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dpb dpb is offline
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Default Kawasaki vs. Vanguard vs. Kohler

On Apr 13, 1:08 am, "dean" wrote:
Trying to decide on a z-turn mower. My preference right now is for a
Kawasaki, but I have never had a proper commercial B&S or Kohler
engine. Any preferences? I'd prefer the quietest / smoothest one.

I have a Kawasaki (husky) air blower and love it, that engine really
is nice! Burnt out a handful of B&S (I guess homeowner) engines, can't
say I like B&S at all, but I never had a vanguard.


Depending on how big you're going, I'd seriously consider diesel
instead of gasoline if it's available.

That said, I've all of the above plus Tecumseh and have B&S engines
still running well that are nearly 40 years old as well as the
Kawasaki and Tecumseh. I did blow a B&S 9 hp a couple of years ago
but it was my fault -- I replaced the spring on the throttle return
and inadvertently put it on wrong and over-rev'ed it and stretched the
rod-clamp before I got it cut off. I'm sure I could replace the rod/
piston in it, but Northern had a sale at the right time and I just
replaced it. Other than an old push-mower w/ a little 3 hp B&S, I
don't recall ever having another go bad before I was ready to dispose
of the mower/tractor/tiller anyway.

I did finally wear out the Tecumseh on the old JD 110 put a new
shortblock in it, but it is well over 40 years old now and has been
over uncountable acres and a lot of heavy weeds as well as the lawn...

The key ime is maintenance and not abusing any of them.