Mowing ..

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by Interceptor

Was thinking this post would be more appropriate for the "why is it that" thread, but I thought you guys might get a better laugh out of it.

Most of us here are pretty good at maintaining our gear, as well as resurrecting dead equipment, right? I mean, its paid for a couple of my toys....

But.... occasionally something just doesnt want to behave, and we all have that guru we take our bigger headaches to before we lose whats left of our minds....

So..... WHY is it that so ******* often, when I get something thats being difficult (especially to start) I take it to my guru and he makes me look like an idiot?

I mean, this mornings conversation:
Guru: What did you do to this thing trying to get it to start?
Me: flushed the tank, new plug, pulled the muffler to check the bore & burn off the spark arrester, new air filter, turned it upside down and turned it over to clear the crankcase, etc?
Guru: did you actually *try* to start it? how long did you try for?
Me: long enough to break the pull cord and start getting annoyed with it?
Guru: well it runs just fine.... blew a little smoke at first but yeah....
Me: wha?
Guru: Yeah.... I only had to pull it twi....
Me: *****

Know that frustration well.

[Trendseeker]

I know those sort of guys. Guru is a good word to describe them. For them, engines start, electronics jump to life, stuck nuts turn, hopelessly seized bolts release. Almost immediately when they touch them. True masters of their trade.

[Interceptor]

Originally Posted by Trendseeker

I know those sort of guys. Guru is a good word to describe them. For them, engines start, electronics jump to life, stuck nuts turn, hopelessly seized bolts release. Almost immediately when they touch them. True masters of their trade.

I've told him I'm getting a Nulon "Start ya bastard" sign for the front door of his workshop

[John 13]

"Reminds me of my dad using the Black and Decker drill to start our grumpy
little princess Victa. Never failed. No cordless drills back then. Just good ol 240 volts that never quits.
Can't remember the model name of that mower.. It was very similar to this one:" from onemanempire.

I do the same today with my 1976 Honda GV 35 mounted on a Pope pressed steel chassis.

[CFOUR]

20" victa fight had its first issue today after about 300 acres.

pretty sure its had a tank or 5 of e10 mixed in with the regular fuel. Sharpen the blade, new hose, fresh oil and a clean filter and she should be good for another 50 acres.

[Citroënbender]

Timely - just this evening I watched a new video from DFB’s girlfriend, about fuel stabilisers. It was interesting to see her “demonstrate” that the Sta-Bil flagship products didn’t to seem to do much about water in fuel.

[.:4:.]

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

Timely - just this evening I watched a new video from DFB’s girlfriend, about fuel stabilisers. It was interesting to see her “demonstrate” that the Sta-Bil flagship products didn’t to seem to do much about water in fuel.

E10 or anyththing with ethanol is not the recomended for garden or marine use. Only because it is hydroscopic. So absorbs moisture from the atmosphere. Also it can corrode rubber hoses that arent fit for ethanol fuels. So fine for cars that you fill up every week or as they dont sit for long. Not great for garden equipment that goes 1 2 or 3 weeks between tanks, or boats. As they sit for a few months (in my case summer, i preffer boating in winter, less traffic).

[CFOUR]

Originally Posted by .:4:.

E10 or anyththing with ethanol is not the recomended for garden or marine use.

Oh I know, but If that's what in the jerry (when I dont fill it) can that's what gets used. Power equipment is the bottom of the food chain.

[DFB FGXR6]

Looking at the original owner's manual, this mower was bought on the 16th of December 2002 and was given to me as a birthday present on the 28th of December. Not many teenage boys want a lawn mower for their 14th birthday, but I did!



I used this mower to launch my business mowing lawns on weekends. You can see the wear marks on the Victa lettering on the deck, made from folding the thing up and being loaded into the back of my fathers EB II Falcon GLi wagon. At one point, I was also putting it into the back of my Fairmont sedan, something I shudder to think about today.



When I left high school and was studying part time, I landed a job mowing lawns for one of the richest families in Australia. I remember being asked by the guy what lawn mower I had, I was so embarrassed to say that it was just a small push mower, expecting this to be a deal breaker. Turns out the last guy (crew) had a large rider mower that just made a mess, and that the small mower would suit them better. And so, that small, somewhat underpowered little Victa got put to work maintaining three quite properties with oversized nature strips.



This machine was retired from regular use in 2005 after ramping up my business. I needed something with more power and a wider cut to improve my efficiency. Instead of trading it, for some reason I decided to keep it as a backup. In fact, I grabbed it quite often, its light weight always came in handy.

As the years went on, it's become a sentimental keepsake, it made me a power of money and represents how driven I was at that age. No contractor would choose something so small and underpowered, but I made the most of what I had and let my work ethic and finished results speak for themselves.

The poor engine is pretty worn out though now, blowing a light haze of oil smoke. I remember the day I wounded it, the last job of a very long day, tired and wanting to just do this job and go home. The grass at this property was longer than expected, tall and thick Kikuyu is a beast to bring under control. I only had the little Victa with me that day so just pushed on with it. I pushed a bit harder than the engine could be expected to handle considering its age, laboring it too much. It was never the same again.

Considering how much work this machine has done, its been pretty reliable. Other than blades, air filters, spark plugs and oil changes, it's needed the following -

- The front deck baffle came adrift on the job. It was straightened out and re-rivetted back in place.

- A front axle circlip also disappeared mid job, I ended up using a small piece of wire to reattach the axle and get me back in action. Only in recent years did I put a proper axle clip back on, along with a set of new plastic bushings locator clips.







- Replacement carb diaphragm. I only did this last year, it was still running with the 2002 original but was stuttering as it struggled for enough fuel. I also replaced the governor springs too.







I say all that because I have just pulled the pin on a set of piston rings, a gasket kit and piston ring compressor. I know that no many would bother doing this on a basic throw-away engine, but as I said, there is sentimental value at play here.

I last did something like this when I was 12 years old, my father and I stripped and rebuilt the same 3.5 hp Briggs on the old Morrison. So, I have a basic concept for what I'm in for, but not from recent memory. For the Sprint 375, it won't be a full rebuild. I plan to remove the sump plate and cylinder head, lift out the cam out, disconnect the conrod cap and push the piston out through the cylinder. I'll then clean the piston, cylinder head and valves, clean the gasket surfaces before replacing the rings and putting it back together with new gaskets.

I have a couple of question marks though. I don't think I will need to hone the (alloy) bore. It's not like the engine has ever starved for oil, from what I can gather the oil burning is simply from wearing out those rings. Secondly, I don't think it will need a valve job, the engine runs just fine, but I would then need lapping tools and compound, probably feeler gauges. Thirdly, should I sand/machine the cylinder head to ensure flatness, or just wing it.

Anyway, this should be a nice little project to do while I'm on long service leave.

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Looking at the original owner's manual, this mower was bought on the 16th of December 2002 and was given to me as a birthday present on the 28th of December. Not many teenage boys want a lawn mower for their 14th birthday, but I did!


I used this mower to launch my business mowing lawns on weekends. You can see the wear marks on the Victa lettering on the deck, made from folding the thing up and being loaded into the back of my fathers EB II Falcon GLi wagon. At one point, I was also putting it into the back of my Fairmont sedan, something I shudder to think about today.
]

When I left high school and was studying part time, I landed a job mowing lawns for one of the richest families in Australia. I remember being asked by the guy what lawn mower I had, I was so embarrassed to say that it was just a small push mower, expecting this to be a deal breaker. Turns out the last guy (crew) had a large rider mower that just made a mess, and that the small mower would suit them better. And so, that small, somewhat underpowered little Victa got put to work maintaining three quite properties with oversized nature strips.


This machine was retired from regular use in 2005 after ramping up my business. I needed something with more power and a wider cut to improve my efficiency. Instead of trading it, for some reason I decided to keep it as a backup. In fact, I grabbed it quite often, its light weight always came in handy.

As the years went on, it's become a sentimental keepsake, it made me a power of money and represents how driven I was at that age. No contractor would choose something so small and underpowered, but I made the most of what I had and let my work ethic and finished results speak for themselves.

Anyway, this should be a nice little project to do while I'm on long service leave.

Ask any self employed contractor in any career how they started and what they used to achieve the final result.

We all had to start somewhere.
Have fun with the resto.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by roKWiz

Ask any self employed contractor in any career how they started and what they used to achieve the final result.

We all had to start somewhere.
Have fun with the resto.

I'm often bemused by customers who come in with absolutely no idea what they want or have done 0% research before coming into the store. For stuff that I don't know much about, I'm one of those who will spend time researching a purchase before entering a store, that way I'm not flying blind. And in most cases, I will already know what I want or have a shortlist of what I want. That way, I'm not wasting time or wasting the time of the business, just in and out.

Thinking back, that mower was the beginnings of my strong inclination for knowing EXACTLY what I wanted. I rode my bike all over town looking at mowers, so when it was time to buy, it was a just matter of which store would sell me the mower I wanted.

At the time, there were 4 different Victa dealers in town, only one remains today. I remember walking into one of the stores and was greeted by the arrogant owner, who has only recently retired. That first encounter put me off him and his business ever since. Despite having the machine I wanted, he was trying to upsell me on a Yard Man with the 158cc Quattro 40 engine.

(Still have the brochures from back then)



He was probably right to do that seeing as it was going to be used for semi-contractor use. But NO NO NO! My sentiment at the time was like, don't tell me what to buy, I know exactly what I want. I think that sort of stuck, mowers or otherwise. I remember a Honda salesman insisting I needed the mulch kit on my purchase, again, NO I don't!

For some reason, I wanted the Sprint 375 engine, perhaps because it was the modern version of the 3.5 hp engine on the old Morrison. But, as I said, once I have my mind set on something, I generally go with that instinct.

Again, I have the period brochure, I remember being annoyed that they wrote on my shiny brochure. The only difference with mine and the one pictured is the wheels, the dealer that ultimately sold it to me put double ball bearing wheels on all of his stock.



In hindsight, I probably should have bought one with a bigger engine, but I wanted what I wanted. In defense, it's not the size of the tool that counts, its how you use it. At age 16, I had plenty of energy to walk a bit longer or push through heavy growth. Now? I need all the help I can get, so its big engines and self-propel all the way.

[roKWiz]

Pictures for DFB from Clarendon truck show today.

[DFB FGXR6]

Interesting development this one, a spool head with a metal bump feeder.

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/26640358...SABEgIIZ_D_BwE
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/13489525...8ohexvCAtUCJC7
https://www.amazon.com/CTTINKT-Genui.../dp/B0D45QKL6S



These don't appear on Stihl's US or AUS websites, and the links above are not local, I guess they don't really want to sell the more durable units. They will fit AutoCut 27-2 heads.

I've always hated Stihl trimmer heads, especially the schizophrenic Super-Cut 20-2 which automatically release trimmer line without having to bump on the ground, I've always found they won't release line even if the engine is revving its guts out, then it releases when you least want it. They are also frustrating and annoying to re-load with line.

The Echo Speed Feed is still the winner.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

After leaving it for a bit longer than ideal, I mowed the back lawn this afternoon. Because the grass was tall and thick, it was a job for one of the two strokes.

My first choice was the Commando, but she was being cranky today. These Victa's either start on the first pull, or take multiple attempts at priming, choking, full throttle, back to choke, more priming, more choking...................you get the picture. In the end, I dumped more fuel in the tank, removed the fuel line from the primer cap to ensure it was flowing, then primmed the sh.t out of it before it finally fired.

image

This particular machine I have been having speed control issues with, as in over revving. Today, the extra engine speed came in handy for slashing through the thick grass. Well, halfway through, she decided to have another tantrum and wouldn't rev out, like it wasn't getting enough fuel. In the end I gave up in frustration and put it away to diagnose another day............I was tired and grumpy.

So, it was out with the Mustang instead. I haven't used this one for a while, so it too didn't want to fire up either, no doubt from stale fuel. Again, I ended up dumping fresh fuel in the tank, primed the sh.t out of it until it finally fired in a cloud of blue two stoke smoke. The Mustang powered through the remainder of the job.

image

When these engines are running, they just knuckle down and power through just about anything. But they are also cranky diva's that require patience and a delft touch. I don't rely on the two strokes for money making purposes, but I do keep them in the fleet for sh.ts and giggles.

Still trying to get this thing running properly again.

Suspecting an air leak and a lack of fuel flow, I removed the cowling to get access to the tank and carb. I popped the diaphragm cap off and found it was not evenly seated. I reseated the diaphragm, thinking that well could have been why it was choking at full throttle.

I then replaced the fuel tap as I felt the old one wasn't allowing enough flow. After that, I made sure the intake tube was properly seated on the carb, I even got to use my fancy Knipex curved pliers for the first time!



After 3 presses of the primer, the old girl fired on one pull..............highly unusual for this engine. Initially, it was revving up and holding steady, I even got it to idle properly, something this engine has always struggled with. Great! I fixed it! I let it idle for a few minutes, then decided to give it a run over the front lawns. The thing then began bogging out under full throttle again, but kept its smooth idle.

So, I'm thinking its just not getting enough fuel at full throttle, either by a blockage in the carb, or the diaphragm had unseated itself again and couldn't keep up. Or it could be an air leak from a starter o-ring, intake manifold, intake tubing, pulse line, decompressor.................................who said 2-strokes were "simple".

[Interceptor]

So... I took DFB's advice re: increasing engine speed on a friends 500E briggs and the owner is stoked with the results!

in other news..... WHY does it seem the average homeowner is incapable of even the basic maintenance on a mower? rescued ANOTHER Honda HRU19D from the local recycling centre today, pulled the air cleaner cover off and it was that clogged with dust you couldnt see the filter at all, just the perfect mold of the inside of the air cleaner lid. blew the dust out, shouted it another spark plug and it started first pull...

and to think.... they probably replaced it with a yardforce....

[swamp]

hi
Maintenance tips
1/ A good tip on a Honda HRU19 buffalo or most alloy decks . Rectify why axle fitting to deck is sloppy /loose

re,, AXLE SHAFT BUSHES the honda versions are not very durable so I use a Victa versions much the same as above picture . Grind to suit .
Install ,,wrap with electrical tape ,, cover in metal paste / filler /putty etc .. Then install axle with fixtures . Let set over night ,,,, your done

Succes axles are nice and movement free
[best results are with new axle also ]
------------------
2/
Condition ... When fitting new lever rods with new circlips /E clips some times canbe impossible to fit
Problem ,,, distortion when parts have holes punched
Fix 1 file the control rods flat both sides
2 run a drill or file thru the hole in control rod

Success control levers rods fit easily with new E clip
--------------
3/ Always fit new wave washers to axles B4 wheels are mounted
why increases longevity b4 wheel comes loose again
----------------------
4/ PROBLEM ...Honda height adjuster arm and notched bracket are never installed aligned properly
CAUSES 1/ excessive wear on height notches
2/ low tension on lever arm

Fix /...... 1/ pack out notched bracket between 3--6 body washers on one end of bracket
[pack out so bracket is evenly spaced at High /and low position to lever arm ]
2/ check the lever arm rotates in the same arc as the bracket
[file bracket holes is generally enough ]

Success your Honda will never wear out again
---------------------------

Honda ,, ebay axles might seem cheap THERE NOT
ISSUE --- axles to long by enough that you have to fix
----small dimeter axle shaft compared to Honda .
FIX ---- cut axle and re welded
----- used victa bushes [same Outside diameter as honda ] [inside diameter ??? ]

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by Interceptor

So... I took DFB's advice re: increasing engine speed on a friends 500E briggs and the owner is stoked with the results!

in other news..... WHY does it seem the average homeowner is incapable of even the basic maintenance on a mower? rescued ANOTHER Honda HRU19D from the local recycling centre today, pulled the air cleaner cover off and it was that clogged with dust you couldnt see the filter at all, just the perfect mold of the inside of the air cleaner lid. blew the dust out, shouted it another spark plug and it started first pull...

and to think.... they probably replaced it with a yardforce....

Have far did you take it?

Out of the box, the modern engines are typically tapped out 2800 rpm at wide-open throttle. I take them up to about 3600 rpm, cuts so much better and makes the engine sound like its achieving something rather than a fast idle.

What I hate about Brigg's engines from about the early 2000's onwards is the lack of a proper idle speed, the difference between idle throttle position and wide open is only a few hundred revs, even with a governor adjustment. That old Rover with the Quantum I got running again would idle right down to a gentle tick over, lovely. The lack of idle speed covers the old side-valve engines as well as the newer OHV examples.

[DFB FGXR6]

Parts have arrived for the Sprint 375 refresh.



Gasket set, lower crankshaft oil seal, NOS Brigg's & Stratton piston rings, and a Stens piston ring compressor. I probably need to get some assembly oil, anti-seize for the blade boss and a wire wheel to de-coke the cylinder head and valves.

I think the biggest challenge for me will be getting the blade boss off the crankshaft. I have actually never had the blade disk off this machine, let alone the boss. Fingers crossed it won't put up a fight, but I suspect I might need to invest in a puller. Thoughts?

I'm also not sure if I should hone the cylinder. While the engine has worked hard and has considerable hours on it, I've always kept the oil fresh and never let it run low. So, I'm fairly sure its burning oil because the rings are worn out. Also, these engines have an alloy bore, so I'm not sure if I should be honing it anyway. Grateful for thoughts on this too.

[mad2]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

I'm also not sure if I should hone the cylinder. While the engine has worked hard and has considerable hours on it, I've always kept the oil fresh and never let it run low. So, I'm fairly sure its burning oil because the rings are worn out. Also, these engines have an alloy bore, so I'm not sure if I should be honing it anyway. Grateful for thoughts on this too.

pull it apart & checkout the out of round re bore, that will let you know what to do [welll give you some direction]. but to be honest - i have never done this on any engine.


cheers

[Interceptor]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Have far did you take it?

Out of the box, the modern engines are typically tapped out 2800 rpm at wide-open throttle. I take them up to about 3600 rpm, cuts so much better and makes the engine sound like its achieving something rather than a fast idle.

With your mention of 3600rpm in mind I gradually bent the governor arm untill it got to 3300 and it sounded very happy, so thats where I left it.

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

What I hate about Brigg's engines from about the early 2000's onwards is the lack of a proper idle speed, the difference between idle throttle position and wide open is only a few hundred revs, even with a governor adjustment.

Yep, there was next to no difference between idle and full throttle!

[Interceptor]

For those of us here who grounds maintenance for a living, what steps, if any, do you take to prevent the spread of weeds, especially bindi's, goats head burr, etc?

I'm curious because a friend who normally mows her lawns herself has a contractor come in usually once a year over the christmas break when shes away, but did it again this year mid year because she was busy. and *every* time it happens, she has an outbreak of those bloody weeds!

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by Interceptor

For those of us here who grounds maintenance for a living, what steps, if any, do you take to prevent the spread of weeds, especially bindi's, goats head burr, etc?

I'm curious because a friend who normally mows her lawns herself has a contractor come in usually once a year over the christmas break when shes away, but did it again this year mid year because she was busy. and *every* time it happens, she has an outbreak of those bloody weeds!

Unless a contractor is going to clean every inch of the mower(s) and line trimmer(s) between jobs, then no, there is no way of preventing the theoretical possibility of spreading weed seeds from property to property.

[DFB FGXR6]

So glad this channel is posting videos again.

[Tonz]

was decidly off colour couple of weeks bacl, plus few family issues and planning a short break for Mrs & I. but a cheap JD rideon was brought to my attention.
We are now renting a block with very large grounds but as rough as all get out, ironstone, granit rockls you name it, so I wasnt after a quality mower. Took a quick look, paid $500 and had a new battery included.

Tried it out after sitting for 5 days ^#@*&$#@ both rear tyres shagged, deck off balance to one side, blade barely 1 piece and battery needed charging. hells bells what an utter piece of of crap, but my fault.

We return from short break and no miracles had occured over the rideon so I decided ' will spend more and get something better.
So yesterday morn I look, test run and buy a 10 year old JD $2500 only complaint was age of battery but I knew the seller so it was genuine.
Decided to offer the old one on FB buy swap last night, ad read.... JD rideon, piece of crap, suitable for wrecking, tyres stuffed, deck ??? view tomorrow at *** and make an offer. Highest offer after2pm is the winner. Guy I know vaguly from 6 hours drive away offers $600 and he would be here at 11AM.

So long story I buy a piece of junk for $500, buy a replacement for $2500, replace the brand new battery and sell bomber for $600

nice doing business sometimes

[danzvtil]

Originally Posted by Tonz

was decidly off colour couple of weeks bacl, plus few family issues and planning a short break for Mrs & I. but a cheap JD rideon was brought to my attention.
We are now renting a block with very large grounds but as rough as all get out, ironstone, granit rockls you name it, so I wasnt after a quality mower. Took a quick look, paid $500 and had a new battery included.

Tried it out after sitting for 5 days ^#@*&$#@ both rear tyres shagged, deck off balance to one side, blade barely 1 piece and battery needed charging. hells bells what an utter piece of of crap, but my fault.

We return from short break and no miracles had occured over the rideon so I decided ' will spend more and get something better.
So yesterday morn I look, test run and buy a 10 year old JD $2500 only complaint was age of battery but I knew the seller so it was genuine.
Decided to offer the old one on FB buy swap last night, ad read.... JD rideon, piece of crap, suitable for wrecking, tyres stuffed, deck ??? view tomorrow at *** and make an offer. Highest offer after2pm is the winner. Guy I know vaguly from 6 hours drive away offers $600 and he would be here at 11AM.

So long story I buy a piece of junk for $500, buy a replacement for $2500, replace the brand new battery and sell bomber for $600

nice doing business sometimes

Well done, your piece of junk buyer was probably a FIFO looking for a repair project on his downtime.

[danzvtil]

My 520iHT4 pole hedger just got back from repairs, was cutting an overgrown photinia hedge, whenever it would hit a thick branch, one of the linkages in the gearbox would pop off. Easy fix, remove gearbox cover, pop linkage back on, replace cover.
The 3rd time this happened, the linkage punched a hole out the side of the metal gearbox cover.
Anyways, new GB cover fitted, I’m glad to have it back, work has been piling up in the 2 weeks it’s been away.

[swamp]

hi
Many cheap riders including JD have plastic transmissions .
Many [majority ] are not serviceable
Australia pays alot $$$$ for quality junk
Unless Australia has a ride on mower wrecking yard , used parts are non existence
There are wreckers in the USA but canbe $$$ . Although cheap if u have to pay the Austalia Tax
Parts in Australia are very expensive and often deleted from Australian shelves yet still available elsewhere .

Diesel mowers are pathetically expensive 3 x cost of usa versions .

[Tonz]

Originally Posted by danzvtil

Well done, your piece of junk buyer was probably a FIFO looking for a repair project on his downtime.

nope he's a true blue born in the bush yobbo. Hair never seen a comb, teeth (those left) going in 6 different directions, beard down to his fat beer gut belly.

[DFB FGXR6]

As a MS 271 owner, I of course had to watch the latest video..................



The cold idle issue on that saw mimic my own MS 271, which I ended up having to give it more gas add some stability.

Interesting to note her comments about lending out your saw. After decades saying to never allowing someone to borrow your saw, I broke my own advice a few months ago.

The borrower needed a to make a single cut on a large sticky wattle stump that he managed to otherwise cut down with a smaller Echo. I assumed that single cut would be a somewhat safe bet to lend out my basically brand-new MS 271. WRONG!

That "sticky" wattle basically ruined a brand-new bar and chain, which I ultimately replaced at my own cost.

So......................NEVER LEND YOUR CHAINSAW!

[DFB FGXR6]

Does anyone remember Tecumseh engines?









Tecumseh lawn mower engines were to Briggs and Stratton engines, both sharing a side-valve arrangement in multiple displacements. There were some key areas where the Tecumseh sat above the equivalent Briggs.

The first of which being a positive displacement oil pump instead of the splash lubrication/oil slinger used on Briggs engines.

When compared to the smaller 148cc and 158cc Briggs, the Tecumseh use a mechanical governor instead of the air vane type. The larger 190cc Briggs use a mechanical governor.

The Tecumseh engines use a float style carburetor, the same design used on the 190cc Briggs, but different to the pulse/diaphragm style used on the 148cc and 158cc engines. However, I don't like how Tecumseh put the carb right next to the muffler, Briggs have a transfer pipe/intake manifold to have the fuel tank and carb on the opposite side of the exhaust.

Another thing I noticed is the how Tecumseh plated instead of painted their hardware.

These Tecumseh engines were seemingly superior to the equivalent Briggs, while also offering more displacement for the same money. So why are they no longer in business? Some research suggests a series of ownership changes and restructures from 2007 to the early 2010's was the cause, each change resulting in parts of the business being cut up and divided. No doubt, the buyers wanted something Tecumseh offered, but the manufacture of small engines wasn't one of them.

I guess those added features over the equivalent Briggs meant cost per unit was higher. So, while they were better engines, they were competing for the same customers as Briggs, who could either price their engines lower or produce higher profits from each unit. At the end of the day, its not like the average lawn mower buyer is going to notice, let alone care, about mechanical governors or pressure lubrication. What they do care about is lower prices, which Briggs were always on top of.