Splitter Engine Replacement thoughts

[stumper]

I think it is time to replace the engine on my wood splitter.  The existing engine is a 20 to 25 year old B&S, 5.5 hp.  I am considering two options. 
1. Harbor Freight - Predator - 6.5 hp - 212cc - new  $105.50.
2. Ebay - Honda - GC 190 - 6 hp -190cc - used 5 to 10 hrs - $150.00

Thoughts

[barbender]

     Can't go wrong with a Honda, has been my experience. I don't have any experience with the Predators.

[LAZERDAN]

I put on the Harbor Freight 5  yrs ago.   What a blessing.   I hated that old briggs, but i was to cheap to spend the 99 bucks,  What a fool I was,  the HF starts every time even -30.       Lazerdan

[sawguy21]

It depends on how much you use it. The HF engine is cheap but as in most things in life we get what we pay for. Buy two so you have a back up. The Honda GC series is also a cheap consumer engine, not bad for light use but if it has major issues not worth repairing.
You have had over 20 years out of the Briggs, I think your experience speaks for itself.  If you want another 20 years  step up to the Briggs professional, Honda GX, Subaru Robin or others in that class.

[sharp edge]

Go with H/F.

SE

[John Mc]

You have had over 20 years out of the Briggs, I think your experience speaks for itself.  If you want another 20 years  step up to the Briggs professional, Honda GX, Subaru Robin or others in that class.

What does Brigs call their professional line? Is a their Vanguard series a pro-grade engine?

A local engine shop is a big fan of the higher grade Kohler engines as well, but I don't know much about them (other than the 25 or 26 HP Kohler twin in my "garden tractor" had a head gasket go - a known problem with the series, but at least the replacement prat has been redesigned/reinforced).

[jwilly3879]

I put a gx160 honda on mine. I think it was about $200, ordered it online and had it in 3 days, a direct replacement.

[Al_Smith]

If it's a iron cylinder Briggs ,a set of rings and lap the valves would probably get another 20 years out of it .

[hedgerow]

Not a huge fan of Harbor Freight tools. But I have used there 6.5 and 13 hp engines for a number of years and have put a lot of hours on them and never had problem one with them. They start well in any weather and run great. I break them in on regular oil and then run Mobil one 25w 50w oil in them.

[RCBS]

I have a GC160 that came on a push mower more than ten years ago.  The deck literally rotted off the mower after years of use.  I salvaged the engine, removed the safety brake and installed a constant speed carburetor setup on it to potentially be used as a replacement on a Husky log splitter.  I had no confidence in the B&S that came on it.  The B&S continues to surprise me with its longevity.  Meanwhile the Honda sits, waiting for the day it will return to service.

[Al_Smith]

Briggs got a bad rap .Many models came in three grades,lowest was plated cylinder no replaceable bearings .IC brass sleeve bearing and IC industrial that used ball bearing mains .

The pancake twins used on mowers would seize if side hilled with the mower tilted to the right  because of the splash oiling system .Very few people knew that .You can't over speed them because at about 4500 RPM the rod decides to make an exit .After that most never run again .Never fear some even with a thrown rod can be repaired .

For those who don't know you can get right on Briggs web site and it explains how to look up parts .Often with that info you can find them on flea bay if you choose too .

They are what they are .Not top of the line like Kohler,Honda or Kawasaki never the less very dependable for all intents .Like any engine you have to change the oil every so often .

[LeeB]

Hey Al, what oil is best?  :D :D :D :D :D

[sawguy21]

Don't get him started. :D

[yukon cornelius]

I put a predator 6.5 on my splitter and love it. It starts very easy, its quiet, and it comes with a fuel shutoff. I always shut off the fuel and run it until it dies on all my small engines. I am going to buy another to put on my tired tiller.

[John Mc]

Has anyone run one of those Predator engines over a long period of time? just wondering how they hold up.

[Al_Smith]

Did somebody mention oil,oh goody 8) Well in the average run of the mill small engine ,just plain old oil that used to be 69 cents a quart until they figured out that people would pay more.

Now on the Toro zero turn that set me back the best part of 6 grand,full synthetic,it takes a whole quart ya know .Not a big deal with that kind of oil it's every 50 hours and I log less that 40 the entire year.I still change it once a year .  Al the tight wad .

[LeeB]

Yes but 30wt, 40wt, multi grade, what? And then we need to talk about what brand.  :D :D :D

[John Mc]

Yes but 30wt, 40wt, multi grade, what? And then we need to talk about what brand.

Oh please... don't get him (or all of the rest of us) started

[s grinder]

Replaced my tired old 5HP 206cc Briggs last summer with a northern toolhttps://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?action=position"> Note:Please read the Forestry Forum's postion on this company Ironton 208cc special on my splitter.Was on sale for $100.00,free shipping,direct bolt on[plug and play]run great,more power than the old girl.

[Al_Smith]

Yes but 30wt, 40wt, multi grade, what? And then we need to talk about what brand.  :D :D :D

Well depends .Maybe in the Sahara desert something like 60 WT axle oil .In the Arctic above  the circle 10WT thinned with kerosine .

Of course it's all a moot point because in either place there are no trees much less a need for a splitter .

What brand,not that it makes a diff .Could be Joe's low ball super duper recycled or Amys oyl or his Royal majestys purple passion .I luvs me the oyl debate . 8)

[coxy]

I have had a HF 14 hp on a concrete walk behind saw that powers a 20 inch  diamond blade for 5 year and no trouble except the vent that comes out of the tank and goes to the carb when sitting in the sun it will vent and the gas runs in the carb filling the block full of gas/oil unhooked the line off the tank and trouble free

[sawguy21]

UH OH, you are poking a hole in the ozone layer by defeating the emissions system. :D

[Al_Smith]

Well there was speculation that all the rockets punched holes in the 0zone layer like so much Swiss cheese .Alas we're doomed, too many grazing animals .Now an engine running amok without the crankcase ventilation intact .

Oh my goodness if Ralph Nader gets wind of this we'll be doomed to either splitting wood with an axe or just not burning it .The north will become a barren waste land and Florida will be over populated .Bad business I tell you . :D------Global warming,as much fun as the oil discussion --- 8)

[coxy]

UH OH, you are poking a hole in the ozone layer by defeating the emissions system. :D

well its that or all the oil/gas mix goes in the water after it over flows think the fish people around here would rather it be a hole in the ozone  :D :D :D :D :D

[isaaccarlson]

I have a 5hp briggs on mine.  It had an extra lobe on the cam to reduce compression for easy starting.  I ground it off and now it has twice as much power and is nearly impossible to start by hand.  I just picked up a 22hp v-twin with electric start and will be putting it on the splitter with a 22 or 28 gpm pump.