Harbor freight Predator 212 engine

Greenfrog

Member
I need to switch a blown engine on a Toro front tine tiller.
I am considering the HF Predator 212cc The bolt holes line up, the shaft is even the same size-- can even use the same pulley.
Was a 5hp Briggs on it; predator is 6.5hp (good!)
Question: has anyone out there ever tried one of the engines? On sale right now for 94$. usually 119$
Thx in advance on any input discussion on this.
 
I put one on a Troybilt Horse for someone several years ago. It seemed to work o.k. and I never have seen it in our shop since.

That said, I don't know of any local parts support for those engines. I got a part for a Harbor Freight drill press once, dialed the 800 number and talked to someone overseas who had a lot of trouble with the English language. I consider it a miracle that I got the part I needed and it was actually delivered to my house.
 
The only trouble I have heard of, was bad spark plugs,they must have had a bad batch about 4 years ago.
 
I have 2 and they are very well build and the design is well thought out. I have lots of BS engines too and I like them but there are other good engines out there for sale.
 
would not use a Predator on anything even if free. Future parts availability, not being American made, just the start of why I am not a fan of them.
 
I had the same thing happen with my little 800 watt utility portable generator. The thing refused to fire. Pulled the plug and it would spark. Screw it back in and no soap. Went and purchased an NGK plug. Magic, it runs perfectly.
 
More info on my own question:
I learned that this engine has a low oil sensor that shuts the engine down. Good idea. NOT!
After reading reviews on it, this is not suitable engine for a tiller. That is, if the engine tilts too much, as can be with a tiller such as when digging deep, or tipping down to pull/ drag it backwards, since here I will have llost the reverse feature that the old machine had, this engine will shut down.
I decided not to use this engine.
 
I put a 6.5 hp on a tiller last spring and so far it works very good. Easiest starting engine I have ever had. My son has the bigger one I think it is 20 hp plus and it is 2 or 3 year old . no problems with it
 
Wondering what is wrong with running them on a tiller? Have seen several with them on it. Seemed to be OK.
 
You can always remove the wire from the sensor. However, most sumps are made for 30 degrees of tilt and still supply oil, including splash lubed engines. Personally I wouldn't give it a second thought on that engine or any with the feature.
 
(quoted from post at 22:56:45 10/30/17) More info on my own question:
I learned that this engine has a low oil sensor that shuts the engine down. Good idea. NOT!
After reading reviews on it, this is not suitable engine for a tiller. That is, if the engine tilts too much, as can be with a tiller such as when digging deep, or tipping down to pull/ drag it backwards, since here I will have llost the reverse feature that the old machine had, this engine will shut down.
I decided not to use this engine.

Well, considering the number of retards out there that never think to check their oil, it's not really a bad idea at all considering HF has a pretty generous return policy.
 
I replaced the 5hp Briggs and scrapiron on dad's tiller with the 6.5 and never had a problem.
 
Since we are talking about small engines here I'd think that in today's environment they are all solid state magnetos...aka a laminated soft
iron core with a lot of varnished (insulated) wires wrapped around it that a magnet passes by once per rev, one per cylinder, generating an
energy pulse. The tap on it is used for ignition kill when you turn the ignition switch off. Any safety switch is wired to ground so that when
activated it puts ground on that terminal. Shorting as few as 1 turn on a transformer can render it inop. for all practical purposes due to the
physics of the device.
 
Have had one as a replacement engine on a rear tine tiller and it has been flawless for at least 5 years. As for parts, if u do happen to need, the engines are a Honda clone and parts are a direct fit.
 
Was using one of mine yesterday and realized that it also contains a fuel shutoff valve (so that you can run your carbs dry when seldom used) that my BS engines don't. More of the Oriental mind-set. Diversity is good!
 
I was sceptical of these engines at first. After doing some due dilegence on parts availability, I put a 212 engine on a yard vac this summer. Started on the second pull. Haven't had any trouble at all. As far as replacement parts, google "predator engine parts". very good availability.
 
I put a Predator engine from Harbor Freight on my gas powered air compressor a few months ago and it's been an excellent engine. Starts very easily, runs great, and does its job as well as a Honda, Kohler, or Briggs that cost several times more.
 

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