get the kawi-its a no brainer.

The Kawasaki has 180 cc compared to 190 for the OHV Briggs. The torque on both engines is similar. Horsepower ratings are going away due to a legal action. None of the advertised horsepowers are reached in a mower engine because the horsepower is rated at higher rpms. The engines on mowers do not operate at the higher rpms.

The flathead Briggs has less torque but the same displacement as the OHV Briggs. The flathead Briggs is a larger engine than the Kawasaki. This engine is simple and easier to maintain than the Kawasaki or the OHV Briggs. Replacement parts are cheap.

The Kawasaki has premium features and is probably the best mower engine made. It may not be the best value due to the higher price. The flathead Briggs is probably the best value due to the lowest price.

The Kawasaki will probably run 10 years or 5000 hours.
The OHV Briggs and the flathead Briggs will probably run 10 years and 500 hours.

In 10 years, you will probably operate your mower less than 500 hours.

The Briggs will probably require a carburetor cleaning, fuel hoses, oil changes and air filters.

The Kawasaki will probably require the same maintenance.

Good Luck

First things first: there is no such unit as a "gross torque." That is so beyond stupid that they should all be sued for being dumbasses. Why they can't rate the engines in lb/ft (not "foot pounds") is beyond me. Second, yes the reason this is happening is because B&S and Tecumseh got way out of hand in overrating their engines. The order of true power of these three engines is as others have already stated: 1) 6.75 lb/ft is least powerful; 2) 8.75lb/ft is middle; and 3) 6hp Kawasaki (which is rated at something 11-12 lb/ft as I recall). The Kawasaki is by far the most powerful. The middle B&S engine has all the mass and size of the Kawasaki, but less power, but also less cost. It's similar in that it's an OHV design and therefore I wouldn't think it is much less complicated than the Kawasaki, although parts might be cheaper. The flathead B&S is significantly down on power yet again, but it _is_ less complicated, smaller, a lot lighter, and cheaper still. All of these engines represent compromise, so there's no clear "best." If you _need_ a lot of power, then get the Kawasaki. If you mow 10 lawns/week or more, get the Kawasaki. Otherwise maybe you can save some money and weight and get the flathead Briggs.

I have had the flathead Briggs on two different lawnmowers. Great engine. Simple to maintain and reliable, and plenty powerful. My Toro never bogs down. I don't know anything about engines, but my guess is the Briggs is fine.

according to the snapper web site, the Kawasaki FJ180V OHV is used on some models.

The link takes you to the Kawasaki web site.

Here is a link that might be useful: Kawasaki FJ180V

According to the snapper web site, the Briggs 8.75 engine is used on some models.

The link takes you to the Briggs web site.

Here is a link that might be useful: Briggs 8.75 engine

The 6.75 Briggs is the cheapest engine of the three engines you are interested in.

the link takes you to the 6.75 Briggs engine. Always click on the specification button to see the details.

Here is a link that might be useful: Briggs 6.75

Got it!

That is EXACTLY what I was looking for, I am gonna check out the Kawasaki tomorrow. I am actually not turned off by the flat head briggs as are some but I am gonna post my findings!

Thanks!