In the world of lawnmowers, two names often rise above the rest: Briggs & Stratton and Kawasaki. These titans of the outdoor power equipment world, renowned for their mowers and generators, have earned their popularity through consistent quality and dependability. Yet, they are not mirror images of each other, and that’s where this article steps in.
Our exploration will review Briggs & Stratton and Kawasaki engines, both of which are top-tier choices for lawnmowers and other outdoor tools. We’ll dissect their differences, examining performance, reliability, product range, pricing, customer service, and warranties. This article is your guide if you’re caught in the decision-making process between these two brands!
Kawasaki vs Briggs and Stratton
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of Kawasaki vs Briggs and Stratton, let’s highlight some essential differences that set them apart:
| Features | Briggs and Stratton | Kawasaki |
| Longevity | Upto 1000 hours | Upto 3500 hours |
| Torque Power | Optimal | Higher |
| Price Range | Affordable | High |
| Oil Cost | Low | High |
| Fuel Efficiency | High | Low |
Comparison Kawasaki and Briggs and Stratton Features
These are some fundamental differences that make Briggs & Stratton and Kawasaki different. Let’s look at their other differences in detail;
1. Engine Power
There are two different methods and terms through which we can check the engine power of the mower. One is the horsepower represented by HP which is the raw potential generating power of the machine. The other is the cubic centimeter measurement of the cylinder’s capacity in the engine, represented by CC. Let us look at the engine power of Briggs & Stratton, and Kawasaki.
Briggs and Stratton Engine
If you look at Briggs and Stratton, they check their engine power with the help of HP, which is the gross horsepower. The other method to check the engine power is TQ, which stands for torque power. It is the quantity of the engine’s rotational energy. There are various series on Briggs and Stratton; some older versions have engine power ranging from 125 CC to 175 CC, and the horsepower ranges from 3.00 HP to 5.25 HP. The torque power of their engines ranges from 4.50 to 7.75.
Briggs and Stratton are best known for providing enhanced updates on its upcoming mowers. The engine power of the best Briggs and Stratton engine is 223 CC or 1000 TQ, or 6.75 HP. This additional power is better than the already present engines; they work by giving extra energy and improved fuel economy. One of Briggs and Stratton’s latest and most potent engine series is 900PXi. It uses OHV, the over-head valve technology, and ensures an incredible power and clean generating option.
Kawasaki Engine
Kawasaki’s engine is next-level and more powerful than the Briggs and Stratton engine. It uses the latest engineering and manufacturing technology to make its machine highly powerful. Kawasaki maintains and improves its engine because it trusts its engineering techniques.
The FS and FD series have a record of producing 24 HP or 25 maximum, but the latest engine series of Kawasaki FX has 38.5 HP, which is enormous and much better than the Briggs and Stratton engine power. FX is the best Kawasaki engine, with all the latest and most powerful features.
2. Maintenance Difference
Maintenance of machines is essential as we learn about their faulty parts, which parts are causing the problem, and what maintenance is needed to solve mowers’ problems. To maintain mowers, you must keep checking and changing oil, filtering oil, and tuning the engine parts. The maintenance of Kawasaki and Briggs and Stratton is almost similar because both have similar engines and the same parts to maintain.
The maintenance kit that comes with both mowers has similar tools. The method for checking oil, filters, and tuning is also the same, but the cost of the oil and fuel used in both engines is different.
Briggs and Stratton Maintenance
Briggs and Stratton engines are well known for demanding low maintenance. However, the recommended oil change is after every 50 hours of operation. Along with the oil change, air filter cleaning or replacement at similar intervals is also necessary. Spark plugs need to be changed after every 100 hours.
Kawasaki Maintenance
The higher-performance nature of Kawasaki engines requires slightly more regular maintenance. The recommended oil change for Kawasaki is every 25 hours. In contrast, its air filter cleaning needed more depending on mowing conditions. Spark plug changes are also needed after every 100 hours.
3. Longevity
When you buy a new lawn mower, you intend to use it for a long time. The engine’s longevity is the engine’s lifetime, and it describes how long the engine of a lawn mower will work properly. Customers buying a new lawn mower have no intention of replacing the whole engine if it stops working quickly. If you maintain and keep the engine carefully, these engines stay intact for a long time.
Briggs and Stratton Longevity
Briggs and Stratton lawnmowers are solid and compact and can work for a long time. The lifetime of a Briggs and Stratton engine is 8 to 10 years, which is equal to 750 to 1000 hours. When you buy a Briggs and Stratton mower, you can use it easily for 8 to 10 years, and the engine will keep working without any problem.
Kawasaki Longevity
Kawasaki is one of the best lawn mower brands in many aspects, and longevity is one of them. The Kawasaki’s longevity is much more than Briggs and Stratton’s engine. They have a lifetime of 3500 hours, which means 25 to 30 years. When you buy a Kawasaki lawn mower, you can trust its reliability for a long time. The longevity of Kawasaki is triple that of Briggs and Stratton, and it is a big deal.
4. Price
Whenever you enter a market to buy a new lawn mower, you make a budget and then decide to step into the shop. You always have a price in mind that matches your affordability. When you buy a new lawn mower, list down all the features you would like to have and then decide a price you would like to pay for all these features.
Briggs and Stratton Price
Briggs and Stratton is a famous lawn mower brand and is less expensive than Kawasaki. It might suit your budget, but it has fewer features than Kawasaki. It might be one of the most reliable machine engines, but it needs some basic features and has a significant price difference between them.
Kawasaki Price
Kawasaki is your dream mower engine. It has all the features you are looking for in a mower, and along with all these features, it comes at a higher price. When you enter the market, find all your desired features in a single engine, and then look at the price, your satisfaction is uncanny.
5. Warranty Service
The warranty of lawn mowers is essential as it is one of the essential features that helps you buy and trust a brand when you can replace or fix it. Some faulty engine parts might need replacement or fixing. Different warranties come with Briggs & Stratton and Kawasaki, and these warranties also differ in some limitations.
Briggs and Stratton Warranty Service
Briggs and Stratton have a warranty of 36 months, equal to 3 years. It takes a long time to test a machine entirely, and if you find any faults in it within this period, you can replace the engine with its parts in place of new parts. When you compare Briggs and Stratton, people usually go with Briggs and Stratton because they are more reliable than any other brand known.
Kawasaki Warranty Service
Kawasaki has the same warranty service of 36 months compared to Briggs and Stratton, but some Kawasaki engines have less warranty than Briggs and Stratton. Some might have 24 months, and some have a 3 to 4-month warranty. It is one of the reasons people usually do with Briggs and Stratton if they are looking for an extended warranty of 3 years, and reliability is another thing to keep in mind.
6. Fuel Efficiency
Although fuel efficiency is not a big concern because the usage time of lawnmowers is short, there is little difference between Briggs and Stratton and Kawasaki regarding fuel efficiency. But in the end, it all depends on the specific needs of the users.
Briggs and Stratton Fuel Efficiency
The new models of Briggs & Stratton engines excel in features like optimized valve designs. Briggs and Stratton oil capacity is enough, and fuel efficiency has a slight edge. So, there is less need to refill the fuel or gas. If you have a small lawn and want a budget-friendly and fuel-efficient option, then a Briggs & Stratton is an excellent choice.
Kawasaki Fuel Efficiency
Kawasaki engines excel in power and torque. So they require more fuel. In addition, they can handle tougher mowing conditions, so they sometimes need additional fuel consumption. If you want to mow tough terrain or thicker grass and want good value over budget and fuel savings, then a Kawasaki engine is perfect.
Conclusion
Both Briggs & Stratton and Kawasaki are the best choices for lawn mower engines. Briggs & Stratton excels in affordability, ease of maintenance, and a good lifespan. However, the Kawasaki engine gives increased power and a longer life expectancy. Some of its models require slightly more maintenance. In conclusion, the best choice may vary according to your lawn size, budget, mowing needs, and comfort level with maintenance procedures.
FAQs
1. Is Briggs and Stratton a Good Brand?
Briggs and Stratton are one of the most unique and durable engines. It is top-rated with many special features such as affordability, high longevity, power range, and warranty. It has one of the best engines and power capacities. The engine power range is better than many and works smoothly on your lawn.
2. Is Kawasaki a Good Brand?
Kawasaki reigns supreme in the engine world. Kawasaki has many features that are better than many other brands, such as the engine power of Kawasaki is a lot better, longevity is more, and the price range is less. Overall, Kawasaki is a complete package with all the desirable features.
3. Which Engine Wins the Clash?
Briggs & Stratton and Kawasaki are among the top players in the lawnmower engine industry. It may not be easy to choose between both brands of engines. However, we have provided all the features and differences they have so that you will not have a hard time making your choice.