Robin Engines (Subaru)

[garyb80]

I am going to be buying my son a go-cart(my wife still doesn't believe it's for my son) and I saw some with Robin engines. Looking at the spec sheet for the engine, they seem to be very good quality. Does anyone have experience with these engines?

Thanks

 

[eljefino]

Are these two or four cycle?

 

[garyb80]

They are four cycle. They come with a three year warrantee. All have cast iron cylinder sleeves and a bunch of other goodies. Here is a link to some info.

http://www.robinamerica.com/

[ September 30, 2003, 02:11 PM: Message edited by: garyb80 ]

 

[dipstick01]

Go for it

. These engines are supposed to be quiet, durable, and reliable.

 

[mrchecker]

I would rate small engines this way - B&S and Tecumseh = Ford and Chevy, Honda = Honda (who else?) and Robin = Mercedes-Benz. B&S and Tecumseh build reasonably durable, affordable engines. Honda charges a bit more but they make a quieter, longer lasting engine. Robin makes an heirloom quality engine, they aren't just in another league, they're playing a different sport.

 

[Cujet]

I have a Robin 11HP OHV powered generator and a Robin side valve 7.5HP woodchipper. Both engines start on the first pull and are smooth + Quiet. I used to run the generator for days on end, powering my new house as I did not have powerlines yet. The quality is in the design. As such, both have huge crankshaft diameters and ball bearings. Even the crankshaft seals are superior premium quality. The Keihin carb is well made and the governors manage speed well on both engines. Something I cannot say for my Briggs powered equipment.

Robin engines seem to be better built than the Honda's also.

Chris

 

[slickracer]

My dad has an Echo generator with a Robin engine. It has 2,000 hours on it with only oil changes, spark plugs, and air filters. The engine has never been touched.

 

[Schultz]

Many of the small (single cylinder) robin engines are made by Kubota engine. This would explain their good reputation.

 

[csp203]

I was given an old generator with a robin motor. The frame on the generator is rusted out, this machine has seen some abuse. The engine has no primer, close the chock, one pull it starts right up. I have nothing but good things to say about it. I have a harder time starting my lawn mower with it tecumseh engine (two years old).

 

[John-r]

There used to be an air cooled engine manufacture called Wisconsin that made commercial engines for A lot of heavy use products, and their mid line engines for home owner use were the Robins.
These are well built engines, equal to Honda IMHO.

 

[garyb80]

I gave my sons the go-cart with the Robin engine and so far it seems to be very well engineered. Lots of little extras like a filter under the fuel cap, oil drain plugs on both sides of the motor, safety guards over the exhaust, ect. It starts very easy and runs much quieter than my Honda equipment.
My boy's are running the living #@$% out of it (my backyard looks like a war zone) but hopefully we won't know for several years how it holds up.

 

[sbc350gearhead]

A guy I know makes little kid's choppers (pretty cool for a kid) and sells them, and he uses robin 3 1/2 HP (made in japan) engines on them. According to him, they will hit 42 mph at max throttle (adjustable throttle stop).

 

[PJ]

My Ryan core aerator has a robin 4 hp (I beleive 4 hp). 8 years old and starts on 1st or 2nd pull always. Even after sitting for a couple weeks. Never been in shop

 

[greasezerk]

When you buy a robin you get the best. They are built like a race engine. Forged steel crank, forged aluminum rod, forged piston, cast iron liner and ball bearings on the crank and premium quality seals and gaskets. Sounds like a 327 from a 67 vette or an old 426 hemi.

 

[JR]

My understanding is that robin/subaru engines for built by fiji heavy industries, japan.
P.S. fiji heavy industries is the same company that builds those cheap blue "Honda Clones."

 

[Bror Jace]

Fuji Heavy industries used to be Nakajima.

Yes, they make Subaru

--- Bror Jace

 

[JTK]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Bror Jace:
Fuji Heavy industries used to be Nakajima.

Yes, they make Subaru

--- Bror Jace

---

Yep, there is a fuji heavy industries plant in Lafayette IN that used to produce the isuzu rodeo, amigo and axiom as well. Now it's just subee vehicles. I see the address for the small engine website is in IL. Atleast they appear to be made in the good'ol USA!

Joel

[ July 10, 2006, 08:14 AM: Message edited by: JTK ]

 

[Clyde65]

They are the absolute best - above Honda and Mitsubishi.

 

[leaves and lawns]

great engines!