Looking for a reliable Z121 starter motor

[JRT750]

I have KUBOTA Z121 WITH KHOLER 7000 SERIES ENGINE its 5 YEARS OLD .

Last year the starter gear jumped up like it should to start the engine . As the engine stated the gear didn't drop back down . I didn't notice it right away but it was running like that for a while as a result the motor must have be spinning pretty darn fast . It wore the top bushing out but it still worked, but not very good. I replaced it with an amazon special. Now about 30 hours later of use, its junk . I machined a new bushing for the Kubota starter however in my opinion it is still junk as it didn't last long at all, I mean how many times do you start a motor in one season if you are just cutting grass. So the big question is I want to buy a reputable motor that going to last , is there a company out there that makes a good quality stater motor or is quality a thing of the past.


This zero turn has been great other than the numerus problems I've had with the engine. I will never again buy anything that has a Kohler in it .
I also have 5 year old 400 hour BX23s, awesome machine other than a worn hyd line scrubbing and leaking at the bottom of the backhoe.

 

[Jim L.]

Two starters would give me pause. The question would be is there an electrical signal or power to the starter after the start key is released. Or, did the starter gear fail to drop down because of something mechanical or grimey. I would run some tests both at the machine and on a bench to really find the cause.

 

[William1]

I have a Kohler 23hp Command in my mower. 25 years. Only had a starter relay get flaky (not contacting, requiring multiple on/off before it cranked).
Yeah,,,, two starters make me wonder if there is something wonky with the ring gear or as Jim suggests, perhaps the relay is not opening after starting?

 

[JRT750]

I have a Kohler 23hp Command in my mower. 25 years. Only had a starter relay get flaky (not contacting, requiring multiple on/off before it cranked).
Yeah,,,, two starters make me wonder if there is something wonky with the ring gear or as Jim suggests, perhaps the relay is not opening after starting?

Thank you guys for the reply's .

I know two starters failing might seem odd but the first one was 5 years old . The second one was domed from the start being of poor quality, the reviews on amazon were hit and miss. The ring gear and all other components are fine. All wiring and connections are tight and not corroded the starter solenoid had been replaced a couple years ago. I even shorted the solenoid terminals to rule out contact issues It still turns over very slow. From what I understand this motor does NOT have a decompression device so that can be ruled out.

So back to my original question I'm looking for a company who makes an after market starter for this motor but made in Canada or America.

Thank you

 

[PoTreeBoy]

I never worked on a Kohler, but on B&S hard cranking can be caused by valves being just a little out of adjustment.

 

[Jsjac]

Why would you not buy a factory Kohler starter. Most of the after market starters bo not last very good.