24hp B&S vs 20hp Kohler?

   / 24hp B&S vs 20hp Kohler? #1  

sparkkky

Gold Member
Joined
Dec 6, 2004
Messages
319
Location
Oklahoma
Tractor
Kubota B21
Which would be better? The 24hp is a V-twin and I think the 20 is a single. Which would last longer? I know the B&S should run circles around the other.
 
   / 24hp B&S vs 20hp Kohler?
  • Thread Starter
#2  
Come on guys, this should be a easy one.
 
   / 24hp B&S vs 20hp Kohler? #3  
For the word better it depends. Yes, the 24 HP twin will likely feel a lot more powerful than the 20 HP single. Longer lasting can depend on the model of the engine. Kohler Commands and Briggs Vanguards are rated by their manufacturers to have lifespans more than double those of their economy models, the Kohler Courage and Briggs Intek. So it depends on which models you are comparing for projected lifespans, but the fact is these engines are all very reliable, even the economy models should give 600-700 hours of service with proper maintenance. -Fordlords-
 
   / 24hp B&S vs 20hp Kohler?
  • Thread Starter
#4  
Fordlords said:
the Kohler Courage and Briggs Intek. So it depends on which models you are comparing for projected lifespan


These are the models.
 
   / 24hp B&S vs 20hp Kohler? #5  
Kohler Courage vs. Briggs Intek= Apples to Apples, just pick your apple. I've always preferred Kohler, but that is going back to the cast iron days. Today, most of these aluminum air cooled small engines run neck to neck in performance and reliability. The top end models are just, "rated," for longer lifespans, but the designs are very similar to the economy models. -Fordlords-
 
   / 24hp B&S vs 20hp Kohler?
  • Thread Starter
#6  
If thats so then the 24hp twin would be the way to go it seems more preformance and smoother running.
 
   / 24hp B&S vs 20hp Kohler? #7  
You can't beat the smoothness and power of a V twin vs. a single. Some argue the single will last longer as it has fewer moving parts, but properly maintained this is simply not true. -Fordlords-
 
   / 24hp B&S vs 20hp Kohler? #8  
Why don't you compare to equal engines, like both the same HP and both V twins?:confused:
 
   / 24hp B&S vs 20hp Kohler? #9  
One thing I just can't get my brain around is the specs for comparable Kohler engines. I was raised to believe in cubic inches and torque (ex-farm boy). If you check out the specs for same hp Command vs Courage models, the courage has a larger displacement and greater torque.

Here's the 20hp vertical shaft models as an example:
MODEL Command PRO CV20
MAX. POWER @ 3600 RPM hp (kW) 20 (14.9)
DISPLACEMENT cu. in. (cc) 38.0 (624)
BORE in. (mm) 3.03 (77)
STROKE in. (mm) 2.64 (67)
PEAK TORQUE @ MAXIMUM lbs. ft. (Nm) 32.6 (44.2) @ 2600
COMPRESSION RATIO 8.5:1
DRY WEIGHT lbs. (kg) 90 (41)
OIL CAPACITY U.S. quarts (liters) 2.0 (1.9)
LUBRICATION Full pressure w/full-flow filter
DIMENSIONS L x W x H in. 21.2 x 17.7 x 14.3

MODEL Courage SV710
MAX. POWER @ 3600 RPM hp (kW) 20 (14.9)
DISPLACEMENT cu. in. (cc) 44 (725)
BORE in. (mm) 3.3 (83)
STROKE in. (mm) 2.6 (67)
PEAK TORQUE @ MAXIMUM lbs. ft. (Nm) 40.0 (54.2) @ 2000
COMPRESSION RATIO 9:1
DRY WEIGHT lbs. (kg) 91 (41.3)
OIL CAPACITY U.S. quarts (liters) 2.0 (1.9)
LUBRICATION Full pressure w/full-flow filter
DIMENSIONS L x W x H in. 18.5 x 17.8 x 13.4

Briggs doesn't list torque data on their site, but here again, the ELS engines have larger displements vs same hp Vangaurds.

Extended Life Series V-Twin
Power Level 20, 21, 22
Displacement (cc/cubic in.) 656/40.00
Bore (in.) 2.97
Stroke (in.) 2.89
Weight (lbs.) 81.00
Oil Capacity (oz.) 64
Valve OHV
Cylinders 2 Cast Iron Sleeve
Air Cleaner Dual-Clean
Lubrication Pressure Lubrication w/ oil filter
Ignition Magnetron

Vangaurd V-Twin OHV 21, 23
Power Level 21, 23
Displacement (cc/cubic in.) 627/38.26
Bore (in.) 2.97
Stroke (in.) 2.75
Weight (lbs.) 77.00
Oil Capacity (oz.) 56
Valve OHV
Cylinders 2 Cast Iron Sleeve
Air Cleaner Dual-Clean
Lubrication Pressure Lubrication w/ oil filter
Ignition Magnetron
 
   / 24hp B&S vs 20hp Kohler? #10  
Perhaps the biggest mystery is that among most of the small engine manufacturers' model lines just about all the models have the exact same cylinder displacement. For instance in the Kohler Courage line, they have 20, 23, 25 and 27 HP V twins all sharing the exact same 725 cc cylinder displacement. Only the 27 HP model has a different carburetor, only different (but not cost different) ignition components make up the differences in HP. It's not only Kohler, just about all the manufacturers do this now. -Fordlords-
 

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