I am running 10W30 synthetic, and I’ve actually changed the oil twice---once after the recommended 5 hours and again pre-measuring the oil before filling the crankcase, just in case I somehow overfilled it.
At this point, fuel shouldn’t be the issue. My mechanic checked the carburetor bowl but found nothing unusual when he cleaned the carb. I’ve tried running 3 different kinds of fuel so far.
I’ve been in touch by phone and PM with DHT and my issues are being addressed and I believe they will be resolved. They’ve been great and I was hoping this was just a simple issue I could resolve on my own (and with helpful advice from the board) without being a PITA. I don’t want to be that guy who always finds a fly in his soup. This isn’t a DHT per se; it’s a Kohler issue---and probably just one faulty component, whether it’s the coil or carb or…. We had record rainfall here last year and I have to wonder whether this poor thing sitting out in the weather at Lowe’s all summer may be the issue. It certainly didn’t help. But at least at all the big-box stores, they are either sitting out front in the weather or behind the store in the weather, during the off-season. Mine was out back, behind the store with half a dozen other units.
I am Sorry and Surprised to hear of the trouble that you are having starting your Kohler, about the only time that have pulled more than twice on our's was when I either forgot to turn the switch , or Fuel ON Kinda hard to blame Kohler there. I did learn the hard way to shut the fuel OFF when transporting it, but that is easy to do, and doesn't sound like an issue that is exclusive to Kohler or DHT.
It is rare that our DHT with a Kohler doesn't start on the first pull, in my experience, I would put Kohler every bit as Good as Honda, and I wouldn't pay any Extra for a Honda myself, even Honda, believe it or not has an occasional Lemon.
I Hope that they get your trouble figured out, we have had excellent service from our 27 Ton DHT.
My only criticism of DHT, is those damned Hub Mounted, instead of Lug Mounted wheels, but that is the standard in the industry for the 27 Ton class splitters, they all use those from what I have seen, the Lightest splitter that I have found with Lug mounted wheels is the Oregon 35 Ton, and that was DOUBLE the price of our DHT 27 Ton. That may be more of a concern for me though than most, as we do transport our splitter, more than most, often 35-50 miles one way, we piggyback the splitter in the Big trailer, and I can get about 1.5 cords on, and still load the splitter, but if I'm going for a full load in the trailer, the splitter is comig home on it's own wheels behind the Wife's Expedition.
Good Luck, I Hope it is resolved SOON.
Doug