I haven't been able to use it yet as we are trying to mount this beast on a Scag Turf Tiger or Turf Tiger 2. I wasn't considering the rear mount issues with the belt access panel in the middle rear of the machine. That's my fault, not LandSharks, so on with what I've observed so far:
First impression is that it's heavy duty and well built. I added oil and fired it up on the shipping pallet just to play with it, and this thing moves some air! It's not a Hurricane, but for the price it's great. The manual rates this engine at 7 hp continuous at 3600 rpm, and 9 hp at I believe it was ?4200 rpm? (I know it was at least 4000 anyway). I put an hour meter/tach on it and ran it wide open and all I can get out of it is 3550 with the governor pinned, so overall it is a well sized engine, but it is definitely maxed out. If I oversize the main jet I will update review and give specs on that (KNOW THAT THIS WILL PROBABLY VOID WARRANTY!!)
It has cold started 1st pull every time I have started it after the first initial startup (half a dozen times or so). On the starting topic, there is definitely some mass to that fan wheel, so don't be scared to pull hard, but it doesn't require excessive strength to get it running.
The only negative I can come up with without getting the thing mounted and in the field is the air deflector. I'm looking into an actuator or "throttle lock" type lever to be able to adjust the down/out angle of the airflow without getting off the mower as it will be used in "off road" or maybe I should say "off yard" applications with brutally varying terrain.
