Soooo. 14hp Kohler vs 13hp Honda Pony Motors. opinions??

Hmm. What about the mess of disconnecting the lines on the wet kit situation. The Pony motor never needs to be disconnected even if another truck hooks to the trailer.

Re drivers destroying the motors, in this cast, there will only be 1 person running the motor, maintaining the motor and making sure the motor isn't running for any long periods of time.

I have a briggs engine in my portable generator. I have don't really have starting issues, but, that's because it sits for years. Typically starts after 3 or 4th pull, but, not too much after that. I learned that when you are going to shut it off for long periods of time, it's best to turn off the fuel first, let the engine idle til it sounds like it's leaning out, then let it stall. No fuel is in the engine and no tear down of the carb to check the floats or check for varnish..

 

Every time you disconnect the trailer, you disconnect the Hydraulic lines. Fluid will leak when you disconnect. How ever small it is, it will. Over time, there will be oil all over the place. Pony motors don't get disconnected unless there is a problem because they are not tied to the truck.


And regarding firing up the Pony motor vs PTO here is my response.

Lets See. Walk over to motor, turn on choke, turn key to start, take choke off.

Hmmm. That's pretty hard.

Just as hard as flipping a switch to engage the PTO and hen Idle the truck up.

In any event, you will end up standing in the same area as the pony motor to operate the controls to lower or raise the trailer. So, in the end, no extra steps are taken in both cases.

Well, Unless you....
For some reason keep running the pony motor and don't put fuel in it. (Pony)
Forget to change spark plugs after some time. (Pony)
Forget to keep oil in it. (Pony, or oil in the truck Lol)
Forget to change oil after a while. (Pony and oil in the truck)
Forget to check the level of the Hydraulic Fluid tank. (Pony or PTO)
Forget to change the Hydraulic Oil Filter. (Pony or PTO)
Forget to Inspect Hydraulic Lines and one or more leaks and you have no spare. (Pony or PTO)

You know. Things like that fall under general Maint. that should be done every once in a while.

Lol...

 

I only made the statement regarding the oily mess because I worked with a few guys who had to disconnect their lines in order to pump off the tanker I pulled and every time they did it, the connections left an oily mess from disconnecting from their tank and hooking to mine and when the disconnected and returned to their truck, some fluid dripped from the connections. After doing this a few times, I could see how the trailers look so nasty due to the oil and road debris that connected in the oil. (Of course a shower for the truck once in a while would take care of this problem)