Today, you can find various qualities, sizes, and designs in riding lawnmowers with variations in specification and functionality.
And, their life expectancy depends on the type and brand with Briggs and Stratton being a popular name. Proper maintenance also ensures a longer life for engines.
So, how long will a Briggs and Stratton engine last? Usually, lawnmowers are created to last several years. In hours, it will be almost 500 to 1000 hours.
And when a lawnmower company is talking about its life, it’s referring to the life of the engine and other components.
How Long will a Briggs and Stratton Engine Last?
An average-sized and well-maintained riding lawnmower from a reputed brand can last for 10-15 years.
Briggs and Stratton make small-sized lawnmowers for standard-level workloads. And, the company provides a book life of almost 500 hours.
However, with correct maintenance and care, you can increase its value up to 1000 hours.
Dependency of Lifespan on Engine Size
For gas-powered lawnmowers, engine capacity, fuel type, and cylinder count define their power. They can be as small as single-cylinder piston engines or as big as 4-cylinder piston engines.
A single-cylinder engine can last up to 500 to 750 hours because of the huge workload from a single-piston. A bigger engine will last up to 1000 to 1500 hours with good care.
The hour rating on the lawnmower is related to the life of its engine.
Life Dependency on Usage and Build Quality
The lawnmower’s life depends on how you use it. They are expensive and need the right maintenance and care. Oil requires to be verified and changed and the filter is cleaned regularly.
A small lawnmower comes with a life expectancy of 400-500 hours. But when you use it on your lawn with long and thick grass, it gets minimized to only 200 to 350 hours.
This happens because the lawnmower needs to work hard because of the additional load.
Contrarily, a powerful engine with more power than required will not deal with such a problem. This might cause a deviation of 40-50 hours in the expectancy only.
Another factor that reduces lifespan here is the use of domestic lawnmowers for commercial purposes. However, every part of a lawnmower can have a different lifespan:
- Gas tank and engine: Being sturdy, these parts can easily last for the given estimated life. However, using an engine with low oil can harm it rapidly.
- Blades: They should be sharpened after every 30-40 hours of use. You can sharpen them a maximum of 5-6 times prior to replacing them.
- Carburetor: Rust can damage this component. With proper care, a carburetor can last around five years. But if you let it in the rain, you will need a replacement much earlier.
How to Enhance the Lifespan?
Are you clear about how long will a Briggs and Stratton engine last? Now, if you want to enhance the life of your lawnmower or its engine, follow these steps.
- Wash the air filter: The air filter should be verified a minimum of 2 times per season. Replace it correctly every time you change the oil. When taking it out after a closed season, clean it thoroughly.
- Sharpen the blade: Verify the blades prior to every mowing season. Sharpen your blades after 30-40 hours of usage and a minimum of 1 time per season.
- Regularly check the oil: Make sure you change the oil annually or after fifty hours of usage. Also, check the oil quality and level by looking at the color.
- Usage: Like other machinery, regular usage of a lawnmower maintains its cylinders and fluid. It also ensures that the cylinder doesn’t get old, which is essential for a rust-free and better life.
- Well-organized spark plug: An imperfect spark plug can cost you more in the unburned fuel form, engine life reduction, and risk to cylinders. Keep a check and replace when required.
- Maintaining the belts: Make sure that the belts are correctly greased and tight after a regular interval of time for a smooth engine. Also, check it for damage and wear and tear.
- Battery maintenance: A well-kept battery helps maintain the lawnmower in better shape. Remove it in winter and keep the charger in maintenance mode to enhance its life. Also, check the level of water after every 10-hour usage.
The Verdict – How Long will a Briggs and Stratton Engine Last?
Ideally, it should last a good number of years. And here, you have already read about things about making yours live longer.
Since the engine is the mower’s heart, you can check for the life expectancy of the machine to know how long will a Briggs and Stratton engine last?
Besides, changing the oil regularly, checking on errors, and following other maintenance checks are sure to enhance the lifespan.
FAQs
How reliable are Briggs and Stratton engines?
Briggs and Stratton are known to make reliable engines. With a highly durable design, the engines ensure consistent starts.
Are Honda Motors better than Briggs and Stratton?
There are certain areas where Honda engines surpass those from Briggs and Stratton by a good margin.
The former is better in terms of fuel efficiency, durability, design compactness, emissions, and noise. However, both are among the top companies known for making small engines.
Is Generac owned by Briggs and Stratton?
Well, partially it’s a yes. Beacon group bought the division of portable products from Generac in 1998.
The private equity firm, Beacon later sold that division to Briggs and Stratton.
Did Briggs & Stratton go out of business?
Briggs and Stratton did file for bankruptcy (chapter 11) on 20 July 2020. Then, KPS Capital Partners closed an acquisition deal worth $550 million in September.
Now, it works as an independent firm with KPS Capital Partners’ support.
Later, in January 2022, the company announced an exit from product lines stating the inability to make reasonable profits as the cause.s
Who owns Briggs and Stratton now?
A private equity firm, KPS Capital Partners holds the majority stake in Briggs and Stratton.
Does Briggs & Stratton still make engines?
Briggs and Stratton announced a closure of its Germantown facility due to its inability to generate reasonable profits.
Following this announcement in Jan 2022, the company would support its retail customers through Spring before exiting in Summer.