Briggs vs Onan

Anonymous-0 · Aug 10, 2008

My current garden tractor has a 18 hp Onan,and has done well,but I'm looking at another mower that has a 16hp V twin Briggs in it.Just wondered about peoples experience with these,good or bad.

Ryan - WI · Aug 10, 2008

The Onan is a better engine pretty much hands down.

However, the Briggs is a bunch more affordable and has served many people well for lots of years too.

jlmtractor · Aug 10, 2008

both are good motors..... the real only way to explain the difference is like this...... the onan is more of a ford sorta high priced but just as good if not better. the briggs is like a chevy, good but not the best but not really high priced, will last forever if taken care of, and have been around forever.

Anonymous-0 · Aug 10, 2008

Yes,I've had lots of single cyl Briggs over the years,good luck with them,but no experience with there V twin.

Anonymous-0 · Aug 10, 2008

And as you progress into the newest models it would appear the horsepower ratings might have become somewhat exagurated.

buickanddeere · Aug 10, 2008

One is as good as the other. And either can be ruined with abuse, over heating due to grass clippings, wrong spark plugs, dirty filters, dirty fuel, cheap oil, wrong oil, dirty oil or running out of oil.

treeboy of indiana · Aug 11, 2008

the twins have a perfect place for mouse nest on top of the cly. under the shroud.. keep em clean... & keeep the water out of the gas, & the coil grounded,,, but mine mows like a herd of goats 50" 18hp had a blown 20hp w/nest when i got it(broken rod)

Traditional Farmer · Aug 11, 2008

I've had better service with Kohlers than either Onan or Briggs.Onan engines are very expensive to work on too

newfarmer9 · Aug 11, 2008

I've had very good luck with Briggs engines. The 16 horspower one in my riding mower has been going for 18+ years with no problems and no work to it other than maintenance. The 12 horsepower Briggs in my old 70s vintage Sears rider went for 30+ years before I wound up selling it.

BushogPapa · Aug 11, 2008

It is always nice to know that any "small-bore Onan" can be bored the 1/4", to the "Big-Bore Onan size with no trouble..Very straight-forward overhaul..
That bigger bore makes it a real Horse, too...!
I cleaned up and contoured the inside of the screw-in exhaust pipes and run twin round mufflers. it kind of sounds like a Merlin engine now...!!
I do recommend replacing the rods with new ones at the same time..Aluminum does have a certain "life-span", when used as connecting rods...!

Tim B from MA · Aug 11, 2008

I don't know anything about Onan.

Briggs has different grades of motors.

Their Vangaurd models are high end motors and will hold up as well as any.

There I/C (industrial commercial) also a good for consumer-type applications.

If it is not one of those, I can't say but my guess would be it is a lower end motor that probably is a good idea to stay away from unless the price is very right.

Anonymous-0 · Aug 11, 2008

The "running out of oil" claims the majority I think.............

Usually if the engine is equipped with a cast sleeve and ball bearing style mains, chances are it'll prove to be durable with regular maintenance..............

RodinNS · Aug 11, 2008

I'd be looking for something with Honda power...
That's what I think of Briggs and Onan.

Rod

Anonymous-0 · Aug 11, 2008

My 18hp Onan is in a 87 Case 448,and haven't touched the engine except for normal maintanence.Now has a little over 1100 hrs,and am happy with it.The Briggs I'm considering is for my 89 year old father,just wanting to make sure it's not piece of junk,thanks for the replies,all.

Briggs vs Onan

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