The Kohler SV601 is a 597 cc, (36.4 cu·in) single-cylinder air-cooled four-stroke internal combustion gasoline engine from the Courage series, manufactured by Kohler Co.
The Kohler SV601 engine has an OHV (overhead valve) design, aluminum head and crankcase with cast iron cylinder liner, vertical PTO-shaft, and pressurized lubrication system. This engine is equipped with a carburetor with a fixed main jet and an electronic ignition system.
The cylinder bore is 94.0 mm (3.7 in) and the piston stroke is 86.0 mm (3.39 in). The compression ratio rating is 8.5:1. The SV601 engine produced 20.3 PS (14.9 KW; 20.0 HP) at 3,600 rpm of horsepower and 46.1 Nm (4.7 kg·m; 34.0 ft·lb) of torque.
The breakdown of the engine code is as follows:
- S – Courage series
- V – Vertical PTO shaft
- 601 – Numerical designation
General information
| Engine Specifications | |
| Model | Courage SV601 |
| Type | 4-stroke, OHV, single-cylinder |
| Displacement | 597 cm 3 (36.4 cu-in) |
| Max. horsepower | 20.3 PS (14.9 KW; 20.0 HP) at 3,600 rpm |
| Max. torque | 46.1 Nm (4.7 kg·m; 34.0 ft·lb) |
| Fuel system | Carburetor with a fixed main jet |
| Cooling system | Forced-air |
| Ignition system | Electronic ignition system |
| Lubricating system | Pressurized lubrication |
| Starting system | Electric starter |
| Fuel used | Unleaded gasoline (octane number 86 or higher) |
| Fuel tank capacity | – |
Cylinder Block and Head
| Cylinder block | ||
| Compression ratio: | 8.5:1 | |
| Bore x Stroke | 94.0 X 86.0 mm (3.70 x 3.39 in) | |
| Sleeve internal diameter | 94.010-94.035 mm (3.7012-3.7022 in) | |
| Number of piston rings (compression / oil): | 2 / 1 | |
| Piston pin outer diameter | 21.995-22.000 mm (0.8659-0.8661 in) | |
| Main journal diameter | Flywheel End |
Before S/N 3703200003: 44.913-44.935 mm (1.7682-1.7691 in) After S/N 3703200013: 44.870-44.895 mm (1.7665-1.7675 in) |
| PTO End |
Before S/N 3703200003: 41.913-41.935 mm (1.6501-1.6510 in) After S/N 3703200013: 41.855-41.880 mm (1.6478-1.6488 in) |
|
| Cylinder Head | ||
| Valve Arrangement: | OHV | |
| Valves: | 2 (2 per cylinder) | |
| Valve head diameter: | INTAKE | 37.375-37.625 mm (1.4715-1.4813 in) |
| EXHAUST | 32.125-32.375 mm (1.2648-1.2746 in) | |
| Stem outer diameter: | INTAKE | 5.982-6.000 mm (0.2355-0.2362 in) |
| EXHAUST | 5.970-5.988 mm (0.235-0.2357 in) | |
Tightening torque specs
| Tightening torque specs | |
| Cylinder head bolt |
Step 1: 20.5 Nm (2.1 kg·m; 15.1 ft·lb) Step 2: 41.0 Nm (4.2 kg·m; 30.3 ft·lb) |
| Flywheel |
M12: 88.0 Nm (9.0 kg·m; 65.0 ft·lb) M10: 66.5 Nm (6.7 kg·m; 48.7 ft·lb) |
| Spark plug | 27 Nm (2.75 kg·m; 20.0 ft·lb) |
Service Information
| Valve clearance | |
| Intake valve clearance | 0.127 mm (0.005 in) |
| Exhaust valve clearance | 0.178 mm (0.007 in) |
| Oil system | |
| Oil type | API SJ or higher |
| Recommended oil | SAE 10W-30 |
| Oil capacity | 1.5 L (1.59 US. qt, 1.32 Imp. qt.) |
| Ignition system | |
| Spark plug | Champion RC12YC |
| Spark plug gap | 0.76 mm (0.030 in) |
Author:
I have have had this mower for 20+ years and am extremely satisfied with it Done normal maintenance on it. use it to mow use a drag blade to keep my rock drive level. pulled several heavy items and it never has given me any problems. Have to do some rewiring now do to mice eating the plastic wrap around the wires. No problem.
My 20 hp Kohler Courage manual states the oil capacity is 1.5 liters or about 50 oz. 39 oz will make the oil level at the full mark. Am I missing something, did it come with the wrong dipstick or is the manual wrong? Does anyone have an answer or idea why this is.
I’m no mechanic, but I don’t see an answer yet so I’m going to throw this out there. The way the oil filter mounts the oil filter retains oil, so 39oz may indeed fill the engine but what about oil that is retained by the oil filter. 39oz with the oil filter empty will result in a low oil level situation once the engine is ran and the oil filter fills with oil. Always fill a new oil filter before installing the new oil filter, then fill the engine to the correct level on the dipstick. Start the engine and allow oil to circulate. Turn the engine back from and allow the oil to settle, then check the oil level on the dipstick and top off as needed to bring the oil level to the proper level on the dipstick.
Whole mowing my koler 20 hp lost power and will not take a load. Compression is 45 lbs I changed the fuel filter and cleaned out the carb bowl cleared out the jet with air, anybody had this problem?
That’s likely a valve issue