Showdown: Briggs & Stratton Vs. Honda
By Kevin Pace
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls — gather ’round for the fight of the century. In this corner, weighing in at anywhere from 120cc to 190cc, depending on the situation, is the burly brawler, the buff bender, the big boss from Wauwatosa, Wisconsin: Briggs & Stratton! In this corner, weighing in at anywhere from 160cc to a monstrous 690cc is the heavy hitter, the hot hater, the hypnotic hustler from Alpharetta, Georgia: Honda! These two will duke it out to see which small engine reigns supreme…right after this commercial break.
Most anyone who’s ever used a lawn mower, generator, pressure washer, or other gasoline-powered yard product has had experience with one or both of these motors. Briggs & Stratton and Honda are the leading manufacturers of small engines in the U.S. and in many other parts of the world. Their engines find their way into just about any brand found at the big box retailer as well as the mom-and-pop shops down the street. But which one really stands out as the better choice?
Briggs & Stratton certainly wins when it comes to market share. I would conservatively estimate that 80% (if not more) of the engines in all lawn mowers, pressure washers, generators, and tractors currently on the open market are manufactured by Briggs. Their air intake systems are second to none, incorporating an advanced cooling and filtration system that allows the engine to operate at a lower temperature, thereby likely extending its operating life. However, with so many different engine models and spec designs, their offerings can range from a really solid engine to a piece of junk and anywhere in between.
Honda has a more specified offering on the market. They really only make three main engines that go in almost all of their equipment — the GCV 160 and GCV 190 in homeowner equipment and the GXV 690 in more commercial equipment. Both are solid engines and incorporate an overhead cam design that makes them easier to start and quieter. However, you do pay the price for the Honda; it often averages $100 or more markup from a comparable Briggs.
So which titanic template of technical torque wins out in this battle royale? Let us know in comments.
Briggs & Stratton Engines
Honda Engines
June 22nd, 2009 at 1:18 pm
I’ve never owned a small honda engine, so I can’t make an educated statement here, however I can’t really see how you can get much more reliable than the briggs engines…. although the “easier to start and quieter” statement has me thinking that I’d LIKE to play with a Honda engine… someday
June 22nd, 2009 at 1:42 pm
I’ve never had to pull starting cord more than once on any of my Honda engines (Pressure Washer, Mower).
June 22nd, 2009 at 1:50 pm
In my arsernal:
1 - 10 Year old Sears Mower with a B&S
2 - Brand new Honda Mower
3 - 5 Year old Honda Power Pressure washer
4 - 3 Year old B&S Powered Portable Generator
5 - 5 year old Torro Powered Snowblower
With minimal maintenance ( I don’t ever empty the gas tank during the winter) on all of the above equipment, I never had an engine related problems. I don’t think you could go wrong with a Honda or B&S.
June 22nd, 2009 at 1:51 pm
Not even a contest. Honda
June 22nd, 2009 at 1:53 pm
Briggs for me, oil change every season, starts on a dime, lasts longer then the mower body they are put on top of. I also like how I dont have to go more then a mile or 2 down the street to get a plug or filter for it.
June 22nd, 2009 at 2:10 pm
Had good luck with both in my kit. Honda generator, never once given me even a hiccup. B&S mower and (ahem) go kart engine, also never given a wink of trouble. Couldn’t actually say one is better than the other, though the generator is pretty quiet.
June 22nd, 2009 at 2:14 pm
Honda - personal preference. Bullet proof performance in my lawn tractor and pressure washer.
June 22nd, 2009 at 4:16 pm
Honda. As a second income, my father has been rebuilding gas power equipment for years. Alot is higher end consumer or industrial equipment. He will often rebuild salvaged equipment for his own use. Whenever possible, he will replace the B&S with a Honda (rototiller, go kart, aerator). In his opinion, Honda engines are more reliable and have a simpler more effective design. For example, the B&S have a more complicated governor and linkage design. Honda carburetors are preset and very simple; they only have an idle adjustment. My father will often build a complete Honda engine from an inventory of used parts. On rare occasion is more than one pull required to start it (two actually). Initially, they smoke like crazy, but start never-the-less. For sitting seized up engines, he will change the gas, put Kroil in the cylinder and let it sit, then hand turn the crank to free anything up. The Hondas usually fire right up.
Jim
June 22nd, 2009 at 4:21 pm
I love how no one has mentioned Tecumseh… heheh
June 22nd, 2009 at 5:51 pm
Never had a real problem with tools powered by either one - can’t say that for Tecumseh
June 22nd, 2009 at 6:27 pm
Tecumseh had a bunch of problems last year with their AC Compressor department. I wouldn’t buy one for several more years to make sure they are back on their feet.
June 22nd, 2009 at 6:37 pm
I finally replaced the B&S on my 19 year old snapper this year. The old motor still ran, and cranked up on the first or second try. I guess years of being used by me and all my friends just wore it out. I could have put a set of rings in it, but Northern Tool had a deal, and I got a new one for around 200$.
Honda may be better, but enough to justify the cost difference? I doubt it.
June 22nd, 2009 at 7:07 pm
I’ll have to disagree with some on B&S.
My last lawnmower had a B&S engine on it; I bought it partially on the
advice of others who said, “buy a Briggs & Straton, you can buy parts
for them everywhere.”.
While I owned it, I learned why B&S parts are everywhere; they’re big
sellers…if you own a B&S engine, you have to buy repair parts often.
Sure, they’re easy to work on, but I like using my lawn equipment, not
repairing it constantly.
Also, the mini-workout (and sometimes starter fluid) to get it to start
(particularly after it’s not been run since the previous Fall) made
me look at the Hondas.
I’ve had a Honda lawnmower for about 8 or 9 years now; as others have
mentioned, it very often starts on the first or second pull, the
throttle/choke cable stays in adjustment, it doesn’t use nearly as
much oil as the B&S, and it’s never made that screeching noise that lets
you know that your B&S needs a new starter clutch.
For my 2 cents, I’ll take Honda over B&S if given the choice.
P.S. A nearby mini-golf place with go-karts runs nothing but Honda powered
carts, and those carts are used and abused and yet continue to run day in,
day out…food for thought.
June 22nd, 2009 at 8:14 pm
None of those Honda engines created manufacturing and engineering jobs in Wisconsin that pay taxes and helps put our kids through school. Even one small engine at a time, buy a USA product. It does make a difference.
June 22nd, 2009 at 8:32 pm
Having worked at a power equipment shop for 3 years that services both honda and B&S I can say… it depends. 1st off any engine thats properly maintained will start on the 1st pull. That means dumping and/or using the gas within a month (yes it goes bad that quickly) and tuning it up/changing the oil every season. That being said Honda has gotten the filtering system down a lot better than B&S. Every honda gas tank has a filter on the inlet tube and it seems to stop nearly everything, I’ve never yet found a horrendously dirty honda carb. The problem is honda carb parts are much more expensive than B&S counter parts but need them less frequently.
B&S engines will tolerate being run low on oil a lot better than a Honda, (not that you should try.) Honda’s can be a pain though if the cam craps out or the valves loosen up. Its not too difficult to fix but may put some off.
June 22nd, 2009 at 9:22 pm
From working as a small engine mechanic i saw many Honda and BS engines, although they were all broke by the time they got to me. So i guess i dont have a whole lot to add but GO BS because your American, i think.
June 22nd, 2009 at 9:25 pm
@HammerDrill
Not that it’s important, but Toro’s almost all have B&S engines. They pay a huge fee each season to have their mowers use the B&S engine but not have Briggs’ name on it so it seems like their engine.
Guess it evens out though, Honda doesn’t make their own mowers anyway, just the engines.
June 22nd, 2009 at 10:03 pm
I hate to say it but my 12 year old Honda mower started and ran so well that I never thought about it until it seized from lack of oil, Doh!!!
Briggs have always worn me out on the starting, but thats what ether is for. I am back to a Briggs on my used Craftsman because I can’t afford the Honda right now.
June 22nd, 2009 at 10:19 pm
B&S for me. As Gerard mentioned they will run great without oil. I burnt the rings out of one mower and put the thick ring-seal [snake] oil in it and it kept going. Finally bought a new Craftsman with a B&S and it’ll start up with half the pull cord on the first try. I will say Hondas do run a bit smoother, w/o so much vibration.
June 23rd, 2009 at 12:50 am
I was a small equipment mechanic for 6 years at a company with a lot of gas powered equipment old (40s) and new (present). All I can say is I haven’t seen any 20+ year old Honda’s still doing their job day after day. And if that Honda is much over 5 years don’t expect to find parts either. Briggs has my vote but the Honda’s are nice while they last.
June 23rd, 2009 at 8:39 am
I personally use a 15+ year old John Deer (at least I think it is that old, got it third hand from my parents via a garage sale). I’m not sure what engine it has, but it still runs, takes a few pulls, but it works. The Craftsman that came with my house was DOA and would never start (B&S engine, only about 5 years old). But, stories like that are a dime a dozen, I’m sure as far as reliability goes, if you keep everything maintained, aside from just a fluke, both are gonna last you a really long time. What I want to know, since I would like to replace my JD with something that can mulch and bag (it can at least bag, but to get the attachment it is around 80 bucks) while being more quite and fuel efficient, is… Which one does a better job in the yard? I realize there is a lot more to cutting grass than the engine, but it goes a long way. Right now, you can get the 160cc Honda on a Troy-Built at Lowe’s for approx 250 or, essentially the same mower, but with a B&S (650 series) for the same price.
June 23rd, 2009 at 9:33 am
My mower is a 20 year old Lawnboy Gold Series 2-stroke. Although routine maintenance is dead simple, replacing the drive belt is a pain (have to remove the engine). Last time I replaced the drive belt, I looked into the exhaust port and was shocked at how badly galled the piston is. The engine shouldn’t run, but does. And it usually starts on the third pull. The top gear has given up, so I’m now mowing at a slower pace. Replacement engines are quite expensive, since Lawnboy no longer manufactures engines. I anticipate that this will be its last summer, and will probably replace it with a Honda.
June 23rd, 2009 at 11:42 am
Honda all the way. I have a Civic, scooter, mower and used to have a Honda motorcycle. Wide range of engines, and no problems from any of them. Two slow cranks on the mower and fired up (one to prime it, and one pull to start). All others crank on the first try. If I need a tool and Honda offers one for my need, I don’t even look around. Quiet, reliable, and well thought. In all honesty though, since Honda meets my needs every time, I haven’t had a chance to try out a BS. You get what you pay for a lot of the time, Honda is no different.
June 23rd, 2009 at 11:54 am
I’ve been out the power equipment biz for awhile, but at the time we considered the Hondas better than the B&S, however a lot of our stuff was actually powered by Wisconsins, both the old cast iron monsters with the Fairbanks magnetos and the newer Robin (Fuji) engines and we actually preferred the Robins to Hondas because they were cheaper and simpler.
More recently, my mower is a Craftsman with a B&S and while it may not start first pull, it is on its 7th season and the only part I have replaced besides spark plugs and air filters is the gas tank.
June 23rd, 2009 at 11:57 am
Just got a very used Craftsman riding mower that is 16 years old and has had one oil change (now two) that has a BS 12.5hp that still runs great. My push mower is 33 years old with a BS in it that is now starting to run a little rough but starts first pull usually. My snowblower is only a few years old with a BS and can be a pig to start on a cold day (-15C)…
June 23rd, 2009 at 12:46 pm
@Aaron
Dude, I’m impressed with any engine that can even start period at -15C!
June 23rd, 2009 at 2:18 pm
My dad had a craftsman with a B&S that lasted 20 years until the deck completely fell apart. Mine has 5 years under its belt with nothing but oil changes. Same spark plug and filter, never opened the carb to clean it up and have never had to pull more than 2 times to start the season. Every other start is first pull.
June 23rd, 2009 at 7:42 pm
@ Greg
I don’t know what you’re driving at with your comment about jobs. Granted, maybe Honda hasn’t created any jobs in Wisconsin yet, but they certainly have in several other states, and hasn’t sent an executive via luxury private jet to ask for a bailout on Capitol Hill.
I think it is a good idea to support American companies, but I get a little confused when people imply that the patriotic thing to do is support businesses that do un-American things.
I am not saying Briggs and Stratton does any of these things. What I am saying is that US firms have no problem with moving production to Mexico or sourcing parts from overseas. Only when you fully consider a manufacturer’s practices can you say with any certainty that your patronage benefits America.
Furthermore, companies like GM and Chrysler are suffering from good old white collar mismanagement. I know that folks on this forum like to spew about unions but it isn’t the fault of the line worker or his or her representation. People who frequently visit this blog know that folks often lament what happened to Home Depot. Well, after the wonderful Bob Nardelli was convinced to leave HD, he went to Chrysler.
The fact of the matter is that Honda makes great internal combustion engines, and their knowledge and experience on the subject is exemplified in all sorts of fine products.
I’m not saying Briggs and Stratton doesn’t make a decent, and domestic, product. Prefacing every comparison with “buy American” gets old after a while. I’ll go out on a limb and say Honda is better, and wait for the Briggs and Stratton Indy car to hit the Brickyard.
June 23rd, 2009 at 10:19 pm
Never had anything with a Honda engine, but have a lot of tired iron that has Briggs and Stratton, a Kohler and a “who the heck knows what it is” on an old Sears tiller, so I can’t speak for relative quality/durability.
One good thing about Briggs is there are so many of them around that you can find used engines in reasonably good shape for not a whole lot of money. Technicians for B&S are rather common too.
But about the parts, if you’re looking for parts other than air filters, spark plugs and oil filters, you may have to resort to mail order from Briggs or have your local shop order them.
A few years ago, I took an 18.5 HP Vanguard twin apart for an exploratory after finding a lot of aluminum shavings in the oil and a rather ominous knock. My local tech basically priced the teardown and rebuild as more than the 14 year old garden tractor was worth. The engine itself looked fine except the engine base which had the bottom main bearing was chewed up. The top main had a slight wear problem and everything else checked within spec. The noise had come from the bottom of the flywheel hitting the top of the engine block because the engine base was worn enough so the crankshaft dropped about a 1/4 inch.
After replacing the base with the bearing/seal, the top main bushing and the rings even though they were ok, the engine has run fine since, and I learned one heck of a lot.
June 24th, 2009 at 3:14 am
I have a Yard Machines mower with a B&S motor for the last 10 years or so. It finally had a problem with the pull cord fraying, turns out it ran through an large aluminum drilled out rivet that eventually wore through and rubbed on the steel shroud. I finally figured out that screwing a brass plumbing nipple in and grinding it down solved the problem. Other than that it’s worked great for me. I have no problem buying anything with a B&S engine in it.
June 24th, 2009 at 7:27 am
@ Greg: on the “buy American” issue - just for the record, Honda manufactures all GC/GCV engines here in the U.S. at a factory in Swepsonville, North Carolina. 1.5 million engines a year. We also have a pretty hefty investment throughout the U.S. (nearly 30,000 associates, $12.1 billion in captiol investment).
@ Kevin Pace: All Honda mowers are designed and made by Honda. Actually U.S. mowers are built at our factory in North Carolina, too.
Disclaimer: I’m not speaking officially for the company, but I’m a Honda associate. : )
Thanks for the kind words, Honda owners! We take a lot of pride in our products and it’s nice to know they are serving you well.
June 24th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
Tecumseh was once the best. With probably the first metal camshaft and pressure lubrication. They still use float carbs though. The only experience I have had with a honda is my grandma’s mower. That thing was reasonably reliable, but it consumed way too much oil and the crankshaft bent instead of the key shearing or the clutch slipping. Stupid POS. Briggs aren’t bad, except they use nylon gears on many models and the governor that relies on air blowing across it in kinda dumb. So, in short, buy a Perkins diesel.
June 24th, 2009 at 8:52 pm
My Toro has a B&S motor, but it’s also only a few years old so no real opinion yet. My previous mower was about 20 years old, given to me by my parents, and was a really crappy Craftsman — the engine was solid (even with no maintenance at all); the overall mower design stunk.
As for the jobs bit — guys, exactly where do you think Alpharetta, GA is? I know where the small motors division HQ is — it’s less than 10 miles from my house. There’s a rather large number of Americans employed there, and based on what Dana says, I’d guess there’s a lot more employed in North Carolina.
June 25th, 2009 at 9:21 pm
Last B&S I had was on a Toybilt mower and it was horrid (the mower and the engine. I switched to a Cub with a Kohler. Much better. Never had a Honda.
July 4th, 2009 at 8:41 am
Thanks for all the good info on both engines. I was hoping to find some opinions on the generac generators with not much luck on the net. If you have comments yea or nea regarding this brand will you email them to me at brneyes1969@email.com so not to junk up this blog which is about Hondas and Briggs. Thanks for your help. Will be making a final decision 7/10/09.
July 21st, 2009 at 9:43 pm
Our engines are far more reliable and longer lasting than any other make on the market. We engineer these engines so well, which is the reason they last so long. We take pride in them and thank our fans out there.
Disclaimer: I am a mechanical engineer for Briggs & Stratton, and I have the knowledge and ability to explain why our engines are better. I work with them every day all day long.
August 13th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
I pulled a 20+ year old tiller from a shed where it sat for at least 15 years. Cleaned the carb and fuel filter. Pulled it three times and it ran like a top.
Yep, B&S engine. I had nothing but problems with my not so old honda power washer. Best thing that happened is it got stolen and I got a new one(insurance), same model, but not a honda engine. This one runs so much better.
October 24th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
re: Jim and Kif
Jim: Also had multiple Honda machines. ‘75 CB T360 motorcycle, Self-propelled mower, Civic, Bush Hog ES2052 ZTR Mower, and most recently Acura TL. All were/are rock solid. Honda was winning F1 world championships (always without a Turbo) 11 years before the B&G two cylinder was introduced (1977)! ALL IRL Indycars run Honda. Honda gets my vote every time.
And Kif, I’ll join you at the Brickyard to watch for that B&G Indycar… If they can get Sponsorship…