What engine for a predator 360?

[Thesnarlingbadger]

It’s equipment used by a tree surgeon, i think that we can take lack of maintenance as a given.

Haha no unfortunately it had an oils change every 6 months give or take and I’ve looked after it fairly well but it started playing funny buggers about 2 months back and wouldn’t start from hot. Cleaned and reset the carb, new plug, oil change, removed the oil sensor just in case that was the issue but no.

Then on Thursday the revs dropped reallly low when I touched a stump with it, I took my hand of the throttle (deadman’s handle) and put it back on, the revs went through the roof and then there was a bang and bits flag across the garden and about 20ft in the air. Smoked like mad and was a gonna.

There was enough oil in it so something must have gotten stuck in the piston I’m guessing.

I will look in to the Chinese knock offs but am happy to buy Honda again if it hold up for a few years. Plus I’ll have spares from the old engine for the future.

Thanks for your help guys. Good to know I’m not the only one with a pain in the arse stump grinder. Effing things.
[emoji106]

[Stubby]

44 minutes ago, Ferguson system said:

I would have replaced it with a 420cc Loncin 15 hp. Cheaper than the Honda, more power and they seem to hold up well.
 

This above .Older Honda GX 390 engines made in Japan were strong and reliable . more recent ones are made in China and are no better , possibly even not as good as some of the Chinese copy engines . I recon Loncin are good value and possibly better than the current Honda engines . certainly cheaper . I had a Honda GX on a log splitter and the cost of a service was the same as buying a new Loncin engine ! You know what I did ...

Edited August 22, 2020 by Stubby

[Ratman]

This above .Older Honda GX 390 engines made in Japan were strong and reliable . more recent ones are made in China and are no better , possibly even not as good as some of the Chinese copy engines . I recon Loncin are good value and possibly better than the current Honda engines . certainly cheaper . I had a Honda GX on a log splitter and the cost of a service was the same as buying a new Loncin engine ! You know what I did ...

Good lad you! You’ve always stayed loyal to Honda all these years, glad to hear you pulled out all the stops for her and treated her to some fresh oil, new air filter and new plug! [emoji106]

[Stubby]

1 minute ago, Ratman said:

Good lad you! You’ve always stayed loyal to Honda all these years, glad to hear you pulled out all the stops for her and treated her to some fresh oil, new air filter and new plug!

Wanker ! ?

[Eddie Eco]

I threw a fair bit of money and more importantly time at my Honda before replacing it with a Loncin 15hp. Put the best oil I could in it from the get go and fully expected to buy a new one a year later. 2 1/2 years and still going strong, it’s also very much the sacrificial grinder!! 

[Ratman]

Wanker ! [emoji16]

No! You are!!! I’ve just covered myself and dog in Peroni after reading that! ???

[Stubby]

13 minutes ago, Ratman said:

No! You are!!! I’ve just covered myself and dog in Peroni after reading that! ???

On my 3rd Stella here bud ☺️

[Ratman]

On my 3rd Stella here bud [emoji5]

Got some salt and pepper spare ribs int oven at min, shall sit down shortly with another peroni and devoir! [emoji39]

[Stubby]

Just now, Ratman said:

Got some salt and pepper spare ribs int oven at min, shall sit down shortly with another peroni and devoir!

Spooky ! Got spare ribs , duck in plum sauce , Chick Chou/M and egg fried rice on its way , imminent ! ? My son has just gone to CoOp for more beers !  

[Thesnarlingbadger]

3 hours ago, Stubby said:

This above .Older Honda GX 390 engines made in Japan were strong and reliable . more recent ones are made in China and are no better , possibly even not as good as some of the Chinese copy engines . I recon Loncin are good value and possibly better than the current Honda engines . certainly cheaper . I had a Honda GX on a log splitter and the cost of a service was the same as buying a new Loncin engine ! You know what I did ...

Nice one Stubby, If you have decided you go for a deferent engine I'll trust your judgment. I was a little pissed off when it happened as honda pride themselves on being bulletproof and charge for that. If cheaper engines are doing a good enough or even better job it makes sense.

 

 I'll see if I can get one ordered tomorrow.

 

 Ta