I’ve put one of the Pro 17 in a LX it went fine. Not plug and play though. What part of country are you in?
Remember the Intek is what goes in the box store models.
Remember the Intek is what goes in the box store models.
Repower my LT155 -- Blown CV15S
Long time lurker here who appreciates the depth of knowledge in this community and hopes for a little bit of wisdom. I have a blown Kohler Command CV15S in my LT155 that I need to replace.
Last year, I purchased a JD LT155 that appeared to be in pretty good shape. Part of my purchase was based on the high opinion this forum holds of the LT155 and its 42” Freedom deck. I used it weekly through the summer to mow my one acre of lawn and it did a great job. In the fall, it turned my fallen leaves to dust and easily mulched them into the lawn. Along the way I replaced a fuel pump, fuel filter, and installed a fuel shutoff valve. Come winter, I cleaned it up, drained the old fuel, poured in new stabilized fuel, ran it one more time, then put her away. Three weeks ago, I removed the battery and trickle charged it for a week, then installed the battery and started her up. After a few cranks she started without issue and ran solidly as I cut a large majority of my lawn. When I drove around to the front, I briefly idled the engine, then it clunked and died. I cranked and cranked and couldn’t get her restarted. When I’d let it rest for a few minutes, she’d start, run for a few seconds, then die. I put the transmission into neutral and pushed the lawnmower onto my driveway. I thought the fuel filter was clogged, so I replaced it and restarted her. She started, ran rough, then shot shards of steel out the side of the block and onto my driveway. I’m afraid a new head gasket won’t fix her.
![2450976]()
![2450977]()
Now, I’d like to repower her. She is old, but she still looks good and that Freedom deck does a great job. I’ve read countless posts on this forum about various LT155 rebuilds and Kohler Command CV15S repowers. I know the CV15S is no longer built and repower solutions are somewhat limited. I’m debating whether to go with a used CV15S – where I don’t know the history and future life span – or a repower solution. I’ve read that the CV15S is pretty bullet proof and will generally run well for a long time, but I also know that many of these are easily approaching 20 years and probably 500+ hours. If I could find a solid rebuilt/remanufactured CV15S, I’d go that route quick, but haven’t been able to find that. What would you do?
I am replacing a Kohler Command CV15S, Spec No 41562.
After reading here, I know primary considerations are bolt pattern, vertical shaft, muffler, and electrical.
I’ve checked SmallEngineWharehouse.com and see that they have a number of repower solutions that range from a 17.5hp Briggs & Stratton Intek for $650 to a 18hp Briggs & Stratton Vanguard for $999: (can't post link?). However, I'm not sure which of their repower solutions is most equivalent to the old Kohler Command CV15S, from a built quality/durability perspective. They are all more powerful than the original engine, so I’m less concerned with power than ease of operation and reliability.
RepowerSpecialists.com has another option, a 19hp Briggs & Stratton Intek for $695 (+$95 for shipping), but I think the Intek is of lower grade than the Kohler Command.
Ebay has a few used CV15S options, but (1) they are close to the price of a new engine($400-$535) and (2) I don’t know their histories.
Craigslist has something that might work also, but I’d need to do more research ($275 for a used Kohler Command Pro 17, CV490S, Spec 27508). It appears to share the same owners manual as the CV15S, so might be an ideal solution.
Last, I could find another used tractor, but I’m afraid that another tractor would have me sleeping in the barn.
What would you do if trying to go resto-mod route? Like I said, I’m not looking for serious power, but would like a nice clean solution that is close to the original.
Thank you for your help and advice.
Last year, I purchased a JD LT155 that appeared to be in pretty good shape. Part of my purchase was based on the high opinion this forum holds of the LT155 and its 42” Freedom deck. I used it weekly through the summer to mow my one acre of lawn and it did a great job. In the fall, it turned my fallen leaves to dust and easily mulched them into the lawn. Along the way I replaced a fuel pump, fuel filter, and installed a fuel shutoff valve. Come winter, I cleaned it up, drained the old fuel, poured in new stabilized fuel, ran it one more time, then put her away. Three weeks ago, I removed the battery and trickle charged it for a week, then installed the battery and started her up. After a few cranks she started without issue and ran solidly as I cut a large majority of my lawn. When I drove around to the front, I briefly idled the engine, then it clunked and died. I cranked and cranked and couldn’t get her restarted. When I’d let it rest for a few minutes, she’d start, run for a few seconds, then die. I put the transmission into neutral and pushed the lawnmower onto my driveway. I thought the fuel filter was clogged, so I replaced it and restarted her. She started, ran rough, then shot shards of steel out the side of the block and onto my driveway. I’m afraid a new head gasket won’t fix her.
Now, I’d like to repower her. She is old, but she still looks good and that Freedom deck does a great job. I’ve read countless posts on this forum about various LT155 rebuilds and Kohler Command CV15S repowers. I know the CV15S is no longer built and repower solutions are somewhat limited. I’m debating whether to go with a used CV15S – where I don’t know the history and future life span – or a repower solution. I’ve read that the CV15S is pretty bullet proof and will generally run well for a long time, but I also know that many of these are easily approaching 20 years and probably 500+ hours. If I could find a solid rebuilt/remanufactured CV15S, I’d go that route quick, but haven’t been able to find that. What would you do?
I am replacing a Kohler Command CV15S, Spec No 41562.
After reading here, I know primary considerations are bolt pattern, vertical shaft, muffler, and electrical.
I’ve checked SmallEngineWharehouse.com and see that they have a number of repower solutions that range from a 17.5hp Briggs & Stratton Intek for $650 to a 18hp Briggs & Stratton Vanguard for $999: (can't post link?). However, I'm not sure which of their repower solutions is most equivalent to the old Kohler Command CV15S, from a built quality/durability perspective. They are all more powerful than the original engine, so I’m less concerned with power than ease of operation and reliability.
RepowerSpecialists.com has another option, a 19hp Briggs & Stratton Intek for $695 (+$95 for shipping), but I think the Intek is of lower grade than the Kohler Command.
Ebay has a few used CV15S options, but (1) they are close to the price of a new engine($400-$535) and (2) I don’t know their histories.
Craigslist has something that might work also, but I’d need to do more research ($275 for a used Kohler Command Pro 17, CV490S, Spec 27508). It appears to share the same owners manual as the CV15S, so might be an ideal solution.
Last, I could find another used tractor, but I’m afraid that another tractor would have me sleeping in the barn.
What would you do if trying to go resto-mod route? Like I said, I’m not looking for serious power, but would like a nice clean solution that is close to the original.
Thank you for your help and advice.
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It's not really squeezing though because the LT166 came with a vanguard v-twin and the LT190 came with a Kawasaki v-twin
the only thing that wouldn't be plug and play would be the wiring but that's just a couple wires. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Good point, albeit might be budget-wise.It's not really squeezing though because the LT166 came with a vanguard v-twin and the LT190 came with a Kawasaki v-twin
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DenverGuy, Trent -- I'd mess my pants if I could find a good deal on a vanguard v-twin or Kawasaki v-twin. But, probably not in my budget this time around.
I just sold a Vanguard 16 from an LT166 with muffler for $200. I don't think you're nearby thoughDenverGuy, Trent -- I'd mess my pants if I could find a good deal on a vanguard v-twin or Kawasaki v-twin. But, probably not in my budget this time around.
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1 - 20 of 51 Posts
