Whether you're a commercial landscaper or a homeowner looking for the best lawn mower engine, understanding horsepower is an essential part of the process. A clear understanding of an engine's horsepower helps give insight into what it can accomplish, with higher horsepower engines being better suited to challenging conditions like thick grass, wet terrain, inclines, and more. At Kawasaki Engines, we make precision a priority, manufacturing engines that provide an accurate horsepower number you can trust. We call it Critical Power.
But first let's cover some basics before diving into Critical Power, engines certified to deliver no less than 98% of rated horsepower by SAE—one of the most stringent and transparent horsepower certifications in the lawn-and-garden industry.
Defining Horsepower: Past and Present
Did you know? Horsepower was originally used to measure the power of steam engines by comparing it to the output of work horses. For a more modern definition, we asked Paul Marvin, Regulatory Compliance Engineer at Kawasaki, to explain. “One way we describe horsepower is the rate at which work gets done,” says Paul. And whether you’re a pro landscaper or a homeowner, the ability to get more work done over time—without having to compromise on quality—is a major measurement of success.
Kawasaki Critical Power: SAE Certified. Independently Verified.
At Kawasaki, we believe precision engineering and consistent power output go hand in hand. That’s why Kawasaki Critical Power engines adhere to SAE standards to help ensure they deliver no less than 98% of rated horsepower. This allows customers to get the true performance they expect from a lawn mower engine built for demanding conditions.
The difference lies within SAE certification. Automotive-caliber standards written to provide manufacturers with a method of certifying gross power and torque, SAE standards—among the most stringent in the industry—helps us ensure that 98% rated horsepower metric, driving both transparency and accuracy. Instead of just testing to SAE standards, our meticulously engineered, manufactured, and tested engines earn certification from SAE, making us the only ones in the lawn-and-garden industry who do so. In order to certify, our testing must be viewed and approved by an SAE-approved witness, providing third-party verification our engines are delivering on the Critical Power definition. “With Critical Power, there’s nothing to hide. We’re doing what we say we’ll do and providing what we say we’ll provide,” says Paul Marvin.
Why Choose a Kawasaki Critical Power Engine for Your Lawn Mower?
It's one thing to prove Critical Power in the lab—and another entirely when it’s put into action in the field. With steady, highly rated horsepower coming from your Kawasaki lawn mower engine, you can cut more efficiently, even on inclines and wet grass—making it the top engine choice for both professional and residential mowers.
Regulatory Compliance Engineer Paul Marvin speaks to the importance of accuracy when it comes to performance output.
"While there’s no such thing as having too much horsepower coming from your engine, having an engine that's less powerful than you initially realized can cause issues. Excessive strain, less efficient mowing, poorer cut quality, a shorter lifespan—these are all possibilities when you’re underpowering your mower."
Learn More About SAE-Certified Kawasaki Critical Power Lawn Mower Engines
Visit the Critical Power page for further details and explore our website to see actual SAE test results for each Critical Power certified lawn mower engine, including detailed horsepower and torque specs. Or stop by your authorized Kawasaki Engines dealer to find the best engine for your yard or landscaping business.
