Can't beat the old Kohler K series cast iron singles for reliability and smooth running. The Series I KT twins were trash, but later Series II OK. Magnums were essentially K series engines with magneto instead of points ignition and were bulletproof too. K's and Magnums love to drink a lot of gas though. I have one Kohler Command single on a Craftsman thus far 10 years of use without any problems with it, runs all season without adding oil and fires right up. After the thread on the CC forum where the flywheel came loose and sheared the key on a new Kohler Courage, I think I will avoid those jobs. I think Kohler was pressured by tractor manufacturers to come out with that economy line, and they shoud have said no. When Wal-Mart asked Wrangler to produce a cheaper line of jeans for them and Wrangler said no, did it stop Wal-Mart from carrying their product? No, and the same would have held true for Kohler with the tractor makers. Why risk making something of lesser quality when it can damage a good name and reputation?
Onan Performers were a teriffic engine, despite being an aluminum engine they held up very well and became John Deere's answer to blown up Kohler KT's. Unfortunately Onan no longer makes small engines.
For whatever reasons I never had any luck with Briggs and Stratton, every one I owned I managed to kill in a short period of time. Only one I hear of that gets rave reviews is the Vanguard, which is not even made by Briggs themselves I believe someone said it is made by Diahatsu. Tecumseh engines never did anything to make me smile either.
"Briggs had everybody fooled with the "I/C" engines...As well as the early "intek" engines.
Those new "cool bore" engines, the 5.5, 6.0, 7.0, Horizontal engines are odd little buggers. They are Aluminum bored, Aluminum pistoned, Chrome Ringed. They work well for about a year, then they are DONE!"
Didn't GM try that aluminum nickasil bore thing with the original Vega 4 cylinder engine in the 70's and they all fried after a few months? Those little Briggs I went through 20 years ago I recall did not have cast iron liners in them either which is probably why they didn't last too long.
Being an ex-motorcycle mechanic I have bais towards Kawasaki and Honda, and both makes are rated among the best for small engines. I have owned and serviced many products from both makers and never came across one that was bad or I did not like. It might happen some day, but not yet.
I have yet to hear of anyone who uses a Robin/Subaru engine on anything. They seem to be trying to get into the 15-25 HP market, but one thing about them that scares me is they all are splash and not full pressure lubed, kind of sounds behind the times.
-Fordlords-
