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

Your question regarding your Tecumseh engine is basically the same I had when doing research on my engine.  All OPE engine ratings are all fudged and you can't take them at face value.  If you look at the power curve charts on these engines, you'll notice none run close to their maximum HP rated RPM.  Even my engine was 300 RPM's below it.  Depending on the RPM the factory sets the engine at, impacts on the actual HP it delivers.  There is usually a low side and a high side that would be considered operating RPM for any given engine, and the difference can easily be 300 RPM's.  If you look at the power charts, this RPM variation can easily equal 3/4 in either direction or more.  I actually have a Brigg's & Stratton 8.5 HP engine on my Chipper/Shredder.  I can tell you that this engine screams when run at operating RPM.  When the weather warms up a bit, I'm going to tach it and see how fast they have it running at.  I can tell you one thing, my ears never lie and it is running way higher than 3,300 RPM's. 

If I'm not mistaken, I've learned that Briggs & Stratton is involved in a class action lawsuit because of this engine rating practice.  In fact, if I was able to find someone that could Dyno my Tecumseh engine and was able to prove my engine isn't putting out what it should, I would go right to an attorney about it.  Contacting the engine manufacturers only seemed to raise more questions than it answered.  Believe me, there is a dirty little secret going on behind the scene not only with the engine companies, but with the OPE manufacturers that place them on their equipment.

I appreciate that comment, thank you.  I'm no different than anyone else on this forum.  I spend good money on OPE and when I come across these engine output power curve charts only to find that my 8 HP engine is not putting out that much HP, which in my mind I paid for an 8 HP, well, I've got a problem with that.  Add to the fact, as Ben mentioned, he tried to find specifications for his 8.5 HP Tecumseh engine, yet his research determines it's an 8 HP.  Well, I say these engine companies are really pushing their luck these days.  They had better get it into their little heads that the consumer is armed with the internet, not to mention forums such as this where we can all compare notes. 

What good is it for an engine to be rated at a certain HP if they are NEVER run that high.  Snowblowers and tractors and such are designed to run at a fixed RPM or operating RPM.  THAT is the RPM the engines should be rated, real world conditions and RPM and NOT some fictitious off the scale RPM that is determined under laboratory conditions.  I'm really getting sick of these manufacturers selling the same engine yet rate it at numerous different HP ratings and prices.  I think Sears/Craftman is the worst of all, and I call that fraud at some level.   When I see walk-behind lawn mowers rated at something like 7 HP, it really makes you wonder how out of control it has gotten.  A doubt a single blade mower actually requires more than 3 HP to do the job.  They are always trying to find better ways to pull the wool over our eyes with their marketing and hype crap. 

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that we are reliving decades ago, back when the automotive manufacturers were in the HP race between each other.  You are now seeing it in the OPE industry.