engines

[dewayne 0]

HI y members, There seems to be a lot of questions and imformation on briggs engines. Is this because its a better engine or most commonly used. My 917 has a kohler. Just curious. dewayne

[Ronald Hribar 91]

All the twins in the older tractors were Kohler. The Singles were either Kohler or Briggs. And each has their faithful following. Like Ford/Chevy

[RayS 79]

I personally prefer the Briggs single cylinder cast iron engines. But the Kohler Command in my Prestige doesn`t seem to be a bad engine either.

[HubbardRA 19]

dewayne, Just like there are the RBT(running board tractor) and the FDT(foot dragging tractor) factions on this site, there are also the B/S and Kohler groups. B/S is the more common engine, and the best liked in general. I have both type of engines and both are good engines. In general the B/S engines tend to run smoother, and in many instances, the will last longer. Biggest problem that most people have with Kohlers is that when they start smoking, they usually have a scored cylinder and need a bore job and oversize piston. I have rebuilt several B/S engines without need of boring them. You will hear a lot more questions about ignitions with the B/S engines. This is because most of the older, one cylinder Kohlers had battery ignition. Not much that can go wrong with these and they are easy to fix. B/S Magnetos, on the other hand, can be harder to diagnose and swapping from a magneto to a magnetron system can bring on additional problems. I think the Kohler side-draft carburators are also easier to maintain than the B/S updrafts. Both brands have their good points. Both have their unique problems. Take your choice. I use both. If I absolutely had to choose, I'd probably take B/S. My 4 tractors have 3 B/S engines and 1 Kohler. I also have 4 spare Kohler engines and no spare B/S engines. I have found that is is much easier to get good deals on used Kohler engines than B/S. Guess it is just like Ford vs. GM vs. Chrysler. Everybody has a favorite.

[Guest]

i argree with ray s briggs & straton are more of a reliable motor and seems to be tougher and stronger.never had a simplicity with a kohler.i just know the cub cadet has a kohler. ---------------- Remainder of post deleted. Kent --------------

[tec2484 1]

this is a family site and my kids would see that in a New York second. By the way I drive a Ford because I got sick of hearing the chevys rust at night.

[HubbardRA 19]

Nick, You should alter that post, or one of the Moderators will fix it for you. That type of language is not allowed.

[Kenh 37]

I agree about the magnetron. When I wined to my Simplisity dealer about the cost of a set of points, they offered to convert to a Magetron ignition. However... I needed to send in my flywheel to have the polerity reversed on the magnut because that what the Magnetron required. With shipping and such it would have cost about 5 sets of points. Buy the way I just filed the points I had and they are working just fine...so far! Ken

[66Squire10 0]

I think they both have their good and bad points. I have a briggs on 2 of my push mowers and my Squire and a Kohler on my Deere. The Kohler blew a rod and there is a 3 inch round hole in the side of it, but it still starts and hardly has a miss. Guess the real difference is how well you take care of what you have.

[MPH 12]

Vince, did you fix the rod exit hole by JB welding a chrome handle in it?:D:D The cast iron Briggs were most common if not exclusive in the older tractors.