Tecumseh Power was a division of Tecumseh Products Company who still manufacture components and parts for air conditioners and refrigerators. Tecumseh Products was started in 1934 by Raymond Herrick. Herrick combined his skill as a machinist and assembly line knowledge gained from working for Henry Ford and applied it to manufacturing parts for refrigeration equipment. Following years of growth and success, Tecumseh Products purchased Lauson Engine Manufacturing Company and in 1956 Tecumseh Power was born.
The roots of the Tecumseh engine brand can be traced back to 1885 when John Lauson started a mechanical repair shop to repair steam tractor engines for local Wisconsin farms. This repair business went on to later manufacture the small gasoline engines that eventually became known as Tecumseh. This is why many parts found on Tecumseh engines were also branded with the Lauson name. Over the many years, Tecumseh engines were branded under other names such as Alpha, Toro and Sears Craftsman. The quality and reputation of Tecumseh engines made them one of the most popular choices by manufacturers of lawn mowers, garden tractors, snow throwers, tillers and other outdoor power equipment.
Tecumseh Repair Manuals and Reference Information
Parts catalog:
In 2007 Tecumseh Products Company sold the Tecumseh Power engine manufacturing division to Platinum Equity LLC who sold the parts rights to Certified Parts Corporation in 2009. Since 2008 only OEM (original equipment manufacturer) Tecumseh parts are still available for purchase bearing the Tecumseh brand name. The Tecumseh branded complete engines are not manufactured at this time. Certified Parts Corporation does currently manufacture engines branded with the Lauson name as well as their LCT engine line.