Hi, I suffered catastrophic engine failure on my Suffolk Punch rotary (not cyliner type) mower yesterday. It has a vertical shaft Tecumseh Centura 38 engine with a pto shaft for the rear roller.
Does anyone know of any other engines that will fit, eg Briggs & stratton and where I could source one? Many thanks

Andy, October 2010

That's all true, BUT it's perfectly feasible to swap the drive parts from your trashed engine onto a non-PTO donor of the same family. Any Centura engine will do - they aren't the most common Tec engine, but they're not exactly rare either.

Local council tip is a good source!

phil_saunders(a)bigfoot.com

Phil Saunders, November 2010

This model was also fitted with a briggs side pto engine as an alternative so both will fit. You will need a Briggs Quantum series with the side pto. These were pretty much only specified by Atco and Hayter and were fitted to the Atco Admiral and Hayter Harrier ranges. You won't find a new one now as Briggs stopped production a few years ago- unless a dealer has a new one on the shelf. better off buying a good used one.

pleasant, October 2010