Small Engines

Small Engines are internal combustion engines designed for use on all sorts of outdoor power equipment including lawnmowers, motorboats and tree stump grinders. Like their larger counterparts, small engines convert the chemical energy stored in a fuel into thermal energy. The chemical energy is usually supplied in the form of a fuel, such as oil or gasoline, steam, or electricity, and the mechanical work is typically delivered in the form of rotary motion of a shaft. Some of the more popular small engine manufacturers include Honda, Kohler, Tecumseh and Robin Subaru. The most famous of all, however, is Briggs & Stratton. Briggs and Stratton small engines are well known for their durability and low maintenance. Established in 1908 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Briggs and Stratton engines are used in riding and walk behind mowers or lawnmowers, boats, karts, power washers, stump grinders, chippers and shredders. Equipped with a Dead man's switch to halt power immediately in the case of injury, the engine is designed with its default state as braked. In other words, you have to hold down the handle to run the engine, while any release of this handle causes the engine to stop.

Small Engines
	Visit the Engines category at Northern Tool and Equipment for great deals on Honda Horizontal Small Engines - The Honda 160cc GX Series OHV commercial grade small engine is designed for the most demanding commercial and industrial applications. It has set an industry standard for reliability and durability. Its overhead valve design offers cooler, fuel efficient operation and cast iron cylinder sleeve provides longer service life. The GX is reliable, easy starting and quiet running. Meets EPA and CARB emission levels standards. This legendary engine has earned the reputation as the preferred engine for construction equipment. Common applications include pressure washers, compressors, log splitters and chipper/shredders.
	Visit the Engines section at Northern Tool and Equipment for all your small engine needs. We carry horizontal and vertical small engines by Honda, Kohler, Tecumseh and Robin Subaru at great prices. We also carry a wide selection of small engines by Briggs & Stratton. To your left is the Briggs & Stratton Powerbuilt™ Vertical Engine with Electric Start - Features a 10.5 Powerbuilt OHV Vertical Engine with a 1" x 3 5/32" Shaft. Its overhead valve design runs cooler and cleaner, delivering more power, longer engine life and improved fuel economy. Improved breather system lowers oil consumption and reduces emissions.

Selecting a Small Engine

Whether you are looking for a small engine to replace your existing engine, or you are buying it for your latest invention, you need to know what horsepower you are replacing or require, what application you are going to use it for, crankshaft size, and the dimensions of the engine you are replacing or adding to a piece of equipment. It is pretty important that you think about what you are using the engine for. If you are just going to be using it around the house, a standard engine should be sufficient. But if it is going to have an industrial application, think about an engine with a cast iron cylinder sleeves which should be able to handle all the rough and strenuous conditions. Seven other things to consider include 1) deciding whether you want to start your engine electronically or by pulling a rope, 2) overhead valves (OHV) which make the engine operate with greater efficiency, 3) V-twin design which means less engine vibration and better engine performance, 4) a low oil level system which prevents the operation of the engine when it is low on oil, 5) a mechanical governor for automatically adjusting the speed for the load, (more reliable than a pneumatic governor), 6) a splash lubrication system for distributing oil to moving engine parts extending the life expectancy of the engine, 7) the best gear ratio for matching engine speed with the application.