Briggs & Stratton Vanguard 32-horsepower engineDan Roche, marketing manager for Briggs & Stratton Commercial Power, brought us up to speed on a couple of improvements to the company’s Vanguard line of commercial engines today
According to Roche, contractors are traveling further distances than ever before to work on jobs. On gravity-fed fuel systems common to single-cylinder engines, if the crew or contractor does not remember to engage the fuel cutoff switch, gasoline from the fuel tank will leak down into the oil sump as the equipment bounces around in the back of the truck for long periods of time.
To prevent this accidental dilution of the lube oil, the company engineered what it calls a “transport guard” which electronically engages a fuel cutoff switch as soon as the engine shuts off.
Another improvement traveling contractors will appreciate is the use of smart codes, or QR codes on all Vanguard commercial engines. Scan the code with a mobile phone and it will call up a mobile website specific to that engine that will give you a complete parts list, engine manuals, troubleshooting advice, maintenance schedules and the contact information for the closest dealer.
If that doesn’t get you what you need the mobile side also has a phone number you can call that will connect you with a live person to help you with your issue.
Another bit of news from Briggs is the introduction of the Vanguard 35 horsepower/ 60-cubic-inch gasoline burning engine Roche says will make an attractive alternative to Tier 4 diesel engines.
The new engine is less expensive than the emissions compliant oil burners and comes with a three year warranty. It also presents a lower center of gravity, which helps moderate some of the inertial forces that make ride on power trowels hard to control.
