Breaking in a kohler engine
 

23.5 hp v twin. Model is a ch730. I've checked the owners manual, and service manual. Nothing about break in procedure.

turn it on
run it
do the specified oil changes
done.

I do the first oil change after just a few hours on a new motor...then per schedule or sooner. Oh btw...if the previous owner gives you two "quarts".... read the labels..overfilled a JD recently....dang 48 oz quarts :(

Oh yeah...I am real picky about using Kohler or any manufacters' brand choice of filters...

Agree with KC911 on doing an oil change after a few hours. The oil will have tiny metal particles in it from brand new castings, and ring seating, plus you can't gaurentee what brand/weight/quality the oil from the factory is.

That engine has an external oil filter. I've got the Briggs and Stratton version of similar size. When I did my first oil change- there wasn't one bit of visible metallic debri in the oil. Very unlike the cast iron kolher's I've had with no filters where the oil looks like a 1970's groovy metal flake paint when the initial oil came out.

Third with KC911. That's what I did. Do the change early as your comfort level demands.

edit- having had mine for about 2 years now, the oil always looks fresh. I think the biggest threat for mine, especially if this is a hopped up re-power, is to make sure the engine isn't getting clogged with grass clipping debri (if you are cutting grass). The aluminium cylinders are more susceptible to overheating.

Prefect time to go synthetic as well...
Any of you guys run diesel engine oil?

I would not use synthetic for the first few fills. The rings may need to seat, that will happen better with dyno oil.

I would also follow the automotive break-in procedure, do not run the engine continuously at any one rpm range.

After that, a turbodiesel synthetic is fine.

The single cyl. 16 HP Kohler in my 14 YO JDeere lawn tractor has over 900 hours on it. I changed the oil the first time at 5 hours or so. Since then I change the oil, oil filter, air filter every spring and replace the plug and fuel filter every 3-4 years. I just use 10W-30 dino from Wal-mart. From the day I first used it, the engine is either off, idling or running full tilt. No issues at all with the Kohler.

I do use my leaf blower after every mowing session to blow any debris, clippings from the mower deck and the engine compartment.

Yes, recently started using Rotel T-6 in small engines and motorcycles.

WOT for first 20 - 30 minutes. Use it. Change oil. Don't go synthetic right away.

There's the famous story of the guy that bought a new car and immediately changed the oil to synthetic on the way home. Less than 30 miles on the car.

Rings never did seat, ever, even after he found out the problem and went back to dino.
The damage was done.

how are the materials of modern auto engines factory filled with synthetic (presumably) different?

I'll hold off on the synthetic.
I'll run it on the high idle when I start getting some stuff done this week. Then swap it out for some diesel oil I have laying around.

Anyone have an idea of how many hours you can get off one of these machines? The little 3 cylinder kubota engine option are rated for 10,000+ hours. Hopefully it'll last longer then a 1,000 hours. Actually might justify the 10k price of the kubota.