If this helps, I've had two riding mowers in the last 19 years (knock on wood) Both have had the Kawasaki engine on em. Sold the first one to get more horsepower on the second, not because of engine problems. The first was 17hp and this one is 24hp. I have kept up with 2 acres over the years with a few baseball fields thrown in. Kawasaki has their stuff together . Whichever engine you decide on keep your blades sharp don't procrastinate in doing your periodic maintenance and store it in your garage/shop. It bugs the heck outta me to see a mower parked in the weather year round.