Harbor Frt gas engines

[dan1948]

Got a flyer today from HF, has a 5.5 HP OHV vertical shaft EPA lawn-mower use only lot # 96156 for $100. I live in hurricane country and before Katrina Briggs carb overhaul was $50 now $150. See my situation?? Can anyone comment on these engines ? Thanks Dan

 

[Kernopelli]

I have not owned one personally but a good friend builds a lot of racing go cart engines. A rule change to allow OHV engines has moved him away from 5.5 HP B&S engines to Hondas and now the Chinese Honda knock offs. He has bought more than 20 of them in the last year from Harbor Freight. He is a very particular man and I was initially really surprised how well he likes them. So far he has had as good of luck with them as anything he has used. I think that speaks pretty highly given the fact that the first thing he does to the majority of these engines is take the governor out of them and bolts on a carb to burn methanol. He has a dyno in his shop and regularly tunes these motors to produce more than 20 HP @ +9000RPM. I know on the B&S engines, the higher tuned ones used aftermarket rods, cams, flywheels and pistons and I would guess his high HP Chinese ones do as well but I do know he builds a fair amount of lower tuned ones using mostly stock parts that he machines and balances.

 

[copar1973]

i bought a 6.5 h.p. hf motor a month ago. runs great quiet and starts easy.i think there a good motor.

 

[mark1]

I wish they would offer a 14 hp horizintal one I could use in my Cub Cadet 1450 they want over 1000.00 for a motor for it now

 

[20 20]

have had one on a water pump for a few years now runs great

 

[studor]

I have similar engines on a water pump and log splitter and one of my friends had one on a pressure washer. The only thing I have noticed is they seem to run hot -- very hot. At first I was concerned but it has not seemd to affected them. I do change oil frequently however

 

[Skyco]

I wish they would offer a 14 hp horizintal one I could use in my Cub Cadet 1450 they want over 1000.00 for a motor for it now

They offer 13hp...isn't that close enough?
When on sale you could buy 4 of them for $1000

 

[mark1]

I didn't know they offered a 13hp?? guess I'll grab a 20% coupon and go visit them..Thanks

 

[Skyco]

I didn't know they offered a 13hp?? guess I'll grab a 20% coupon and go visit them..Thanks

They have them on sale regularly for $299 so with 20% off that you are down under $250...pretty good deal.

 

[DeNiro]

I bought one of the 6.5 hp motors for a sickle bar mower that needed an engine. It bolted right up, same holes, bolts, pulley and cables.
I have used it a lot and it starts easier than anything I have. It is quiet, smooth and more power than I need. So far, so good and I would buy another if I need one.