Honda Power Equipment celebrates its 60th year of business around the world, based on the original spirit of the founder of Honda Motor, Soichiro Honda, to utilise technology to help people enjoy happier and easier lives.
Over this time, worldwide cumulative production of Honda Power Equipment products has exceeded 100 million units, delivering useful innovation to help millions of people across the world at home and work.
Honda Power Equipment was founded in 1953 with the release of the ‘H type’ general purpose engine, designed to reduce manual labour for farmers. Since then Honda has utilised its core technology, the engine, to gradually expand its line-up which now includes tillers, generators, outboard engines, water pumps, lawnmowers, snow throwers and most recently solutions for energy creation and conservation.
As the world’s largest engine manufacturer, Honda has always been at the forefront of engine development and innovation. Most notably it has for decades pioneered the use of four-stroke engines in power product markets heavily dominated by two-stroke machines. Some way ahead of its time, the company introduced the four-stroke G-Series range of mini power product engines in 1977, with the GX OHV series following in 1983. This pedigree continued into the nineties, as it does today, with the world’s first electronically-controlled general purpose engine, in 1995, and the world’s first 360 degree multi-directional 4-stroke engine, in 1997.
1959 saw the introduction of Honda’s first tiller, the FJ150, designed to reduce the workload of farmers and growers. In 1980 came the F200, which was to revolutionise the market and set a benchmark in usable, affordable and efficient domestic mini-tillers. Nicknamed ‘Komame’, translated as ‘small and cute’, the F200 sold 38,600 units in its first year. Today Honda produces the largest and most versatile range of tillers available, from micro models through to large rotary machines to meet the needs of even the most demanding user.
The launch of Honda’s first marine outboard engine, the GB30, in 1964, was once again evidence of Honda championing four-stroke engines in a predominantly two-stroke market. Industry-leading technologies developed over the years, including Honda’s unique BLAST (Boosted Low Speed Torque) system, lean burn control (high air-fuel combustion ratio) and VTEC (Variable Valve Timing and Life Electronic Control) deliver market-leading performance with optimum fuel efficiency. 2001 saw the company launch the world’s largest 4-stroke outboard, the BF225, and today it offers a hugely comprehensive range from 2.3hp through to 250hp.
Honda remains to this day a leader in the delivery of portable power. As far back as 1964 the company launched its first micro-generator, the E40, followed a year later by the first portable model, the E300. Extensive research and development followed through the years, resulting in the launch of the world’s first generator featuring inverter technology, the EX300, in 1987, delivering more stable and consistent power in a small and light machine. Today Honda offers a broad line-up of generators, from its unrivalled ‘Handy’ portable range through to high performance industrial models. Featuring several unique technologies, including ‘Eco Throttle’ which automatically matches engine speed to load, Honda generators deliver the best fuel consumption on the market.
Building on its success in the domestic garden market with its early tillers, Honda launched its first pedestrian lawn mower, the HR21, in 1978. Further development came with the launch of its first Riding Mowers, the HT3810 and HT3813, in 1985. Today Honda offers a range of lawn mowers and handheld garden products to meet the needs of any user, coupling its reputation for durability and reliability with unique innovations including Roto Stop (blade brake clutch), Versamow (selective mulching) and OptiFlow (optimised airflow for superior collection performance). Most recently, in 2012, Honda complemented its Lawn & Garden range with the launch of Versatool, the company’s first split shaft brushcutter, which comprises an engine head and shaft to which a range of attachments can be added, offering ultimate versatility for a wide range of tasks in and around the garden all-year round.
In-keeping with its tradition of making people’s lives easier, 1980 saw Honda launch a solution to the common problem of battling the elements, with the introduction of its first snow thrower, the HS35. In 2001 came a real landmark in innovation when it launched the first hybrid model, the HS 390i, which sees the engine generate electricity to drive the travel unit while also driving the snow-throwing unit. This unique technology delivers optimum power to both auger and motor, by monitoring auger resistance and adjusting travelling speed accordingly to meet the demands of the job. Today Honda’s comprehensive range is capable of clearing from 35 tonnes to 150 tonnes of snow per hour, featuring several unique technologies to make Honda snow throwers the most usable, safe, high-performing and quietest on the market.
True to its long history of working towards a low-carbon society, the last decade has seen Honda make huge strides in developing products for energy conservation and creation. In 2003, its fiftieth year, the company launched its first compact household cogeneration unit, which combined a gas engine with Honda’s inverter generation technology to more efficiently power homes. September 2012 saw the beginning of the next chapter in Honda’s domestic cogeneration units, with the launch of a new MCHP (Micro Combined Heat & Power) system, the ECOWILL PLUS, powered by natural gas or LPG.
To the present day, 2012 saw the pan-European launch of Honda’s first commercial domestic robotic product, following some 30 years of development of ASIMO and its predecessors. Honda Miimo is an autonomous lawnmower which needs zero human interaction whilst working to give customers a beautiful lawn for every day of the mowing season.
