Grillo 107d Diesel

TimberXX · Feb 11, 2014

I may be purchasing a second 107d. I will be running the machine close to 700 hours per year for 2 years. Does anyone has experience with the 8 hp lombardini that earthtools has?

Also, I don't see a 8 hp on the kohler website.

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wstr75 · Feb 12, 2014

Kohler bought Lombardini. Here is a catalog link: Kohler Engines: Kohler Diesel Air-Cooled: Series Landing: Engines

The KD440 is the same displacement as my Lombardini LD440. Interestingly, my diesel was rated at 11.0 hp while the KD440 is now rated at 9.1 hp. I know in the lawnmower world there are engines being derated via rpm reduction to hold them to a lower hp to meet blade speed safety requirements. In the garden tractor world engines are being labeled as having a lower hp so as to allegedly scoot under new safety requirements for ROPS (roll over protection). There are also engines being de-rated so as to fit under power thresholds for meeting exhaust standards. My guess it is the pollution hurdle possibly responsible for the lower KD440 power output rating.

farmerboybill · Feb 12, 2014

Joel has kept the old ratings on the web page. The 107d comes with a KD350, which was traditionally rated at 8.5 hp, but is more accurately a 6 hp continuous duty engine. Traditional ratings were PEAK HP, which means you're supposed to run it like 20 minutes per hour to get that rating. It was a liars game, really. This is why torque ratings are better and more accurate. The Honda GX390 was traditionally rated at 13 hp. Now, it's rated at 11.7 hp on Honda's site.

I see on Kohler's site they've re-released the KD440 and listed as new. Like Bill, I have an "old" KD440 on my 850. I bet Joel would spec out your 107d with a KD400, KD420 or KD440, but not before he gives you a lecture on not overworking the clutch, which is not rated for the amount of torque a KD400, 420, or 440 will give it.

TimberXX · Feb 12, 2014

Great info.

I would have never thought the 6 hp on the website is actually an 8.5 hp.

I will be running the following implements: sweeper, front wheelbarrow, irrigation pump, snow blower, and occasionally the generator. Can I get away with the KD350? I don't want to be overpowered or risk having my employees burn out the clutch.

farmerboybill · Feb 12, 2014

Well, no, it never was an 8.5 hp engine. 8.5 hp was peak hp. Continuous duty was always 6 hp. Basically, the engine manufacturers were playing the "more power!" game. A consumer would more likely buy an engine rated at 8.5 hp over and engine rated at 6 hp because it has "more power!", even if it doesn't. They had an incentive to cheat up their numbers. A couple years back, someone sued the manufacturers to get them to stop lying. Briggs to settle lawsuits over horsepower labeling

With the attachments you listed, I think you'd be fine with a KD350, especially with the fact that others are gonna run it. I'd only say to go with a bigger engine if you were buying a flail mower or a chipper.