Opinions on Briggs and Stratton Engine

[tcugrad03]

I need advice from others who have bought a toro commercial walk behind that has a 16 hp Briggs and Stratton Engine.

Do they last a long time? or as durable as the Kohler?

Thanks
Matt

[ahlgrenlandscaping]

I don't know much about Briggs Motors I do know that if you buy a kohler you are looking for trouble they are not designed for continuous commercial use. My dealer said Kohler motors are a cheaper alternative for homeowners. If i were you i'd get a scag or gravely with a kawasaki motor for a few hundred dollars more.

[Woody]

Tcugrad03:

All of my experiences with Briggs have been positive, except on models made about 10 years ago. With those, my only complaint was that the float/needle/seat seemed to stick on occassion. I have put Briggs engines through some serious abuse over the last 30+ years, but have not used the 16 horse engine about which you are concerned. But, I wouldn't be worried about it personally.

Ahlgrenlandscaping:

Find another dealer. Kohler makes fine engines. I heard there were some issues with the 25 horse Command years back, but I have a buddy who has run his for 8 years now, and not so much as a problem. Anyone who tells you a Kohler engine isn't designed for continuous commercial use is an idiot. They have been making small engines for industrial use since 1949. If their engines weren't durable, they would have gone out of business years ago.

Your dealer obviously has a bias against Kohler, or is stupid enough to believe every horror-story he hears. In either case, he is lying to you. Find yourself a dealer who is straight up about things.

Woody

[Dr.Bizzaro]

I run 1967, yes 1967 Toro Sportlawns with Briggs on them...great motor- they seem to last...being it's 3 years older than me.
Parts are cheap....I just hate changing oil. If only everything was 2 stroke...oh well

[N.TX]

Kholer puts engines on homeowner grade units and im not sure how those last but as far as the engines they put on commercial equipment hold up very well if you take care of them. As far as briggs if its not a commerical engine they are built to last about 1000 hrs if you take care of them properly as far as the higher grade engines im not sure.

[RatherbeBassin']

I am running a 13 horse...

Briggs I/C (Industrial/Commercial) Signature Series Quiet Rider on a lil' 28" Snapper rear engine. This is what I owned for personal use before I recently bit off way more than my fat azz can chew by starting Rather Be Bassin' Lawn Maintenance as a side business to fishing. I bought the Snapper 3 years ago to mow a full city block of residentials. (All my family that owned an entire block, both sides. All are now dead except I and an uncle who own it now.) The Snapper has mowed this block weekly during the season and a lot of side $$$ lawns to keep the bassin' funds tight and right. For the last 2 years I have mowed above mentioned block, my 1/2 acre and 3-5 other residentials weekly in the season. I mow SLOW and careful and I change oil every 50-60 hours, service/change air filter, fuel filter, plugs, lube deck/steering, etc. GREAT mower and never had 1 problem w/mower or motor! BUT, time will tell as I have over 15 small residentials when the green hits here!

[l&r]

Where did you hear Kohler was for residential mower/units? Kohler has been putting engines on commercial mowers for years! I have 2 scag mowers both are 1997 60" walkbehinds and they both have over 2000 hrs on them both run strong to this day!
I think someone may have put a bug in someones ear to get them to buy their products with Kaw engines on them. Don't get me wrong, I think kaws are good engines too. But I also have a 2000 Ferris dual drive hydro with less then 1200 hrs on it it has a 23 kaw on it that needs to be replaced due to smoking. Please watch the advice given to others they may be missing out on a good deal.

[ahlgrenlandscaping]

The mower was a 48" Scag Belt Drive with a 15hp Kohler for 2899 and the other option was a 48" Scag Belt Drive with a 15hp kawasaki for 2999 the dealer said that the kawasaki was a much stronger and more reliable motor than the kohler. I am also biased my gravely 36 has a kawasaki motor with about 750 hours on it and is 6 years old and it starts first pull.

[l&r]

I would certianly hope any motor would last for 750hr, but that is hardly a basis to say Kohler engines are not as good as Kaws

[mcdonnell all season]

Kohler engines have been in stall in golf coarse equiptment for as long as I can remember. on average we got approx. 2500-3000 hrs on them and then replace. One nice thing about the kohlers and may be with the kaw. they are very easy to overhaul and cost alot less and if you do it right you will get another 2500 hrs out of it.

[Ryan Lemons]

well i heard at my dealer who also sellls the briggs on the metro mowers they have improved thats what i heard about a year and a half ago i still go to him a lot but havnt talked to him about the bfiggs if you want something that will not give you trouble one bit i strongly go with the kawasaki engine i have this 21" snapper two years old now and still pulls on the start without have to put it in choke! i have kawasakis on all my mowers the metro the snapper and the 48"jd garden tractor. the tractor is 8 years old and still starts without hesitation. they have a better magneto than the briggs and are just stronger engines all the way around. go kawasakii!!!