Was [AT] Skid steer; NOW -My skid steer

[Greg Hass]

Appreciate all comments on my skid steer engine dilemma and will expand 
slightly on my first post.

	I have used the small engine site to gather most of my information so far 
as well as talking to a local dealer who knew very little except for what 
he got from calling his distributor.  Also, after a reply today I did go to 
that site and look into the new series of Kohler engines.  I found that 
site very informative, however (and this is a prejudice on my part) "once 
burned, twice shy", although I have had a 10 HP engine in my Cub Cadet 109 
for 32 years and have had no problems.  Again, my main concern is the speed 
of the engine and would I have adequate power of I throttled it back 
slightly.
	Another thing I find curious is that the replacement Honda engine holds 
approx. 1-1/2 qts. of oil, whereas the Kohler engine and my present engine 
hold approx. 4 qts.  Another question is: I frequently dig trenches 5-ft. 
deep for water lines and to replace hydrants on the farm, so I am sometimes 
at quite an incline coming in and out of a trench.  I question whether 
these new engines with their low oil shutoff would work properly.
	To elaborate a little on the present engine, it has a starter which 
engages with a spiral shaft.  Because of this, every time a cyclinder 
fires, the starter bendix kicks out and I must wait for the starter to stop 
and try again.  If I had a solenoid engaged starter such as the newer ones, 
I could probably run the starter for 10 seconds and it would 
start.  Another problem (and I consider this a design flaw) is that the 
ignition system is designed so that both plugs fire at once.  (One on 
compression and one on the end of the exhaust stroke. The same as lawn 
mowers.)  Because of this, if the engine is damp or one cylinder floods you 
stand zero chance of it starting.  In fact, I have been running it when it 
starts to rain, and it will stop right out in the open because on eplug 
gets wet and completely shorts the ignition.  Since I no longer have 
livestock I probably run it only 50-75 hours a year.  I have considered 
just tuning up the old engine again and running it until it 
quits.  However, many times I will try and do without it rather than jump 
on, knowing there's only a 50% chance that it will start.
	Thanks for all the comments and will gladly consider any new ones.

Greg Hass