1050 SLTX running rich, lagging

[1050SLTX]

"The newer things they sell are built by the lowest bidder, because the customer wants the best price. So people tend to get a throw a way product."

Meh. I'm less sanguine about the great old mowers. I've used Gravely and Simplicity from long ago. Back then, 8 to 10 HP was a big engine. They were underpowered by today's standards, and they worked really hard to do the same job as a result. The deck parts still broke with regularity. Yes, there was a lot more metal on the frame. This added some durability (and weight!) to a part, but did it really add to the longevity? How much stress does the plastic cowling have to take on a tractor? The metal cowling on my old Simplicity fatigued and cracked. The plastic cowling on my present Cub looks new after 6 hard years.

I don't consider a $2500 Cub a throwaway machine. Regarding the Kohler Courage: it seems like the single-cylinder models (imported from China) fail at a higher rate than the domestically produced V-twins. All engine manufacturers make mistakes. The REAL mistake Kohler made was not standing behind the product when parts failed prematurely and at a higher than expected frequency. They could have at least offered free or reduced cost replacement parts where that would have been an option. Instead, it appears that they simply agreed to smile and screw their customers.

[ol'George]

I wish you the best of luck with your repair and hope it is something simple and inexpensive.
Do let us know the results as it helps others with similar problems.
If you continue to take good care of it, you should expect 10 years service with minimal repairs.
At least that is what the approximate design factor is.
But like human life expectancy, there ain't no guarantees.
Sure wish there was, as most of my parts are worn out and hurt! Ha,LOL!

[Leadslingingdaddy]

Good luck with it...You seem to be happy so that is all that matters.

[1050SLTX]

Well, I'd not say happy so much as battle hardened. My last Cub died six years ago at age 5 (with about 500 hrs) when a 5-cent nut came loose and was sucked down the throat of the carburetor and then blew a hole in the piston of the B&S engine. Maybe it's karma. I was a jerk in high school.

[1050SLTX]

A clue! A clue! I was trying to eek out one more mowing of the Ponderosa and decided to check, clean and dry the recently-replaced (4 hrs) spark plugs. The starboard side plug looks new. The port side plug is black and wet. So, whatever is going on seems to be happening primarily on the port side cylinder. My Cub mechanic has the unit now, and suspects something loose or bent in the valve train (non-lethal). I could fix this, but time is lacking and he'll fix it a lot faster than I will. He doesn't need the deck, so I'm taking advantage of the down time to clean, repaint, and generally fuss with the deck. More news later.

[Justin Witt]

I just wonder if maybe your having a problem electrically more than mechanically. Check all wires and such to make sure they are not exposed. You can also run a volt meter on the "bad" cylinder to see what the voltage is. And hook up an in line spark checker. I think it has to do with spark. Not the carb.

[J-Mech]

Originally Posted by Justin Witt

You can also run a volt meter on the "bad" cylinder to see what the voltage is.

No, you cannot. You cannot check the output of a Mag with a volt meter. Not unless your meter can read 30,000 + volts anyway.

[1050SLTX]

Finally, it's fixed. There were two issues: some crud in the carburetor, and a bad coil on the port-side cylinder. So, everybody's guesses were to some degree correct. The transmission drive belt was also about ready to pop, so that was replaced as well. I should be good for another 500 hrs or so.

[1050SLTX]

Running like a champ now. I'm curious: some people seem surprised that this unit has nearly 500 hrs on it now, and is still running like new. What's the range in useful life on machines in the 1050 series from around 2009? The 1-cylinder Kohler Courage engines seems to have some issues, but this v-twin has held up very well. It has compression near new, and doesn't use oil at all between seasonal changes. It's mowing nearly 3 acres once a week for 6 years now (hence, the 500 hrs).

How much of the trash talk about these mowers is informed based upon experience in servicing machines, and how much is internet blather?

[Sam Mac]

I'm happy that you are happy. It sounds like you do a decent job of maintaining your mower. Honestly I have never worked on one of these so I'm not in a position to offer an educated review. This is what came up when I did a google for reviews on your model.

https://www.google.com/#q=2009+cub+c...x+1050+reviews

Some good and some bad. For what ever it's worth.