Engine choices?

[Mad Mackie]

tom-ky, You will be baffled by the different opinions. A lot of these forum members are pro's and have better weighted answers than me because of numbers of machines they have known. Nevertheless, I would never buy Briggs again after the problems I had with a brand new 2004 Intek 24. Right or wrong my next will be Kaw-powered due to their apparent expertise with motorcycle engine manufacture. I have asked forum members to tell me how the so called "Platinum" Briggs engine is improved. No one has answered, and the Briggs brochure appears to be fluff and "badge" engineering. :2cents:.

The Briggs Platinum series is a small single cylinder vertical shaft that is named for Sears marketing.

 

[Mad Mackie]

There running any where from 5 to 7 Hp. The Fj180v is 6 hp residential unit and the FJ180V Kai a is a 6 hp Commercial unit. The Kai is what's on the Exmark 30" and the Toro Turf-master 30" and the 21"

I think that the FJ engines are fairly new to the Kawasaki line, I don't recall seeing them on the Kawpower site several years back when I was looking at repower engines for one of my machines and for several customers. I know that Kwai makes hand held equipment but I've never seen any in stock at any dealers that I have visited, nor heard anyone speak of them on any forums that I frequent.
Mad Mackie in CT:smile:

 

[Ric]

I think that the FJ engines are fairly new to the Kawasaki line, I don't recall seeing them on the Kawpower site several years back when I was looking at repower engines for one of my machines and for several customers. I know that Kwai makes hand held equipment but I've never seen any in stock at any dealers that I have visited, nor heard anyone speak of them on any forums that I frequent.
Mad Mackie in CT:smile:

I don't know what you consider fairly new but I've had my Turf-master for about a year and a half and they had them before that I believe. I in fact have one of the older models because the new ones have a primer bulb which mine doesn't, as I found out on another forum. Actually I think the KAI has been made since 2007 and maybe earlier. Left is the FJ 180V KAI Commercial, Right is the residential model FJ 180V

 

[Mad Mackie]

Hi Ric,
I would think that the KAI model would have more HP as it is on a 30" deck self propelled machine. I bought a 21"Toro Super Recycler last spring for the pastor to use at the parsonage and I looked at the 30" machine, don't remember what it had for power. When I browse the engines on line I'm primarily looking at twins with more than 20 HP. I try to keep up with what is new and what is actually available for repowers, as most new production engines are not readily available or not available at all as a separate engine.
At this point in time I'm pleased with the 30 Briggs Professional Turf Series engine that I repowered my Scag Tiger Cub with. It has 110 hours since last March, but time will tell. Definitely a much better air filtration system than the 26 HP Briggs ELS engine that it replaced and with collection system bags hanging a few inched away from the engine, dust is a serious concern. Getting anxious to get spring cleanup going, I'm going to get this machine out of storage and my equipment back into my trailer.
Mad Mackie in CT:laughing::biggrin::smile:

 

[Ric]

Hi Ric,
I would think that the KAI model would have more HP as it is on a 30" deck self propelled machine. I bought a 21"Toro Super Recycler last spring for the pastor to use at the parsonage and I looked at the 30" machine, don't remember what it had for power. When I browse the engines on line I'm primarily looking at twins with more than 20 HP. I try to keep up with what is new and what is actually available for repowers, as most new production engines are not readily available or not available at all as a separate engine.
At this point in time I'm pleased with the 30 Briggs Professional Turf Series engine that I repowered my Scag Tiger Cub with. It has 110 hours since last March, but time will tell. Definitely a much better air filtration system than the 26 HP Briggs ELS engine that it replaced and with collection system bags hanging a few inched away from the engine, dust is a serious concern. Getting anxious to get spring cleanup going, I'm going to get this machine out of storage and my equipment back into my trailer.
Mad Mackie in CT:laughing::biggrin::smile:

The FJ 180V KAI I believe is a 7hp but I wont swear to that. I said I'd never buy a briggs engine and I'd never buy the Turf series engine because from what I here it's nothing more than the old Intek engine with a larger air filter, fuel filter, and oil filter and that Intek was a piece of junk in my opinion. The problem with Briggs is you could take them and MTD remove the names, put them in a bag and shake them up and you couldn't tell the difference.

 

[Mad Mackie]

Hi Ric,
At 70 years of age and having spent 24 years in the military between 1961 and 1994, I did learn a few lessons and one of them is to never say never!!!
What is MTD?
Mad Mackie in CT:laughing::biggrin::smile:

 

[Ric]

Hi Ric,
At 70 years of age and having spent 24 years in the military between 1961 and 1994, I did learn a few lessons and one of them is to never say never!!!
What is MTD?
Mad Mackie in CT:laughing::biggrin::smile:

Modern Tool & Die Company. They have there fingers in everything from mower to parts.There a manufacturer of outdoor power equipment for the mass market, check these sites. I Think you'll get the drift.

MTD Products

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MTD_Products

 

[Mad Mackie]

Hi Ric,
I know MTD and AYP stuff, I generally turn down servicing of these machines unless it is for a good friend!
Mad Mackie in CT:laughing::biggrin::smile:

 

[exotion]

Hi Ric,
I know MTD and AYP stuff, I generally turn down servicing of these machines unless it is for a good friend!
Mad Mackie in CT:laughing::biggrin::smile:

I don't service anything for people I buy and sell equipment someone wants some work done I sell them a whole different machine with trade in value for there old one.

I am a fan of kawi engines they work hard parts are expensive tho. I like Honda engines a lot they are easy to work on cheap parts good power start easy. Briggs engines are easy to find parts simple to fix and even easier to replace entirely never used or worked on kohler so I don't know

 

[tybilly]

Hi Ric,
At 70 years of age and having spent 24 years in the military between 1961 and 1994, I did learn a few lessons and one of them is to never say never!!!
What is MTD?
Mad Mackie in CT:laughing::biggrin::smile:

unrelated question if no one minds,(spending time in the military during those yrs,) ive been wanting to find some of my dads military buddies,would you know how I can do this?i have all of his papers dating back from his application all through his retirement day,i want to hear some good stories about him.