Briggs & Stratton engines

[Daniel B. Martin]

Fact: I've been repairing small engines for many years. Hobbyist, not
professional, but I've dealt with all sorts of mechanical failures.

Fact: In recent years I've encountered fairly new Briggs & Stratton
engines which suffered catastrophic damage. Crank and rod failures,
holes punched in the case. I never see this kind of damage on older
B&S engines.

Hearsay: B&S has been buying engine parts from Chinese sources and the
quality of those parts is substandard.

Let the buyer beware!

Daniel B. Martin

[david gourley]

Post by Daniel B. Martin
Fact: I've been repairing small engines for many years. Hobbyist, not
professional, but I've dealt with all sorts of mechanical failures.
Fact: In recent years I've encountered fairly new Briggs & Stratton
engines which suffered catastrophic damage. Crank and rod failures,
holes punched in the case. I never see this kind of damage on older
B&S engines.
Hearsay: B&S has been buying engine parts from Chinese sources and the
quality of those parts is substandard.
Let the buyer beware!
Daniel B. Martin

Sounds like another case of parts conterfeiting, which I read is happening
more frequently (esp in China).

david

[Daniel B. Martin]

On 11/24/2012 03:51 PM, david gourley wrote:> Sounds like another case
of parts counterfeiting, which I read is happening

Post by david gourley
more frequently (esp in China).

Your suspicion is well-founded. However, it appears that B&S is
actually building complete engines in their own Chinese factory.

Copied from:
http://americanmachinist.com/shop-operations/more-cutting-briggs-stratton

"Briggs & Stratton is making a strategic retreat from the U.S. retail
market and will reassign production of small-equipment engines to a
Chinese operation, two moves that continue a restructuring program
announced in January. Also, the Milwaukee-based manufacturer of outdoor
power equipment engines will cut its salaried workforce by approximately
10% during fiscal 2012.

... ...

The company’s Auburn, AL, plant will cease production of horizontal
shaft engines, which will be produced at Briggs & Stratton's plant in
Chongqing, China, or sourced from third-party manufacturers in Southeast
Asia, it said. The Auburn plant will continue producing portable
generators through calendar year 2012, but the company said it is
evaluating alternatives to manufacturing, assembling, or sourcing
cost-effective portable generators beyond this fiscal year."

Daniel B. Martin

[david gourley]

Post by Daniel B. Martin
On 11/24/2012 03:51 PM, david gourley wrote:> Sounds like another case
of parts counterfeiting, which I read is happening

Post by david gourley
more frequently (esp in China).

Your suspicion is well-founded. However, it appears that B&S is
actually building complete engines in their own Chinese factory.
http://americanmachinist.com/shop-operations/more-cutting-briggs-stratton
"Briggs & Stratton is making a strategic retreat from the U.S. retail
market and will reassign production of small-equipment engines to a
Chinese operation, two moves that continue a restructuring program
announced in January. Also, the Milwaukee-based manufacturer of outdoor
power equipment engines will cut its salaried workforce by approximately
10% during fiscal 2012.
... ...
The company’s Auburn, AL, plant will cease production of horizontal
shaft engines, which will be produced at Briggs & Stratton's plant in
Chongqing, China, or sourced from third-party manufacturers in Southeast
Asia, it said. The Auburn plant will continue producing portable
generators through calendar year 2012, but the company said it is
evaluating alternatives to manufacturing, assembling, or sourcing
cost-effective portable generators beyond this fiscal year."
Daniel B. Martin

Thanks, Daniel. That's sad to hear especially for the Al plant.

Having a plant already set up in China probably makes it easier for parts
counterfeiting. It's been going on with audio for awhile, too (among
others). 'Third party manufacturers' is the operative word here.

david