Drain plug on the hawk 250cc

Thumper · 05-03-2024, 01:05 PM

Side drains are not that bad if you can tilt the engine and it effectively drains completely. My logsplitter has a Briggs 5.5hp OHV engine that has TWO drain plugs with side drains, and TWO filler caps. Maybe this is an access issue for various applications. Here is one side. You have probably seen this. Side drains are on my air compressors as well (compressor oil). I think they have bottom drains or at least "at the bottom" even though the drain plug is on the side.

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If leaning a motorcycle like the TW200 on the kickstand gets 99% of the oil to drain, it is at least good for that, and a magnetic drain plug will still work pretty well.

My theory on the B&S 6.5 engine on the Craftsman lawn mower is a contractual thing. B&S probably supplied the engines to an assembly plant for a lower price without those drain plugs, leaving Sears with a few more dollars profit on the lawn mower. That would explain it.

J4Fun · 05-03-2024, 02:19 PM

[QUOTE=Thumper

My theory on the B&S 6.5 engine on the Craftsman lawn mower is a contractual thing. B&S probably supplied the engines to an assembly plant for a lower price without those drain plugs, leaving Sears with a few more dollars profit on the lawn mower. That would explain it.[/QUOTE]

Just a thought here, my Toro didn’t even come with a side discharge. You have to give them your email address then they will send you a diverter to use in place of the rear bad pointing in the wrong direction

And it doesn’t have a drain plug either. So I think your thoughts are spot on…

Thumper · 05-03-2024, 02:50 PM

Toro? Wow. It makes sense as an explanation...Corporate ownership and profit targets that must meet investors expectations are driving quality down instead of up. Ironic. Briggs and Stratton engineers know how effective oil changes affect their engines longevity.

As far as the Craftsman lawn mower is concerned, the engine is still a one pull start after more than a decade of service... I had to modify the governor (wasn't making anywhere close to 6.5hp), and I keep up with oil changes. Also keep a good air filter in it and change the spark plug semi-annually (I think). So the quality is still there. I just have to deal with the oil change stupidity. Really. This is disappointing.

05-03-2024, 01:05 PM	#1
Thumper Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Kansas City Posts: 2,294	Side drains are not that bad if you can tilt the engine and it effectively drains completely. My logsplitter has a Briggs 5.5hp OHV engine that has TWO drain plugs with side drains, and TWO filler caps. Maybe this is an access issue for various applications. Here is one side. You have probably seen this. Side drains are on my air compressors as well (compressor oil). I think they have bottom drains or at least "at the bottom" even though the drain plug is on the side. If leaning a motorcycle like the TW200 on the kickstand gets 99% of the oil to drain, it is at least good for that, and a magnetic drain plug will still work pretty well. My theory on the B&S 6.5 engine on the Craftsman lawn mower is a contractual thing. B&S probably supplied the engines to an assembly plant for a lower price without those drain plugs, leaving Sears with a few more dollars profit on the lawn mower. That would explain it. __________________ -2022 5 speed Templar X Orange, OEM 51T rear sprocket, 14T front sprocket -NOS 2020 KTM 250SX (2-stroke motocross), less than 10 hours on it
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05-03-2024, 02:50 PM	#3
Thumper Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Kansas City Posts: 2,294	Toro? Wow. It makes sense as an explanation...Corporate ownership and profit targets that must meet investors expectations are driving quality down instead of up. Ironic. Briggs and Stratton engineers know how effective oil changes affect their engines longevity. As far as the Craftsman lawn mower is concerned, the engine is still a one pull start after more than a decade of service... I had to modify the governor (wasn't making anywhere close to 6.5hp), and I keep up with oil changes. Also keep a good air filter in it and change the spark plug semi-annually (I think). So the quality is still there. I just have to deal with the oil change stupidity. Really. This is disappointing. __________________ -2022 5 speed Templar X Orange, OEM 51T rear sprocket, 14T front sprocket -NOS 2020 KTM 250SX (2-stroke motocross), less than 10 hours on it
	0

05-03-2024, 02:19 PM	#2
J4Fun Join Date: May 2021 Posts: 283	[QUOTE=Thumper My theory on the B&S 6.5 engine on the Craftsman lawn mower is a contractual thing. B&S probably supplied the engines to an assembly plant for a lower price without those drain plugs, leaving Sears with a few more dollars profit on the lawn mower. That would explain it.[/QUOTE] Just a thought here, my Toro didn’t even come with a side discharge. You have to give them your email address then they will send you a diverter to use in place of the rear bad pointing in the wrong direction And it doesn’t have a drain plug either. So I think your thoughts are spot on…
	1