Page 19 - OPE September 2019

MARKETPLACE
Ride-on Mowers
The ride-on market seems split between users making pragmatic purchasing choices and those who are happy to pay a premium for quality. And are ZTRs really taking over? Steve Bohling and Andy Kerr report.
THE VAGARIES OF weather apart (of which more later...), the big deal at the moment is that
demand towards the entry level of the premium ride-on market continues to grow.
Not bargain basement, please note, but at least two of the premium players – Honda and Husqvarna – have recently made their entry level more accessible.
A case in point is Honda’s recently released HF2315 ride-on, which has added depth to the Honda range (see page 20 for more detail on this new product).
Interest in this new model has been surprisingly strong, according to Leon Warner, Marketing Manager at Honda Power & Marine.
Having said that, he adds: “It just shows that people who have large sections and a lot of lawn still want a good quality finish
so they’re willing to pay for a premium product.”
Plus, he adds: “I think people know the Honda name and they know the Honda engine and the reliability that comes with it.”
In terms of the new “baby” ride-on he adds: “I think in terms of the chassis and in terms of the build and its quality, it will last the test of time.”
Supply side – The Chicken
or the egg?
Steve Middleton, Husqvarna’s Regional Sales Manager, also talks candidly about the brand “realigning” its ride-on range to cater towards a more affordable but still premium marketplace.
“Just business as usual,” he says. “We’re just trying to be as competitive as we can in
Husqvarna’s solutions for larger lawns
New last year, the first of a pair of
Husqvarna Rider Collect units, the Husqvarna RC318T (pictured) is designed for homeowners with larger gardens. Its innovative non-clogging collection system feeds clippings straight from the front-mounted cutting deck to the 300 litre bag while automatic compaction increases run time between emptying, so you get more done.
This ride-on mower offers intuitive controls, class ergonomics, large area coverage and huge collection capacity. Service and cleaning of the cutting deck
is tool-free thanks to the unique 90° service position. Additional features include articulated steering for excellent manoeuvrability, choke-less start and the ability to empty the collector from the seat.
Equally adaptable and with all of the features of the RC318T, is Husqvarna’s RC320Ts AWD. This tough, versatile ride-on is also aimed at homeowners with larger gardens, with the important additional utility and safety of being all wheel drive.
www.husqvarna.com/nz/
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