Engine choices?

[tom-ky]

Ignore HP. Look at torque and quality of parts that will answer your question

To me it seems B&S parts are easier to find, but never had a Kawasaki to ever look for parts. Most dealers around here say Kawasaki is better but say they have no problems out of B&S. Just want a mower I can run for 15 years.

 

[exotion]

To me it seems B&S parts are easier to find, but never had a Kawasaki to ever look for parts. Most dealers around here say Kawasaki is better but say they have no problems out of B&S. Just want a mower I can run for 15 years.

I'm sure if you baby it any engine will work as long as you need

 

[pricelandscaping]

Kawasaki fan I am and always will be

 

[exotion]

Kawasaki fan I am and always will be

Well kawasaki have proven them selves a lot most commercial machines use them they are tuff reliable and user friendly briggs are used on all of the cheap machines just saying

 

[pricelandscaping]

I agree the only brand motor I don't have alot of experience with is kohler engines some people prefer them over any other like I said I'm a kawasaki fan but I would mind a kohler to try

 

[exotion]

I agree the only brand motor I don't have alot of experience with is kohler engines some people prefer them over any other like I said I'm a kawasaki fan but I would mind a kohler to try

I've used a couple kohlers for small amounts of time never long enough to make a good judgement and I've never worked on one. I've heard people who love the kohler command never buy anything different. I've heard lots of bad thing about the.kohler courage but I'm sure they fixed itby now

 

[Mad Mackie]

Briggs recently introduced their Professional Series/Commercial Turf Series engine line and the 30 HP engine was first to be produced. Lower HP models have been showing up on new machines of various makes. I think that these engines will replace the ELS series eventually. The ELS series have the plastic intake manifold which proved to be problematic and the minimal air filtration was also a problem. My Scag Tiger Cub originally had a Briggs 26 HP ELS engine that had decreasing compression in the #1 cylinder. A leakdown test showed a high rate of leakage by the rings, the other cylinder had 140 PSI compression. I replace this engine with a Commercial Turf Series 30 HP as it was a direct fit, same cables and muffler. I had thought that I would buy a Kawasaki FX730V just like the one on my Hustler X-ONE, but the cost of doing so was more than twice of the Briggs. I'm pleased with the Briggs and I like the additional power. Briggs did a total redesign to include a much more effective air filtration system and a cast aluminum intake manifold and I think that these engines will be a winner. Although more HP than the original engine, the fuel consumption after breakin was less than the 26 HP ELS engine, so I'm a happy camper with this package and looking forward to a trouble free season.:thumbsup:
Mad Mackie in CT:laughing::biggrin::smile:

 

[Terry CleanFuel]

Kawasaki fan I am and always will be

Me too, they're a class act.

I traveled around the country presenting at their Kawasaki Power Dealer Schools and they spend a TON of money making sure the Techs are kept up to date with the latest news and specs for Kaws. Their Technical Support is the best in the business.

As far as parts are concerned I would think any small engine place should have them.

 

[Mad Mackie]

Briggs does the same thing. What people need to understand is that Kawasaki doesn't make any small HP engines as Honda, Briggs and Kohler do. Kawasaki engine options on all brands of machines are more expensive than other brands. This forum doesn't cover as many commercial operators as other forums do and as result the lower HP engine manufacturers get discussed here more often which makes their failure rate out of proportion relative to other small engine manufacturers. I assure you that on other forums where commercial operators frequent more, you will find many comments about Kawasaki engine problems, to the point where one will question what is it with Kawasaki small engines!!! Already owning a Kawasaki powered Hustler X-ONE, I wanted to repower my Briggs ELS powered Scag Tiger Cub ZTR with a Kawasaki FX730V. When I priced out what I needed to repower with a Kawasaki, it was more than twice the cost of repowering with a Briggs Commercial Turf Series engine, so I went with the Briggs engine. Both engines had a 24 month warranty as a repower and in the long run I can repower with 2 and 1/2 Briggs engines to one Kawasaki FX engine money wise, so tell me the difference.
Briggs has all HP ranges covered in their line, Kohler does the same, Honda is there also, but Kawasaki has stayed away from the under 10 HP engine coverage and this is OK. There is no doubt that Kawasaki generally makes a great engine, but those who had purchased several Kawasaki liquid cooled engines models in the past to fairly recent, know that their failure rate was very high and are not happy with these engines and Kawasaki in general. Locally to me are several Scag ZTRs for sale, two have been repowered with liquid cooled Kawasaki engines. I made offers on several of these machines and was turned down. I told these folk that they would have better offers from me had they not repowered these machines with liquid cooled Kawasaki engines. These machines have been for sale since last season. I can finance new machines thru Scag 48 month zero interest program, order the engines that I desire, have a 36 month engine warranty and make out better than buying a used but repowered machine.
Mad Mackie in CT:laughing::biggrin::smile:

 

[Terry CleanFuel]

Briggs does the same thing. What people need to understand is that Kawasaki doesn't make any small HP engines as Honda, Briggs and Kohler do. Kawasaki engine options on all brands of machines are more expensive than other brands. This forum doesn't cover as many commercial operators as other forums do and as result the lower HP engine manufacturers get discussed here more often which makes their failure rate out of proportion relative to other small engine manufacturers. I assure you that on other forums where commercial operators frequent more, you will find many comments about Kawasaki engine problems, to the point where one will question what is it with Kawasaki small engines!!! Already owning a Kawasaki powered Hustler X-ONE, I wanted to repower my Briggs ELS powered Scag Tiger Cub ZTR with a Kawasaki FX730V. When I priced out what I needed to repower with a Kawasaki, it was more than twice the cost of repowering with a Briggs Commercial Turf Series engine, so I went with the Briggs engine. Both engines had a 24 month warranty as a repower and in the long run I can repower with 2 and 1/2 Briggs engines to one Kawasaki FX engine money wise, so tell me the difference.
Briggs has all HP ranges covered in their line, Kohler does the same, Honda is there also, but Kawasaki has stayed away from the under 10 HP engine coverage and this is OK. There is no doubt that Kawasaki generally makes a great engine, but those who had purchased several Kawasaki liquid cooled engines models in the past to fairly recent, know that their failure rate was very high and are not happy with these engines and Kawasaki in general. Locally to me are several Scag ZTRs for sale, two have been repowered with liquid cooled Kawasaki engines. I made offers on several of these machines and was turned down. I told these folk that they would have better offers from me had they not repowered these machines with liquid cooled Kawasaki engines. These machines have been for sale since last season. I can finance new machines thru Scag 48 month zero interest program, order the engines that I desire, have a 36 month engine warranty and make out better than buying a used but repowered machine.
Mad Mackie in CT:laughing::biggrin::smile:

VERY well said! I deal almost exclusively with Commercial Landscapers and have gone to bat with them to Kawasaki. Kawasaki is very accommodating.

Kawasaki sells to their meat and potatoes. You can't blame them for paying the rent.