Hi jds,
All the nuts and bolts protrude in the place you least want them to, the only way you would have an issue with the motor overhang is if you had the lawn butting up against a brick wall eg, house, and truthfully you should never have lawn or a garden bed up against any dwelling.
I guess as I use the 20 inch variant of the 45 this has never been an issue to me.
Yes to each their own I've also said aswell.
The only reason why I suggest the new Briggs over anything else, is that it has the most support out there for this brand of engine Australia wide, while all the other not so common units will be problematic for obtaining parts in the coming years as they come into the country in large batches and then nothing more until the next container of different product arrives.
Sadly this will create issues for some folks in 5 years or so when parts are needed to keep a good example going reliably. Briggs have always had great after sales support.
Cheers,
BB.
