Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

It’s a real shame that B&S and the TEC Company did not add a simple fix such as low oil shut-off. I have seen engines that are lest then a few years old because homeowners forgot to add oil to the engines. This is real sad when you consider the Honda clone engines that are selling for less than a B&S and TEC carburetor.  TEC deserved to have throw-in the towel on building engines. My money says B&S will not be around much longer.

That's a little harsh although, not undeserving.

Tecumseh and B&S are prime examples of North American complacency.   Not much different than our auto industry.   Hubris and arrogance of our manufacturing sectors is what led them into the situation they're in today.  It's paradoxical that it took foreign competition to illuminate their path to recovery yet at the same time,  captured a big piece of their previous market by providing better products at very good prices.   B&S engines are still technically lagging despite the writing on the wall.   



  

People take some  responsibility, check you oil before every usage.

I love the folks that wait for the oil light to come on in their cars before they check their oil. 

uconncuzinvinny wrote:

That's all the new BMW's have is a low oil light.

There is no dipstick.

Anyway, to the point, its all well and good to say that, but if your competition is providing that capability for the same or lower price, and they continue to innovate to help customers, you won't last long saying "It was good enough for dad, it's good enough for you". Tecumseh found that out, I guess.

I agree with tkrotchko.

I'm a confirmed motor-head and am always maintenance vigilant.  However, in my opinion, that does not forgive North American manufacturers from lagging behind the competition.   What's the draw to buying inferior technology?   Other than brand loyalty, what's in it for the consumer?  

The "good enough" attitude is what got our countries into the manufacturing quagmire we're in.  The Japanese handed our butts to us almost fifty years ago when they started to introduce small, inexpensive and very reliable motorcycles.   The U.S. government had to intervene in the 80s to keep the only domestic motorcycle from going down the tubes by introducing huge tariffs on motorcycles over 700ccs.  Then the Asian cars came along and kicked the North American auto manufacturers in the a$$.   Let's not even talk about cameras and electronics. 

Are we really that dense of a society not to see the dangers of complacency?   Even today, we're dragging our heels.  Why?   

tkrotchko wrote:
That's not entirely true.  the newer BMW's have actual oil level indicator in the dash that the driver can call up at anytime, even while driving  The oil change interval is condition based, meaning it keeps record of how the car has been driven and lengthen or shorten the oil change interval accordingly.  If you flog the engine a lot, the oil change will be sooner.

It's more than low oil light.  The computer only allow the engine level to be 1 quart low before the oil alert is displayed.  So when the alert is on, you add 1 quart and it the oil level comes up to appropriate oil level.  No dipstick, simple, and clean.

The only time no dipstick is a pain is when you change the oil yourself, you need to know how much engine requires and fill it up.  Then fire up the engine and wait a few minutes for the oil level sensor to update.  Then add more oil if needed.

borat wrote:
The same mentality that thumbs down on Chinese produced products.  "Made in America" somehow garners automatic entitlement to superior products, or so we think.   Keep making them big, dumb, and heavy with steel with healthy dose of "enuf said" ignorance is a surefire recipe for failure.  It's only a matter of time before "Made in China" becomes the new "Made in Japan"

Standing still makes a sitting duck, a moving target is harder to hit.

So, getting back on topic.  If B&S don't offer competitive products with features, price, and reliability to boot, they'll be loosing their shirt to those "thumbed down" companies.  

borat wrote:
Accord and Camry brands are introduced in the 1980's.  Those brands are still here today...growing.   GM opted to launch a new model in the same class every few years.  Launch, then cancel, then relaunch a new brand... over that same time frame models like the Citation, Celebrity, Lumina all came and went.  It was marketing over brand development.   How does one remain brand loyal when the brand is constantly being discontinued.

Look at Ariens with snow blowers.  I guarantee you that whatever model you buy this year will be replaced by a different model next year.  Ariens Deluxe, Ariens Platinum, Ariens Pro, Ariens Prosumer, Ariens Deluxe Platinum, Ariens Sno-Tec...What would be wrong with say simply making the best 28" snow thrower that can be engineered.  Maybe a wheeled model and a track model and standing them up against any and all competitors.  Maybe there's a good reason for not taking that approach.  I don't run an OPE company so that reason is probably over my head.

aa335 wrote:

Yes, you're absolutely right; my model is an "inbetweener" in the sense that it has a dipstick and a "low oil" light. When it turns on, I add a quart (I have very high mileage and I'm burning about a quart every 1000-1200 miles. Oil is cheaper than fixing it at this point). At first, I refused to believe the light, checking it as my dad had taught me. But the light is always right, so now I trust the light. And you know what? Its easier than a dipstick.

I was always a GM guy I decided to treat myself and bought a BMW X3 I better read the owners manuel all the dealer said was once the service engine light comes on, Call us for a service appt we will provide you with a loaner Bimmer and we will call you when the service is complete. Seems very simple

Now back to the low oil shut-off  switch for the B&S.  I can't believe they have not added that feature on ther new series of engines.

My 15 year old Kohler V-Twin has that feature, I've had Honda OPE engines for at least that long, they've had that feature, I have a Kawasaki V-Twin on my tractor, it has that feature. It's like "welcome to 1985" at Briggs.

Briggs make a low oil shut off for a lot of their 5 to 11hp engines.  Only it's an aftermarket accessory, cost $45, and you install it yourself.

Briggs & Stratton Part #398182 Oil Guard Kit.

http://www.milfordpower.com/Genuine-Briggs-Stratton-398182-Oil-Gard-Kit-p/398182.htm

Paul7 wrote:

Very well said and unfortunately 100% true. It's hard to believe that the "Powers that Be" at these US companies can't see the writing on the wall. They better shape up or get the hell out cause the competition will do it for them if they don't do it themselves! HELLO...ARE YOU LISTENING!!! You won't be around long ( and YOU know WHO you are) unless you smarten up and get on the technology train!!!!

Paul7 wrote:

I believe this is the approach Honda has taken as your statement aptly implies, "What would be wrong with say simply making the best 28" snow thrower that can be engineered ". Make one hell of a snowblower and offer it in a wheeled and track version knowing that those machines will typically perform flawlessly if maintained and used correctly (just like most any OPE will). The Honda engines on my snowblowers and the Kohler Command 22 HP on my tractor perform and sound great. I wish that the type of engineering and commitment to excellence was provided and offered on more OPE but most folks (usually oblivious to quality) could care less!

I don't disagree about the cluelessness of American manufacturing (esp. GM and Chrysler) but anyone who doesn't check the oil before using their OPE deserves a failed engine.

By the way; some of those electronic oil level sensors were malfunctioning and causing people to over-service their car engines. How is this smart ?  A $5 dipstick with total reliability vs a complex, expensive, tempermental electronic sensor?

samdog wrote:

It is no less smart than electric power windows.  It is more complex but over the years, has become more reliable than hand crank windows. Let's name a few more, electronic ignition, electronic fuel injection, direct injection, catalytic converters, ABS, DSC, etc...

Everything new will be scrutinized and criticized, more so by those dyed in the wool who so ingrained in their ways.  It's natural, we're comfortable with what we know.  Some are even technophobic.  Some day people who already know too much don't want to accept anything new.  It's an old timer's disease, some get it, some don't. 

Electronic oil levels sensor will become common place real soon.  Every car will have them, just like the mandated tire pressure monitoring system on all new cars.  It's a federally regulated mandate to make cars more efficient.