Changes in Small Engine Horsepower Ratings
The manufacturers of small engines have adjusted the horsepower that they state their engines
make. All of the major manufacturers have now adopted using at least the SAE J1940 Standard 2012
Revision, to rate the horsepower output of their engines. The SAE International J1940 Standard was revised
in October 2012 to provide a single method for determining small engine power and torque. This also
allows us to accurately compare the power and torque of various engines.
The J1940 Standard utilizes SAE J1995 Standard to determine Gross horsepower and SAE J1349 to
determine the net horsepower. The necessity of establishing both gross and net horsepower is due to the
engine manufacturers supplying engines to various Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) for end
installation. It is common for the OEMs to install their own unique air intake, exhaust, and other accessories
to the engine. This is combined with variety in engine speed settings and configurations have created a
need for a more consistent method of testing the engine produced by the manufacturer.
The horsepower numbers for most manufacturers have changed, as they have gone to the more
accurate method of rating the horsepower of their engines. The performance and output of the engines are
unchanged, only the ratings have changed. Some manufacturers have introduced new model numbers,
while some have only changed the labels on the engines. Due to this change in rated and stated engine
horsepower, we have created this document to allow you to compare the new J1940 rating with the ratings
that were previously stated by the manufacturers.
For more information regarding the changes and stated horsepower ratings, please visit the respective
engine manufacturer websites.
NOTE:
Kawasaki Critical Power ratings utilize the SAE J2723 Standard for certifying output. This is the same way
that automotive manufacturers certify horsepower. SAE J2723 uses either SAE J1995 Standard for gross
horsepower or SAE J1349 for net horsepower. This is comparable to the other manufacturers’ stated
horsepower, but is more consistent and accurate in final applications.
Briggs and Stratton designates the gross output of engines it produces, whether it is by torque or
horsepower, but also utilizes SAE J1940 Standard, in accordance with SAE J1995 for gross ratings.
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Honda Engines
GX Series
Model
Previous Rating
SAE J1940 Rating
Torque
GX25
GX35
GXH50
GX100
GX120
GX160
GXV160
GX200
GX240
GX270
GX340
GX390
GXV340
GXV390
GX630
GXV630
GX660
GXV660
GX690
GXV690
1.1
1.6
2.5
3
4
5.5
5.5
6.5
8
9
11
13
11
13
20.3
20.3
21
21
22.3
22.3
1
1.3
2.1
2.8
3.5
4.8
4.3
5.5
7.9
8.5
10.7
11.7
8.9
10.2
20.8
20.8
21.5
21.5
22.1
22.1
0.74
1.2
2
4.2
5.4
7.6
7.1
9.1
13.5
14.1
19.5
19.5
15.9
17.8
35.6
35.6
35.6
35.6
35.6
35.6
GC Series
Model
Previous Rating
SAE J1940 Rating
Torque
GC160
GC190
GCV160
GCV190
5
6
5.5
6.5
4.6
5.2
4.4
5.1
6.9
8.3
6.9
8.3
GS Series
Model
Previous Rating
SAE J1940 Rating
Torque
GS190
GSV190
6.5
6.5
5.2
5.1
8.3
8.3
2
Kawasaki Engines
FR Series
Model
Previous Rating
SAE J1940 Rating
Torque
FR541V
FR600V
FR651V
FR691V
FR730V
18
20
22
24
26
15
18
21.5
23
24
31.7
32.4
39.3
39.5
39.7
FS Series
Model
Previous Rating
SAE J1940 Rating
Torque
FS481V
FS541V
FS600V
FS651V
FS691V
FS730V
16
18
20
22
24
26
14.5
15
18.5
22
23
24
30.9
31
32.5
39.4
39.9
40
FX Series
Previous
Rating
SAE J1940 Rating
Model
FX481V
FX541V
FX600V
FX651V
FX691V
FX730V
FX751V
FX801V
FX850V
FX921V
FX1000V
FX921V-DFI
FX1000V-DFI
16
18
20
22
24
26
27
29
31
34
37
34
37
15.5
16.5
19
20.5
22
23.5
24.5
25.5
27
31
35
35
37
Torque
31.4
32.1
32.5
39
39.4
39.9
44.4
44.6
44.6
54.3
56
56.4
55.4
FD Series
Model
Previous Rating
SAE J1940 Rating
Torque
FD750D
FD791D
27
29
25
26
41
40.5
3
Kohler Engines
Command Horizontal Series
Model
Previous Rating
SAE J1940 Rating
Torque
CH620
CH18/CH621
CH640
CH20/CH641
CH680
CH682
CH730
CH732
CH740
CH742
CH750
CH752
CH940
CH960
CH980
CH1000
18
See CH620
20
See CH640
23
See CH680
25
See CH730
27
See CH740
30
See CH750
34
36
38
40
19
19
20.5
20.5
22.5
22.5
23.5
23.5
25
25
27
27
32.5
Discontinued
35
37
35
32.2
35.7
32.7
36.8
38.9
38.4
40.4
39.2
41.2
41.2
42.2
53.5
N/A
54.5
55.3
Command Vertical Series
Model
Previous Rating
SAE J1940 Rating
Torque
CV620
CV621/CV18
CV640
CV641/CV20
CV680/CV23
CV682
CV730
CV732
CV740
CV742
CV750
CV752
CV940
CV960
CV980
CV1000
18
See CV620
20
See CV640
23
See CV680
25
See CV730
27
See CV740
30
See CV750
34
36
38
40
19
19
20.5
20.5
See CV682
22.5
See CV732
23.5
25
25
27
27
32.5
Discontinued
35
37
34
31.4
34.7
33.3
35.8
39
36.9
40.3
39.2
40.8
40.3
41.2
53.6
N/A
54.6
56.3
4
Kohler Engines
Courage Single Series
Model
Previous Rating
SAE J1940 Rating
Torque
SV470 (Discontinued)
SV471
SV480 (Discontinued)
SV530
SV540 (Discontinued)
SV541
SV590 (Discontinued)
SV591
SV600 (Discontinued)
SV601
SV610 (Discontinued)
SV620 (Discontinued)
15
See SV470
16
17
18
See SV541
19
See SV590
20
See SV600
21
22
See SV471
15
N/A
17
See SV541
18
See SV591
19
See SV601
20
N/A
N/A
N/A
27
N/A
31.5
N/A
32.1
N/A
33
N/A
34
N/A
N/A
Courage Twin Series
Model
Previous Rating
7000 Series Equivalent
SV710 (Discontinued)
SV715 (Discontinued)
SV720 (Discontinued)
SV725 (Discontinued)
SV730 (Discontinued)
SV735 (Discontinued)
SV740 (Discontinued)
SV810 (Discontinued)
SV820 (Discontinued)
SV830 (Discontinued)
SV840 (Discontinued)
20
22
23
24
25
26
27
20
23
25
27
See KT715
See KT725
See KT730
See KT735
See KT740
See KT745
N/A
See KT715
See KT730
See KT740
N/A
7000 Series
Model
SAE J1940 Rating
Torque
KT715
KT725
KT730
KT735
KT740
KT745
20
22
23
24
25
26
40.3
40.4
40.5
40.5
41.3
42.4
5
Kohler Engines
Confidant Series
Model
SAE J1940 Rating
Torque
ZT710
ZT720
ZT730
ZT740
19
21
23
25
40
40.7
42.1
42.4
Aegis Liquid Cooled Series
Model
Previous Rating
SAE J1940 Rating
Torque
LH640
LH690
LH755
LH775
24
26
28
31
Discontinued
24
Discontinued
30
N/A
42.9
N/A
44.6
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Disclosure
All statements contained herein are made in good-faith, and are made independently of any entity other
than Small Engine Warehouse. Every effort was made to ensure the accuracy of the statements contained
within this document. This document is intended to be used by customers of Small Engine Warehouse to
understand the changes in engine labeling and ratings.
June 6, 2014
Small Engine Warehouse Inc.
501 W Riggin Rd
Muncie, IN 47303
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