Which Engine for new lawn mower?

[BISCUT]

It's time to put the old Honda gas walk behing of about 15 years to bed. Typical Honda engine still solid. Rest of ol girl not worth the refresh. I'm not sold on anything but am checking out 2 DeWalt models. Main differences are engine and cost.

1. DeWalt engine - 196cc Electronic Governor gas $100 more than this one

2. Briggs & Stratton - 163cc gas engine $100 less than above

Longevity is the concern overall.

 

[fantastic]

Briggs has overall proven parts availability. DeWalt is not new either but new to the segment. How long will they have parts support?

 

[Propflux01]

Where are the engines made?

 

[martinq]

I'd look for anything with an oil filter on it. Kawasaki was the last one I remember with it.

Any info the the Briggs engine? Parts should be available but I'm sure it's a bottom dollar budget engine. Take a look at what's available from Toro or Stihl if you can.

 

[skyactiv]

A 190cc B&S OHV engine or a Kohler XT series is what I’d look at

 

[martinq]

Also... find a mower with actual bearings in the wheels an a solid steel deck.

 

[wag123]

It's time to put the old Honda gas walk behing of about 15 years to bed. Typical Honda engine still solid. Rest of ol girl not worth the refresh. I'm not sold on anything but am checking out 2 DeWalt models. Main differences are engine and cost.

1. DeWalt engine - 196cc Electronic Governor gas $100 more than this one

2. Briggs & Stratton - 163cc gas engine $100 less than above

Longevity is the concern overall.

The Dewalt mowers are manufactured by MTD. MTD and Dewalt are both owned by Stanley Black and Decker as are Cub Cadet, Troy-Bilt, Craftsman, and Hustler which are ALL manufactured by MTD. The 196cc engines used by MTD are Honda GX200 clones manufactured in China by Loncin. Loncin also manufactures engines for Toro, Husqvarna, Stihl, and Generac as well as the well regarded Preditors for HF. This engine has a steel cylinder sleeve verses B&S having an aluminum Cool-Bore so it "should" potentially last longer. Personally, I wouldn't hesitate buying a Loncin engine. The only thing that causes me concern is the electronic governor system, IMO this is a potential problem waiting to happen.

 

[Propflux01]

The Dewalt mowers are manufactured by MTD. MTD and Dewalt are both owned by Stanley Black and Decker as are Cub Cadet, Troy-Bilt, Craftsman, and Hustler which are ALL manufactured by MTD. The 196cc engines used by MTD are Honda GX200 clones manufactured in China by Loncin. Loncin also manufactures engines for Toro, Husqvarna, Stihl, and Generac as well as the well regarded Preditors for HF. This engine has a steel cylinder sleeve verses B&S having an aluminum Cool-Bore so it "should" potentially last longer. Personally, I wouldn't hesitate buying a Loncin engine. The only thing that causes me concern is the electronic governor system, IMO this is a potential problem waiting to happen.

In that case its best to assume the OP will have alot of trouble finding parts 5-6 years down the line, sans a few Amazon Chinese carbs. It seems in this case either mower would suit his needs, with the choice being left only to which one he likes better.

 

[repairman54]

IMO any electronics other that the ignition coil in a mower is off my list for simplicity.

 

[Tdbo]

I'll vote 3, none of the above.
Toro 21565 would be IMO the best of a bunch of not so great choices.
Also, Toro is probably the best shot of having a reasonably dependable parts network to fall back on.

 

[Mainia]

Find someone selling a newer Honda, all the other mowers are not in the same league. Look for a 2019 and above that had the larger motor from a 160cc to a 170cc. Model: HRN216 with the GCV170 motor. It actually made a big difference. ( I know I mow taller grass) and have owned four Honda lawnmowers.

 

[wag123]

In that case its best to assume the OP will have alot of trouble finding parts 5-6 years down the line, sans a few Amazon Chinese carbs. It seems in this case either mower would suit his needs, with the choice being left only to which one he likes better.

Find someone selling a newer Honda, all the other mowers are not in the same league. Look for a 2019 and above that had the larger motor from a 160cc to a 170cc. Model: HRN216 with the GCV170 motor. It actually made a big difference. ( I know I mow taller grass) and have owned four Honda lawnmowers.

I don't think that finding parts for the Loncin engine is going to be a problem. I do think that finding parts for the Honda mowers (not necessarily the engines) will be a problem in a few years. Honda has told their authorized dealers that they will continue to stock parts for their mowers for 7 years (as of 2 years ago) which means that many Honda mowers will unfortunately end-up in the graveyard due to lack of parts availability at some point in the next few years. MTD mowers are not going to have this problem, Stanley Black and Decker is a BIG and profitable company.
Keep in mind that B&S was just purchased out of bankruptcy in 2020 by a private equity firm. Private equity firms have a documented history of willfully destroying companies (First Brands is a private equity firm, and Tecumseh was purchased by a private equity firm before they went under), so I wouldn't automatically assume that buying a mower with a B&S engine on it will be a safe bet.

 

[Mainia]

I don't think that finding parts for the Loncin engine is going to be a problem. I do think that finding parts for the Honda mowers (not necessarily the engines) will be a problem in a few years. Honda has told their authorized dealers that they will continue to stock parts for their mowers for 7 years (as of 2 years ago) which means that many Honda mowers will unfortunately end-up in the graveyard due to lack of parts availability at some point in the next few years. MTD mowers are not going to have this problem, Stanley Black and Decker is a BIG and profitable company.
Keep in mind that B&S was just purchased out of bankruptcy in 2020 by a private equity firm. Private equity firms have a documented history of willfully destroying companies (First Brands is a private equity firm, and Tecumseh was purchased by a private equity firm before they went under), so I wouldn't automatically assume that buying a mower with a B&S engine on it will be a safe bet.

Time to slowly buy a carb, starting cord assy. ect. for my Honda. Hopefully I can make it last another 15-20 years or until I pass. I have no interest is buying a $1,000+ push Honda battery lawn mower, $1650 with 2) batteries. Where during that time I will most likely have to buy $650-$700 in batteries to keep it going. All to keep a certain group's religion on track.

 

[wag123]

Time to slowly buy a carb, starting cord assy. ect. for my Honda. Hopefully I can make it last another 15-20 years or until I pass. Ihave no interest is buying a $1,000+ push Honda battery lawn mower, $1650 with 2) batteries. wWhere during that time I will most likely have to buy $650-$700 in batteries to keep it going. All to keep a certain group's religion on track.

You won't need to be worried about engine parts. Honda is continuing to manufacture engines. What you need to be worried about is MOWER parts like cables, handles, wheels, wheel adjusters, self-propel system parts, blade clutch parts, etc.

 

[Marcozi]

Get some goats.

 

[4wd]

In that case its best to assume the OP will have alot of trouble finding parts 5-6 years down the line, sans a few Amazon Chinese carbs. It seems in this case either mower would suit his needs, with the choice being left only to which one he likes better.

2/3 of my Chonda motors are on a second carb.
My 10 year old B&S - still on original …
My Kohler is only 3 YO …

 

[SC Maintenance]

The 196CC is a Chonda GX clone likely build in China. Great design, quality will depend on who assembled it. I wouldn't hesitate to buy that engine - parts would be not a problem.

I believe I have the predecessor to the 163CC Briggs in my 12 YO 150CC - looks the same. Its been fine - zero problems. Pretty light use though. Mine has no provision to change the oil. I turn it upside down.

Honestly if you can get the parts I would personally fix your Honda. To each there own.

 

[repairman54]

If a Chonda motor comes with oil in it I would drain it and put a known good oil in it. No telling what kind of fish oil is in it.

 

[scrowley]

I would buy a used flat head B&S 6hp motor that does not make noise, used, yard sale 25-50 dollar whole mower. Oil and ethanol-free they may outlive you.