(quoted from post at 14:08:00 12/06/14) Gerald,
Lawn cutting machines are divided into different types.
There are RER's or Rear Engine Riders
There are LT's or Lawn Tractors
There are GT's or Garden Tractors
There are ZTR's or Zero Turning Radius
True GT's are up in the $6000.00 plus range and they use engines that are of industrial quality from Briggs and Stratton, Kohler, Honda, Kawasaki and Generac. Engines such as the B&S Vanguard series or the Kohler Pro Command Series are expected to last at least 2000 hours of running time without needing to be rebuilt. But that is dependant upon them being serviced properly at the correct intervals.
In contrast to those engines, you have the low cost models that Briggs puts out under several different names. Kohler offers the Courage series and it has had its share of issues in recent years. You will not get a Top Tier engine in a ZTR, RER or LT in the under 3 grand price range. Kia is not going to put a Cummins diesel in their economy car either.
The lifespan of the bottom Tier engines is around 1000 hours, again depending upon maintenance. Realistically, most home owners only put 50 hours of use per year on their tractors. Do the math. That means you SHOULD get 20 years out of a bottom tier engine. There are no long-term guarantees no matter which brand you buy.
Parts prices for Kawasaki and Honda engines have a reputation for being high compared with Kohler and Briggs. I do not envy you because there is so much flim-flammery going on out there with these engines, it is very hard to know what you are getting. You cannot rely upon HP ratings because most of them are BS. Some engines do not even show the alleged HP.
Instead, they show torque ratings or just internal displacement. This industry needs to clean up its act or the government will step in and put rules in place that they won't like. John Deere doesn't even tell you who makes the engine for the D-100, D-105, D-100 or D-125. Why not? What's the big secret?
I suggest that you go to the websites of the various engine manufacturers and take notes on which Series of engines they sell. But you can expect to run across series names that do not appear on the website.
Everyone wants to convince you that their tractor is the best and yet they use deceptive practices to try and pull the wool over your eyes.
Good luck with your search. Self-education is your best tool.
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