Yeah,
I gotta go with you on Kohler.
Roller bearings, better cylinders, etc.
There is reason that a 10 HP Kohler is twice as much $$ as a 10 HP Briggs!
I live near South Bend, Indiana and LOTS of people around here still have
Gravely mowers!

Ditto on the Kohler. That's what I have and had no experience with the
Chraftsman so I said nothing. The Kohler is well worth it.