Briggs & Stratton showcases complete product arsenal

Simplicity Conquest tractorBriggs & Stratton Corporation showcased several products across its many divisions at GIE+EXPO 2012.

* Briggs & Stratton Commercial Power: The Vanguard Vehicle Power Lineup, which includes engines in the 13- to 23-gross-hp. range, was on display. The lineup has proven to meet the rigorous challenges of off-road utility vehicles on numerous well-established brands, including E-Z-GO, Club Car, Cushman, Bad Boy Buggies, Argo, Toro and John Deere.

On the consumer engine side, Briggs & Stratton showcased the 1000 Series compact riding mower engines, the E-Series push mower engines, and the 750 Series and 950 Series snow blower engines.

* Briggs & Stratton Power Products Group: Ferris introduced the IS 600Z and IS 700Z Series zero-turn mowers. The IS 600Z features patented suspension technology, a patent-pending steering system, a 27-gross-hp. Briggs & Stratton Professional Series or 18.5-gross-hp. Kawasaki FS600V engine, Hydro-Gear ZT-3400 transaxles, 44- or 48-inch cutting width, foot-operated deck lift, 5.5-gallon fuel tank and removable floor pan. (To see and learn about the IS 700Z, see page 27.) Ferris and Snapper Pro announced a new 2+2 limited warranty on all of its riding mowers. Under this new warranty, Ferris and Snapper Pro ride-on mowers are covered for four years (48 months) or 500 hours, whichever comes first. During the first two years (24 months), the mower is covered for unlimited hours. Belts, tires, brake pads, hoses, battery and blades are covered for 90 days. Ferris also announced the recent launch of its mobile-friendly website, http://m.ferrisindustries.com, which can be viewed on mobile phones and tablet devices. The Snapper rear-engine rider, which was introduced in 1962, has been revamped for its 50th birthday and will live on in four new models: the RE100, RE110, RE130 and RE210. Simplicity introduced its 2013 tractor lineup — Broadmoor, Conquest and Prestige — which will pair a high-speed transmission with a patent-pending suspension system to absorb vibration and uneven terrain, so mowing speeds won’t compromise comfort.

As for portable power products, Briggs & Stratton introduced two Elite Series pressure washers: a 3,100-pounds-per-square-inch (psi), 2.8-gallons-per-minute (GPM) model and a 3,300-psi, 3.2-gpm model. Designed for homeowners, these easy-to-maneuver pressure washers have a 4-wheel design, 3-position fold-down handle, 3-gallon fuel tank for 5-7 hours of run time before refueling, a reliable and easy-to-start Briggs & Stratton OHV engine, and easy-access hose connections and on-board tip storage. Briggs & Stratton also unveiled new 16- and 20-kilowatt standby generators that meet tough National Fire Protection Agency standards, allowing homeowners to place the generators as close as 18 inches from the home. Closer placement options may help make standby generators a reality for homeowners with small lots.

On the service side, Briggs & Stratton unveiled a new concentrated version of its Advanced Fuel Treatment, providing outdoor power equipment owners with an even more affordable formula to protect small engines against the potentially damaging effects of ethanol-blended fuels. The new concentrated formula of Briggs & Stratton Advanced Fuel Treatment protects any gas engine, including 2-cycle engines that use a blend of oil and gasoline, for up to three years.