I guess I'd have to say Kawasaki, Kohler. I think right now Kawasaki pretty much owns the market.
#3
djdicetn
I voted (1)Kawasaki; (2)Honda and (3)Kohler(fuel injected). I believe #1 to be the most reliable and inexpensive to repair, #2 the next most reliable but more expensive to repair and #3 the best fuel consumption.
I voted (1)Kawasaki; (2)Honda and (3)Kohler(fuel injected). I believe #1 to be the most reliable and inexpensive to repair, #2 the next most reliable but more expensive to repair and #3 the best fuel consumption.
Back in the 70's and 80's I was a die hard B&S man. Then I was out of small engines until 2005 and again began working on small engines. Now, IMO, Briggs has peed in their own drinking water. I worked for a man several years ago that had warranty B&S engines staked over head high in his garage that had to be replaced under warranty. Briggs had stopped calling for returns and simply warranted the engines.
Honda. I have a rental store and Honda engines are on 95% of my machines. They give very little trouble, usually it's a blown spak plug or clean the carb bowl and jet due to customers screwing me with their old gas.
Kawi. Widely regarded as THE engine for ZT mowers. Lots of proof online.
Other- Dolmar. The only serious line up of professional grade hand held 4 cycles. Quiet, very light, torquey as hell, super easy starts, no maintenance issues. The real deal.
#8
pugaltitude
All manufacturers make crap and all manufacturers make fantastic product.
It all depends on how much you spend.
Honda still make the best horizontal engines for generators and the like but the home owner vertical shaft engine is ok.
Briggs make a great small engine in the sprint and quantum (all though they are out of production soon) and the vanguard range is great too but maybe the Intek tractor engine was not their best engine.
Kohler command is bullet proof but Courage is probably same as an Intek.
Kawasaki make great engines too.
You could start going into any OEM aswell.
#9
Fish
No matter about the big 4, what about the endless Chinese copies? One spends a bunch of time to see if it is actually a Briggs, or Honda.
The discussion should be focused here...
#10
pugaltitude
Is that the big four as in named brand or in amount of production per annum.
If the latter then chinese brand Loncin are probably the 2nd biggest production manufacturer behind Briggs.
Nice engines but built to a budget.
Even BMW use them in their motorbikes.
#11
X-man
Briggs & Stratton, Kohler.
I have never had a problem with Briggs and Stratton engines, and I've found the Kohler engine on my tractor to be pretty durable, since I basically drive it to the ground, 2 years no major problems except for my muffler and a starter solenoid.
Briggs & Stratton all the way for me. That is all I have ever owned and have never had a problem with them. I have an Ace Hardware push mower with a Briggs & Stratton & I hardly ever have to service it & it starts every time. The body of the mower will go before the engine.
#13
Fish
Ryobi?
Is this still being bumped about?
#14
exotion
Gotta say Honda, Suzuki, kawi. For me in no particular order. So fat I've had the best luck with Suzuki engines. Have my first kawi commercial engine now and well see how she does. The Honda has had a few problems and is currently out of commision.
I see more briggs engines on my work bench than anything else. That's mostly misuse tho
I guess I'd have to say Kawasaki, Kohler. I think right now Kawasaki pretty much owns the market.
