Kohler Command 20
 

I know guys have had experience with these. How are they? Durability? Fuel economy versus the older Kohlers? Parts - reasonably priced or typical Kohler expensive?

After some quick searching on here I saw a post about converting a 20hp Command Kohler to 22hp. Does anybody actually know what needs to be changed? I find it hard to beleive it's just a carb swap.

I'm still searching for a transplant engine for my 782, really looking for at least a 20hp replacement or better yet a 22 or 23. I see these 20hp commands pop up on craigslist and ebay.

Sam is the resident expert on that topic.....but I can tell you the carb swap is the difference. I put one in my green 318...

The commands are great engines, better on gas and have some great power. I've got a 12.5 on an off topic tractor, best running engine I've seen:beerchug: other than the diesel of course:biggrin2: As far as the difference in hp I'm sure it's just the carb swap, Kinda like the difference between a yamaha WR and and yz 250f, a WR put out about 30hp stock, with a muffler and carb work it gets 35.

BanditCub
I know guys have had experience with these. How are they? Durability? Fuel economy versus the older Kohlers? Parts - reasonably priced or typical Kohler expensive?

After some quick searching on here I saw a post about converting a 20hp Command Kohler to 22hp. Does anybody actually know what needs to be changed? I find it hard to beleive it's just a carb swap.

Leadslingingdaddy
Sam is the resident expert on that topic.....but I can tell you the carb swap is the difference. I put one in my green 318...

I don’t know if I’m an expert on this or not but I have done a few re-powers
I like the Commands but I also like the Vanguards
Durability, I can’t say for sure but I’d say as good or better than any of the air cooled engines on the market today.
Fuel economy is better than the older KT17’s or Mag 18-20’s
Kohler is proud of their parts when it comes to prices
As far as I know you can turn a CH18 into a 22 with a carb swap.
That said a swap will involve a muffler, drive shaft, wiring and some duct work. Holler if you need help.:beerchug:

Hey Sam, do you happen to know the part number for the carbs that you need to upgrade to make it a 22? There are some on evil bay right now for @125.00 that seem like a good deal but I am not sure of the part number. Don't have a motor yet but when and if I ever find a good one for a "fair" price, I want to be able to add the right carb to it for my Super.

Here is the link to the carb: http://www.ebay.com/itm/251212992118...=p5197.c0.m619

Part number: Kohler command 20hp 22hp 25hp 24 853 33 24 053 33

Joe

I don't know the numbers off the top of my head. You'll have to go to Kohler and see what that carb fits. It looks like the one I bought.

After rebuilding many commands in Boxers, Dingos, Toros, Exmarks, Termites, the list goes on, there's no real difference in the internal parts. They get the bigger hp from the carbs.

You don't want to use engines from welders in tractor projects as they have tapered shafts and, learned the hard way, that Miller and Linclon use different tapers on the shafts, IE: spec number if its still there.

The landscapers have known for years on the Vanguard how to get more HP out of their 22 engines. Remove the throttle stop on the carb. Remember a Vanguard is NOT a Briggs engine, they just bought the name. There is no way Briggs could ever build something so good, IMHO.

I have a 25 hp command on the floor out of a commercial concrete saw that I'm putting the heads and carb on an 18 and back in Danny's 482. Sam will tell you from his racing days all your power is in the top end. This being said the Command on a torque curve doesn't build good hp running at low to mid rpms. The vanguard will.

Well Im off to crawl back under my rock now have fun and good luck.

Thanks everyone.

I spent about an hour yesterday looking at the 23hp and 20hp parts diagrams. The only difference I found was indeed the carb and possibly the intake manifold (does look different with a different part number, not to say it hasn't been superseded though), which makes sense.

There appears to be a good deal on a 20hp command on craigslist right now, just have to decide now if I'm going to go Kohler again or not - I was dead sold on a Vanguard up until this ad.

From what I could find the 22 is no longer made but the 23 is. The CH23 uses a 24 853 58 carb and the 20 uses various versions, none of which are the ebay one - from what I found. Not sure

The CH18, CH20, CH22 have the same bore and stroke, the CH23 has a larger bore.