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Sovereign


Floydster

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Hi guys,

I have a chance to pick up a 1997 Simplicity Sovereign with a bad engine.

The owner said the 18OHV engine could not be re-built cause kohler doesn't make the parts for this engine any more.

The seller didn't elaborate on what happened the the engine, he did say the tractor was in excellent condition along with the attachments.

Any input sure appreciated.

Thanks, Floyd

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BLT, he did say it was an OHC so it must be the Triad engine.

He also said he was going to install a repower, however any coversion was also not available.

If this is true, it's really a shame one can't re-build/re-power this unit.

Thoughts? Thanks so much, Floyd

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You could part it out and re-coup. It has a hyd lift, more then likely a solid hydro, can't tell if it has a rear lift or power steering. Snow blower could fetch about 300 and if mower deck is solid and quiet you could fetch a couple hundred for it.

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Thanks guys, will have to decide what I am going to do, repower would cost at least $1500 with the Command unless I could find a used engine.

At my age, don't really want to deal with parting out a tractor, did that in the past when I was younger, kind of a pain in the butt:)

All my tractors are running good as of now, so I could use another project.

If I run this past my wife, I my have to sleep out in the shop:)

Thanks again, Floyd

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That is one sweet machine, and a well kept one is worth it's weight in gold. I'd watch for any suitable repower, be it a Honda, Vanguard, or Kohler twin. They can be found reasonably, and there are plenty of tutorials here by members describing their journey through the Sovereign repower process. Heck, even a single cylinder Briggs 16 would be a bang up engine for that tractor. There is the option of a one of the economy engines form a place like Harbor Freight as well. A thread elsewhere here now is describing that very project.

My opinion...be patient, and watchful. Find a nice engine and take your time installing, or having it installed. You will have one of the finest garden tractors every built when you're done ;)

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quote:Originally posted by RayS

It is quiet in my shop, so it is more peaceful:D. Plus it wouldn`t bother me to sleep out there.


id="quote">
id="quote">My wife keeps her mouth shut, she doesn't have a shop or dog house to sleep in. Personally I really don't know why God gave them a mouth, once you're married it's not of much use.
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Would be most economical to throw a used single cylinder Briggs or Kohler into it and go.

Wouldn't even entertain the idea of parting out a nice late model Soveriegn..

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Thanks Mike, the engine itself was the cheap part. The new muffler, blower cover, chopper screen, rocker cover w/o fuel pump, etc. is what ran up the expense.

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Using a Command on a 1990s Sovereign is probably the way to go, if you can afford it, a 18-20hp magnum would be my first choice as I think they were a better twin than the Command or the Vanguard

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A place to find cheap commands is in Cub cadet shaft drive riders. Generally 2-3 a summer show up in this area on craigs for under $300 all beat up with good running engines in them.

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quote:Originally posted by OkieGT

Using a Command on a 1990s Sovereign is probably the way to go, if you can afford it, a 18-20hp magnum would be my first choice as I think they were a better twin than the Command or the Vanguard


id="quote">
id="quote">Why is the Magnum better? Didn't they have a design flaw in the location of the oil pump that resulted in oil starvation on hills?
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Originally posted by Chris727
quote:
id="quote">Nope the design flaw was in BOTH the KT series 1 and series 2, They said they fixed the problem by adding an internal pressurized oil pump and it did help some, but the flaw was the oil journal lubricating the connecting rod was too small, they never increased it and hence why series 2 engines failed as well, just not as often or a fast, the higher you kept them revved the longer they lasted, people were used to lugging the old k series, couldn't do that on the KT or any of these new engines. BTW the Kohler magnum 16,18-20 hp engines maybe the best twin EVER made, I had one that was used commercially with 4200 hours and it purred like a kitten, First thing to do on any mower with a oil filter is to take it off block the hole, many engine failures come from a leak at the filter, besides if you change the oil as it is instructed the filter is a complete waste of money, just like zert fittings in these newer tractors that have sealed bearings, kind of like giving viagra to a dead man. I would add an oil cooler over a filter anyday, besides none of the old engines had oil filters and they ran for over 20-40 years
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Interesting perspective on the oil filters. I work in a service department where most of the equipment I see is under fifteen years old. The abuse that the consumer equipment goes through today is unreal. Many people lack the care or mechanical ability to even check oil and yet its relatively rare to see an engine failure, or even oil consumption, at least at our shop. I had attributed it to better filtration, both oil and air, and better overall lubrication systems. The engines today usually outlast the rest of the machine, at least the Briggs and Kawasaki do. Haven't seen enough newer Kohlers to know.

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Later Series II and Magnum engines with the oil filter.

My opinion:

The oil filter is the life saver of those engines.

1.) the oil filter acts like a radiator ( I put the longer bigger filter on to get more oil in the system and more heat sink).

2.) more oil in the system

3.) trapping the dirt in one place, and removed when ever the filter is changed.

I do agree that the M18/M20 is the best engine Kohler has built.

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Was this the one in Elk River? I would have bought that in 3 seconds for that price

Mint condition sovereign , blown triad, with mint deck and blower and chains 300.00

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