Since a BCS or Grillo walk-behind tractor will typically outlast the original engine, we offer selection of replacement engines to re-power your old machine. Our selection is based on the best deals we can find to offer our customers, and changes from time to time.
For folks who have an older 600/700 series BCS machine with an ACME engine on it, there are 2 options:
We can sell you an “adapter/clutch kit”, along with any of several “USA Standard” engine types, listed below. The adapter/clutch kit is REQUIRED to mount any North-American-standard engine, because all N.A. standard engines have American-measurement crankshafts & bolt-patterns, and will not directly fit a BCS Machine like the ACME engine did. (All NEW BCS or Grillo tractors with Honda, Yamaha, Briggs, etc. engines on them have this adapter & clutch mounted at the factory.)
MOST POPULAR: We stock a “European version” of the Kohler 9.5hp engine, which has a European tapered crankshaft and Euro 6-bolt mounting pattern, so it is a DIRECT REPLACEMENT for the older ACME engines used on earlier BCS and Mainline machines–WITHOUT having to use an adapter or new clutch!! (NOTE: this is a COMPLETE engine, including carburetor, air filter, muffler, fuel tank, etc.)
Since Kohler has actually purchased ACME and essentially discontinued the brand, they offer this new engine in Europe to replace the ACME 6hp through 10hp engines. We have special-ordered these engines in an EPA-compliant version, and we are offering them here in the USA!
We are also offering a special “package” price if you order a new engine AND a new engine guard/bumper at the same time (bumpers off the old ACME engines will NOT fit any other engines)…see “Engine Bumpers” section below for details.
If your BCS has a non-ACME engine on it already, then the USA standard engines below (with ¾” or 1” keyed crankshafts) will fit your tractor directly, because you already have the clutch & adapter for the USA standard engine. All engines configured for “remote throttle” hookup at no extra charge.
–NOTE: If you have an old Mainline machine that was built by S.E.P. (Ladybug, 2+2, 1300, 1500, 1700), the best option is the Kohler 9.5hp engine mentioned above. If for some reason you prefer a different engine, we can also offer “modified” engine adapter kits to fit some of these S.E.P. machines …call for details and pricing, and we MAY actually need to get your old clutch sent here first to make sure the new kit is compatible.
ALL ENGINE POWER RATINGS SHOWN IN “SAE MAX HP”, WHICH IS THE “OLD” HP RATING MOST OF US ARE USED TO… MOST ENGINE MANUFACTURERS ARE NOW SHOWING THE MORE CONSERVATIVE “NET” HP RATINGS ON THEIR WEBSITES, WHICH IS ABOUT 10% LESS THAN “MAX”…
ENGINE PRICES:
- 9.5 hp Kohler model CH395, recoil start: $650 (DIRECT REPLACEMENT FOR ACME A220, AL/ALN215, AL/ALN290 or AL/ALN330 ENGINES on BCS 600/700 series tractors and SEP / Mainline tractors!! Does NOT require Adapter/clutch kit!)
- 9.5 hp Kohler Model CH395, Electric and recoil start (battery and battery support NOT included): $870 (DIRECT REPLACEMENT FOR ACME A220, AL/ALN290 or AL/ALN330 ENGINES on BCS 600/700 series tractors and SEP / Mainline tractors!! Does NOT require adapter/clutch kit!)
- GX160 Honda, 5.5 SAE Max HP, 3/4” Keyed crankshaft, recoil start $450
- CH270 Kohler, 7 SAE Max HP, 3/4” Keyed crankshaft, recoil start, with heavy duty OIL-BATH type are filter system $400
- GX270 Honda, 9 SAE Max HP, 1” Keyed crankshaft, recoil start $700
- GX390 Honda, 13 SAE Max HP, 1” Keyed crankshaft, recoil start $800
- CH440 Kohler, 14 SAE Max HP, 1” Keyed crankshaft, recoil start $800
- GX390 Honda, 13 SAE Max HP, 1” Keyed crankshaft, recoil AND electric start $1000
- CH440 Kohler, 14 SAE Max HP, 1” Keyed crankshaft, recoil AND electric start $1000
- **NOTE: if using Honda or Kohler engines at elevations over 4000 feet, be sure to request a different MAIN JET for the carburetor, so the engine will run properly!
ADAPTER/CLUTCH KITS:
- Item # ¾” Clutch Kit For engines with ¾” keyed crankshaft (7hp and smaller): $190
- Item # 1” Clutch Kit For engines with 1” keyed crankshaft, up to 11.5hp (some exceptions): $190
- For either of the above, but to fit an SEP-manufactured Mainline tractor: ADD $100
- Safety system update kit: If your tractor had an ACME engine and a red “safety lever” on the handlebar that you have to hold down to keep the engine running, this kit gives you the hardware to update/adapt that safety system to your new engine WHEN USING THE ABOVE ADAPTER KIT OPTIONS OR KOHLER CH395 ENGINE: $36
- Item # BCS 922.99007: For engines with 1” crankshaft, 12hp and up: MSRP:
$525$472 (includes hardware to update & adapt “safety” lever on tractor handlebar to new engine) - Item # BCS 922.90704: Adapts a current engine with ¾” keyed crankshafts (Honda GX160, Kohler CH270, etc.) to the older BCS model 205 machines. (Does NOT fit BCS models 201, 203 or 204!) This kit was actually discontinued by BCS a couple years ago because they no longer produce ONE of the components…so we bought all the OTHER components that they DID have, and we can make this kit work by getting the “old” version of that one “missing” component back from the customer and re-machining it to work with the conversion kit. Price: $270
- NOTE: The above adapter kits come with bolts to mount the adapter plate to the engine. These bolts are U.S./Standard threads (some come with 5/16”x24 bolts, some come with 3/8”x16 bolts), since U.S./Standard threads is the standard for the “American/SAE” bolt-patterns on Honda, Briggs & Kohler engines. HOWEVER, It HAS come to our attention that some of the cheap Chinese-made “Honda clone” engines DO NOT have U.S. threads, or have incorrect U.S. threads (for example: 5/16” coarse thread instead of fine). If you are buying one of these cheap engines, please be aware that any needed non-standard fasteners are your responsibility. We supply the kits only with the standard fasteners mentioned above.
ENGINE BUMPERS (with bolts & nuts to attach to engine)
Item G Grillo WTKT 18-pound weight bar for above
bumpers, with mounting bolts: $60
*(NOTE: Bumpers or skid-plates that were mounted on ACME engines will NOT fit anything but ACME…unless you make it fit another engine by modifying it yourself)*
Call Earth Tools at 502-484-3988 to order. All can ship UPS ground. (all engine prices subject to availability and may change without notice–call for current info)