Cushman trucks are considered one of the best hauling vehicles available due to their durability and long-lasting construction. Their reasonable price makes them a favorite of many landscaping and greens maintenance operations that use haulers like these every day for basic transportation of debris and equipment.
Proper maintenance will keep a Cushman Truckster running for years. In fact, these vehicles will often outlast the quality of the engines inside. While the bodywork, electrical components, engine, and even tires will continue to perform strongly, the power may not be up to par with what modern models can provide. Rather than ridding the fleet of the older Cushman, there are repower kits available so that newer and stronger engines can be easily fitted to the machine. These rebuild kits cost a fraction of the price of a new engine and will breathe new life into an older truck by adding more horsepower and new engineering.
Cushman Truckster small engines can be easily replaced using several different rebuild kits available. One of the best options is a repower kit that uses a Honda 20HP V-Twin overhead valve engine.
A Honda 20HP V-Twin Overhead Valve Engine Rebuild Kit is best suited to replace any 18 or 22 HP small Cushman Truckster engine. Like any good rebuild kit, a Honda small engine kit will include the engine itself, an exhaust system, an engine mount, a clutch adapter, complete installation instructions, and the bolts and other items needed to complete the installation. . Before you buy any repower kit, make sure you understand exactly what does and does not come in the package you are buying.
Although relatively simple, repowering a Cushman Truckster with something like a Honda 20HP engine requires some understanding and planning. It is not as simple as changing one motor for another. It is important to read the details in the instructions and take note of what will and will not work exactly as before and what additional parts may be required in addition to those included in the kit. Below are some simple things to consider, specifically when used as a rebuild kit for a Cushman Truckster.
Hydraulic system: If your truck has a hydraulic system that uses a chain drive or belt drive, you may need to order additional parts or kits for the system to work properly.
Equipment heater: Changing the muffler system can render the equipment heater useless.
Power converter: If your truck has a 120-volt AC power converter, it may require additional changes to make it work after installing the repower kit. This is because using a kit like that on a Honda 20HP eliminates the alternator.
All of these functions can be incorporated into the construction of the truck by other means. The amount of money saved with a rebuild kit is often considered to be worth the cost of a couple of additional hours of maintenance to bring these features back online. Reviewing the information on any rebuild kit before purchasing will help you understand what additional work may need to be done.
Cushman trucks are quality built machines with an excellent track record for longevity and performance. Repowering your engines with a small high-power Honda 20HP V-Twin engine will extend the life of the vehicle and give you the power available on newer models.
~ Ben Anton, 2008
