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Gardening is 80% about passion and 20% about the quality of tools you use .So when it’s finally time to swap your old lawnmower engine out with a brand new one, be as thorough as possible.
A high-quality lawnmower can make your vintage push mower as good as new.You need to choose the engine based on factors like the configurations of your old engine, lawn size, and most importantly, your budget.
The market today is flooded with lawnmower engines of various configurations, manufactured by various reputed brands. So, I don’t blame you if you are having a hard time deciding which one to buy. That’s where this article enters.
In this comprehensive guide, I have rounded up best lawnmower engines that tick all the right boxes. I will highlight their key features, individual benefits, as well as possible shortcomings to help you make an informed decision.
So, without any further, let’s cut right to the chase
In-depth Reviews of 9 Best Lawnmower Engines of 2022
1. Briggs & Stratton Intek Series
When it comes to the absolute best lawnmower engines in the industry, Briggs & Stratton is a force to be reckoned with. Their Intek Series engines are known for their superior build quality and reliability.
It wasn’t my first lawnmower engine purchase, so I was quite familiar with the nitty-gritty of these engines. I got the 19 HP, 540 cc to replace an old Kohler engine.The assembly was a breeze since I had everything required for the job. The electric harness and fuel lines aligned perfectly.
However, I had to use the old mufflers because the ones that came with the engine wouldn’t fit the cowling, as some other reviewer pointed out.I would also suggest keeping mounting bolts handy. I didn’t find any mounting bolts in the package. Also, mind you that the pre-drilled mounting holes aren’t threaded. So, do make sure to save the old bolts as they are self-tapping.
The owner’s manual didn’t help much, though. There was no wiring diagram. So, if it’s going to be your first time assembling a lawnmower engine, I would suggest watching detailed tutorials on YouTube before finalizing your purchase. It took me about 2.5 hours to complete the assembly.
Make sure to fill the engine with 48 ounces of oil before starting and it fired up at the very first attempt. It has enough power to run my lawnmower smoothly and efficiently.
The engine comes with its own oil and an in-built oil filter that’s easily replaceable with any Briggs & Stratton oil filter.I also fitted the old oil drip pipe into the engine which allowed me to change the oil more easily. The engine is going strong for 2 years in a row now, no serious issues yet.
2. Briggs & Stratton 31R907-0007
This one here is one of the most revered professional series lawnmowers engines the brand has ever produced. If you are having trouble figuring out whether this model will replace your old engine, check out the bolt hole pattern and shaft size.
If the original engine has the same HP, the new engine will most likely be a perfect match as all high HP Briggs & Stratton engines use the same bolt pattern. Even if you are new to lawnmower engines, you will be able to hook up the engine to the mower easily as long as you follow instructions .
Everything aligns and plugs in where it should without a hitch. The 17.5 HP engine packs enough punch for heavy-duty landscaping jobs.
I should note here that the engine doesn’t come with a fuel pump, so the fuel system has to be set up for gravity feed.Unlike the Intek series engines, it doesn’t come with oil and oil filter either, which doesn’t come as a surprise, considering the price. Instead, it has a splash oil system.
Make sure to change the oil often to keep it running smoothly. The only negative was the plastic housing. It cracked after a few days. But other than that, no serious issues so far. Overall, a pretty decent investment.
3. Kawasaki FR730V-HS00 24 HP
Kawasaki, as a brand, has always raised the bar for its competitors. Their commercial-grade lawnmower engines have carved a niche for themselves, thanks to their rugged build and excellent durability. The FR730V-HS00 is no exception.
It took me around 3 hours to replace an old engine with this one. The installation was time-consuming but not difficult. The package included everything you need for assembly except the mufflers.
Thankfully, you can find the mufflers easily online. The 24 HP engine packs an impressive amount of punch.It made my 4-year-old riding mower good as new. Even though it costs slightly more than many engines with similar features on paper, I found it to be substantially better in terms of performance and value.
If you have a large lawn to tend to, this model is worth having a look.I must also mention that the packaging of the engine was top-notch. The manufacturer made sure the packaging was solid enough to avoid damage during transit.
Brownie points for being thorough.It also arrived with its own oil, oil, filter, as well as a replacement coil. All in all, the motor lives up to the name and legacy of Kawasaki.
4. Briggs & Stratton 49T877-0004-G1
The next entry on our list is one of the big guns of Briggs & Stratton. The commercial-grade motor is built like a tank to ensure undisrupted performance even in heavy debris conditions. The engine has sufficient power for keeping large yards in tip-top shape.
I got this one for a garden tractor and the entire process of removing the original Kohler engineer and replacing it with this one took me just 2 hours.
The installation was pretty simple for the most part, thanks to similar mounting holes.My old muffler and wiring harness links also were the right fit for this one. Note that the mounting bolts on this engine aren’t threaded.
So, if your mower has self-tapping bolts, you’ll need to put the bolts in before positioning the engine. Overall, I’m very happy with the purchase.With the new engine, the tractor cuts better than ever before without being obnoxiously loud. It fires right up and no overheating issues so far either.
If you are completely new to lawnmower engine installation, no worries. The instruction manual is well illustrated and should help you pull off the task with ease. Considering the quality and ease of installation, I reckon the price is reasonable.
If you’re not sure if it will be the right replacement for the old engine, just check the shaft size.
5. BRIGGS & STRATTON 44S977-0033-G1
I know it may seem like Briggs & Stratton sent me a big fat paycheque to write this article but believe you me, I’m poor and they happen to be really good at their craft.This 25 GHP motor replaced a 26 HP Kohler engine.
It was a direct bolt-in replacement. Everything fit like a glove including the old muffler. It took me a while, though, to figure out the wiring. No biggie to find out if it is the right choice to replace your old engine, check out the crankshaft diameter.
It’s a small engine that has enough horsepower to fire up almost anything as long as the shaft diameter matches. Ever since the replacement, the riding mower is good as new.It has plenty of power to take care of heavy-duty landscaping jobs.It’s quiet and doesn’t get dangerously hot even when running for a long time.
You need to use 30 WT high detergent oil in the motor. Although you can use 15w50 oil engine oil, I would advise you to stick to the brand’s recommendation. With time-to-time oil change, the engine could last for years.
Make sure to check the oil level before firing up the engine as it comes filled only halfway.
6. Briggs & Stratton Vertical Engine 128M02-0007
Here is another technically-sound motor from the one and only Briggs and Stratton. You can go to their official website and compare the parts of your old engine with this one to find out if it’s the perfect match.
The swap out was easy and hassle-free for a 7-year-old lawn tractor that belongs to a colleague of mine. It arrived in great condition in excellent packaging with oil, air filter, and original B & S plug.
The mounting holes aren’t threaded, so make sure you have the old self-threading bolts of the previous engine with you.
As soon as I filled the engine with oil and fired it up, it started running, and even after a year of heavy use, it always starts on the first pull.On the downside, it didn’t come with a manual but thankfully, I didn’t need one as it bolted right into the slot.
It was a great decision to replace a weak Intek engine with this powerful beast. It has plenty of power to meet medium to high-intensity landscaping projects. To sum up, if you are on a budget, this Briggs & Stratton could be exactly what you need to juice extra performance out of your old lawnmower.
7. Kawasaki FJ180V-BM09 Engine
A lot of people who inquired about this model asked if it comes with a fuel tank. Well, it doesn’t but wasn’t a dealbreaker for me because the fuel tank from my old engine was a perfect fit for this model. I had to attach the fuel tank to the engine before placing it on the deck.
I think at this point, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the mounting bolts on the motor aren’t threaded. So, you will need the old bolts. I had no issues lining up the fuel lines and harnesses either.Look, if you are expecting this model to be on par with commercial-grade engines manufactured by Kawasaki, Kohler, or B & S, you are going to be disappointed.
This was is a cheap but functional replacement for an old engine.It has been used for maintaining a small yard for a year now and so far, it hasn’t died on me. It mostly starts right up on the first pull and doesn’t overheat when running on low RPM.
Overall, it’s an okay product but certainly not the best money can buy.Once the assembly part is over, fill the tank with oil and it’s ready to run. It always fires right up on the first pull. It’s quite a powerful beast for its price and size and can handle pretty much everything you throw at it.
You need to use 30 WT oil in it. The dual-element filter was a great touch. It certainly makes a noticeable difference.
8. Briggs and Stratton Vertical Engine 33R877-0029
The electric start-only engine is arguably the easiest-to-install engine on this list so far. The only modification I had to do was to cut a hole on the side of its hood for the exhaust. That’s it.It came with virtually everything I need for the assembly, including a muffler, something most new B & S models don’t. You will also receive a vacuum fuel pump with it.
However, I’d suggest eventually replacing it with a vacuum fuel pump to prolong the life of your engine. I did and it was a smart decision. The engine bolted right into a 1.5-year-old riding mower. The mounting holes are obviously not threaded but that shouldn’t be a problem as long as you have the old engine’s self-tapping bolts with you.
It’s a great little engine with adequate power for cutting grass.
9. Briggs & Stratton 44N877-0005
The 24 HP 724cc engine is an absolute beast with unquestionable reliability. It can be a direct replacement for an old riding mower as long as the shaft size matches.
Installation is very simple and straightforward with minimal modifications for wiring.Like most Briggs & Stratton models, this one too comes with a vacuum fuel pump and a high-quality oil filter. You can reuse the old engine’s muffler in it.
The engine started up right away. Make sure to check the oil level before you start the engine, though.24 hp horsepower is good enough for grass cutting.
I noticed some smoke coming out of the exhaust after running the engine at high RPM for a good few minutes but that’s not unusual. The only negative worth pointing out is that the plastic cowling developed some noticeable cracks after a week.
Other than that, it’s all good. A decent engine for the price.
Lawnmower Engine Buying Guide – Choosing the Right Engine for Your Gardening :
Choosing a replacement lawnmower engine is a daunting task if you ask me. It takes several days of relentless research to make a decision. To make your task a bit less daunting, I’ve prepared an easy-to-follow guide that will help you decide which engine is the best fit for your budget and needs.
Let’s get to it then –
Power and Efficiency
Great fuel economy, performance, and cooling system are some of the most important aspects you should factor in while choosing a lawnmower engine.The engine horsepower should be determined by the size of the yard and the size and thickness of the grasses. Using a low hp engine for handling heavy-duty landscaping will cause it to deteriorate faster.
Availability of Replacement Parts
No engine, no matter how well it is built, will show a decline in performance at some point. The first thing that will probably need to be replaced is the air filter. So, choose a model whose replacement parts such as filters are easily available in your nearby hardware store or online.
Ease of Installation
To make sure your new engine is a direct replacement for the old engine, go to the brand’s official website and check the shaft size. Also check if the mounting holes are threaded and whether it comes with a muffler.The good thing is, brands like B & S, Kohler, and Kawasaki allow you to reuse the old self-tapping bolts and muffler with their engines. Don’t go for the off-brand models. Even though they might offer unbelievable discounts, you will have a hard time getting it up and running, speaking from personal experience.
Starting the Engine
It’s wise to shell out a few extra bucks on an engine with an easy startup. A quality lawnmower engine should start running after one or two pulls. An easy-start engine will help you finish your mowing task in a jiffy.
In Conclusion
So that was my take on the best lawn mower engines we have at our disposal today. Note that this list is purely based on my personal experience, research, and understanding of lawnmower engines. Therefore, take everything with a pinch of salt. The goal is to make sure the new engine fits your mower like a glove.If it’s you’re dealing with a lawnmower engine for the very first time, watch lots of assembly tutorials to ascertain whether you can pull off the assembly work all by yourself. Or simply hire a professional, whichever works. That’s all for today. Thanks for reading along and good luck with your purchase. Ciao!