Any idea's what a good one would be, i'm sure Honda would be the first choice. But, probably spendy, how about a 6 hp lawn mower motor, Briggs? The only reason i ask is my motor on my splitter runs ok, but, i'm just looking down the road. My splitter is a 22 ton speeco.
I think Horkn used a predator on his. My opinion if you're not in a rush is to search craigslist for NOS engines. I have 7 or 8 new horizontal engines from 5 to 23 hp sitting on shelves waiting for a job. Briggs IC, Kohler K or Magnum, Wisconsin and Vanguard to name a few. If you don't NEED it NOW they will show up but if you're in a hurry they will all run and hide.
If it isn't broke, do not try to fix it! We have a 20 ton MTD and did have to replace the engine but I bought another Briggs & Stratton. And yes TurboDiesel one Pallet Pete did help me change the engine. Thanks Pete! Doing things like that really take a toll on my back but you made it much easier. Also Pete, thanks for helping me out last winter when my car started falling apart. For those who wonder, the undercarriage broke free when I went through some snow drifts one morning on my way to Lansing. I called Pete as we were not far from his place and he got under there and fixed it good...with some zip ties. Worked like a charm.
You do have a very valid point, and i'll go with that, but, i was just looking ahead. It runs good at this time, and it is dependable. But, if some thing just fell out of thin air, i'd be smart to grab it, put it away and be ready. I'll take your advice.
Harbor freight preditors are very good engines. I have used them on log splitters, lawn mowers and a generator. They hold up as good as the Briggs and Honda’s. I’m a believer that’s for sure! The splitter I rebuilt got one and I sold it a few years ago. I keep in contact with the buyer and he runs 20 cord a year through it no problem same engine I put on.
I called the Small Engine Warehouse with my splitter's name and number and they sold me an engine (upgraded to electric start) that bolted right up to the pump and to the original motor mount. Quick service, came well packaged, started right up (haven't hooked up/used the electric start yet). Located in Muncie, Indiana but ship everywhere.
I repowered mine with a chonda too. It replaced a 5 hp Briggs. It starts easier, runs better, has more power, and uses less gas than before.
After many many years of use the old Briggs gave up the ghost. Very little compression and had to Ether it to even start it on a warm day. Repowered it for a little over $100 with a HF Predator around 3 years ago. Usually one pull starts it. If over 3, I better be looking and see if everything set where it should be. Should of done it a long time ago.
Found one! i'm later than all get out on posting, BUT, this past summer, riding my bike down the street, spotted a 6.5 hp briggs mower for sale, 30 bucks!! So, as i was talking to the lady who owned it, i started it up, and first pull away she went. Said she was getting a newer mower. Put some fresh av gas in it, and it does run great!! Paid her, went home got the pickup loaded it up and its, ready to go as soon as i put it on the splitter.
Sweet. I've thought about doing the same thing. Just keep the mower till I'm ready to use the engine.
My brother got one of those for his tiller and he likes it and his shade-tree mechanic deduced it was a good choice. They prefer American-made and all that but are constantly complaining that hardly anything is that way anymore.
The guy I work for just bought back a homemade splitter that his dad built years ago. It’s kinda crude but knowing the man that built it I’m sure it worked pretty well at the time. It needs an engine, looks like it has a Koehler 20 hp on it now. I’m pretty sure it doesn’t need that much HP but the old boy that built it believed that “there is no substitute for horse power”. I want to get it running so I can quit dragging mine back and forth to work. There’s a guy in town that has 4 riding mowers in his back yard and possibly one more nice one in his garage. I’m gonna see if I can’t deal him out of one.
