Installing a Harbor Freight (69731) Predator 173cc Vertical Shaft Motor on an 2011 MTD Lawn Mower

[@SupraWes]

At the end of the video I accidentally install the blade upside down. I later caught this error and fixed it, but didn't take any video. If you are doing this job yourself be aware of this error.

[@thtdgf]

Big thanks! I just completed this project and wanted to say your video is the best one on KZbin explaining the steps in such detail. I watched all of the Predator 173cc engine swap to mower videos.

[@SupraWes]

Thank you, I am glad it helped, happy mowing!

[@davidpugh8772]

​@@SupraWesya I'm about to do the swap and needed to know what bolts to get

[@marshmower]

Talked me into keeping possible yard sale mowers simply for the 25mm shaft. Some of the mowers that sit high off the ground are good donors. They are for most newer self propelled models. Old Sears mowers sat a little low and your blade might be sitting below the housing making a great pebble launching machine

[@Lapdogst]

Awesome video, just did the swap myself, it sucks the motor has gone up to 230, plus another 20 for the throttle kit and mower mount. I saved myself maybe 50 dollars from buying a new one. Not sure if it was worth the hassle. I had the Troy-bilt 21" push mower TB160 that is powered by Honda. I ended up not having a throttle cable on my mower so I purchased a kit on amazon. It was fairly easy, just cut the wire down, bent it, and zipped tied it on. Luckily I had a bolt in my shed that matched the throttle control that was extra from a TV mount.

[@russellc2103]

Thanks for the video. This helped me plan my project.

[@SupraWes]

Glad I could help

[@heatedheavy407]

Nice video but I’m sure cleaning the carburetor on the old engine would have fixed it

[@roseymalino9855]

He says in the comments it had low compression.

[@dfields9511]

Good vid, things get a bit more challenging with a self propelled mower deck .

[@phillyspecial2506]

That’s the video I need. My mower is self propelled and I can’t find a video on it.

[@danielt619]

This is cool i have a 2017 craftsman and the engine was hard to start last time i used it so once i get the money i will buy this engine and some other stuff

[@SupraWes]

Thanks, It's not as inexpensive as it used to be but I am very happy with it, 4 years later, it still starts on the first pull even after sitting for months and it runs smooth also.

[@johngotone4334]

Anyone have the part number for a blade adapter with pulley for the predator motor. I believe it's a 7/8 shaft x 3/16?

[@GE.1962]

Nice job Wes!

[@SupraWes]

Thanks!

[@got2getit204]

How do they aford to give it away for cheap and still run good!

[@fair2middlin]

CHINA 🔴

[@JimOlaizJr-hv4xy]

My brake cable is longer to my brake cable handle my old GCV 160 engine. In fact, my brake handle was my throttle on my Honda GVC 160. Any suggestions?

[@SupraWes]

IF you don't mind bypassing the safety feature, you can use a piece of wire to have the brake off at all times. You will need to use a screwdriver to short out the spark plug to turn off the mower. Or just pull off the boot, but use something non conductive, it will shock you. There may be an aftermarket part that can get the brake working for you, it just depends on how the handle is built. I don't know that model. I have an aftermarket throttle listed in the video description that will work if your original throttle wont.

[@Dominic-m9f]

lots of info great info

[@SupraWes]

Thank you

[@josephfontaine275]

The bolt that tightens the blade to the shaft is stripped. Any advice as to where one of those can be found?

[@SupraWes]

I am not sure of the size or pitch, try contacting Harbor Freight

[@josephfontaine275]

@@SupraWes I did and they were no help. I was surprised to find that there were only a fraction of parts for this motor available from them.

[@roseymalino9855]

Some if that stuff is Chinese and is the same as Honda. Also, there a YT channel for eRepair clinic who may help.

[@quentinhathcock5848]

Thanks but what size engine do i get.

[@juggernautz]

Wes, how's the Predator motor holding up, any problems? I'm going to buy one to replace the 2011 Craftsman push mower engine

[@SupraWes]

Still running great, starts on the first pull.

[@juggernautz]

@@SupraWes Great, I bought one for $232 Monday. Gonna mount it tomorrow and start the break in mowing grass soon.

[@frostzillathespatulizer204]

Sorry I am a picky old millwright. You knocked the key out of the key way.

[@terrysmith7454]

looks like amazon is a best price than lowes on your online parts

[@Bigdaddy-Donkyking]

Have no idea why people would pay full price for stuff

[@mgomez5606]

Is the motor still going on the mower?

[@SupraWes]

Yes it is, just mowed last Tuesday, started on first pull.

[@mgomez5606]

@@SupraWes the Briggs mount bolts are self tapping and you could of used them in two holes. I mounted one like you but left it like that.

[@rmp3648]

Manual says 0.6 quart of oil!!

[@hustleeveryday5852]

You didnt pull enough times, 2 or 3 more pulls and it would have started. The HF motor is a 3/4th or 7.8th shaft, the briggs was a 1".

[@SupraWes]

Nope, it is toast, hardly any compression.

[@BIGPAPPADICKB16A]

I've had my MTD 190 cc Push mower since 2011 and 0 issues. I run VP racing 4 cycle fuel and for oil I use Briggs and Stratton full synthetic or Mobile 1 full synthetic 10w30. I change the oil every 2 summers and the oil is never dirty, in fact it's almost looks the same color are the new oil. MY weed eater and Leaf blower I run VP Racing 50:1 and I never have issues starting and of my yard equipment.

[@derrick_builds]

Just put a new carb on it. $30 fix and not a $200 fix. Thanks for making the video.

[@SupraWes]

A carb is not going to fix low compression.

[@norge696]

That's a briggs and stratton quantum engine. VERY reliable motor. Not sure what your issue was. Great video none the less. FYI, your blade was installed upside down. Sharp side is suppose to be closest to the grass.

[@SupraWes]

Yes, sharp eye, thank you. I figured it out and flipped the blade afterwards :-) Yeah, not sure what happened, I took the head off and things looked ok but it has very low compression for some reason.

[@MattsRageFitGarage]

@@SupraWes It likely needed the valves lapped and valve stem clearances reset.

[@Jame6999]

The 7/8 adapter is 19.99😮 now.

[@dixielandfarm]

I did a bunch of small engine repair this weekend, from a chainsaw to a trimmer to a generator. I hate it. I have replaced an engine on my riding lawnmower from a drop shipment - four bolts and a few other bits and bobs it was done - all from oil starvation due to an oil diverter pipe that slowly loosened over time that ended up just leaking out all my oil. First thing I did was get rid of that on the new engine. Good job, Wes.

[@SupraWes]

Thanks, I recently had to replace the carburetor on my leaf blower, $11 for a whole kit with fuel line and a new spark plug. Now that I have found a reliable source for ethanol free gas hopefully it will last.

[@WorknDirt]

Nice work man! very thorough, much appreciated!

[@raymorrison5006]

The bolts that came out will tap the holes on the engine

[@marshmower]

That old Briggs quantum probably had a clogged jet. They pretty much stayed full of gum after the ethanol mandate started. Even some supposedly ethanol free gas does some of the same crap. I think the tanker dude just dumps what's left in the non ethanol tank. It depends

[@roseymalino9855]

As a response to a question, he says the engine had low compression.

[@rmp608]

Thank you!!! Owe you a cold beer!!

[@theheathen1516]

Did you put the blade on upside down? It looked like you did...

[@SupraWes]

Yeah, I caught it later but didn't shoot any video, good eye!

[@driftracing08]

I have a lawnmower with a briggs and stratton engine from 2008 and I got it from my aunt and I use 5w30 full synthetic and it starts on one pull everytime and all it needs is some wheels and its all good

[@ganakas9586]

good video , I do wonder if its just a fluke but so many diy and even the "bigger" mower type channels , seem to either not clean the mowers at all thru the use of said mowers , OR like in this video they seem to just clean off the top. Why on earth wouldn't you (n everyone else) keep the underneath clean , u know the important part . Granted I work alone mowing and Detailing cars , more detailing these days than anything but even before I started mobile Detailing for money I always kept the underside clean as the machines cut and discharge (weather u bag or side discharge or both in the case of super tall grass) better if the underside is clean , even better still if you keep it coated with ceramic under neath. Those of u buying new mower decks I highly reccomend either Putting an additional layer of clear coat underneath after a light polishing then let cure polish that again with the lightest polish u can find (by hand is fine) then get a decent ceramic spray product and put two coats of that on. This will increase the load the mower can handle fairly significantly as even tall wet grass will eject from the deck faster and more consistently.. I mod my push mowers ofcourse but for example Even with the smaller 150cc briggs engines on a 21inch deck I have a clip of me shoving the mower (with brake fixed to run witrhout holding) 30 feet thru 14 inch tall grass and it stays straight and cuts even (mostly due to keeping the blade sharp and coated and i wash underneath the deck off after EACH

[@philliphall5198]

Now the price is 225. Bucks and not worth it anymore I will just keep buying B/S and get the money worth 😊

[@SupraWes]

Yeah, the price has gone up on a lot of things but the price has really shot up on these for some reason. Luckily it still runs strong, but if it ever dies I probably will have to buy something different.

[@phillippowell6299]

Just picked one up today at HF for $175. You just have to watch for the weekend sales. And you would be better off going with a Honda motor over a junk Briggs and stratton anyday.

[@markdanielczyk944]

Why spend the money? Plenty of free mowers on the curbside! My last curbside find has made over $19,000! Dollars ahead!

[@leonardmartinez9978]

Is there anyway you can tell me if this would fit a poulan lawn mower deck. The current motor has a 140cc bs motor?? Thanks

[@go5582]

hi handsome great channel and product review. more video's please thanks

[@BIGSTANK1983]

Ok so it doesn't come with a blade adapter hardware. Ok im definitely going to buy one of these for my push mower deck.

[@SupraWes]

Its still going strong after 4 years here in Florida where we have to mow almost all year.

[@jalton9416]

Thanks, Wes. I'll be picking one up.

[@savethebee8561]

I have a Husqvarna mower with a 150cc Briggs. I can tell the power has decreased and stalls easily in tall grass. Do you think this Predator 173cc is substantially more powerful than the 150cc Briggs?

[@SupraWes]

I do not know, I would try a full tune up on the current motor first.

[@davidwelday3276]

too bad they aren't $150 anymore

[@JosephVespa-tk3wq]

That's a masonry chisel

[@mikeagius4452]

Don't start in tall grass

[@rayd.1568]

Great video buddy in all phases, I have one question in didn’t see you tighten the blade adapter when you slid it on? Thanks Wes

[@SupraWes]

The bolt that holds the blade on also holds the adapter

[@steventerranova2828]

Where did you mount the throttle cable handle? Thanks for this video. Super helpful

[@SupraWes]

Thank you, i used a hole that was already drilled into the handle. You may have to make one of your own if yours doesn’t have one.

[@Fresh-tw7ev]

I have an all aluminum deck mower on an old aToro. This swap might be for me. I was hoping for a less expensive engine however.

[@slowstang88]

It's worth the price. I replaced a 140cc throw away B&S on my mower and it tears through everything

[@fredrickvoncold]

great job . I would like to get one for backup on my tb 130, it looks like same engine almost. It would be better than spending, probably 400 for a new mower,. that engine you got sounds nice

[@SupraWes]

Thank you, I have been very happy with it, 4 long florida mowing seasons later it still starts on the first pull and runs great.

[@roseymalino9855]

Lookout for a good used unit. People are switching to battery equipment and a lot of good IC equipment is coming available. No idea why his failed, but I have B&S equipment older than he is.

[@scootertuningfl2174]

very professional video that motor will not overheat easy those are very powerful

[@SupraWes]

Thank you, its in its 3rd season now, still going strong and starts on first pull every time. If only HF would get them back in stock :(

[@LivingInFloridaPanhandle]

Very good video! Getting ready to do this myself!

[@SupraWes]

Nice, hope it works out well for you!

[@DavidSalazar-vp3pz]

does it mow lower than what you expected.

[@SupraWes]

No its about the same.

[@EdgarV10]

What size bolt does the shaft take??

[@SupraWes]

I am not sure it came with the engine.

[@zestafpv427]

No blade up side down 😧

[@SupraWes]

Yes, I caught it later and fixed it but didn't record it.

[@ginonz100]

Excellent tutorial. Well done!

[@SupraWes]

Thank you

[@DiecastMediaNetwork]

Very cool! Always been curious about those HF motors but never enough to actually research them. Glad to know they're up to snuff.

[@SupraWes]

Thank you for watching!

[@fixingrandomstuff]

Yall see the big white smoke when he starts it at the end 😂