Kawasaki KBL 27A / KBH 27A Questions & Answers

Hi Michael, this is a reviewers web site, not a small engine mechanic's forum. It sounds like you are doing all the right things, but you need to ask yourself at some point whether all the effort and cost is worth it for a machine that will be worth less than $150 when it is finished and running perfectly. You could try replacing the muffler, or heat it up and see whether carbon either burns off or lets go when tapped with some timber when cool.

Hi markden, Thanks for reply. I did notice all kinds of questions being asked here so I did the same. Anyway I will ask elsewhere. Would you know of a site I could ask please ? I have only ever bought or owned this particular machine and luv them, wouldnt go any other brand

It would be 2.4mm diameter, round or square cross section. If you're a home gardener, the brand isn't so crucial, but professionals tend to like TrailBlazer.

You need to take the current head off by putting an Allan key in the side of the gearbox to stop it from rotating. Then you need a spacer and a bolt to affix the blade. It is better to have this demonstrated by a mower shop. Don't attempt this if you are unsure of what you're doing. Also don't attempt to use an 80 tooth saw blade fitting to cut through branches thicker than your thumb unless you've had training.

complete KBL27A for sale Brisbane used $240

It has the Aluminium upgrade head with 3mm line. Call 0413181406

According to an old manual online it is as follows. Engine: 2 Stroke Capacity: 26.3cc Handle Type: Loop Nylon Head: Bump Feed Metal Blade: No Vibration: Highest Single Axis Vibration: Vector Rear/Forward 4.1/5.6 (ahv.eq m/s) Weight: 4.6kg

Where do I find the manual please?

It is possible to replace the choke.

So most 2-stroke engines will get a slight oil leak coming from the air filter depending on the frequency of use of the machine. If you mix your fuel at a higher rate of oil than 50:1 or use a mineral oil instead of a fully synthetic one this will also increase. You'll also carbonise your muffler and start to block your exhaust port by making it progressively narrower. The solution is to use a premium fully synthetic 2-stroke oil such as the one Stihl makes, mix it at 50:1, and periodically wipe down the air filter housing and rinse the air filter element in petrol. To clean the engine you can close the choke, cover the engine in WD40 Citrus Cleaner and either brush it in and rise it off or use a high pressure water cleaner to rinse it off while using it on a lower pressure setting. Hope this helps.

Thanks kindly. B

I think the head you mean is the one that used to come on the original machines around 20 years ago. It is no longer in production and has been superseded. You may be able to buy one online but there are much better heads available now such as the SpeedFeed 450.

Yes it is possible but very expensive. It is also wise to work out whether it is the splined drive shaft that has failed instead as this is far more common. It either fails at the top or bottom where the teeth of the drive shaft connect to the clutch drum or the gear head but far more common at the clutch end. The sound it makes is as if the bearings and gearbox have failed. Ditto for the symptoms.

There are too many variables here. I would start by replacing the starter rope assembly and see if that fixes the problem. It would cost around $50 from most mower shops. Getting it serviced would be around $150 plus parts depending on where you live.

Lubricating which nuts?And is there any head replacement I could get for it?

Hi Nick, if the whipper snipper you bought has the original head on it then it is already a bump feed head - it's just that there is no button on it to suggest so. I would trawl YouTube for a video on how to do it by looking for a bump feed head that is the same as yours. Failing that there are instruction sheets online that show you how via diagrams. If all that becomes too hard then I can't recommend highly enough the SpeedFeed head by Shindaiwa. They are around $45 and come with adapters to fit all whipper snippers. Easiest head to load and use hands down.

I will send you the picture of the head,thanks for the answer.

Can you send me the link for the shindaiwa head please.

You need to put an alan key into a hole in the side of the gearbox and then turn the head until the alan key goes one step further in. Then you will be able to loosen the bump feed head from the gearbox (but remember it has opposite thread). Once the head is off the blade will sit nicely on the gearbox and then a spacer and nut will keep the blade on. Make sure you install the blade with the correct side up because if it rotates the wrong way it won't cut very well.

Thank you for taking the time to respond. I bought this new from a dealer about 7 years ago and can’t remember additional attachments. It’s a beast for sure and gets the job done.

Yes, you can get an upgrade from the bump feed head. I have a complete KBL27A for sale with Aluminium head and 3mm line as the upgrade already fitted. Brisbane $240 text 0413181406. You never have any trouble with the Alum head. It is simple but tough

Both machines are no longer made but the KBL has a loop handle and the KBH has a horn handle like bull horns or bike handle bars. The loop handle is made for general use and is the most popular while the horn handles are useful for farm or professional use where there are extended periods needing a harness or where the machine is held horizontally to cut grass like a mower. Particularly helpful for doing steep embankments like the walls of a dam.

Thank you all I wanted to know is which model has the Bull Handle. Thank you very much for your answer.

It is 50:1 if you are using an oil that can be mixed at 50:1. Don't use a 25:1 oil at 50:1 or you could cause engine damage.

Thanks heaps for that. I actually just found my manual and bingo, same answer. Cheers

It's 2 stroke.

Normally around $690.

My KBL27A has no choke lever. It has a button choke. Do you mean the throttle cable, lever and spring? There would be a lot of emailing and photo taking back and forth between us to answer your question and this forum doesn't allow for that so I would recommend you take your machine to your closest Kawasaki dealer.

It is called a bump feed head and they sell that worn out bit as a separate part. You need to get this from a Kawasaki dealer. If you practice using the whipper snipper only using the tip of the cord that part should never wear out.