Wauwatosa-based Briggs & Stratton Corp. recently introduced two new engine innovations.
The company has unveiled a lawn mower engine, the EXi, that never needs an oil change. It has improved air cleaner seals, cooler engine temperatures and high-precision manufacturing that allow the innovation.
Consumers need only check the oil level and add more as needed, and perform regular scheduled maintenance. Most small engines require an oil change every 50 hours of operation.
“We designed this engine because our consumer research says that while people understand the importance of changing oil as routine maintenance, they don’t necessarily do it,” said Carissa Gingras, marketing director for consumer engines and service at Briggs & Stratton. “Our engineers figured out a way to keep the oil cool and clean, two important factors of extending the life of the oil, and we are able to pass the benefits of easy maintenance on to consumers.”
The company also announced it has added lithium-ion electric starting technology to its gas-powered engines, an innovation called InStart.
It is meant to make starting a mower easier, with no priming, no choking and no rope to pull. InStart also has less of an environmental impact, and the lightweight engine requires no tools. The lithium-ion battery can be charged in one hour and will provide 75 starts—which would likely be a whole mowing season—before it needs another charge.
The feature is available exclusively on Cub Cadet lawn mowers at independent dealers and Costco Wholesale.
“Consumers have been using proven lithium-ion battery technology on other applications for years,” said Carissa Gingras, marketing director for consumer engines and service at Briggs & Stratton. “What we are doing is utilizing that technology on a new application. InStart combines the ease of electric starting and advanced lithium-ion battery technology with the power that can only come from a gasoline-powered engine.”
