MILWAUKEE — Briggs & Stratton Corp. announces two mower manufacturers will power their top-tier ZTR mowers exclusively with its Vanguard air-cooled V-twin Big Block.

Hustler Turf Equipment, part of Excel Industries, selected the Vanguard engines to power its Super Z HyperDrive and Super 104 commercial mowers. Spartan Mowers chose the same engines to drive its Spartan SRT XD.

"For two highly respected manufacturers to choose Vanguard BIG BLOCK engines to exclusively power their showcase mowers is, simply put, an honor," said Randy Lockyear, senior director of commercial sales for Briggs & Stratton Commercial Power, maker of Vanguard. "Our Big Block continues to set the pace in terms of durability and power, and to see it on such great mowers only emphasizes its position as the go-to Big Block."

Spartan Mowers was launched in October under the ownership and guidance of Robert Foster. The Spartan SRT XD features front, middle and rear TecsPak elastomer dampening systems that provide a superior ride — to name one key feature.

"When I started Spartan Mowers, I set out to build the best possible machine on the market," Foster said. "We engineered it from the ground up, starting with soft, steel-belted radial tires. When it was time to pick our power source, I didn't hesitate to go with the Vanguard Big Block. From the engine's reputation to the personal service we get from the Vanguard team, it's living up to the high standards I have for Spartan."

Excel Industries' Hustler Brand was first in the world to launch a zero-turn mower in 1964. Both the carbureted and EFI versions of Vanguard's Big Block engine will be available on its top-of-the-line ZTR mowers.

Excel first began powering a number of its mowers with Vanguard engines after Adam Mullet, vice president of sales and marketing, saw it on a mud boat in Louisiana.

"Immediately, I knew that was an engine I needed on our mowers," Mullet said. "If it could power a mud boat, handling all the gunk and water thrown at it, I knew it would master lawns and turf everywhere."

For more information about Vanguard Engines, visit www.vanguardengines.com. For information about Hustler mowers, visit www.hustlerturf.com. To read more about Spartan Mowers, visit spartanmowers.com.