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Replies

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  Adam Pilgrim April 16, 2012 at 6:33pm

  Simple answer, its a Honda! I cut for two hours last week with my HR216 on less than a full tank (about 3/4 of a tank it used)

  WHY?

  Simple answer Honda's (and Japanese engines in general), tend to run very 'lean'. That means that there is less petrol in the fuel/air mix , compared to say a Briggs and Stratton that tend to run very 'rich'.

  The engineering is better in the way that the fuel combusts and the efficiency of the engine is improved by better gas flow etc... 

  A good example is the fact that the Honda GV100 on one of my machines will NOT start on half or three quarters choke - it has to have full choke to get enough fuel to ignite.

  An advantage to this economy is also that the oil doesn't blacken so quickly as there is less un-burnt fuel in the cylinder.

  I like Honda engines - just a shame they never made a side drive type that could be adapted to fit a Hayter Harrier!

  In my opinion, fuel efficiency is always worth looking at when considering different types of machine, a couple of hundred pounds more on initial purchase soon offsets itself over a years fuel use......
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  David Cox April 16, 2012 at 6:36pm

  This is the same reason why I now have a Honda Brushcutter and Intend to get the HHB hedge trimmer in time. They are all 4 stroke but the fuel use is about 50% less than the equiv Stihl tool, and there is no 2 stroke oil cost either, so saving about 60% of my tool fuel bill.

  (My understanding is that the honda GX mini engines are disproportionatly more efficient at lower revs (Most strimmer use then for me) due to having higher torque lower in their rev range, as well as the lean run.
  
  Adam Pilgrim said:

  Simple answer, its a Honda! I cut for two hours last week with my HR216 on less than a full tank (about 3/4 of a tank it used)

  WHY?

  Simple answer Honda's (and Japanese engines in general), tend to run very 'lean'. That means that there is less petrol in the fuel/air mix , compared to say a Briggs and Stratton that tend to run very 'rich'.

  The engineering is better in the way that the fuel combusts and the efficiency of the engine is improved by better gas flow etc... 

  A good example is the fact that the Honda GV100 on one of my machines will NOT start on half or three quarters choke - it has to have full choke to get enough fuel to ignite.

  An advantage to this economy is also that the oil doesn't blacken so quickly as there is less un-burnt fuel in the cylinder.

  I like Honda engines - just a shame they never made a side drive type that could be adapted to fit a Hayter Harrier!

  In my opinion, fuel efficiency is always worth looking at when considering different types of machine, a couple of hundred pounds more on initial purchase soon offsets itself over a years fuel use......
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  Mark April 16, 2012 at 8:49pm

  I've got A HRD536 and it sips juice as you say...I had a  Honda 4 stroke strimmer for a couple of years until it got nicked...It did ok...remember you still have to change the oil regularly and mine got harder and harder to start as it got older..my brother found the same with his, plus when worked really hard it didn't seem to like it ?
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  Alasdair @ TheGardenService Ltd April 16, 2012 at 9:05pm

  I have run at least one HRH pro in the fleet for about four or five years now. The build quality of the true Honda is far better than any of the copies and in my opinion worth the extra money. I've never seen a better finish with any other mower.
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  Andy Kenney April 16, 2012 at 10:04pm

  Thats great info Adam - i just think that fuel economy is so important in our game over the long term and i totally agree that good service backup and fuel economy as well as quality completely negate an extra say 200 quid over other options. Cheers guys for your input much appreciated.
  
  Adam Pilgrim said:

  Simple answer, its a Honda! I cut for two hours last week with my HR216 on less than a full tank (about 3/4 of a tank it used)

  WHY?

  Simple answer Honda's (and Japanese engines in general), tend to run very 'lean'. That means that there is less petrol in the fuel/air mix , compared to say a Briggs and Stratton that tend to run very 'rich'.

  The engineering is better in the way that the fuel combusts and the efficiency of the engine is improved by better gas flow etc... 

  A good example is the fact that the Honda GV100 on one of my machines will NOT start on half or three quarters choke - it has to have full choke to get enough fuel to ignite.

  An advantage to this economy is also that the oil doesn't blacken so quickly as there is less un-burnt fuel in the cylinder.

  I like Honda engines - just a shame they never made a side drive type that could be adapted to fit a Hayter Harrier!

  In my opinion, fuel efficiency is always worth looking at when considering different types of machine, a couple of hundred pounds more on initial purchase soon offsets itself over a years fuel use......
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  David Cox April 17, 2012 at 9:59pm

  Why would an engine go awry if it is run lean? Surely it would just stall?
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  Adam Pilgrim April 17, 2012 at 10:03pm

  Sorry Duncan, most lawnmowers haven't had points and magneto ignition systems for a good many years...
  
  Duncan said:

  Or a better way to put it, a 'contactless transistorized ignition system', not standard magneto and points. All I meant was don't lean out your mixture in an attempt to save fuel, the engine will blow up, lol. Just buy a Honda! :-)