Page 20 - OPE September 2019

MARKETPLACE
Ride-on Mowers
NO SHORTCUTS ON HONDA’S NEW “SMALL RIDER”
go together. Having said this, while talking about the weather and the concept of a seasonal lull during winter, it was interesting to hear Husky’s Steve Middleton call the outdoor power market an “all year around” market.
“We’re seeing a lot a lot more dealers selling products over the winter period,” he says.
Some of this will no doubt be due to the milder (if wetter) than usual winter weather patterns, but it’s also due to the growing number of products arriving at servicing dealers for their winter service that are just reaching the age when they need upgrading.
“The old traditional spring is still what it was,” says Steve Middleton “but increasingly we’re seeing demand spread across the year now rather than packed into three to four months.”
Dealer perspective – Time saving a big draw
Others however report that there has been a bit of a weather-related hiatus in the marketplace.
Take, manager of STIHL SHOP Levin, Wayne McKinlay, who’s waiting for a dry spell so that the Horowhenua region can start to dry out.
Although his season hasn’t kicked off just yet, he reports “a very stable market” with lots of new building going on and plenty of new lifestyle properties and beach sections to be maintained.
“We’re expecting a very big season this year,” he forecasts.
“Out of this shop it’s traditionally a big mix of Walker and Hustler zero-turn machines but we’ve got a vast variety
of properties down here, so we also sell to those with lifestyle blocks and town sections.”
“The biggest thing I’ve noticed in the past couple of years is people getting on the internet and doing a lot of research before coming into the shop with a good idea of what they’re after.
“We just have to ask the right questions to make sure they’re buying the right mower.”
ZTR models are definitely still proving popular in the choice of which mower type to buy, according to Wayne McKinlay, and with good reason.
“They are certainly making inroads, especially with buyers with bigger gardens and a lot of trees and garden beds to get around.”
Wayne notes that Hustler has got a new Dash model out this year that will compete head-on with the tractor market, offering a 42-inch deck and zero-turn at a competitive price.
“Those customers who have never had a zero-turn possibly don’t understand how much time you can save with one.”
Wayne McKinlay says contractors
For medium-sized lifestyle block
lawns, enter the new Honda HF2315 (pictured). Just like larger Honda ride-on mowers, this small rider offers big rider features, including large wheels and Hydrostatic drive for a great finish. Powered by a Honda GCV520 530cc engine, the HF2315’s durable 36-inch vented and fan-assisted cutting deck makes for great catching performance and its easy to use Hydro
drive, turf saving tyres, autosensing headlights and vented catcher ensure users spend less time – and less effort – mowing.
HF2315 is the baby brother of Honda’s “middle weight champion” the HF2417, with its durable 40-inch vented and
fan assisted cutting deck for medium
to large lawns, large 300 Litre catch
bag, hydrostatic drive system and large wheels, automotive style dash with easily
read display and in-built versa mulch fitting.
Honda’s largest ride-on is the HF2622. Powered by the commercially rated and efficient 689cc Honda GXV660 V-Twin motor, HF2622 is billed as the ultimate ride on mower with its Hydrostatic drive system, massive 48-inch cutting deck with in-built versa mulch and huge 350 litre catch bag with easy tip lever.
www.hondapowerequipment.co.nz
all segments and we cater for every type of application and machine – we just want to be hitting the mark with each segment. So we think we’ve got the mix right.”
What about ZTRs? Steve believes some of that growth in demand has simply come from greater awareness of this type of ride-on.
“I think a lot of our competitors have focused hard on ZTR,” he says, adding: “There’s also a lot of people seeing a lot of other people on zero turns and those who are new to that market are looking and asking what’s the benefit for me?”
The ZTR’s benefits are: “Manoeuvrability and the ability to mow broader areas at a lot more speed and get the job done quicker.”
But there’s also the widely held caveat of ZTRs not being at the top end of the scale when it comes to mowing quality.
Leon Warner confirms this outlook and says that ZTR purchasers are “a different audience”.
ZTR mowers tend not to be bought bypeople“lookingforafinecut”,hesays firmly.
In contrast, Honda’s fine ride-ons are “specifically for people that want to show off a premium lawn on a large section that want like nice grounds.
“Zero turns can’t produce that kind of quality finish so that is why there is still demand in this [ride-on/lawn tractor] market.”
Supply side – Winter no barrier to demand
Wet weather and lawn mowing just don’t
BUILT TO MOW THE DISTANCE
For more information contact your local Territory Manager at: 0800 MASPORT or visit www.masport.co.nz.
020 NZOUTDOORPOWEREQUIPMENT SEPTEMBER2019
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