Landscape and Irrigation is read by decision makers throughout the landscape and irrigation markets — including contractors, landscape architects, professional grounds managers, and irrigation and water mgmt companies and reaches the entire spetrum.
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Equipment and Engines with OHC features, noise levels are signifi- cantly lessened. Between engine design and special heat- and noise-combating features, there is a lot to consider when choosing an en- gine. Thankfully, a rental center operator or equipment sales associate will likely be able to aid in the purchase and tell customers whether an engine is OHV or OHC, and if it has special multi-seasonal or noise-re- ducing features. But it doesn’t end there — remember the old saying, “It’s what’s inside that counts”? A quality engine is only as good as its components, making it crucial to further investigate the engine and what’s beneath the surface. Good on the inside In recent years, more and more plastic has been integrated into internal engine construction. While acceptable for lighter- duty engines, it’s important for a commer- cial engine to have precision steel parts. Components such as piston rings, timing chains, crankshafts and rocker arms should all be constructed of steel. This allows for improved wear quality over engines manu- factured with plastic elements. It will be advantageous to look for a cast-iron cylinder liner. Most outdoor power equipment engine blocks are made from aluminum, which, compared to the steel or chrome rings on the pistons, is a very soft material. This variation in hard- ness causes the piston rings to quickly wear away the aluminum cylinder walls. As the cylinder walls wear down, compression is lost and the engine can no longer pro- duce the necessary amount of power to run the equipment properly. To avoid this problem, look for an engine with a cast- iron cylinder liner. Because the material is much tougher than aluminum, cylinders with a cast-iron lining wear much better, offering increased engine life. Also essential in a quality engine is ball- bearing support of the crankshaft. Ball bearings reduce friction, resulting in an in- crease of power delivery to the crankshaft. Additionally, ball-bearing support prevents problems caused by placing a crankshaft directly on an aluminum housing. Because aluminum is a soft material, the crankshaft will wear away at the housing and eventu- ally cause oil leaks during operation. All the pieces to the engine’s design add up to make a huge difference from one to the next. But it’s more than just the overall design and construction that lead to a quality engine. The final piece to the com- plete package is the added features – the extra items that seem small on their own, but add up to great value. Consider this Just as excessive heat can reduce engine life, dirt infiltration is also detrimental. When dirt gets into an engine, it can infil- trate the oil and cause additional wear on the connecting rod and crankshaft. To pre- A high-quality air filter will trap and hold harmful dust and dirt particles, helping to enhance engine performance and ex- tend engine life. Washable filters cut down on waste and are extremely easy to clean, so there’s never an excuse to have a dirty filter. vent this, look for an engine with a high- quality air cleaner system to keep engine operation in optimal condition. An effi- cient air cleaner will prevent dirt, dust, and other harmful particles from entering the engine, resulting in reduced wear on the valves and rings. To ensure optimum pro- tection against fine dirt particles, choose an air cleaner with a dual element and small micron size. The air filter is a vital part of the air cleaner system, and some manufacturers now offer high-quality washable filters. A washable filter is typically more effective at trapping and holding dirt, which will ulti- mately result in a longer engine life. As an added benefit, these easy-to-clean filters are reusable, virtually eliminating waste and replacement costs. A low-oil sensor is also an important extra feature. If the operator allows the oil to fall below a safe range, the sensor will ground out the ignition and stop the en- gine before potential damage occurs. Espe- cially as workloads ramp up, deadlines loom, and the business in general just be- comes hectic, it’s not uncommon for busy contractors to overlook basic maintenance items such as checking the engine’s oil. A low-oil sensor will prevent potential dam- age to the engine due to operator neglect. Another beneficial bonus is a durable, high-strength recoil guard. Typically made from a sturdy-yet-lightweight poly mate- rial, a guard will protect the engine’s recoil from damage sustained on the job site and during transport. An undamaged recoil will start much easier and save the operator re- pair or full replacement costs. On a final note, it’s a good idea to choose an engine from a reputable and trusted manufacturer. A company with a good warranty program and service net- work will ensure that any problem is han- dled promptly and professionally. At first glace, choosing the best engine for a piece of landscape equipment may seem confusing. Although there are many features and components to consider, doing a little research beforehand can pay off in a big way, as a quality engine will provide optimal equipment performance and increased return on investment. LI Brad Murphy is vice president, sales and marketing, Subaru. 10 Landscape and Irrigation March 2011 www.landscapeirrigation.com