The History of Kohler Engines

From push lawn mowers to riding lawn mowers, you may find that a Kohler engine is a large piece of the overall puzzle. Here’s how Kohler brand engines got their start and why these engines are so popular today:

1900s: Kohler Small Engine Factory Opens and Worldwide Recognition Begins

In 1948, Kohler opened its small engine factory and started to produce and market these essential parts. By 1963, the Kohler company was responsible for supplying the engines for approximately half of all lawn and garden tractors that were constructed in the United States. In the 1970s, an employee with the Kohler engines division went on television to provide helpful insight to farmers and rural viewers who lived in the Midwest and offered detailed information on how to care for their engines. During the mid-1980s, the Kohler team developed the first overhead camshaft small engine in the industry. This engine promised to be more fuel efficient and quieter as well as boasting environmentally friendly features. Kohler small engines are common parts in riding lawn mowers. In fact, in 1997, a Kohler Command 25HP engine powered a riding lawn mower that was driven from Salt Lake City to Washington, DC, as a fundraising event and also to set a Guinness World Record. The next year, a specific Kohler engine received recognition when the Kohler OHC 18 engine won the best new product category for large companies as recognized by the National Society of Professional Engineers.

2000s: Kohler Continues Producing Exceptional Engine Products

As the 21st century rolled around, Kohler was a strong name in the small engine industry. The Kohler Engines division continued to produce propane, natural gas, and gasoline powered engines that were equipped in a variety of outdoor power equipment by large name brands such as Deere, Toro, Craftsman, Scag, and Walker, to name a few. In 2000, the small engine technology included a liquid-cooled product line. 

Today, Kohler engines are still high in demand and available in a variety of models, such as the Kohler Command PRO and the Kohler HEM series. Kohler engines used to be built at the Kohler, Wisconsin, headquarters but are now produced in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, where the company has had a presence since 1998. In September 2024, it was announced that Kohler Energy would rebrand as Rehlko and operate with a mission to deliver energy resilience with a focus on reliability and innovation.