Looking for your comments on Twin Cylinder engines that are used on mowers etc. What has been your luck with them. I know two people with these engines on riding lawn mowers and have all kinds of problems with engines.

Had one on a cub cadet zero turn mower, the engine was great never had a problem. Can’t say that about everything else on it. Eric

Hard to beat Kawasaki twins from my experience. The did have an issue with using nylon cam gears about 20 years ago but rectified that. 1200 plus hours and going strong in my JD rider. My dad ran them in his JDs and well over 1000 hours and still going strong. I heard Yamaha is now producing a gas twin specifically for lawn mower market but have no experience with them. Im not a Briggs fan and my experience with Kohler has been single cylinders....all of which have been good runners. Still have single cylinder 8hp kohler in a Troybilt Horse rototiller over 40 years old and still starts on 2nd pull even after winter storage.

Had a Briggs Stratton 22.5 hp engine on a rider mower that the drive went out on the mower so I used the engine on a log splitter I’ve been using it for years with regular maintenance. Went through a few starters but it’s still runs when need I’m really surprised it’s worked this long I thinks it exceptional for a BS made engine.

If I needed to pick a small engine it would be a Honda brand they seem to be the most reliable consistently.

Surplus Center in Lincoln NE sells engines when they get them at a reasonable prices from gas to diesel in several sizes.

I have had good luck with B&S Vanguards and Predator twins on my mud motors. 16hp-23hp, Beat them up and down the river and have yet to kill one.

Yep that’s the one I’m running the labels are gone from sitting outside but it keeps running.

Its all I'd buy

v twins sideways on lawnmowers have always worked for me except for my Kubota had that one blow up once... I rebuilt it with my dad.
other than that they are close to bomb proof. if you want a super reliable one though I would recommend a older craftsman with a single cylinder Briggs

Proper valve adjustment on the B&S twins is critical !
Some models came out with soft cam lobes and wore quickly.
But there was no recall, just a corrected replacement made available.
Hard, high compression starting is the major symptom.
Fixed several and they are very reliable. Good motors ...... if taken care of and valves kept in adjustment.

Had a Honda generator with twin cylinders. Made about 22 hp I think. Never had a problem in 12 years. Sold it to the couple who bought our home on the Outer Banks.