But this has been covered here. The Briggs in question is most probably the excellent Komatsu Zenoah engine of the 1980s Rover did buy these engines. It was a brilliant, refined motor.
See images below.
Cheers Jack
p.s. Also not that Briggs did make a small 2-stroke post WWII for snow throwing machines. I think these were called Snow Blower 2-strokes. I was told that these were made by ... Harley Davidson at Milwaukee - just down the road from Briggs headquarters.
Here is more modern Briggs Blower engine. I don't know its origin.
Hi Norm Yep, that link worked. I have added images to your post for the record.
I forgot that Greenfield also bought the Briggs-Komatsu. As you noted, there is a clear similarity between the then new Quantum and 2-stroke styling - all Briggs, and intended.
Finally, the sleeping Leviathan, Briggs, was responding to better Japanese designs. In some cases they made designs under license.
I am told the Briggs-Komatsu association failed ... not because of design, but because of a change in exchange rates between the USA and Japan at the time. It became un-economical.
That is a pity - because it was such a great motor! I clearly remember its flatter torque over a wide RPM range. Way ahead of any Power Torque (Sorry Norm ).
The mechanical governor was superb. You could set the engine at idle and let the gov do the work. Amazing!
Hello Gents, they really are a good engine, i've had a couple over the years. For the Record, it was Masport that were using the Komatsu, not Rover. Rover opted for the suzuki and like the Briggs relationship , especially here in Aust around the late 80's with the recession the, relationship dwindled due to the exchange rate. Overall though they are an exceptional engine, and like their 4 stroke cousins were available in standard form and in the IC trim. Cheers, Ted
Howdy folks, Hope they weren't as temperamental as the Suzuki unit. I'd like to get my greasy mits on one of these Komatsu 2 strokes. Who made the carby with this amazing governor? Anyone know the fuel mix ratio?
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
Wow, this thread has answered a question that had been on my mind for a while now. I saw another ad on gumtree a while ago which showed Rover mowers with engines that the seller claimed were "2-stroke Briggs engines". I found this a bit perplexing.
So it looks like the engines were actually Suzuki engines. Thanks to this forum I now know the answer. :-)
The Suzuki Copy is actually known as an Ironforce according to Masport. I've got one here at the moment and the genuine carby on it is made by Ruixing. The carby's are available on Ebay from the carby_doctor for about $40.
Problem is for me Bigted is a $40 carby is way out of the question for me to be able to try and keep my hobby/pain cost neutral. The last Rover/Suzuki I had I sold for $25, it was running ok but was hunting a bit and needed a puff of starter fluid to get it started. I had wasted so much time on it,pulled the carby to bits a number of times but still couldn't get it right. Was very happy to see it go up the street.
Hi DB, It's still abit steep compared to new carburettors for four strokes which are a third the cost in some cases. I'll reiterate, if I were to want to keep the mower for personal use, I'd consider the spend, but I would sell mine as is and let the next owner get one should I want to flog one off.
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
).
