering. Plus, with the mower deck blowout problem and sucking all the trash in it was hard to keep the engine cooling fins clean. From a user standpoint the THC Triad in a Sovereign was a terrible design combination. I think the later model Triads had hardened timing pulleys and better heat treatment on the cams but it was too late for me. Does Kohler even make the THC Triad now? I reduced the mower blowout by replacing the gull wing blades with straight blades. That and the CH-18 solved all the problems. Tractor has been fine since the engine was replaced with one of Al's kits. My experience,