What do you prefer for a small-ish garden tractor? I see most, if not all, manufacturers are going to a V-twin configuration, but the ones that I've looked at on new machines from Briggs & Stratton and Kohler aren't all that impressive, IMHO.
The Kohler Command 25 that I ran a while back seemed reminiscent of a Harley-Davidson engine. I wasn't sure at first if it was hitting on both cylinders or not! It didn't have nearly the smoothness that the old KT series Kohler opposed twins had. Makes me wonder if they're not using a common crankpin just like a H-D engine. They sure feel like it. With that configuration and a 45° Vee, the firing pulses will be odd every other revolution, which is exactly what it feels like.
The Briggs felt smoother, but still rough compared to an opposed or inline design.
Honda's inline twin and 3 cylinders are smooth as butter, but water cooling I'm sure helps keep the noise level down a ton.
Just some random observations.
Edit: BTW, what ever happened to Onan engines? They used to be as popular as Kohler and Briggs, and now you hardly ever see one on a new machine.
That was another engine I really liked.
The Kohler Command 25 that I ran a while back seemed reminiscent of a Harley-Davidson engine. I wasn't sure at first if it was hitting on both cylinders or not! It didn't have nearly the smoothness that the old KT series Kohler opposed twins had. Makes me wonder if they're not using a common crankpin just like a H-D engine. They sure feel like it. With that configuration and a 45° Vee, the firing pulses will be odd every other revolution, which is exactly what it feels like.
The Briggs felt smoother, but still rough compared to an opposed or inline design.
Honda's inline twin and 3 cylinders are smooth as butter, but water cooling I'm sure helps keep the noise level down a ton.
Just some random observations.
Edit: BTW, what ever happened to Onan engines? They used to be as popular as Kohler and Briggs, and now you hardly ever see one on a new machine.
That was another engine I really liked.