My Tractor Forum banner
Cancel
Create thread New Forums

Chinese engine knock-offs

Jump to Latest
1 - 20 of 39 Posts

dgnoid

· Registered
Joined
·
54 Posts
Discussion starter · #1 ·
I was in Sears yesterday, and noticed that left over Snowthrowers from 2008 had Briggs engines, while new models had "Craftsman" engines. I called a couple repair shops, and was surprised to learn that if the engine is not labled Briggs or Techumseh it is probably a cheap Chinese built engine. These engines have poor tolerances, shoddy fit and are near impossible to get parts for.

Watch the labels carefully when shopping for everything from pressure washers to snowthrowers. If it has a name other than an engine manufacturer on the recoil cover, chances are it's:eek: :eek: :eek: one of these Chinese built units.

PS: I also saw this trend on Cub Cadet and other products built by the big multi-line companies.
 
Discussion starter · #4 ·
I found the same thing while shopping this weekend. So far the only ones with briggs or techumseh are White (Tractor Supply Co), Airens and Simplicity. All of the less expensive ones seem to have gone to these engines, just like all the domestic :fing20: car companies are getting 3rd world parts now.
 
#5 ·
In the newest ad flyer from harbor freight on the last page is a "knock off" of a Honda engine ??? its blue and brand named Greyhound. 6.6 hp for 99.99 any one know about these engines , are they just paper weights?
 
#6 ·
Aksarben-

I have been doing lots of research on motors in the last few days. I do not own one and cannot speak from personal experience, but have read lots of good things about them.

I have read honda parts interchange with them. I read the manual is junk, but the Honda manual can be downloaded for free.

I am looking for a 20 hp Horz shaft and have done lots of reading in the last few days.

www.surpluscenter.com has a bunch of them too.

Each person is different, but for $99 bucks how could you go wrong? I signed up at the HF website and they mail me a 20% off coupon almost weekly.

Kyle

Kyle
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#7 ·
We have used several of these engines on our race karts for about 3 yrs. now. And I must say we have had great success with them. And yes the engines are copys of honda engines. I have probably built 10-12 of these engines for race karts and I can say that they respond very well to modifications. (there are also tons of aftermarket parts available for these engines. (Parts for a GX-160, or GX-200 will bolt right on) Just My opinion on these engines. Thx, Latty "Litz" Littsen
 
#9 ·
I read some where Honda sued the Chinese to change there knock off's. They said the newer knock off's are not the same as the honda and honda parts will not fit the newer knock off's.

If this is ture, the newer engine's might not be as good.

Far as Craftsman, The old Sears tractors are Tecumseh but the engine only states Craftsman. Did any check model numbers ?
 
#10 · (Edited)
The crazy thing is that the engine in my Craftsman "professional" series is probably one of these knockoffs. This is not a cheap snow thrower. It lists for about a $1000. I ended up paying quite a bit less than this, but I'm hoping it's a decent motor. On a side note, you can see the corner of the hood of my AC130 lawn tractor that I love.



Image
 
#11 ·
Not all the chinese engines are honda copies as such. Those made my Lifan for example are built under licence, in fact Lifan apparently make some "genuine" Honda spares too.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#12 ·
Im not sure how to tell...but perhaps I'll take a pic of my engine and see if you fellas think it's a honda copy or not. It's the same 357cc engine that is appearing in the mtds, craftsman, cub cadet, troy built, ect version of this snow thrower. There seem to be quite a few of them out there.
 
#13 ·
Maybe Sears went with those "China" engines when Tecumseh went through its financial woes and almost went out of the engine bussiness??..or mabe Sears PUT them in that bind by switching to them??..they seemed to use Tecumseh's more than any other brand for decades..

I'm beginning to feel just about every brand is "cheap crap" today,no matter who's name is on the label.."They dont make 'em like they used too" was never so true as it is now!..
 
#14 ·
I'm sorry to have to say this, but in order to keep demand up, things must break more often, people have to buy a new one, thus keeping factories open. Look @ our auto makers, they are destroying good cars to keep demand up. Do you honestly think cars will EVER be made to last as long as they have been in the past 10 years? Think about the 70's, an Amercian car purchase was the kiss of death, rusted out in 7 years, if the engine was still running! Amercians forced GM, dodge, and Ford to compete with Japan, by buying their cars. Some of us stayed loyal to the US auto makers thru thick and thin, but now with the uncertain econmy we've got to look out for #1. If you have old equipment hang on to it!! Fix it, make it last, I belive we have the best that will ever be built. Oh by the way, I bought my wife a new toyota van last year.(made right here in In.)
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#15 ·
I have been, and will continue to given other choices that is to avoid the Chinese small engines. By the time they become mainstream if they do in the future, reliability, parts availability and service centers will have improved.
 
Discussion starter · #17 ·
Just got home from Lowes, and you should see the blank look on the managers face when asked who makes the Troy Built machine's engine. He just kept repeating the less than 2% return rate on the previous years models. (With the old engines.)

Bottom line seems to be buy from a dealer with good service and spend the extra on a service contract. Lowes says with the service contract they exchange the machine instead of fix it.

The local repair shops here seem to think these may still be the Honda copy engines, but while under warranty you still sit without your machine waiting for parts while the snow piles up. Maybe I'll get 2. (One as a spare)
 
#18 ·
dgnoid said:
Just got home from Lowes, and you should see the blank look on the managers face when asked who makes the Troy Built machine's engine. He just kept repeating the less than 2% return rate on the previous years models. (With the old engines.)

Bottom line seems to be buy from a dealer with good service and spend the extra on a service contract. Lowes says with the service contract they exchange the machine instead of fix it.

The local repair shops here seem to think these may still be the Honda copy engines, but while under warranty you still sit without your machine waiting for parts while the snow piles up. Maybe I'll get 2. (One as a spare)
Click to expand...
I've looked at mine, and tried to compare it to other engines, and it does look like a honda copy, but Im not sure.
 
1 - 20 of 39 Posts
About this Discussion
38 Replies
24 Participants
Last post:
oldebonnie
My Tractor Forum
posts
4.4M
members
246K
Since
2005
A family friendly forum community dedicated to all Tractor owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about specifications, modifications, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
John Deere Forum Craftsman/Sears Forum Backyard Round Table: L & G Tractor Related Topics Introductions Walk Behind Mowers