HF 22 vertical twin engine-$550. But hurry.

Tractor related or at least if you consider a zero-turn mower a tractor.
I thought long and hard about posting this because I know I'll be getting some China flack, but I guess if that bothers you, don't buy it. It is made in China.
Harbor Freight has a 22 HP vertical engine that's been on the market for a few years. It has the same bolt pattern and crankshaft size as your Briggs or Kohler, so it should be a bolt-in.
It also has a muffler, an oil filter and a fuel pump, so it's made to replace your expired zero-turn engine.
Part number for this is 62879. The normal price is $699.99. There was a coupon for this in the April 2017 issue of "The Progressive Farmer". That's the only place I've ever seen this coupon, but surely it's been in other publications. THIS COUPON EXPIRES ON 08/01/17, so if you are considering it,you better hurry. If you would happen to order this online, put this engine in the cart, and then you need to enter 18613073 in the code entry to knock it down to $549.99. If you order this online, shipping will be $6.99 to your door by FedEx.
Now to stop a little bit of the shrapnel, the warranty on this engine is only 90 days, so if that bothers you, get the extended warranty by ordering by phone and asking for it and, of course, they will pressure you to purchase it if you buy it at a HF store.
So it's $549.99, plus $6.99 shipping, plus your local tax, if applicable. And the extended warranty, if it makes you sleep better.
I will admit I purchased one and it has been delivered. It will also be replacing Kohler Courage engine. If you want some interesting reading, read about the reliability of a Kohler Courage.
Okay, let hear the complaints from your computer or phone in the replies. Just make sure it's from an American-made computer or phone.

My dad (deceased) left behind a 7' Woods brand finish belly mower. To me it's useless, having it on a tractor totally ties it up and too hard to put on and take off. I'd like to convert that deck to a Swisher type tow behind lawn mower.. but.. I don't know if it's worth the effort and expense or how well it would work. An engine like that "might" handle it.

Well, the other Predator engines seem to have proven themselves.

It will probably be around the same quality.

My only concern would be parts availability. Never tried to find Predator parts.

Interesting.. Our store has the policy (and it states so on the coupon) that the 20% off cannot be used on predator products as well as some other things. Have you got the bill and in fact got it bought for $550.00 Sounds like you got a good deal if you need the engine.

From time to time they have a coupon on their engines. I bought a 6 HP one this spring with a coupon for that engine and my cost was 79.00. Many of the christmas tree grower haere have been using HF engines for several years with no problem. As one told me no more than they cost if it lasts one year he can afford to replace it. I am sure parts are not avaiable but compare the cost to a name brand which is most likely made in China

You are correct about the 20% off coupons. They cannot be used for the Predator engines, which this 22 HP vertical engine is. The coupon that I'm referring to is for the 22 HP vertical V-twin ONLY, and it knocks the price from $699.99 down to $549.99.
If you have an issue of this magazine (and you can view it on your computer if you request a PDF version of April 2017 of The Progressive Farmer, page 46 or 47, IIRC) you can cut out this coupon and use it for an in-store purchase. Or, you can purchase it online as described in my original post.
I truly wish this would be an American-made engine. (Or Canadian, for that matter!) But, unfortunately, it's not.

Keep us posted how long it lasts.

I purchased a used champion generator for $150. It a honda clone made in china. Works great. No hour meter on it. Don't use it that much. I could throw it away and not worry about parts.

I have a kohler command with 1800 hours on it.
The replacement engine is $1800 plus shipping and taxes.

Not sure if a person could gets parts and find someone to bore out cylinders to rebuild it. Engine is special with the output shaft is on the flywheel side.

Looked at the HF engine, almost a clone of the Kohler command except no shaft on flywheel side.

Does anyone make an adapter to add shaft on flywheel?

Must have been a regional promotion or something , I have the magazine and the two page add but it does not have the coupon for the larger engine. Mine has the one for the $99.00 engine.

I tried to order and it wouldn't let me use that coupon code. I wonder if the store would if I had the one out of the Progressive Farmer.

i don't get all this over this engine,its no big deal. you can get engines in that price range all time from factories at end of seasons or when they change designs and want to wholsale out remaining units. i haer right now two briggs engines 22hp extend series normally 1500.00 now 600.00 takes them. so i don't get the harbor freight issue

Current issue of Progressive Farmer HF ad does not have that engine, does have a 6.5 hp horizontal shaft engine for $99.99. Sale catalogue, received today, number CAT20B. has a 22 hp, Vertical shaft v twin
engine for $699.99. Item number is 62879.

KEH

Do you have a link for a 22 HP Briggs for $600? Because I would have loved to get a 22 HP Briggs for that. Is the Briggs a complete engine with oil filter, muffler, fuel pump and electric starter? I've seen some name-branded specials, but they were short blocks or long blocks without all the accessories.

Horror Freight 22 HP vertical.