Magazine - Honda Power Equipment set Safety Benchmark

By Editor in General News on 3rd Sep 2010 9:00

Honda Power Equipment has set a new safety benchmark for the Australian garden care market with the launch of its new advanced four-stroke Buffalo lawnmower range featuring Mow-Safe Technology.

Mow-Safe is available in two versions – Blade Brake and Engine Brake. The respective Mow-Safe variants are activated when the operator releases the mower's handle, causing the blades to stop automatically within three seconds. Engine Brake-equipped mowers go one step further, shutting down the engine and the blades within this timeframe. Please refer to the table on page three to see how Mow-Safe applies to various models.

In introducing the new safety initiative, Honda becomes the first lawnmower manufacturer in Australia to provide either Engine Brake or Blade Brake across its entire range. The latest Buffalo Mow-Safe range has been designed to reduce the risk of blade-related injury to lawnmower operators, passers-by and children.

Safety benefits aside, the new range also offers many other enhancements over preceding models for even better durability and performance in demanding Australian conditions. According to Honda Power Equipment Sales Manager, Ray Briffa, Honda is committed to developing the safest lawnmowers possible. "Honda considers safety to be a paramount consideration when producing its power equipment range, hence the launch of these new lawnmowers featuring unrivalled safety mechanisms," he said. "As a leading manufacturer of power equipment, Honda strives to set new benchmarks and seeks to exceed all government regulations and criteria when improving our products."

New mower features
Honda’s all new Buffalo models include a range of premium features to give customers greater value for money. The range’s smooth and easy-to-manoeuvre 200mm dual sealed ball-bearing wheels complement the newly-styled, high quality aluminium alloy cutting decks. These decks are crafted to prevent rust and corrosion and enhance cutting and catching performance.

The decks have also been designed to have a smooth rounded underside to reduce grass clippings and dirt from being lodged in corners, improving air flow and in turn improving catching and mulching. Swing back blades ensure superior cutting, engine protection, low noise emissions and ease-of-maintenance.

Driven by Honda’s range of advanced four-stroke engines, rated among the cleanest and most fuel efficient in the world, the new lawnmower series includes 50 or 70-litre Dacron grass catchers with dust direction technology to divert debris away from the operator. A rear discharge guard across the range enables the safe dispersion of grass clippings and saves time by eliminating the need to frequently empty the grass catcher.

Other operator conveniences include a comfortable and durable 25mm diameter handle grip, Honda's one-pull easy start system with conveniently-positioned starter handle, improved handle folding system for ease of transportation and storage, and 11 cutting heights (from 16 to 76mm), adjustable via a side-mounted lever.

For people wanting to create nutrient-rich mulch while mowing their lawn, an easy-to-install mulching plug makes life a breeze on Honda’s mulch and catch models.

Honda’s powerful professional lawnmower range bundles together even more value-for-money features for the serious gardener. Take the effort out of mowing large lawns with Honda’s self-propelled, three-speed gearbox, designed to cut down on operator fatigue and reduce the effort of storing the lawnmower for transportation after a job is complete. Simply engage the gearbox and wheel it onto a trailer.

To reduce the impact of Australia’s harsh and dusty conditions on engine performance, both self-propelled professional models and the HRU 196K1 and HRU196M1 come standard with a factory-fitted snorkel. The snorkel helps protect the mower’s engine from dust and other impurities by acting as a secondary filter and is a must for commercial applications.

A polypropelene snap-on hose fitting on the deck of each professional series mower makes cleaning a breeze. It’s as simple as stopping the engine, locking a hose onto the fitting, and turning the tap on. The water flow cleans the underside of the cutting deck, leaving it free of grass and other matter which can build up over time.

Honda Mow-Safe domestic lawnmower range
The new Honda Mow-Safe domestic lawnmower line-up comprises the Buffalo Buck HRU19K1 and the HRU19M1 mulch and catch variant. Ideal for medium sized yards, the Buffalo Bucks are equipped with Engine Brake technology and powered by Honda's renowned advanced four-stroke 160cc GCV160 engine with OHV/OHC.

Both models come with a unique auto-choke engine feature which eliminates the need to adjust the throttle whilst using the mower, making it easier for the domestic customer to operate. Mr Briffa said the Buffalo Buck range with Engine Brake technology was an ideal choice for operators who seldom had to empty the catcher.

"Engine Brake technology is especially suited to mulching applications where the operator won't be stopping often to clear the catcher," he said. "But even when the large-sized Dacron catcher is in use, its ample storage capacity means fewer breaks for emptying."

Honda Mow-Safe professional lawnmower range
Residential users and professional garden care contractors with large areas of grass to cut will enjoy the additional power and performance of the professional Buffalo Bull and Buffalo Classic models, which are available in push and self-propelled variants.

The HRU197K1 and HRU197M1 Buffalo Bull mulch and catch are also fitted with Engine Brake and feature a larger capacity 190cc GSV190 powerplant with OHV/OHC technology and cast-iron bore for even better durability in often dusty Australian conditions.

The Buffalo Classic range comprises two models including the HRU196K1 and HRU196M1; the main specification difference between the Classic models and the Bulls is that the Classics are equipped with the heavier-duty 160cc GXV160 OHV engine, which also features a cast-iron bore.

At the pinnacle of the Honda Buffalo professional range are the self-propelled HRU216K2 and HRU216M2 mulch and catch Buffalo Classics. Both models are equipped with the GXV160 OHV engine with cast iron bore and feature Blade Brake technology.

For further information regarding the full range of Honda Power Equipment, please contact your local Honda Dealer or visit www.honda.com.au.

Read more articles in General News, by Editor or from September 2010.