Many users have their preferred lawn mower brands like Exmark and MTD to Husqvarna and John Deere.
Regardless, these brands do not usually produce their own engines. The engines then have to be purchased from one of the two major engine manufacturers.
Briggs and Stratton vs Kawasaki engines have several differences but they are both high-performance engines that are sure to deliver and work effectively on your lawn mower.
Here are some advantages of the Kawasaki engines over the Briggs and Stratton engines:
- They have lesser issues concerning vibration
- They do not encounter carburetor problems unlike the Briggs and Stratton engines
- The Kawasaki engines have more power output
Are Kawasaki Engines Any Good?
Kawasaki has grown over the years in the production of engines for motorcycles. However, it has gotten even so much better.
Kawasaki engines are produced by Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) which is a multinational corporation in Japan. This company is a parent company to many subsidiaries such as the Kawasaki Heavy Industries Motorcycle and Engine division.
Kawasaki produces motors for different equipment such as water pumps, lawnmowers and generators.
Kawasaki Lawn Care Engines
When it comes to lawn care, there are several options to choose from. Regardless, Kawasaki provides many engines for various mower models, sizes and also functions while considering the user’s needs and preferences.
Kawasaki is very skilled at manufacturing commercial grade mower engines like the home garden tractor motors. They are mostly concerned with the production of gasoline engines.
Kawasaki FX Series
The Kawasaki FX series is an excellent series featuring pro grade engines that are well known for their top performance and concern for the environment.
There are fourteen engine models in this series starting with the FX481V which has 15.5 horsepower. An advanced model is the FX1000V-EFI which has an impressive 38.5 horsepower.
Like all the Kawasaki mower engines, the FX series is a 4-stroke. It has a V-Twin layout which plays a big role in its performance and efficiency. This series is the most sought-after by many users.
Features of the FX series
- Oil coolers
- Steel guard which has a rotating chopper screen
- Overhead Valve (OHV) technology
- Multi-stage canister air filter system
Kawasaki FR Series Engines
Although this series is not as popular as the other series, it is very remarkable and quite impressive. While this series has many features that are similar to that of the FX series, it is very ideal for private home owners.
One of the most popular engines in this series is the Husqvarna Z254F and it has a fantastic 24-horsepower FR730V engine.
Features of the FR series
- An advanced pressure lubrication system that provides oil to all the moving parts of the engine
- A patented High Energy Spark ignition system
- Enhanced rigidity thanks to its cast iron liners
- A footprint reducing 90 degrees V-Twin configuration
The FR series has only four models with its entry being the FR600V with 18 horsepower. Its top-of-the-range model, the FR730V has 24 horsepower.
Kawasaki FH Series
The Kawasaki FH series has slowly replaced the FJ180V KAI which is no longer produced. The FH series is an awesome series that has great cooling technology thanks to its dual air cleaning system and massive blower fan.
The most popular engine from this series is the FH770D KAI, which is a multipurpose engine that can perfectly cut the thickest grass. With 764cc of displacement and two cylinders, this V-Twin engine provides enough power to handle grass no matter the density.
Other features of the KAI are:
- cast iron lining,
- easy oil filler access,
- high-energy spark ignition and
- V-Twin layout
Kawasaki FT Series
The Kawasaki FT series is well known for its Vortical air filtration system as well as the electronic fuel injection (EFI). Compared to other engines in car
Unlike most engines with carburetors, the FT models shoot gasoline directly into the cylinder which in turn provides quicker combustion cycles and less spitting sounds from the engine.
Other engines from the Kawasaki lineup include:
- FS,
- FJ, and
- FD series.
Overall, Kawasaki manufactured 35 different engine models across its series. The FX series owns majority of the models as it has 14 engines in its series.
The Verdict On Kawasaki
Kawasaki engines are generally superb. There are countless benefits of investing in the Kawasaki engines for your lawn mower.
Advantages of Kawasaki engines
Some of these are listed below:
- Kawasaki engines have a sound cooling system which is perfect in cases where downtime is not an option
- With the reduction in vibrations and the amazing cooking technology, the Kawasaki engines have a mowing time above 2000 hours and with proper care and maintenance, this could extend to over 3000 hours.
- Kawasaki engines are V-Twin cylinder engines that have increased performance and efficiency
- This engine provides more power
- With the V-Twin configuration, the vibrations are significantly reduced
- Unlike the single-cylinder engine, a properly oiled V-Twin operates better and smoother. This in turn decreases the rate of wear and tear of the engine.
Disadvantages of Kawasaki engines
- Once the warranty expires, users may encounter surging problems but this can be fixed by cleaning the fuel filters and removing old fuel.
In addition, with the EFI technology for small engines which is currently being worked on, this problem can be solved once and for all.
Are Briggs & Stratton Engines Reliable?
Many users question the reliability of Briggs and Stratton engines in comparison to their Kawasaki counterparts which are well known as one of the producers of the best engines for mowers.
It should be noted that the Briggs and Stratton engines make a great alternative especially since they are more affordable. Briggs and Stratton have various engine models to suit different users and their lawn needs.
In the past, gasoline motors were the major selling point for the company. However, as a result of the concern for the global environment and reduction of pollution, Briggs is currently moving towards greener energy.
Briggs and Stratton remain a popular name in the mower industry and have gained a place among one of the biggest brands and producers of top quality engines.
Walk Behind Motor Series From Briggs And Stratton
Briggs and Stratton has 21 walk-behind mower engines and about 12 riding mower engines
Briggs & Stratton 300E Walk Behind Mower Series
One of the things that Briggs is committed to be the production of simple motors which are not only effective but provide ease and convenience for the users. With their motors from the entry level 300E series, it is very clear that Briggs has come a long way in producing efficient motors.
Features of the 300E series
- The single-cylinder is made using high-quality aluminum which guarantees smooth operation throughout the year
- This engine has an OHV 0.21 gallon gas tank
- They are lightweight engines which can perfectly power many residential walk-behind mowers
- This engine is quite robust and has an amazing noise management system. Thus, it can be used at any time of the day
- The 300E series engine has 125cc of displacement and the single cylinder 4-stroke engine produces 15.8 horsepower with 6,10Nm of Torque.
Briggs & Stratton 650EXi
The 24 horsepower of the 650EXi Series makes it ideal for use in private homes and also for commercial mowing. Similar to the 300E Series, the 650EXi is an OHV 4-stroke which has an aluminum cylinder.
Advantages of the Briggs and Stratton 650EXi
- Thanks to its paper air cleaner, this engine encourages the emission of debris-free oxygen
- The efficiency of the float-feed carburettor is very impressive
Briggs & Stratton 950PXi Series
The Briggs & Stratton 950PXi Series remains one of the best engines produced by Briggs. Here are some features that make it superior:
- It has a high oil fill tube which makes servicing easier. Users can also go for a high pressure lubrication system as an alternative
- Its 223cc Briggs engine is the most powerful small vertical shaft motor
- It has 35 horsepower and 13.56 nm of torque
- Thanks to its ReadyStart ignition system, this engine is not affected by adverse weather conditions which allows it to function continuously
Briggs also offers to service and repair the engine on failure to start after two tries.
The Electric Powered 82Li Series
In an attempt to dive into green energy, Briggs and Stratton successfully produced the 82Li Series as its latest and greatest effort for this.
Features of the 82Li Series
- The 82Li provides users with a mowing rule of approximately 45 minutes.
- The charging time is dependent on your battery’s amperage (30 mins for 2Ah, 60 mins for 4Ah, and 75 mins for 5Ah).
- This motor is powered by the smart lithium-ion battery technology which provides both an emission-free and noise/free performance during use
- It has a simple electric start as a standard,
- The Briggs’ patented Load Sense tech employed in this engine allows it to assess the density of grass that is being cut. With that, it can adjust and manage our power output based on this density. This means that more power is provided with thicker grass and less with thinner grass.
Riding Mowers Engines From Briggs & Stratton
Briggs and Stratton are great at producing engines that offer a little more power for your riding mowers.
The Briggs & Stratton 3000E Series
The 3000E series is the perfect engine for people living in private homes. Some of its features are as follows:
- It has an OHV motor which offers it an anti-vibration system
- Its unique design contributes to the effectiveness of this engine while giving it a stylish appearance
- The motor of the 3000E series has 344 ccs of displacement and also 16,82Nm of torque
- The engine has a cast-iron sleeve cylinder which offers it protection.
- As a standard, this engine has a mechanical governor and Briggs’ Magnetron electronic ignition system
The Series 8 Engine From Briggs & Stratton
The Series 8 Commercial is another remarkable engine from Briggs and Stratton. These engines are used in cases where the engine has to continually run for as long as is required.
What makes the Series 8 Commercial special?
- This engine has a cast-iron lining which offers it protection and a mechanical governor that helps to regulate the power output when carrying heavy loads.
- To protect the important components of this engine from working effectively, this engine has a revolutionary 5-step debris management system
- This engine works using the V-Twin engine which offers it almost vibration-less.
- The size of this engine is also quite impressive
- This engine is undoubtedly a very strong one thanks to its 724cc
Other riding mower engines made by Briggs are:
- 4000E,
- 5000EX, and
- Series 7 series
The Verdict On Briggs And Stratton
Here are some advantages of the Briggs and Stratton engines:
- The electronic starting systems are commendable
- They are affordable
- These engines are very impressive and have a quality build
- They have a robust design which makes the engine very reliable
- With the Briggs and Stratton engines, noise and air pollution are significantly reduced
Disadvantages of Briggs and Stratton engines
- Briggs and Stratton’s engines employ the use of single cylinders which make them more vulnerable to vibrations and damage, unlike the Kawasaki engines which use V-Twin cylinders.
- Briggs engines constantly encounter carburetor problems
- Compared to the Kawasaki engines, the Briggs and Stratton engines are not as efficient in terms of cooling
FAQs
Is Kawasaki better than Briggs and Stratton?
There are a few differences between the Kawasaki engines and the Briggs and Stratton engines. Regardless, below are some advantages of the Kawasaki engines over the latter:
- They have a more efficient cooling system
- They have fewer carburettor problems u like the Briggs and Stratton engines
- Kawasaki engines have more power output
- They have fewer issues concerning vibration
Are Kawasaki engines good?
Kawasaki follows the SAE J2723 and as such, they manufacture safe and long-lasting mower engines. The durability of the Kawasaki engine is also very impressive and can last for about 3000 hours with care and maintenance.
Are Briggs and Stratton good engines?
Generally, Briggs and Stratton are very convenient and quite reliable. Moreso, their parts are readily available, and repairing is easy.
However, in smaller engines, the Honda is recommended as a better option when it comes to efficiency and reliability.
Where are Kawasaki engines made?
The Kawasaki engines are manufactured at the Kawasaki Motors Manufacturing Corp, Maryville, Missouri plant in the United States (KMM Maryville).
The production of these engines began in June 1989 and has continued ever since.
Briggs & Stratton vs Kawasaki Engines
While Briggs and Stratton engines are an amazing choice and offer a lot of benefits, the Kawasaki engine is a more recommended choice for anyone who wants the very best engine for their mower.
This, however, affects the price of the Kawasaki engine as it is quite expensive thanks to its design, and parts.
On the other hand, Briggs and Stratton engines offer efficiency and are also quite durable. They are a more affordable option for those who are under a budget.
Many buyers usually consider the expenses and their budget while thinking of the right engine to get. If you have the money, then Kawasaki engines are definitely worth every penny.
An alternative is the Briggs and Stratton which can offer you similar qualities as well.