Who makes this Engine for MTD? Poulan or MTD Better?

[usmctpdog]

I finally purchased my 1st snow blower. A Brandy new MTD 24 in, 179cc electric start 600 series snow blower @ the local PX for $ 600.00 and am I very impressed with it thus far !!
The first time I used it was to cut thru 3+ feet tall of 1 month old ice/snow for 80 feet to my front door..!!!

I am still in my warranty period and wondered who makes this engine?
It does not say..I would guess Briggs & Stratton as it does have any stickers.

I was also looking at today at a new 5 HP, 24 in 179cc Poulan, pull start only and thought it was heavier duty looking than my MTD Yardman but soon wondered if it was just different is all? The reliability of parts might be the same, better or less. While the MTD looks " less rugged " in the control parts it's elegant simplicity looked to be easier to work on then the multi-part, springs and bolts and bracketed Poulan machine which was $100 more than my MTD model with no electric start.

Most important is down the line when the warranty is over and maintenance issues crop up. The Poulan has the Techumsea engine plainly stated and better wheels and a grease fitting on the snow blade shaft, but I can tap and install one of those or take apart the shaft for lubing when winter is over... What does everyone think?

Is the Poulan a better machine than the YardMan for reliability and maintenance ? This is my first snowblower.. Thanks for input.
Here is a pic of my first use - pretty impressive when you think I can walk over my front lawn without even sinking down and I am 220 lbs.

[Bill Kapaun]

Tecumseh is out of business.
On a different forum, a poster had bought a new Troy/Bilt or MTD (same company now) and it had a Chinese engine. IF it was a BRIGGS, I'm sure it would be plainly labeled as such. That's now a selling point!

EDIT I went back to that "other forum".
His unit had a 179CC "MTD" engine and it had a made in China sticker.

http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/...430783.html?21

[usmctpdog]

Bill,
Thanks for the web jump. I was having the same issue <?> as I had the choke all the way up *Clockwise* thinking it was all the way open and when I closed it it would want to spudder and die... In effect they have it backwards according to the web site you included... *I did not need much choke to begin with and I had thought I was running wide open with the choke on full rich all this time when it was just the opposite!! LOL!!!
Thanks again!!

PS. the engine is made in China ...

[usmctpdog]

I called MTD and the engine indeed is made for them in China...

Called a Small engine repair place and they said no problems so far with the MTD engine made in China and they are starting to see Tecumseh parts disappear and harder to get in the future with the company going away.

Funny thing on this engine is it has 2 drains or 2 place to add oil?

One is with dipstick on top, and on the side of the engine where the pull start is there is a little yellow screw in cap marked " OIL ".... ???