Swapping Briggs for Kohler on R.E.R.?

[IK84]

Hi, I just found this site and needed some information on the swapping of a Kohler CV15S into a R.E.R. I realize that the KVE models of the Snappers came with Kohlers but the mower we have was a Series 14 281014BE. It’s my grandfather’s old mower and on our mower we have had a Kohler on our Sears Lawn and Garden tractor and it’s been really good to us. The original Briggs finally bit the dust and is no good to us. The replacement for the Briggs is $435 while the Kohler is only a bit more at $500 from Small Engine Warehouse. I read the service manuals and it mentioned

1. Weldment Main Case
2. Guide Belt
3. Gear, 63 Tooth 10 pitch

So in a nutshell what I'm asking is, "Can we just stick the Kohler onto the frame or are there problems we would run into that would prevent us from accomplishing that."

Thanks in advance :thThumbsU

[IK84]

Well I hate to come off as the impatient newb but I guess no one knows the answer... just about all the topics in here were replied to with something within an hour or 2. But again I'll keep my hopes up.

[LilysDad]

Don't be in a rush. Some of these guys work and it's Tues. Myself, I'm not familiar with a R.E.R. First what about the physical dimensions?

[mark777]

I don't know if this helps, but I have had a Kohler 8 HP, then a Briggs 12.5 HP and now a Tecumseh Industrial 10 HP engine on the same Snapper. As they are simplistic in their design...the only thing critical is the crankshaft size (an of course, vertical drive). In other words; if the driver pulley fits the crank....you could probably use a Honda, B&S, Kohler, Tecumseh, etc.. My particular model has several factory punched holes for different engine configurations.

Mark

[IK84]

Lily'sDad : Hi, yeah I hated to reply to my own topic, I know how it can come off and look ;)

mark777 : Thats very interesting. Ive probably made this more complicated than it should be but engine changes are something I'm new to and I just didnt want to be caught with my pants down and having to return an engine that didnt fit hehe.

[Walt 2002]

Well of course, you already know the crankshaft dia. and length are the same. There should be mounting holes that will match. We don't know how old your RER is (at least I don't know) so IF your RER is old enough that it has flare outs, like mini fenders, at the top of the axle support side plates, the left hand one will interfere and will have to be trimmed off level with the frame which is how the newer ones are made. Then there is the question of the charging system. 15CVS signifies that the Kohler has an electric starter. It may or may not have a regulator in the charging system. This should not present a problem, just a little attention before connecting up.

The exhaust may present a problem. The Kohler comes out from the bottom and an adaptor of the proper angle is needed to point it in the right direction and then Kohler mufflers are not cheap. Perhaps yours came with one.

Snapper RER with 14 and up Kohlers generally have a re-inforcing plate to keep the heavier engine from breaking out the mounting holes in the Snapper frame. Perhaps this is what is being referred to in your item #1.

Walt Conner

[IK84]

Walt 2002: Hi, thanks for the insight.

Well sorry about that. I believe this Lawnmower is from 1994. That same year Snapper also had a KVE model that was run by a 14 hp CV14ST Kohler engine. The muffler perhaps might be an issue. The mower was already electric/recoil start so that should not be an issue.