New Chonda Briggs & Stratton

[boraticus]

" My last Briggs powered mower lasted 11 years of weekly use in Florida. And, I gave it away, still working just fine. Can a Chinese engine do that? Maybe, but, maybe not."

No one can say for certain if recently built Chinese engines will have the durability of the old B&S/Tecumseh engines.

If initial smoothness of operation, absence of excessive mechanical noise, ease of starting, very little oil consumption and build appearances have any impact on how long they will last, from my experience, I'd have to say that it looks promising.

They'll have some pretty big shoes to fill. I have a 30 year old Craftsman mower with a Tecumseh 3.5 on it out at my camp still running strong. And it's lived a rough life!

 

[yeehaw1960]

The Chondas of 5 or more years ago were complete garbage. They were throw aways (sooner than later). Most everything you buy today probably has a Chinese-manufactured part or two or three in it.

Have Chondas gotten better? Yes. Are they still problematic? Absolutely. I checked out 15 or more of them last year and expect to see many more of them this year. One or two that I saw were repairable (worth the cost of repairing). Not good odds. A lot of customers were dissappointed that their mowers were dead after 1 1/2 years. That's how it goes when you choose to go cheap. There are many, many mowers, tillers and mini bikes sitting in sheds collecting dust because the Chonda engine died and went to Heaven. It's a fact. Are there exceptions? Sure.

If I bought a Chonda engine for something around my house, I would notice when the bolts started backing out or when something else was wrong. I would change the oil after the intial mowing or two and keep it changed every year. Your average guy/gal wouldn't notice (or service) until it was just too late.

If you must buy a cheap mower these days, buy one with the Briggs and Stratton that has the tank-mounted carb on it. Other than replacing the carb's diaphram every two years, they're not too bad when you want to go cheap. I think WalMart uses them pretty much exclusively.

And, finally, don't forget that going cheap goes for Toro and Honda too. Don't buy the bottom of the line Toro or Honda mower. They're not going to last 15 + years like the model right above them.

 

[JTK]

Originally Posted By: yeehaw1960

If you must buy a cheap mower these days, buy one with the Briggs and Stratton that has the tank-mounted carb on it. Other than replacing the carb's diaphram every two years, they're not too bad when you want to go cheap. I think WalMart uses them pretty much exclusively.


Yep, Briggs currently lists them as the 300, 450 and 500 series engines. Next up goes to a float style carb (600 series), then everything else is OHV w/ float carbs.

Joel

 

[Nick R]

Originally Posted By: JTK
Originally Posted By: yeehaw1960

If you must buy a cheap mower these days, buy one with the Briggs and Stratton that has the tank-mounted carb on it. Other than replacing the carb's diaphram every two years, they're not too bad when you want to go cheap. I think WalMart uses them pretty much exclusively.


Yep, Briggs currently lists them as the 300, 450 and 500 series engines. Next up goes to a float style carb (600 series), then everything else is OHV w/ float carbs.

I can't question the durability of these engines. This is the kind of engine (Briggs 3.5HP Classic) that I did the experiment on, that it just wouldn't die. It still ran in the end, but the crank seal was bad and completely sprayed the ground and mower deck with NAPA 15w40. I did take pictures of it but the memory stick got deleted by my mom (she didn't think anything important was on it) and the mower got junked. But it is the most durable engine I think I have ever seen. I like the 675 series on our primary lawnmower.

Joel

 

[boraticus]

As much as I appreciate the newer technology of over head valve design vs. the old L head engines, it's hard not to agree that the old L head if given even minimum maintenance, would run well, performing it's intended functions for a very long time.

I know when I go to camp and the grass needs cutting, the old L head Tecumseh always fires and never tires. That mower has to be 30 years old with who knows how many hours on it?

That's going to be a very hard act for a Chonda to follow.

 

[JTK]

Agreed. It's only when you get above ~8hp or go to twin cylinder where OHV shines. Unless your talking an old horizontally opposed Onan flat head, the rest tended to die early lives and they all sucked horrendous amounts of fuel with that configuration.

Joel

 

[Nick R]

I loved the Briggs opposed twin engines, wish they still made them.

 

[mechanicx]

I like the 600 series I think it is with an automatic choke and fixed throttle. They have a paprer element filter which is a lot less maintenance and better than the oiled foam. If you do a lot of mowing in dusty areas the foam will not protect the engine, well unless you are constanly cleaning, oiling or replacing it.

 

[Cmarti]

Originally Posted By: mechanicx
I like the 600 series I think it is with an automatic choke and fixed throttle. They have a paprer element filter which is a lot less maintenance and better than the oiled foam. If you do a lot of mowing in dusty areas the foam will not protect the engine, well unless you are constanly cleaning, oiling or replacing it.


I hope you are right, I just bought a toro with one for trim work! I have a Lawnboy apart on the barn floor as I am tired of the surging. I will get it purring again, but wanted a new one to take the pressure off my timetable.

 

[Jeepster_nut]

Is a Kohler Magnum 10hp considered an "L" head?

 

[JTK]

Originally Posted By: Jeepster_nut
Is a Kohler Magnum 10hp considered an "L" head?


Yep, it sure is. L-head, flat head or side valve all mean the same thing (non-overhead valve). The only Magnums I've ever heard of problems with were the horizontally opposed twin cyl Magnums. The singles are as simple and strong as an anvil.

Joel

 

[boraticus]

Oiled foam filters are the preferred choice of off road motorcyclists and ATV riders. They work great in dusty conditions and in wet as well. It would be my preference on any off road machine including lawn mowers.