IF you had a Briggs engine, the general answer would be to adjust the valves, since valve lash adjustment is crucial to the compression release working.

Problem is, you have a Kohler Courage, which is different.
From the service manual-
Operation
ACR mechanism consists of an actuating spring and a pivoting fl yweight/control pin assembly, located in exhaust side cam gear. A thrust washer and mounting closure plate hold ACR in position. At cranking speeds (700 RPM or lower), spring holds flyweight in and rounded surface of control pin protrudes above exhaust cam lobe. This pushes exhaust valve off its seat during first part of compression stroke. Compression is reduced to an effective ratio of about 2:1 during cranking.
After starting, when engine speed exceeds 700 RPM, centrifugal force overcomes force of the flyweight spring. Flyweight moves outward, rotating control pin to expose the flat surface, which is lower than cam lobe. Control pin no longer has any effect on exhaust valve, and engine operates at full power.
When engine is stopped, spring returns flyweight/control pin assembly to compression release position, ready for next start.

Bill is probably on the right track. You will need to pull the valve cover and have a look. The stud that retains the rocker can back out on these like the Briggs will. If all is secure and the lash is set properly, my guess is it is inside. You can slip a .015 feeler gauge in the Exhaust valve rocker and then see if it wants to crank normal as a double check. The plastic cam gear develops a problem where the ACR doesn't work and is serviced separately. You would need to split the engine, though the engine doesn't need to be removed from the tractor to do so. If this is the case, loctite the sump bolts on the reinstall.

Well I think the answer is the same. Valve clearance affects the operation of the compression release. You can go to the Kohler site and download a Service manual for your engine free.

Walt Conner

Gentlemen:

Thank you all for your prompt responses. I had hoped it wouldn't be getting into this depth, but now that grass cutting season is ending what else would I do with all that time on my hands?

You didn't mention anything about the battery.
You may want to get it load tested before condemning the engine.
Tractor batteries are suspect after a couple years.

Also, if you have a voltmeter, you might want to run some voltage drop tests over the crank circuit connections.
You could have a bad ground for example, from where the engine bolts to the chassis. Kind of out of sight-out of mind but still part of the circuit.