18 HP Briggs VS 20 HP Kohler

[Rolling_X_6]

I am looking to buy a Max IV from a guy who is willing to sell it with either of two different engines installed: either an 18 HP Briggs & Stratton V-Twin OR a 20 HP Kohler. Both engines are used but working well.

Now, there would be a price difference, of course. The last we spoke, he would either charge $3,000.00 with the 18 HP Briggs OR $3,700.00 with the 20 HP Kohler.

The 18 HP Briggs has a pull start back-up. And, the 20 HP Kohler does not have a pull start back-up.

Which would you folks on the forum choose??? Is the Kohler worth the $700.00 difference in price??? Is the Kohler really a lot better quality of an engine than a Briggs??? Would that 2 HP of difference be noticeable . . . it is, after all, 10% more powerful???

Thanks.

[spits]

the briggs engine has a good reputation, as far as I know.I put one in a Bolens lawn tractor and it worked quite fine (16 hp V-twin).It ran very smooth. I wish now that i had kept the engine. I took the 18m Kohler out of the snow blower tractor for my Argo. I prefer the Kohler to Briggs. I personally think they are a better engine. But is it worth 700 more? Not unless you are going to get a lot of use of the machine and how bad you are going to beat on it. Normal use ? I would think the Briggs is fine. Just my personal view and experience with small engines.

[Amphiman1]

start me up...

Briggs....for many reasons....as well as if your electric starter or battery dies ,wayyyyyyy out yonder!! besides, u save 700.00

[mudbug3]

Rolling_X_6



I would choose the Briggs 18 hp, with the pull start back up. Fred Sowerwine is a Max dealer in Montana, and this particular engine is his favorite over the 23 hp, Briggs engine. The next thing that I would do is replace the stock green spring thats on the T-20 clutch ,and replace it with a red spring. The stiffer red spring helps keep you in the lower rpms longer. This gives you a little more low end for climbing hills. I think this cost about $18, plus the shipping cost. The next thing that I would do is replace both of the 15 tooth out put shafts that are on either side of the T-20, with 13 tooth out put shafts. This modification would give you even more low end pulling power than the stock 20 hp Kolier. You,ll come off of the line quicker, and your top end will be only slightly less. I did both of these modifications to my 25 hp, Kolier, Max IV, and I,m very happy with the results. When you combine both of these modifications together, it makes for a BIG difference in pulling power! I think I payed about $138 for each out put shaft,, plus the shipping cost.. Add all of this together, and you,ve got a back up pull start , a lot more low end than the stock 20 hp,Kolier engine, and for even less money.

[Rolling_X_6]

Thanks, spits and Amphiman1.

I always appreciate advice and feedback from people who know more and have more experience than I do.

I welcome the feedback from others, as well.

Thanks.

[Rolling_X_6]

I would choose the Briggs 18 hp, with the pull start back up. Fred Sowerwine is a Max dealer in Montana, and this particular engine is his favorite over the 23 hp, Briggs engine. The next thing that I would do is replace the stock green spring thats on the T-20 clutch ,and replace it with a red spring. The stiffer red spring helps keep you in the lower rpms longer. This gives you a little more low end for climbing hills. I think this cost about $18, plus the shipping cost. The next thing that I would do is replace both of the 15 tooth out put shafts that are on either side of the T-20, with 13 tooth out put shafts. This modification would give you even more low end pulling power than the stock 20 hp Kolier. You,ll come off of the line quicker, and your top end will be only slightly less. I did both of these modifications to my 25 hp, Kolier, Max IV, and I,m very happy with the results. When you combine both of these modifications together, it makes for a BIG difference in pulling power! I think I payed about $138 for each out put shaft,, plus the shipping cost.. Add all of this together, and you,ve got a back up pull start , a lot more low end than the stock 20 hp,Kolier engine, and for even less money.

Thanks a lot, mudbug3. I appreciate your help, as well. You gave me some great points to think about.

What you said here sounds like exactly what I would like to do . . . what I mean is I will be climbing hills and traveling over rough terrain, so improving my lower end is perfect. Now, I just have to learn how to do all of the stuff you mentioned. Hee Hee!!! But, it truly does sounds good.

Thanks again.