Kohler vs Briggs & Stratton

[TBow]

I'm in the process of buying a riding lawn mower for the first time ever and have been doing a lot of browsing on the internet to check on prices, availability and consumer reviews.

I've determined that most of the lawn "tractors" (and I use the term tractor very loosely in this reference) are really nothing more than glorified lawn mowers and most brands provide a product to compete in the lower end market (prices $1000 to $3000). To really get into a commercial grade or multi-use implement, you have to range into the $7K to $15K domain for what they refer to as estate units and $15K plus to get the real toys.

I'm just looking at the under $3K versions. A lot of the units I've seen use either a Kohler or Briggs & Stratton engine. The consumer reviews are pretty much all over the place with regards to engine feedback. I was just wondering what experience or observations any of you have had with these two types of power plants.

Right now I've got it narrowed down to either a Craftsman or a Cub Cadet, in the 25 hp / 54" deck width range.

TBow

[Tominator]

In my experiences, Onan was the best of the air cooled engines I have used in the past. I had an Onan in my Cub Cadet (back when Cub as actually a Cub, they're MTD's now I think). As for Kohler and Briggs, I'd say the Briggs has a slight advantage over the Kohler, but neither was very durable IMHO. I didn't have too much luck with those air cooled engines. I don't know why, but I usually wore one out in a matter of 3 or 4 years.

[SchuLace]

We have a Craftsman with a 25 hp Briggs and the 54" deck. It is a pretty good mower. We have had it for about 6 years now with only one problem. Right when we got it the carb was messed up so they came out and replaced it. We have a 2 acre yard and it has held up just fine.

All of our mowers have had Briggs and no problems with any.

[Shaun_300]

I am in the same boat Tbow (actually dad is), but he'll buy what I tell him is a good buy since I know the ins and outs of them and he doesn't. I know both Kohler and Briggs engines are great. The only small engine I detest is Tecumseh. They are garbage IMO. I only have had one because I bought our present lawn tractor used from our neighbour. Had the engine apart twice trying to fix the oil burning/leaking issues. Fixed the burning issues but I can't get that thing to stop leaking oil to save my life. I've changed every seal and gasket in that darn thing. I'm thinking the head is cracked. The rest of the tractor is junk anyways, so time to get a new one.

I was up at TSC this afternoon and they have a 17hp MTD Gold with the hydrostatic drive, cruise control, high back seat, 46 or 48" deck, for $1599, $500 off. Home Depot has a 19hp John Deere on sale for $1649, it's not hydrostatic drive though which I'd like. Both have Kohler engines in them.

[Strut10]

If you can find one with the Briggs Vanguard, by all means go that way.

The Vanguard is a V-twin and comes in 14 to 20-something HP models. I had two identical hydrostat Cadets with the 16 HP Vanguard and you can not believe the gonads that motor has!!! Those tractors would move or mow mountains so long as you could get traction. The Vanguard is also exponentially smoother running than the flat twin Kohler 17 HP I had.

[TBow]

Of the reviews that I've read thus far, I have seen a couple comments about the Kohler V-twins not functioning well on slopes as it tends to burn or leak oil, otherwise fairly good rating and ample power. I think most of these riding lawn mowers use what is called the Kohler Courage model. Some have indicated the Kohler Command Pro series of engines may have been a better choice of power plant to use, but then again, the Command Pro series are far more expensive.

I've got an 18 hp Kohler Magnum twin in my 1984 argo and it's pretty much bullet proof except for the throttle governor which is a little tempermental. I've contemplated swapping it out for a Kohler 25 hp Command Pro, but those engines alone are worth $2500 plus.

The Briggs and Stratton are twin cylinder O/H valve units. The plus about the Briggs is that they have mucho experience in small engines, and parts and service are readily available. The reviews are much the same as with the Kohlers, and are all over the board with regards to good and bad.

Most people I've talked to say MTD makes 75+% of most small riding lawen mowers anyways, so their take on them is, "They're all the same"!.

I really didn't get a lot of positive comments about John Deere. Most reviews indicated all you were paying for was the green and yellow paint job. If you really want a Deere, then you better be prepered to go the $10+K route to get a real JD.

Craftman at Sears is leading my reviews thus far as they have quite a line up of options and they have the two various power plants to choose from in a variety of power ranges. Plus, you really can't go wrong with a Sears warranty. I can buy a riding lawn mower stateside and save almost $500 plus and what with the cdn dollar expected to hit parity with the U$ greenback this week, my buying power goes even further right across the border. As I live right on the border, the trip to the land of the red, white and blue is even less than a hop, skip and a jump. Still, I'd like to keep my purchases here at home if the retailers can be competative, but a buck is a buck to this here retiree.

Thanks for all your feedback. As I said, it looks like it's going to be a Craftsman, I just haven't decided on what engine to choose.

TBow

[kidd]

i used to work on both kohler and briggs....they are both good engines.....as long as you take care of them....are you set on buying new???...some of those 7k mowers new you can get a heck of a deal as they might be turn ins from previous years.....

[wtnhunt]

Guess I am the oddball on this one because I would take a kohler over a briggs if I was making the decision. Kohlers in my experience have just held up better. Had a single cylinder 15 kohler here that mowed up and down this rough hilly 3.5 or so acre yard for a pretty good while, probably 9 or 10 years. There was an ignition problem, but otherwise that motor on that lawnmower still ran perfect when I gave it away to my sister in law and her husband after we bought our kubota diesel lawn tractor.

[Flintlock1776]

I've owned John Deer's over the decades. Within your budget you may want to check out the JD LX175 or at the top of your range the JD X300.

I prefer the liquid cool like my new x520 but that would be outside your range.

Good luck

[stevebeilgard]

i'd personally take a koehler over b&s any day.

[TBow]

Well I ordered my new lawn tractor today. It's a Craftsman GT5000, 26 hp, 54" cut with a Briggs & Stratton V-Twin. The engine has cast steel cylinder liners, OHVs and an external spin-off oil filter. Rear tires are 23" and is the hydrostatic drive automatic version, not the manual 6-Speed.

I got it at Sears Canada. The only way I could have gotten that model with the Kohler (which would have been my preference) was to head stateside and get it at Sears USA. They had the exact same tractor stateside, but with the 26 hp Kohler. It just would have meant a little more paperwork and having to pay the NY state sales tax and PST and GST taxes at Canada Customs, plus the hassle if I ever had to get warranty work done. But it should be here next wednesday, so grass beware!

TBow