kaw vs vangaurd

[jga]

I'm not in the business, and was wondering why kawasaki is prefered over vangaurd? Looking at a 21hp from both company's, the features look pretty much the same. And it seem's to me the briggs isn't as cold blooded, and maybe even quieter.

[BRIAN GALLO]

Both are good engines. In my own experience with both brands I find that Kawasaki pays a little more attention to detail and therefore costs a bit more. I feel they are both reliable.

[Green Care]

I have both I would give the KAW an edge.

Had problems with the VAN bogging down also leaking gas after cutting the mower off,had too turn fuel off to stop it .l

KAW no problems at all.Runs strong.

[Richard Martin]

The Vanguard may very well be the equal of the Kawasaki but the Vanguard has something the Kawasaki doesn't. It's built by a company that has a reputation for making throw away engines.

This is my ranking of currently available gas engines for commercial mower use:

1: Kohler
2: Kawasaki
3: Honda (Honda would be higher but it lacks power bite)
4: Robin
5: Briggs
6: Techemseh

[big james]

vanguards aren't throw aways ,when they are worn out <any of them > they all become throw aways ,unless you got the skill to rebuild them yourself ,Kohler is a good engine ,once they got the lifter problem solved ,Parts for Kawasaki's are sky high.I would rate those three real close nowadays . and remember ,you can get a lemon with any name on it.

[danzig]

I prefer a kaw to any other brand out there. I get more hours on a kaw than a kohler or a vanguard. Read my post about synthetic oil and k&n airfilters if you are the type who buys a mower and dont replace it till it is worn out.

[odin]

I like kohler the best but my dealer never gets machines with them on there
I was happy when we got a dixie chopper that it had a kohler
Kawi is good but i like buying from an american made and OWNED companey and put togeather here to.
Briggs is like another post said a trowaway engine companey althouh i think the vanguard is a good motor.
Athoug briggs is a american companey most of there engines aint put togeather here anymore
AT least the kawi are put togeater here in tennesse.

[AVRECON]

I have Vanguards, but would prefer the Kaw to it. Actually Onan is the way to go if you can get it.

[odin]

avercon

Have you ever seen a vetical shaft onan?Ive only seen horizontal shaft onans
You right the onan is real good i had one on a john deere tractor in michigan for personal mowing and was mowing 5 acres a week from 1988 to 1995 it never had a breakdown.

[TLS]

Hey guys, I am also all for "Made in the USA" :blush:

I'm not sure, but I think my LC 27HP Kawi is made in Japan. Unfortunately, USA made isn't available in that HP range.

I used to have an 18hp Onan Horizontal twin flathead on my 318 JD's. Very durable engine.

They DO make vertical shaft Twins. We have a propane powered 36" floor buffer at the supermarket, it is a Vertical. No hint at what HP it is, but it looks to be about the same size as my old Horizontal Onans, just turned up on end!

[odin]

TLS
I used to own that very tractor and i liked the power steering on it

[TLS]

Oh, I put thousands of hours behind the wheel of the 318's, they just dont make em like that anymore! They weren't the most efficient machine for mowing (like a ZTR for example), but they really held up to years and years of commercial use!

I (we, My Dad and I) still own one! Matter of fact its outside right now plowing this measly 2" of snow that we have so far! Not even enough to hook up the blower :rolleyes:

[MONTE]

TLS

Kohler makes a 27hp air and water cooled engine!

Also GENERAC makes a 30hp engine and it is american made at least that is what I was told!

[TLS]

MONTE,

That Kohler info is news to me! Care to share that info?

[MONTE]

I saw both of these engines on 72" cut BLADERUNNER mowers last week! That's also where I learned of the 30hp GENERAC.

[Mark]

I run kohler,robin,Kaw,and Vanguards the Vanguards are by far the best engines ive owned over the last 12yrs. Ive got one with over 4000hrs just waiting to see how much longer that motor will run. Marks Mowing Service oh ya and my vanguards seem to run smoother than the Kawas plus when engaging the pto the vanguards seem much stronger.

[MONTE]

Best gas engine that I have run for power and durabilty has been a 22hp ROBIN.

[WildSide]

Speaking on personal experiences here, I would choose Kawi anyday. In the past I have operated many walkbehinds with 12.5 Kawi motors much older than me, Im 21. These motors are still kickin and putting out everday on the job.

On the other hand, I saw a Vangaurd 14 explode. The rear case exploded like a frag and spit hot oil all over the operators legs, luckily for some reason he was wearing jean pants that day. The reason this motor exploded I am uncertain of; however I would agree that it was overworked because it was on a 61in with a velke, it was only 14hp.

[TLS]

Hey, I had the EXACT same thing happen to me. It was on my older SCAG 48" WB with the Vanguard 14hp Single cylinder. I bought it used with unknown hours (no meter). I used it about 1 season, and it, without warning, shot the rod out of a 3" hole in the block! It was a little "loose" sounding, but without any other Vanguards to base it on, I had nothing to compare it to. I happened to get another new Vanguard for it, as back then, they were much cheaper than a Kohler or Kawi. Luckily it happened on my Parents lawn (last lawn for that day!) so I didn't have to worry about grass damage from the oil bath. They were a quieter engine, partially due to the plastic coated engine shroud.

Would I buy another? Probably not, but the new LC 3 cyl's look nice.

[ow man]

I also feel the Kawasaki is far superior to a Briggs. I understand and respect the desire to buy American. I would also like to share some information with you. Most Kawasaki engines are built in the USA. Maryville, Mo. (near Kansas City) is a large manufacturing plant for Kawasaki engines. Not all water cooled are built here, mostly air cooled. The lawn and garden division corp. office is in Grand Rapids, MI. The Kawasaki company is becoming more and more a US company. Factories are growing every day. Look around at the growing number of OEM's now demanding Kaw power. As for the quote, "replacement parts are high", Kawasaki has just REDUCED the price on a number of replacement parts. Rugged, dependable, low noise, field proven technology. How do I know this? I'm the Kawasaki sales rep. in two midwestern states!!!!! Nice talking with you, best of luck in 2002.

[odin]

ow man
Arent some kawi also put togeather in tenneesse?

[ow man]

odin00, I am not aware of a manufacturing plant there. Possibly a small assy. plant. My contacts are through Grand Rapids and Maryville. I will find out next week. One thing to also remember, the lawn and garden division is seperate from the ATV, bike, and watercraft lines. There are several US factories for these. I only work on the lawn & garden side as a distributor salesman out of St.Louis Mo. Also when we sell engines in bulk to an OEM, they may make certain changes or partial assy. at their factories. Thanks for your interest.