Project Toro Super Recycler

[JTK]

Nice! I wish I could find freebee Toros, super recycler or not.

I just fixed up a junked ~4yr/old Poulan 21" self propelled for a family member. All it's Briggs OHV needed was a fuel tank cleaning and a new mail-order carb. Totally clunky FWD mower though compared to a Toro.

 

[wag123]

Originally Posted by Silverado12
Nice. It's a shame Toro went with a Chinese engine instead of the Briggs. My 2007 Briggs runs well now that it has a new correct carburetor. I'm actually impressed with how the Chinese do stuff as cheap as they do; the knockoff carb runs as well as an original Briggs carb.
B&S, Kohler, and Honda are manufacturing engines in the US, but they are also manufacturing complete engines, as well as MANY parts used in their US assembled engines, in China. Now days there are some quality engines being manufactured in China. Loncin, for example, manufactures very good quality products. Some of the manufacturers that use Loncin engines and put their own names on them include... Toro/ExMark, HF's Predator, Generac, Electrolux/AYP (Husqvarna, Poulan/Weedeater, etc), MV Agusta, and even BMW. Many of Loncin's engines are Honda copies/clones (aka Chonda), some of their earlier engines were copies to such an extent that many Honda engine parts could be used in/on them and vice versa.

 

[Clayslayer]

Originally Posted by Silverado12
Are the Chonda engines clones of the Honda enough to swap parts? FWIW I have a Chonda on a Craftsman tiller and it's been a really good engine. I just prefer Briggs because they're American for the most part.


Sort of... I can't give much more of an answer than that. The Predator 212, Champion 196, LCT, and Lifan engines are very VERY close to the Honda GX200 and the Greyhound (predecessor of the Predator) was an exact copy. Most parts will interchange, some will not. Air filters, exhausts, fuel tanks, pull start housings, etc will swap. Cams and lifters will (probably) interchange. The bore and stroke is different on some so the crankshaft, rod, and piston will not always be the same. Head? Maybe. Probably. Might have to check pushrod length afterwards tho. Rocker arms will all interchange.

If you just need basic maintenance stuff then yes. Absolutely. I buy GX200 air filters for my Predator 212. Provided yours doesn't have a stupid piece of foam in it like my 196cc Champion generator....grrr... Also my "Powerstroke" pressure washer has a no-name 212cc Chonda with no throttle. Wide open or nothin' baby. Ugh. I'm going to acquire a knock off intake assembly from Amazon or see if someone has a Predator 212 they've upgraded that I can scavenge.