re: Better mower engine option...Briggs or Kohler?

Why didn't you ask me?

I ran an OPE repair business and 4 dealers sold (Gravely, MTD Cub Cadet, Husqvarna, Toro, Hustler, Dixion, Grasshopper, Belarus Tractors, Mahindra tractors, Tafe Tractors) since 1990? Yes, I have contacts to get Belarus Tractor parts which is hard to get.

Lower level mowers under $1,000 bucks guess what they all are made in China. (Briggs, Powermore made by MTD which is not a bad engine designed off a successful engine and has oil filter where the briggs does not have the filter). Powermore been pretty reliable in lower end mowers and MTD does back it with parts.

Kohler has a tigher tolerance and 7000 series is a new series they released this year which has less engine restrictions than prior years. Kohler had some bad units but typically has tighter tolerance than Briggs with better success rate.

Briggs engines I have worked on in the price range you are talking about are looser. They have issues with the valves needing to be readjusted. The quality is lower even the so called John Deere units which you are paying for the name and quality compared to other brands are not any better.

Craftsman zero turns are made by MTD and Husqvarna. I would go after the MTD made zero turn due to one piece frame and better quality of cut. At the end of the day both for residential lawn are pretty good buys.

In homecenter Troy-Bilt, Cub Cadet, Husqvarna, and Toro are all good options.

John Deere you are way way way over paying for the name basically, same features as others, cut lacks other brands they depend on vaccum over 30 degree angle cut to cut middle area between the blade, and quality average.

Cub Cadet has test ride events at Home Depots in Louisiana coming up this week and next week. If you want a zero turn and buy it the day the truck is there you get $100 gift card. They have the mowers there for you to get on ride, ask questions, and see if it feels comfortable for you. When I had a dealer I sold the RZT S which is the zero turn with the steering wheel.

Houma Thurs Mar 6th 12-7
Zachary Fri Mar 7th 12-7
Denham Springs Sat Mar 8th 9-5
Lake Charles Sunday Mar 9th 11-5

Alexandria Wed Mar 12th 12-7
Shreveport Thur Mar 13th 12-7
Bossier City Fri Mar 14th 12-7

Good time to get on some zero turns and decide.
The frame of the cub cadet is similar to Troy-Bilt, and Sears Craftsman. Now the other lack a few features cub cadet has, but it will give you and idea which mower for you.

Kohler Courage was hit or miss.
I seen less in the shop than Briggs.

It either right off the bat they would throw a rod or they are still ticking.

It is great you change the oil and filter that goes along way with trying to use non ethanol fuel or a fuel stabilizer. At the end of the season run the engine out of gas and drain the tank.

Your series deere was the L series which was one of the first residential mower lines they came out with for Home Depot after they went from the Scotts name. I think it is either an L102 or L110 but that been awhile back.

I bought a Forrest bump snapper riding mower with the Briggs engine 5 years ago. The first year the ignition coil had to be replaced under warranty. It fouls spark plugs once a month, and it burns oil like a mofro. I keep waiting for it to blow up so I can go buy a better mower, but the pos taunts me and won't die!

I've never owned a Kohler but have owned two Briggs. I had problems with them running well long term and the repair place says scarred engine due to dust getting through the crappy air filter system. Make sure which ever you buy has a top notch air filter system like commercial mowers do.

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I've never owned a Kohler but have owned two Briggs. I had problems with them running well long term and the repair place says scarred engine due to dust getting through the crappy air filter system. Make sure which ever you buy has a top notch air filter system like commercial mowers do.

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Problem with the industry is you get a lot of guys that open a shop out of the back of their yard with very little training. Distributors for mfg's are desperate for warranty centers or ope dealers they open these guys up with very little factory training. Most of these mowers are tested before they are put in crates for shipping. Doesn't take a rocket scientist to put a seat on, hookup a battery, make minor adjustments, and check tire pressure.

Worked for two OPE mfg's, owned a few OPE dealers, and was a factory trained warranty repair center for Briggs & Straton, Honda, Kawasaki, Kohler, and Tecumseh which is no longer around. Been in the business since 1990. Most my shops did $2 million to $4 million yearly in sales and service combined. Now again you don't make as much margin as you think after cost.

Believe me I been to the mfg facilities and testing centers for residential mower mfg's. If this was a widespread issue these engines would not make the market due to warranty repair cost.

The biggest problem I have seen is mowers coming in with dirt, grass, etc clogging the filters due to poor owner maintenance.