Chipper Engines

SLOBuds · Jun 16, 2003

We are shopping for a chipper and have looked at the Dr. Chipper and Bearcat, among a few others.

One thing we notice is that a big price difference exists between chippers with Briggs and Stratton engines versus the Honda engines.

Bearcat sells the 8hp Honda version for MUCH more than the 8hp B&S. The Honda version is also listed as a 'commercial/rental yard' model.

Dr. Chipper sells everything B&S. But they will sell me a much large B&S machine for the same as a smaller Bearcat Honda machine.

Would I be making a big mistake by going with the less expensive models ... with the B&S engines?

Also, anyone care to weigh in on the 2 machines that we are looking at? We are looking for a good 'smallish' machine that will handle 3" or 4" material. Electric start. Standalone (not PTO).

Thanks.

banjobj · Jun 18, 2003

I recently bought a Yardman at HD. It has a 10 Hp Tecumsah engine. I will not be using it very often, but would have gotten something with a Honda engine if I was going to use it hard. In my experience B-S and Tecumseh don't have the long life that Honda and even Kohler have. This is my opinion having owned several of them over the years.

SLOBuds · Jun 20, 2003

Thanks Banjo.

I didn't get too much feedback on this one, having posted it in the construction equipment forum. But your comments help.

I'm just mystified as to why there is such a very large difference in prices between the engines - at the same horsepower.

banjobj · Jun 20, 2003

I would say that the price difference is the directly related to the life expectency of the motor. Again my opinion, based on owning B&S, Kohler, Honda and Tecumseh.

Pks · Aug 1, 2003

One thing to be aware of is the engine configuration. The Hondas will be OverHeadValve type. Where as the others may not be. The OHV versions are more expensive. That's just talking about engine versions where we are comparing an 11hp Briggs with an 11hp Honda. Unless the Briggs is an OHV type, it will usually be cheaper.

In my shopping research, I have found the Briggs OHV models to cost almost the same as an equivalent Honda OHV. However, depending upon what my local shops are pushing, I have also seen the Hondas WAY over priced compared to anything else regardless of configuration and size.

I cannot speak for reliability or longevity.

The OHVs will burn less fuel.

fivestring · Aug 1, 2003

" I have also seen the Hondas WAY over priced compared to anything else regardless of configuration and size.
"

I have always seen Honda overpriced. My neighbor has worked on small engines for 30 years. He swears by B&S, Kohler, sometimes Techumsi ?. But, he always swears AT Hondas. I'll stick to B&S. Parts are easier to find and easy to find someone to fix them.

StanInCalif · Aug 1, 2003

I will second that. I have many small engines, most of them Briggs & Stratton. I have never had a major problem with any of them. And they always start- even after sitting for long periods of time.

5030 · Aug 2, 2003

Ive got Honda, Yamaha and Briggs. They all seem to be comparable to each other. The only Briggs engine that I have ever had a problem with was the Intek engine. We have transfer pumps, Pacers to be exact, that came with 5 horse Inteks. The lasted about a year and started burning oil. One threw a rod too. Now all the pumps have Honda's. I forgot, I also have a Kohler on my Lincoln welder. It's over 20 years old and runs like a top. It'a a big single cylinder. Makes beautiful music when it idles....

I'd better add this as I had a small chipper that I gave to my neighbor. If the chipper is direct drive, that is, the chipper drum/wheel is mounted directly on the crankshaft of the engine and not belt driven, You need to have an engine with a roller bearing output shaft. The pto end of the engine will take a lot of abuse as well as torsional loads. I believe all the premium Honda's have a pto end that's either roller or ball. A plain bearing end will not last too long and I think the lower cost B&S engines don't even have plain bearings, they just run the crank in the aluminum casting.

If you have a CUT, why don't you consider a pto driven chipper. For probably the same money you'd have a lot more capacity.