gas too diesel ?

[PurdueJoe]

I'm planning on switching over my SC 252 from a 27 hp kohler gas engine to a 21.9 hp kohler diesel D902. I've looked at the performance curves and they two engines seem similar in performance. I'd love to put a 25-29 hp diesel on it but the deal on the 21.9hp engine is really good. As far as making it fit, my welder is very good and we have fabricated up some great stuff, may not look the best but is always functional. Anyone have any tips or advice to think about before I drop $1800 a engine? I've called vermeer to see if they have any advice and all I get over the phone is (Huh, I've never heard of anyone trying that before.)

 

[BuddhaKat]

I'm planning on switching over my SC 252 from a 27 hp kohler gas engine to a 21.9 hp kohler diesel D902. I've looked at the performance curves and they two engines seem similar in performance. I'd love to put a 25-29 hp diesel on it but the deal on the 21.9hp engine is really good. As far as making it fit, my welder is very good and we have fabricated up some great stuff, may not look the best but is always functional. Anyone have any tips or advice to think about before I drop $1800 a engine? I've called vermeer to see if they have any advice and all I get over the phone is (Huh, I've never heard of anyone trying that before.)

Why would you spend $1,800 plus and not end up the better for it performance wise? It doesn't make any sense. If the performance is essentially equal you're wasting your money. Besides, diesel is more expensive than gas. You'll never come out ahead.

 

[BlackenedTimber]

If I was gonna spend $1800, I would buy a remanufactured CAT3208 Diesel, and go up from 27HP to 210HP. Your welder would have a real fun time working that one out. I woul guess you would owe him a case or two of cold beer if he could make it work.

 

[PurdueJoe]

Why would you spend $1,800 plus and not end up the better for it performance wise? It doesn't make any sense. If the performance is essentially equal you're wasting your money. Besides, diesel is more expensive than gas. You'll never come out ahead.

I need a new engine anyway and the if I get the same engine that's already on it it will cost me $2200 and not have anymore power. IMO If something is running hard the majority of time when using it having a gas engine over a diesel is the dumbest move ever. The only reason this machine is gas is because it was used and the deal was good. As far as diesel being more expensive then gas I get your point however I buy all my off road fuel in late winter when the price is low. This past year I paid $1.33 per gallon and have enough to last throughout the summer.

 

[gr8scott72]

I need a new engine anyway and the if I get the same engine that's already on it it will cost me $2200 and not have anymore power. IMO If something is running hard the majority of time when using it having a gas engine over a diesel is the dumbest move ever. The only reason this machine is gas is because it was used and the deal was good. As far as diesel being more expensive then gas I get your point however I buy all my off road fuel in late winter when the price is low. This past year I paid $1.33 per gallon and have enough to last throughout the summer.

Brand new Kohler Command 27 hp engines are under $1,800:

OPE Engines

 

[BuddhaKat]

I found the Kohler Command 27 HP motor for $1643.95. Click here.

I can't find the diesel motor you gave so I guess it's no longer in production. They have a 21.7 HP diesel, KD477-2, but nobody's giving out the price on it over the internet. It's an air cooled, 2 cylinder.

 

[motoroilmccall]

The diesel is gonna have more torque due to much higher compression, so its not gonna be a huge loss in power. HP means nothing when grinding stump, all you need is TQ.

While you may drop slightly in performance, you're engine longevity will more than make up for it. Just plan on putting a good muffler on it, check out a Donaldson.

Stick with the Off-Road fuel and you'll always be at least $.40 cheaper than gas.

My only real advice is the Muffler, and make sure you use a good Poly set of motor mounts, the diesels rattle a lot more than a gasser and they'll wear out mounts quick if you do them wrong.

 

[mckeetree]

Why would you spend $1,800 plus and not end up the better for it performance wise? It doesn't make any sense. If the performance is essentially equal you're wasting your money. Besides, diesel is more expensive than gas. You'll never come out ahead.

He might work for the government.

 

[asthesun]

Who the hell doesn't!

I just found out the county next to mine is raising property tax 30%!

you sure you didnt confuse usa with your neighboring country? i ph34r obama, socialism ftw! or ftl!

 

[PurdueJoe]

It's a no go on the kubota. I did a little more research and talked to another couple people and am thinking it would be a real biatch make it happen. Kohler does make diesel now in a couple of horse powers that might work the dealer I talked to said that they can match the shaft to whatever spec. I need and it should be pretty easy to just bolt on and go however, judging by the price he gave me they are very proud of them. I can't believe that these little engines cost so much. I can get a rebuilt engine for my bucket for as much or a little more for what they want for these tiny guys.

 

[stumper63]

Why not go with the 35hp Vanguard? Everything is a direct bolt up except the mounting holes. You will just have to drill some new holes in the block and it will line right up. I haven't done it but Plyscamp has and I saw his machine, looks great. All the belt cover and housings are the same bolt pattern as the Kohler. I believe the 35hp had 52 ft lbs of torque, I know the 25hp kohler has 39, so it would be quite a jump. I am still going to do it to my 252 if the 25 Kohler would ever wear out, 3350 hours and going strong.

Ask Plyscamp if you need any more advice, or go back to the thread it is talked about on, maybe a year ago or so.

Stumper63

 

[tomtrees58]

by a new one tom trees

 

[ozzy42]

Why not go with the 35hp Vanguard? Everything is a direct bolt up except the mounting holes. You will just have to drill some new holes in the block and it will line right up. I haven't done it but Plyscamp has and I saw his machine, looks great. All the belt cover and housings are the same bolt pattern as the Kohler. I believe the 35hp had 52 ft lbs of torque, I know the 25hp kohler has 39, so it would be quite a jump. I am still going to do it to my 252 if the 25 Kohler would ever wear out, 3350 hours and going strong.

Ask Plyscamp if you need any more advice, or go back to the thread it is talked about on, maybe a year ago or so.

Stumper63

I will have to check in to that if/when mine takes a puke.No replacement for displacement.





A friend of my uncle had an old vermeer tow behind,can't recall the model,but it used hyd.and a lot of cables and pulley also,with the back wheels on the very outside and back of the machine.And had a huge cutting wheel.

He replaced the big wisconsin eng. with a 302 v8 ford,direct drive, off the front pullies.Start it in gear and start grinding.
He mounted a radiator that always leaked,he just kept a garden hose with him,and would let it trickle while he was grinding.
It would usually spin the mains out every 2 months or so,then it would take him 3hrs to change one out after the initial fabrication.

It was kind of jury rigged,but was one bad Mo Fo

 

[PurdueJoe]

I called the vermeer dealer today asking about a spec number for the engine so I could give that to the kohler engine dealer to nail down a price (sticker with specs. on the engine was missing) and told the parts guy what I was planning and he said that I was like the 5th guy this year to have the idea of switching over to the kohler diesel so I guess that doesn't make me to crazy. He said one thing I would have to change over since the diesel has lower RPM I would have to change the pulley that runs the hydro motor because all the hydro functions it will run slower if I don't. He told me something else but I was up in a tree and only remembered 50% of what was said.

 

[tomtrees58]

like i posted get a new to you chipper wen you start putting parts on it wont stop used ones are down now tom trees

 

[mowoodchopper]

I need a new engine anyway and the if I get the same engine that's already on it it will cost me $2200 and not have anymore power. IMO If something is running hard the majority of time when using it having a gas engine over a diesel is the dumbest move ever. The only reason this machine is gas is because it was used and the deal was good. As far as diesel being more expensive then gas I get your point however I buy all my off road fuel in late winter when the price is low. This past year I paid $1.33 per gallon and have enough to last throughout the summer.

I would say if it is setup correctly you may be surprised as far as power!
For instance JD had some 4020 tractors that came with a gas or diesel engine both were rated at about the same hp, we switched from a diesel to a gas because of a blown engine and we found the Gasser cheap, let me tell you no comparison the gasser is a real turd compared to the diesel motor, it lugs and pulls were the gasser falls on its face!

 

[TreeClimber57]

Who the hell doesn't!

I just found out the county next to mine is raising property tax 30%!

Wow that is a kick in the tail end.. why would anybody do it in an economy that is struggling to recover.. or maybe a dumb question to ask.:monkey:

 

[smokin_dodge]

a guy i work for has a 13hp diesel kubota, little 3cylinder naturally aspirated.
im pretty sure its a B5200

i can idle it around all day and barely burn a gallon it seems, but at the same time, tow around a 2500lb trailer full of limbs and logs and its like it wasnt even attached.

personally i believe that diesel is far superior than gasoline, from the fact that is has more potential energy than gasoline, to the fact that the engines have no electrical parts to fail (if you get a mechanical engine) and that the average diesel engine has 2-3 times the lifespan of a gasoline engine.

now yes, diesel is getting expensive but ill put it into terms everyone can relate to these days - in texas diesel is actually $0.10 cents cheaper than diesel - but i drive a 2004 ram 2500 with a cummins, with minor modifications (intake and exhaust, smarty) i get roughly 23mpg @65 mph, now thats a 8000lb truck with maybe 450 HP.

now your average suburban mom has a 5.7L v8, and sits at roughly 4000lbs and is getting most likely 13-17 mpg (17 at the optimum).

now with .2L more in my engine and twice the weight, the fact that im getting better mileage with all the added weight should be a hinderance but its not. makes you wonder why all the cars on the road arnt diesel, go 500 miles on 10 gallons.

so thats my little soapbox, diesel is far superior, and while they did catch a lot of flack in the past with our modern engineering capabilities we are capable of designing and making extremely powerful and efficient engines in compact form, thus diesel superiority.

did you know, that the most efficient engine is a 2-stroke diesel engine used in freight liners that makes in the neighborhood of 40% efficiency?

 

[PurdueJoe]

smokin,

couldn't agree more my g/f's mom's VW diesel gets 45-50 miles per gallon I would love to have a little truck size of a ranger or s10 in diesel for estimates. My plan eventually is run have nothing but diesel in my fleet except the saws.

 

[smokin_dodge]

i present to you, the Toyota Hilux - by far the best vehicle on the planet.

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