Does anyone know if a Predator motor from Harbor Freight is a drop-in fit for this splitter, which has a Kohler Sh265 6.5hp motor? This HF motor used to be $100 but is now $200 (or $170 on sale, plus tax). But the cheapest motor I am aware of. My brother and his buddy have both had good luck with it. If I had to go this route, just curious if anyone knows.
I can't tell you if it's a drop-in for that specific model. You'll have to measure the mounting pattern and crankshaft diameter and length. I can tell you I used one to replace a 5hp Briggs with no mods and no problems.
What engine exactly? Edit.i see ... If it's horizontal shaft, it's probably a drop in replacement. I replaced the Briggs l head 5hp with a predator 6.5 hp and it was a drop in easy replacement.
Ok. Yeah looks like it's a drop in. Both are 3/4" shafts. The predator has many mounting locations on the block. Kohler first, the predator 2nd in these pics. I show the predator at a little better priced on sale at the moment
Measure the coupling size on the pump (probably 3/4"). The Pred 6.5 is 3/4" pto shaft I have excellent service from Pred motors. Have a 6.5 on my pressure washer that gets flogged all the time. Just change the oil every fall and clean the air filter and keeps on running just fine. Original sparkplug too. 4 years running. Never drain the gas either, I just run Marine Blue Stabil all the time. Most of the Pred motors are made by Lifan for HF. Lifan also makes some Honda and Yamaha motors.
Maybe you are thinking of my tractor. I bought the splitter several years ago, maybe 2016. I am not going to replace the motor unless I totally give up on a carb. I tried fixing the old carb and then noticed it had two cracks in the steel or whatever it's made of, where the bolts go through... finally bought a clone carb off Amazon, it worked a few days and now I can't get it to even stay running now. So, I ordered another carb, lol. I am no mechanic, that's for sure but my brother and I have a mutual friend who put, like, five of these clone carbs on a motor before he was satisfied. And he IS a mechanic. Well, shade tree, but pretty good. They both have commented that sometimes it might be cheaper to just buy another motor, lol. That was when the Predator was $100. I am now trying to get this 2nd carb working but I did order a 3rd. So, I was wondering if the Predator is even a possibility because my brother looked at it and he didn't think so but he probably didn't look close. Horkn says it'll work. Thanks for the info. Horkn does that ad say this 6.5hp motor is $139.99? When I view my HF site, it shows it as $159.99. It shows the Predator 3hp as $139.99. If yours shows $139.99 for the 6.5hp I wonder if my store would price match.
I've had less than stellar experiences with those carbs as well (Amazon and Flea Bay). Chinese carbs are real hit and miss. I always take them apart and makes sure they are clean inside and remove any casting flash but even so, still a crapshoot. That is interesting because the Lifan (Pred) engines are Chinese too. Must have a higher quality carb.
That was actually my exact intent, which I mentioned to my brother... to buy the $55 one. He said that over several years and numerous motors, he and this mechanic guy, who have mentioned this very subject for years now, said again that they have learned not to trust that the OEM carbs sold on Amazon and eBay will actually be genuine. So, right or wrong, I bought into that line of thinking when I found a 'closer match' clone for $20 that my shopping cart showed I might (it was not definitive, which is something new on Amazon) get shipped here faster than the $55 one, and I bought the $20 clone. Because I need this splitter going right now real bad and every day matters.
I wouldn't say rarely good, but they are hit or miss. I've had pretty good " luck" with aftermarket chinesium carbs so far. Then again, I research the heck out of them before buying it. If there's no or few reviews, I won't buy it. Typically... If I'm in a bind, I'll try a hail Mary.
