Hi BB,
I've fitted a few of the B&S slopers (3.5HP / 550 series and 5HP 750 series) to my own machines, and each of them were supplied with below the bare minimum amount of engine oil (new, straight out of the box).
With risk, there is no cautionary or warning indicators that the oil is not supplied in the engine at a ready to run level.
Off the top of my head, the motor will take something around the 600ml mark when topped up, new out of the box.
The 750 (with the increased HP and price tag), has an oil pressure switch that prevents the engine running if it senses the oil level is too low. This could have been the life saver if you went for this model (bugger!).
Ideally, dealers could give us a friendly reminder... And peddle a little more profit selling a 1L bottle of Briggs SAE30 to go with the purchase. They don't though! I have had to ask for it every time...
On the note of duds out of the factory, it definitely happens. I had one of the 550's supplied with a clogged air passage in the fuel delivery areas (within the carb assembly). This resulted in the old 'engine refuses to run unless being choked' situation. I'm no expert, but assume it was probably a result sitting on a shelf somewhere for an extended period of time before I got my hands on it and put it to work.
I'm keen to hear how you go dealing with Briggs on this though.
