This morning I rewarded the tractor with a new battery. These old cast iron Kohlers need a LOT of cranking power to get 'em started, because the starter has to get the engine turning fast enough to deactivate the automatic compression release. I picked up an Exide 420 cranking amps unit from Tractor Supply for only about $45.00. That thing really gets that Kohler spinning. It starts almost instantly.
Vibration with the solid mounts is there, but it's not so bad. It might be kind of tiring if I were sitting on it mowing for an hour or so, but for using it for what it is now intended - using the grader blade a little and pulling a wagon around the yard and garden, I think it's going to work out just fine.
