Kohler lawn mower engines offer more variety and versatility in terms of personal and professional use. Briggs and Stratton’s engines are easier to start and store. However, Kohler engines have the upper hand when it comes to features, durability, quality, and longevity.
What Engine Is Better for Lawn Mower Briggs and Stratton or Kohler?
Although the primary purpose of a mower engine is the same, there are differences in performance with the variation in manufacturers. Between Briggs and Kohler engines, we must know what they are capable of bringing to the table before deciding which one to go with.
Application
When it comes to application, Kohler engines beat Briggs by a mile. As a matter of fact, Briggs limits its use only to homeowners and standard mowing or cutting. Whereas, Kohler engine offers great versatility, offering options for both homeowners and professionals.
The biggest difference is in the fact that Kohler offers a variety of homeowner engines. They range from the starter-level XT to the Aegis and Command Pro with many intermediate models in between.
Variety of Engine Models
Kohler
Kohler offers three main categories of engines which are XT, Courage, and the 7000 series. The starter-level XT series is suitable for homeowners as it starts quickly and has a low-temperature operation. However, the horsepower is limited which makes such engines more of a safe, low-maintenance choice.
The Courage series is for riding mowers. It comes with both single and twin cylinder engines. The larger engine displacement allows this series to provide much better handling. However, they require more power than the XT series.
The 7000 series is also for riding mowers. It has v-twin engines and a larger engine displacement than the Courage series. The air cooling feature of this series makes it eligible for professional use.
Briggs and Stratton
On the other hand, the main offering from Briggs and Stratton is its 725 EXi engine. Despite being a small engine, the 725 EXi is durable and can go through the rigors of the summer without any problem.
The best thing about these engines is the Personal Pace system. Depending on the pressure on the handle, the speed increases or slows down. It is a very smart and efficient system to ease the endeavor of the operator.
Therefore, in the case of model options, there is no competitor for Kohler. Kohler offers a wide array of engines, allowing the consumers to have more flexibility. In contrast, Briggs and Stratton only make push mowers, limiting the choices to the customers.
Longevity
Kohler lawn mower engines are built to last. With the quality of manufacture and the innate durability, Kohler lawnmower engines can last over the years. With proper maintenance, a Kohler engine is expected to last more than 10,000 hours.
On the other hand, Briggs manufacturers are looking to cut down costs for their mower engines. Therefore, the quality is inferior compared to its Kohler counterparts.
Design
In terms of design, Kohler beats Briggs as well. The single-cylinder options of Kohler have superior design and are far better options than their Briggs counterparts. Besides, Briggs does not offer riding-mowers whereas Kohler delivers.
Performance and Durability
Briggs and Stratton mower engines are a fine choice for personal use given their affordability and solid performance. However, when it comes to a bigger and more rigorous application, Briggs cannot offer more. That is where Kohler engines come in.
If you want greater performance and durability, there is no better option than a Kohler mower engine. Apart from a wide variety of choices, their engines have cooling and air filtration systems. This allows you to use such engines in different conditions.
Are Kohler Engines Any Good
Kohler makes a number of engines for both residential and commercial use. It has three different series of mower engines that are specifically designed for use in push lawnmowers. They are the HD series, the XT series, and the XTX series.
The HD series incorporates two engines, the HD675, and the HD775. The platinum spark plug and “Consistent-Cut” technology of this series offer steady and even power. Moreover, the construction and design of this series of engines are such that you spend minimum time maintaining the engine.
The XT series is meant to provide a more user-friendly and durable option. It features overhead valves, that allow room for a quieter and fuel-efficient operation. These engines also have Consistent-Cut technology for steady power. The last series from Kohler is the XTX series and it has all the features the XT series do, with the additional feature of never needing to replace the oil. You can also follow simple steps to fix Kohler engine surging.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does it cost to replace a lawnmower engine?
If your lawnmower is a few years old, then an expensive repair might be worth your money. However, if it is already towards the end of its lifespan, it is better to replace it. For a riding mower, it would take around $800 to $900 to repair the blown engine. A new mower will cost about $2000 instead.
2. How long does a lawnmower engine last?
With proper maintenance and care, the expected lifespan of a lawn mower is around eight to ten years. Any lawnmower that is not properly maintained will last only one-half of that time.
Conclusion
Clearly, Kohler has the upper hand in terms of choices, durability, and quality. Briggs won’t let you down with its easy-to-start engines, but Kohler is way ahead of its game with its mower engines as they are more balanced. Even Kohler’s single-cylinder engines are better than their Briggs counterparts.
