The Briggs & Stratton Commercial Power Vanguard engine series was recently awarded the Power Equipment Trade 2010 Dealers Choice Award.

The award comes on the heels of the debut of four Vanguard single-cylinder engines with gross horsepower ratings ranging from 5.5 to 10.0 hp. The engines include many new features specifically designed to address the top worksite challenges cited by end-user customers and OEMs — heavy dust, lack of regular maintenance, filtration issues and oil dilution during transportation.

“At Briggs & Stratton Commercial Power, we are committed to designing and manufacturing the most powerful and durable engines on the market,” said Dan Roche, marketing manager with Briggs & Stratton Commercial Power. “We listen to our customers to better understand application-specific needs and task our engineers with finding solutions. This award indicates we’re delivering on that promise.”

The engines include an integrated switch, called the TransportGuard system, which Vanguard engineers designed to simultaneously shut off the ignition and the fuel. This patented innovation ensures that fuel stays where it belongs and helps eliminate fouled plugs, hydraulic lock, cylinder wash down and crankcase oil dilution caused by transportation.

Vanguard engines took home top honors in the Wheeled Equipment category, one of five award categories that also included Accessory/Attachment, Business Services, Handheld Equipment and Powersports/Recreation.

The awards, which honor innovative products, are nominated and voted on by lawn and garden power equipment dealers. This year, more than 230 dealers voted for their favorites either online or on site at the October Green Industry & Equipment Exposition in Louisville, Ky. Power Equipment Trade announced the winners at the Expo.

Milwaukee-based Briggs & Stratton Commercial Power is a provider of commercial power solutions. The Vanguard engine family includes single-cylinder engines from 2.4 to 15 gross horsepower, Vanguard V-Twin horizontal and vertical engines from 14 to 23 gross horsepower, and Vanguard air-cooled V-Twin BIG BLOCK engines from 25 to 35 gross horsepower (horizontal) and 28 to 36 gross horsepower (vertical). For more information on the Vanguard commercial engine line, visit www.vanguardengines.com.