small gas engine brand preferences

gmason · Nov 7, 2002

Hello all, I'm looking to get a 12-15hp gas engine for a saw mill I'm building. OK, yes I know Honda are really the great small engines, but I'm not looking for something to run 6hrs a day and for 10years, I need something for just occasional use and not over load it.

So let's look at the Briggs, Kohler, and Tecumseh lines. I guess there are some good models from each of threes, but has anyone had really good or bad expierience with certain models from each of these companies?

How would you rate Briggs, Kohler, and Tecumseh engines in order?
Do they all pretty much use the same parts? Are any of them made in the USA?

thanks
gary

MossRoad · Nov 7, 2002

In my opinion a Briggs engine is a good, inexpensive engine that will run a long time with minimal care. I have a 3.5 HP on a Sears lawnmower that was given to us in the spring of 1985. I'm ashamed to say that I've never changed the oil, the air cleaner or the spark plug. Just topped off the oil once or twice a year and tapped on the air cleaner every spring. I've used it every week from April through October for the past 17 years and it started first pull every time until this year. Now it takes two pulls to start and feels a little weak. I might retire it in a couple of years. We have an 8.5HP on our 1967(?) Simplicity that is only 4 or five years old. I take care of this one with regular maintenance. It is strong running and powerful. It replaced a 6HP that only lasted 30 years.

I have a Kohler Command 25HP in my Power Trac, but it is only a year old, so I can't comment on it yet.

Good luck with your hunt. Hope this helps. Let us know what you end up with.

Edit: from reading more comments, I forgot I also have a 5HP briggs on my tiller. Runs great! And the 8.5 on the Simplicity is the industrial model. Thanks for jogging my memory /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

stmiller2 · Nov 7, 2002

Gary,

I have had B&S and Tecumseh engines, and each brand seemed to last about the same amount of time. When I was looking for input in the purchase of a new riding mower, I came upon http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/tractor/

Posters to that site are very vocal in their preferences for the various engine brands. You might want to do a search at that site to get a flavor of those vocal opinions.

Mike_Dumond · Nov 7, 2002

You've mentioned the big 4, but have you considered an Onan?

s1120 · Nov 7, 2002

You looking for new, or used? For used, you can't beat the old Kohler K series singles. For new, the Honda would be a good choice, or the new Kohler singles.

diggerjim · Nov 7, 2002

Had alot of trouble with our Craftsman mower motor. It is a Briggs 18 hp. Craftsman repairman recommended Briggs for under 12 hp and Kohler for over 12 hp. the Briggs have alot of carberator (?) trouble. He said the Kohlers in service required less visits than the Briggs. Just advice from a repairman, don't remember his name tho....Bought a new Kohler 16 hp. One year of mowing, no trouble at all.

RocketJSquirrel · Nov 7, 2002

My rank would be Kohler, Briggs, Tecumseh. Actually I don't know if we've ever owned a Kohler but they have very good reputations. MossRoad is right, you have to try real hard to kill a Briggs. Their basic models are not very sophisticated but they seem to know where to cut corners. Their Vanguard line is made in Japan by another company and is excellent. My experiences with Tecumseh have all been bad. So in the price-leader end, I'd stick with Briggs Intek (the low end).

northcreek2624 · Nov 7, 2002

Paul,I'll second that,Kohler or Honda would be my first and second choices.
I think Briggs has cleaned up their act and are a cheap alternative.
Kawasaki engines have also given me excellent service.
Tecumseh's have always broken my heart....Mike

Will_C · Nov 7, 2002

Gary, Not much experience in the size range you mentioned, but here goes my thoughts...
I have had great luck with a pair of Briggs 8hp I/C engines, one on a Troy-Built tiller, and one on a log splitter. I don't know the age exactly, but both belonged to my father, and he has been gone ten years.
I also had two Case garden tractors with the Onan engine. The second one was an 18 hp engine, and I traded it with about 850 hours on it with never an engine problem.
My new pressure washer had a Honda GC engine, a less expensive model, and I am real impreesed so far.
Only bad luck was a Tecumseh on a lawn mower.
Will

SmokyMtnMan · Nov 7, 2002

overall performance and endurance, I would personally go with 1. Onan, 2. Tie with Kohler and Honda 3. Briggs 4. Tecumseh
although, it seems to me that Briggs & Stratton has such a wide range of engines it's hard to determine where they rank. I think the OHV such as Vanguard are very good.