Kohler RH Series 6.5 HP 196cc Engines Are JUNK

I've been working on small engines for many years and have worked on a variety of makes and models of equipment and engines.
But after a customer brings in a nearly brand new wood chipper with a Kohler RH Series engine, my first impressions on this new engine were quite poor compared to my expectations of Kohler engines as a whole.
No manufacture is perfect and occasionally there are less than stellar designs. But this? This is planned obsolescence at its finest by using the cheapest materials and cutting corners on proper engine design. So much for being "Made in the USA".

This video is to show the similarities and differences to the Honda GX200 and Honda Clones, and showing how Kohler essentially made yet another "Honda GX200 Clone". The only difference is that the Kohler engineers actually made it WORSE than most of the no name Chinese Honda Clones flooding the market. The fact that the Kohler engine costs a lot more for having a woefully inferior product.

[LoveTheLand]

Thanks for all the great info!
I unfortunately am saddled with the Kohler RH on my Country Pro wood chipper so am currently looking for an aftermarket air filter kit to put on.
Can you recommend one and/or recommend a replacement engine to swap in?

[BigBear--]

Thank you. This is exactly the information I was looking for. I was looking at a Ryobi pressure washer that someone was selling for a good price. I was initially interested because the Kohler RH 196cc engine looked like a Honda Clone. But I couldn't find any info on its actual build quality, ie. Type of cylinder (sleeved or not), crank (eventually found out they're not using a forged crankshaft), was it on proper bearings, etc. This video provided everything I wanted to know. I will 100% now be staying away from these.

[johnduffy]

Man, that breaks my heart to hear that Kohler is going the cheap route. I have a John Deere riding mower with a Kohler engine that is 18 years old and runs as good as the day I bought it! Guess I'll really have to do my homework when it comes time to replace it. Thanks for the video.

[patrickhogan]

I have a 6-month-old RH265 with a broken crank shaft. It is in a Yardmax chipper like the one in the video. Is there a Honda or other brand engine that will bolt in to replace it?

[mkironman]

Thanks for this informative video. I am here in Canada and was looking at buying a Home Hardware Benchmark wood chipper. The Benchmark line for the most part is good quality. Given that the chipper has a Kohler engine I figured, " What could possibly go wrong?" After watching this video, I'll take a pass on the chipper and look at a Champion. I had a Champion generator for years without problem. Guess you get what you pay for.

[notyodaddy]

My Kohl’s RH is on a go kart and has been super reliable.

[TheBeast-tjqo]

I can't figure out the linkage for the governor and carburetor smh..

[jimc]

I have one of these garbage engines on my Dirty Hand Tool chippers and hate it. Can't fire it up this year(have fuel, spark and compression) I did see some slight metal shavings on the plug. It's never started easy and always seemed to take 100's of pulls. Never swapped and engine before but am considering the 6.5hp predator (Honda clone). Any thoughts on it being able to just swap right in? Never gone through a swap before.

[Bennythecoredriver]

Can you replace that Kohler rh 265 muffler with anything other than oem? Would the Honda mufflers work? 196cc

[Dtxizrxoc]

Which is better to choose kohler sh265 6.5 vs vanguard 6.5? Is it worth paying extra for vanguard?

[richarddodds]

I just worked on a new kohler air compressor left out on a fuel trailer and the exhaust valve was open and water fills the muffler the engine was seized and he broke the rope. I saved the engine but the crap muffler and air filter need something better.

[TheReviewPigeon]

I was looking at a cheap simpson pressure washer that had this kohler engine on it....good thing i found this channel lol. gonna go honda instead

[jackpinesavage]

Now you gotz me fired up! Those engines that've been around and have the issues 'ironed out'? They will eventually get a cost reduction effort. They'll go to cheaper valve guides or valve material, as-cast gasket surfaces, remove a ball bearing and use parent metal, go to plastic gears, put a non-functional oil filter on a splash lubed they can charge The unit cost will drop, but they will raise the price of the engine. It's those pesky corporate margin's. Not long term customer 'loyalty'.

The only reason Onan caught those significant shortcomings on new units is they demanded quality audits. MBA's have waived those in many companies because it adds a small cost.

[jackpinesavage]

Yep. Many years ago I worked in the engine group for Onan. Unfortunately, aka Cummins Power Gen. I and another fellow were tasked with bringing in a Chinese generator product. 6500 watt units were under $100. Many units wouldn't function. First thing we did was rule out the use of Chinese electrical switches, spark plugs and bearings. Then there was some political work to ensure Honda wouldn't sue due to the rip-off of their design. I think Honda gave up trying to stop the rip off. And all the ''ethical' US corporations went on a feeding frenzy supporting illegal patent infringement. MBA's don't care, it's all about the short term buck.

One time a batch of units came in with rusty gas tanks from the factory. The factory managed to remove the zinc plating by washing them out with chemicals that stripped zinc. One time, a batch came in with valve covers all loose. Bolt was tight. The found a new supplier who saved something on the order of a penny par bolt but made them all wrong.

Never buy a Cummins branded generator. They've been in that market at least 7 times and always bail on it so you're stuck.

[Bill-spkb]

I'll hazard a guess and say that it's made in China.