12.5 kaw or 16 hp vanguard ?

[scott korczynski]

I'm picking up a Toro gear drive walk-behind with a 44'' floating deck. For an extra $100 I can move from the 12.5 kawasaki to the 16 vanguard. Any comments on either of these motors would be appreciated. What should I get? Thanx, Scott

[lawrence stone]

Can I interest you in a very nice used model?<p>Surplus to my needs is a used toro WB with<br>about 300 total hours usage. It has the original 11hp B&S engine a 44&quot; mowing deck<br>and toro bagger ($300 new). <p>It is located in Eastern Penna. and my price<br>is $1400 firm.

[EDL]

Scott i would stick with the kawasaki, it is a lot better built than the briggs vangaurd. Kawasakis have stood up well for us, the briggs on the otherhand, don't hold up well for commercial applications even if you get the I/C or the vangaurd. just my 2 cents Tom

[curlawngreen]

Stay with the kaw. I will never buy anything that has a Briggs on it. Had two suck down valves. 16h.p. vanguard.

[scott korczynski]

If I puchase the 12.5 hp kawasaki,will it be under powered with the 44'' deck?

[Lazer]

12.5 Kaw Plenty of power for 44&quot;<br>We used to run them on 52&quot; - did fine.<p>If I were buying a 52&quot; I'd probably get the 15 or 17 twin Kaw.

[little green guy]

I have a 48&quot; bobcat with a 12.5 kawi, the engine is 11 years old and starts on the first pull every time (second pull in the middle of winter). It's got plenty of power. I also have a 14 hp vanguard which is about 4 years old and alot harder to start. In the winter it won't even start.

[accuratelawn]

I have a 12.5 Kaw on a 36&quot;. It will cut anything. Four years....no problems!

[accuratelawn]

I have a 12.5 Kaw on a 36&quot;. It will cut anything. Four years....no problems!

[TurfMaster]

Gotta stay with the Kawaski, nothing else compares. I've never had Briggs and Stratton that ran smooth for over two years, there's always something that goes wrong with. I'd get a Kohler any day before a B&S. They're kind of like generic pop tarts, their cheap....but just don't taste the same as Kellog's or like a Pop Tart is supposed to taste(sorry for the bad analogy).

[GLC]

Food for thought:<p>If it is hard to get parts for the Kaw. then I would get the Briggs. I run a Briggs on my walkbehind and it is doing just fine. But find out about the parts and the service. Some people won't even work on a Kaw. Briggs is good so I would say go with the one with the best warrenty, parts, and service.<p>GLC<br>

[lawrence stone]

My pesticide application vehicle also is a<br>44&quot; mower I use for &quot;trimming&quot;. It has a new<br>12.5 hp Tecumseh and really powers the deck <br>nicely.<p>If you go to the following website<br>http://lgwhse.com/lgwhsecgi/webc.cgi/tmidsize.html?sid=21VUA-C<p>It shows that a 16hp B&S is $200 LESS than<br>a 12.5 kaw.<p>The 16 hp B&S must be a 1999 leftover.<br>Per Toros website they do not offer a<br>B&S engine for 2000. See:<br>http://www.toro.com/landscape/proline/gearfspecs.html<p>You can buy a new 48&quot; Toro/eXmark with a 14hp kohler for $2250<br>Why spend more for a smaller deck?

[Mark]

I have kholer, robin, and vangards, And all three of these engines are well made all from japan. In fact i have had no problems from the vangards, and also have good luck with the robins. Keep preventive maintance on a regular bacis and these engines will treat you right. I hope to be buying the new scag sabre tooth tiger with the 31hp vangard liquid cooled this month. Around here exmark, scag,and greatdanes are the choice for most commercial cutters. I have heard very good things about the kaw-engines,but most of the equipment out there is as good as you are to it.<p>----------<br>Mark's Mowing Service<br>

[Mark]

My mistake Kholer engines are still made in the good old USA.<p>----------<br>Mark's Mowing Service<br>