Should I avoid Briggs and Stratton?

[Vern_in_IL]

...since they declared bankruptcy, dealer part shortages, and crappy parts, such as pressed together camshafts.

Are engines and brands like Simplicity(which nobody has on their showrooms) OUT?

 

[jeepman3071]

I have B&S motors on all my equipment meaning 4 riding mowers and a Rototiller from the 70's. My son just started using my Dad's old 77 J.C. Penny (Murray] 42 " cut riding mower. It's 11hp B&S motor has never been apart and still fires right up. When I bought our Husqvarna 42" cut hydrostat mower the salesman told me at this independent farm store that they had been having problems with the Kohler motors and recommended the B&S model even though it was cheaper. I just service them once a year for oil and sharpen blades.

The older Briggs engines are better. I have an 11hp on a leaf blower, 8hp on a generator, and 5hp on a log splitter. Their flathead engines are bullet proof. The OHV Intek engines are the beginning of the cost cutting era for them.

 

[dlundblad]

@97prizm
This is a bad take.
Full stop.

A more appropriate assessment would be that the market has rewarded those that can both maintain reasonable prices and good quality while managing dynamic changes in market expectations.

A more pedestrian assessment would be to make good stuff inexpensively while adapting to changes in the market.
Capitalism 101.

Too many people here want government controls to maintain classical markets. @97prizm, for instance with his bad take here.
Socialism 101.

Innovate, innovate, innovate.
It's the American way.

I like how you spun that around back to him. Truly amazing.

Are you really saying government isn’t pushing electric by means of banning IC engines? I realize this is the mower sub forum, but you get the idea. The principle is still the same and even small OPE engines are starting to get banned too.

Just last month or so a member here was mentioning how they went to a big box store like Lowe’s or HD and the only mower options that were available were electric.

My take on electric push mowers is still the same. I could certainly get by with one, but they are just very expensive compared to a quality gasser. Just doesn’t seem like a good buy IMO. *I see zero “market rewards” too.

 

[MParr]

Briggs and Stratton engines have been pretty good overall. However, their parts availability is pretty slim. Their Vanguard engines are solid performers. I will tell you to avoid any and all Yamaha V-Twin engine’s.

 

[jeepman3071]

I like how you spun that around back to him. Truly amazing.

Are you really saying government isn’t pushing electric by means of banning IC engines? I realize this is the mower sub forum, but you get the idea. The principle is still the same and even small OPE engines are starting to get banned too.

Just last month or so a member here was mentioning how they went to a big box store like Lowe’s or HD and the only mower options that were available were electric.

My take on electric push mowers is still the same. I could certainly get by with one, but they are just very expensive compared to a quality gasser. Just doesn’t seem like a good buy IMO. *I see zero “market rewards” too.

Yup. I've said it before that EVs and battery equipment certainly has a place, but it isn't a direct replacement for ICE like the powers that be want everyone to think. I have had several customers who tried battery for a year or so and switched back.

 

[repairman54]

Yup. I've said it before that EVs and battery equipment certainly has a place, but it isn't a direct replacement for ICE like the powers that be want everyone to think. I have had several customers who tried battery for a year or so and switched back.

Yep. Battery is fine in town on your 50x100 lot and is the way to go as that's the target market on those box store ads. Just notice the size of those makeover yards in those commercials. Out here in the country with acres it's ICE.

 

[Elkins45]

I will tell you to avoid any and all Yamaha V-Twin engine’s.

I find this surprising. Their outboard motors are very highly regarded.

 

[SC Maintenance]

I have an 8 year old Briggs OHV 140cc 550EX engine on a push mower. I have had Zero issues with it. Small lawn but we mow 9 months a year here, depending on the year. I just run ethanol free gas and don't ever even bother to drain it. I plan to keep it running as long as I am able to push it.

Should I be stocking up on some common parts - if there getting hard to find? Maybe some minimum stuff like a recoil starter spring, carb rebuild kit, coil, etc?

 

[Propflux01]

Aren't the Briggs engine being made in China now?

 

[Lubener]

Aren't the Briggs engine being made in China now?

What isn't?

 

[Lubener]

I have an 8 year old Briggs OHV 140cc 550EX engine on a push mower. I have had Zero issues with it. Small lawn but we mow 9 months a year here, depending on the year. I just run ethanol free gas and don't ever even bother to drain it. I plan to keep it running as long as I am able to push it.

Should I be stocking up on some common parts - if there getting hard to find? Maybe some minimum stuff like a recoil starter spring, carb rebuild kit, coil, etc?

I can still get Tecumseh parts with no problem. Why stock up on B&S parts which should be readily available for some time to come.

 

[BigShug681]

I have a Troy Bilt, TB110 I think, with a B&S engine and it’s never had the oil changed but maybe once if that pretty sure I just top it off, the air filter looks like a rat built a nest in it and it has junk all inside the tank, I’ve owned it for 7 years and it still starts after a few pulls. Bought a newer Husqvarna 2 years ago with a B&S and it ran for 6 months before it became difficult to start. Now have a Toro with a Honda and it’s a gem I love it all in all I think it’s like anything just sometimes things aren’t good

 

[The_Eric]

Never been much of a Briggs fan, but adopted a push mower with a 190cc/5.75tq? engine that always fires first pull and runs perfectly. Also bought a Snapper zero turn with a 25hp Commercial Turf engine which has been an excellent runner too. The 25hp hasn't used a drop of oil in about 35hrs so far.

 

[MParr]

I find this surprising. Their outboard motors are very highly regarded.

That may be the case. However, Yamaha industrial engines are essentially rebranded Subaru industrial engines, that are made in China. Yamaha bought out Subaru Industrial engines. The are so good that, Gravely, Bad Boy, and Husqvarna stopped offering them. Utter Garbage!

 

[jeepman3071]

Never been much of a Briggs fan, but adopted a push mower with a 190cc/5.75tq? engine that always fires first pull and runs perfectly. Also bought a Snapper zero turn with a 25hp Commercial Turf engine which has been an excellent runner too. The 25hp hasn't used a drop of oil in about 35hrs so far.

Those Commercial Turf engines are pretty good. I've re-powered a few mowers with them, no issues so far. Way better than the previous Intek V-Twins.