Page 14 - OPE November 2019

MARKETPLACE
Walk-Behind Mowers
“It’s about making a more efficient, more powerful motor rather than simply increasing the number of cells in a battery and adding weight, size and cost. Rather than changing our battery tech too much, we’ve kept our batteries compact and fast- charging, and invested very heavily in our brushless motor tech so we have a far more efficient motor that doesn’t require a bigger battery to get the extra run time.
“Some of our new commercial models that are coming out will deliver up to 2,000m2 of mowing, which is pretty impressive for a cordless product. By investing in an extra couple of batteries, a contractor has a full day’s mowing and will reduce their servicing costs and slash spending on consumables.”
Makita’s impending commercial-grade mowers will likely be priced between $1,200-
1,500 plus charger and battery and consumers can expect
promotions around them. Having already
undertaken local trials with these
new machines Jamie Teague calls their performance “outstanding, even when cutting knee-high grass”.
“Where an equivalent petrol mower would have bogged down, the cordless mower with automatic torque drive just applies more torque to the motor and produces the extra power as it senses more load.”
Jamie’s take on the seasonality of sales is that “this time of year is still busier but it’s not as hot and cold as it once was. Our new model introductions are not deliberately timed but rather determined by production and availability. When they’re available, we’ll launch them straight away.”
Considered by some an already crowded segment, walk-behinds remain a strong overall category. And, with dealers having already noted an increase in cordless sales, Jamie Teague for one remains convinced that they’ll “have an appetite for more”.
All eyes on dipping dollar
STIHL’s Managing Director, Jochen Speer, also has an appetite for more cordless mowers, reporting very strong growth for
the brand’s cordless lawnmower range in what, he notes, is still a relatively young product category for STIHL.
A large part of this growth, says Jochen, is thanks to having “the best lawnmower range according
to the independent testers
from Consumer
magazine”.
While plans
are afoot to
expand STIHL’s
walk-behind
offer, the company
is keeping new model
particulars under wraps with competition in the sector looking set to intensify in the New Year.
Interesting however to note that Jochen Speer believes the timing of new product releases is less of a consideration than ever before with seasonality being less of a factor here than it is in Northern Hemisphere markets.
Asked if the weakening NZ Dollar is proving problematic, the STIHL MD says that, the company is just as exposed to exchange rate fluctuations as any of the major outdoor power brands.
Honda’s HRX217 offers four-in-one functionality – bag, mulch, catch and shred.
Honda range in which the staple walk-behind model is the
Australian-manufactured HRU196, an upgraded version of the 196 Heritage, and a “really popular and well-priced model” that’s also relatively lightweight.
“The one thing that was a bit of an Achilles heel was the weight element but reducing the size and weight of the engines without any detriment to power and grunt has been quite a help.”
He also points out that Honda is incorporating lighter materials and improving general aerodynamics alongside its engine developments.
Such improvements are evident in models imported from the States, and
They’re so reliable, they’ve got the grunt and they can fall off the back of the truck and still keep going. The twin-blade technology ensures a finer cut and mow-safe tech meets all OSH requirements
“We are no different, so it is not a headache for us. We have to ensure our products are priced competitively to begin with and again focus on our customers.
“We don’t see product supply issues, either, but are working very hard on further improving our supply to our dealers and customers to back up our premium product with premium availability.”
Petrol powers on
Over in the combustion engine camp, Honda’s Leon Warner claims his brand’s petrol-powered mowers continue to be favoured by contractors.
“They’re so reliable, they’ve got the
grunt and they can fall off the back of the truck and still keep going. The twin-blade technology ensures a finer cut and mow-safe tech meets all OSH requirements.
“They tick all the boxes and are pretty fool proof; you’ll find it hard to have an accident with these mowers.”
Leon says upgrades are evident across the
Leon Warner says sales of the HRX217 for example are “really taking off ”.
“Our main battle is to ensure the
tariffs are kept low and that it retains
its affordability. It’s a popular model
for both the domestic and contractor markets and has been repowered with an uprated GCV200 engine. The four-in-one functionality allows users to bag, mulch, catch and shred, or select a mixture of those functions via a lever between the different modes.”
While the new GCV200 is slightly bigger and more powerful than the engine it replaces, it’s actually lighter.
“Five per cent more power and 5% less weight make quite a combined difference. And by utilising Honda combustion technology, it far exceeds Euro exhaust emissions, so it’s one for the future as well.”
Indeed, such advances in petrol engine technology and performance are well timed because that future looks to have a lot more cordless competition on the horizon... n
014 NZOUTDOORPOWEREQUIPMENT NOVEMBER2019
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Steelfort
takes on Honda power
STEELFORT HAS CREATED a
new walk-behind entry-point for Honda by adopting a US-sourced Honda engine for the Steelfort alloy chassis.
The Lawnmaster-branded combined effort was initially intended for Mitre
10 stores but has subsequently been extended to Blue Wing Honda stores, giving Honda dealers the opportunity to market a mower at a more approachable ($899) retail price.
“Lawnmower costs are one thing that we’ve tried to combat,” explains Honda’s Leon Warner, “which is why we’re putting a Honda GCV engine on a Steelfort chassis, to create a more affordable option, while offering the same Honda engine warranty.
“People want the grunt and reliability, perhaps for larger lawns, and we can cater for buyers at what we consider the lower end but translates to top-end in a
big-box retailer.”
The GCV160-powered Lawnmaster
walk-behind features an 18-inch alloy body and multi-catch functionality.
Honda OEM Manager, Bruce Wooding, says the partnership with Steelfort involves “a massive volume” of GCV160 engines.
These units are sourced from Honda in the US, he explains, where they will continue to be made exclusively to supply Steelfort before a scheduled switch to Chinese production in 12 months’ time.
Honda’s GXV and HRU engines are already sourced from China and power Honda’s Australian-made mowers.
“We’re pleased to be associated with an iconic Kiwi brand and to have the opportunity to offer a Honda-powered mower at a highly competitive price,” Bruce Wooding concludes.