Here is the current brochure on these engines: I can mow almost four times compared to just over two times with my 518xi. But the DM950D consumes way less fuel than the Kohler Command CH gas engines in the 5xi. Considering that some of these may have been purchased for commercial use, that would make a difference. The DM850D may actually consume less fuel than the DM950D with 6.3 cu.in. So they fazed it out shortly thereafter possibly for those reasons.ĭisclosure: These views above are nothing more than just my thought and do not reflect factual info from the manufacturer. With the same fuel tank size (I'm assuming by the SOP) the 850D would be obviously be able to run longer on the same amount of fuel.

I don't know much about the engines myself, but if they are diesel then I would guess that they figured out that the HP was a little (OP) Over Powered for the size of tractor and that the fuel consumption of the 950D was to much in comparison. I believe (could be wrong) that Simplicity used the DM950DT in their Legacy model although it was advertised as 27 horsepower so now I'm not sure if it was just the DM950D.

A Daihatsu gas model would have simplified the parts inventory. I have both a 1998 and a 2000 5xi brochure with both showing the horsepower as '23 horsepower' for the 523Dxi. Considering that the Daihatsu DM-series engine was also developed as a gas engine with the same external dimensions, I'm surprised that Toro produced the 520Lxi with the Kawasaki engine. I have to admit that I never noticed the difference in my paperwork regarding the horsepower. My 523Dxi is also a 1998 with serial number 890556 with the DM950D engine. The Groundsmaster mowers actually switched to a Kubota diesel but kept the Daihatsu gas version later on. Then there is Toro also using the same engine in their Groundsmaster mowers and Workman Utility so that could also factor on the switch. Keeping a 23 horsepower rating may have been under the requirement. I seem to recall that ROPS began to be required around this time period. Another reason could be a change in regulations, here or in Europe, regarding horsepower. Regarding the switch, it could be that the DM850D was less stressed for the application with less cubic inches and/or cheaper so it began to be substituted. The 523Dxi was originally developed for the European market and then also sold here in the USA.

Daihatsu 3 cylinder diesel engine parts