Looking at engine anatomy: Kawasaki V-twin engines

Have you ever wondered what makes an engine Kawasaki quality? Or what the difference is between a reliable engine, and one that lets you down?

At Kawasaki Engines, we've built a reputation for lawn mower engines that professionals can rely on. With almost 70 years of experience manufacturing engines, we're the experts – and we can help you learn everything you need to know about the anatomy of our V-twin engines.

A closer look at Kawasaki V-twin engines

Your engine is the powerhouse of your equipment. Professionals rely on their machinery for their livelihood, and this is a responsibility we take seriously; through years of development and refining our technology, we have designed engines made to endure.

Our V-twin engines can handle the most demanding tasks in lawn care, powering ride-on mowers through tough professional schedules, and ensuring slope mowers can climb some of the steepest inclines.

Kawasaki Engines delivers lasting power. With our V-twin engines, professionals know they can expect exceptional cutting quality – whether it's the first hour of use, or the 1000th. Reliability sets us apart; this closer look at our engine anatomy will show you how.

Components designed for durability

An engine is only as good as the sum of its parts – which is why every component in a Kawasaki engine is designed with durability in mind.

Long-lasting strength is core to our lawn mower engines. Here are just some of the ways we ensure durability is built into every Kawasaki V-twin:

• High-pressure die cast crankcases and cylinder heads. By high-pressure die casting these parts using automotive-grade aluminium, the crankcases and cylinder heads remain lightweight yet extremely robust.
• Cast iron crankshafts and cylinder liners. Forge-quality cast iron has impressive compressive strength, and is a material that can handle the demands of a commercial engine.
• Industrial-strength seals and gaskets. Seals and gaskets in our V-twin engines are made to withstand the intensity of extended professional use.

Engineered for reliability

Your Kawasaki engine is carefully designed to keep your lawn mower operating at peak performance, year after year. Our reputation for reliability comes from our close attention to detail in design, manufacture, and during testing.

Examples of our engineering which help improve the reliability of our V-twin lawn mower engines:

• Integrated clean out ports. Easy access ports give owners a clear view of the cylinder’s cooling system, allowing for quick inspections and cleaning for efficient engine performance.
• High performance lubrication system. Maintaining optimal oil pressure is essential for a longer engine life. Twin oil feeds provide high-pressure lubrication and cooling to the crankshaft and connecting rod bearing surfaces, preventing friction that erodes and damages the engine.
• Superior air filtration systems. Whether employing a high particle capture air filter, or our vortical air filtration system – as in our FT engines – we take debris management seriously to ensure optimal running temperatures, reliable performance, and a longer engine life.

Power and performance

Kawasaki engines are known for more than just being durable and reliable – the power and performance of our V-twin lawn mower engines are equally respected the world over.

Commercial-level workloads require powerful engines. Whether you're facing challenging turf conditions or an especially packed schedule, you need a machine that won't drop in performance.

These are innovations that improve the power and performance of our engines:

• Electronic fuel injection (EFI). With EFI technology, power per stroke and fuel economy are maximised. Thanks to an advanced electronic control unit (ECU) providing constant feedback and instant throttle response, your engine delivers full available power, the second it’s needed.
• EVO intake efficiency and optimised combustion chamber. An evolution in engine technology that increases power output while improving fuel economy. FX EVO engines feature a pent-roof combustion chamber with a three valve cylinder head, designed to generate a stronger tumble flow for improved combustion, greater fuel economy, and lower emissions. An enhanced air intake design and heavy duty air filtration assist in increasing power generated, while using less of the air-fuel mix. 

Putting our engines to the test

Thorough testing is the cornerstone of a Kawasaki engine. No engine leaves our manufacturing plants without being test-run.

It is through testing that we have perfected the anatomy of our engines: during the rigorous process, we put our engines through extreme conditions to guarantee they can perform even in the harshest environments.

Quality is assured with Kawasaki Engines. Our V-twin engines are made in the USA, where we've made lawn mower engines for decades, and always held our manufacturing process to the highest standards.

To see inside the Kawasaki Motors Manufacturing plant in Maryville, and get an idea of the dedication and care that goes into the manufacturing process, take a look at the video below.

For complete confidence: our warranty policy

We have complete confidence in the quality, reliability and durability of our engines. We want you to share that confidence, which is why we offer a three-year, unlimited hours warranty for all of our V-twin engines.

Whether you’re operating in a commercial capacity or for private use, you can be safe in the knowledge that your engine is covered.

Importance of maintenance and genuine parts

Kawasaki engines go through a painstaking design and testing process to make sure they will perform to the quality we're known for. As discussed, every part is chosen to maximise performance and durability – by cutting corners with maintenance and choosing aftermarket parts, you run the risk of impacting your engine's performance and longevity.

Following a simple maintenance schedule, as set out in your owner's manual, and using only genuine parts – which are made to spec and designed to maximise performance – will help your engine perform at the level it should, for as long as it should.

Anatomy of an engine: powering your business

We hope this inside look at Kawasaki V-twin engines demonstrates why we are the trusted choice for professionals. While a range of factors such as maintenance play a part, we take every step to make sure your engine can go the distance, performing at the highest level for your business.

Our engines are matched with equipment of equally high quality: explore machinery Powered by Kawasaki today.