dnicolaysen
New member
New member here — glad to have found the forum.
I run a 2022 Turf Tiger II (STTII-61V-35BV) with the 35 HP Vanguard Big Block, bought new from my local dealer. It's strictly residential use on my own property, and I do all my own maintenance — I keep records on everything, OEM filters, Mobil 1, hour-meter intervals, the whole bit. My background is IT rather than turf, but I've always worked on my own equipment, and I've got a couple of Infiniti restorations in the garage keeping me busy alongside the mower.
What actually brought me here: at 168.6 hours the Vanguard dropped an exhaust valve and put it through the piston. Failed at idle, no load, oil full. My dealer's tech has confirmed the diagnosis and is talking to the Briggs Vanguard group now. So I'm in the middle of figuring out short block vs. complete engine, and reading everything I can find here on the Big Block head issues.
Looking forward to learning from folks who've been down this road. Thanks for having me.
I run a 2022 Turf Tiger II (STTII-61V-35BV) with the 35 HP Vanguard Big Block, bought new from my local dealer. It's strictly residential use on my own property, and I do all my own maintenance — I keep records on everything, OEM filters, Mobil 1, hour-meter intervals, the whole bit. My background is IT rather than turf, but I've always worked on my own equipment, and I've got a couple of Infiniti restorations in the garage keeping me busy alongside the mower.
What actually brought me here: at 168.6 hours the Vanguard dropped an exhaust valve and put it through the piston. Failed at idle, no load, oil full. My dealer's tech has confirmed the diagnosis and is talking to the Briggs Vanguard group now. So I'm in the middle of figuring out short block vs. complete engine, and reading everything I can find here on the Big Block head issues.
Looking forward to learning from folks who've been down this road. Thanks for having me.