Honda Power Equipment at GIE+EXPO 2016

• New #honda commercial lawn mower offers lawn and landscape professionals more options to choose from to better meets their needs
• Built-in reliability for years of superior performance
• Lower up-front price and money-saving features help reduce cost of ownership for landscape professionals
• Reduced weight allows for increased maneuverability and simple, easy use
• New #honda commercial mower has a U.S. Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $1,149

Honda Power Equipment is expanding its lineup of commercial lawn mowers with an all-new model that features superior performance and reliability combined with reduced cost and weight, the #honda HRC216K3HDA. #honda revealed the new commercial mower at the GIE+EXPO 2016 in Louisville, Kentucky, the largest trade show for outdoor power equipment, lawn and garden equipment, light construction and landscape equipment.  With the addition of this model to its lineup, #honda now offers three HRC models geared to the commercial lawn and garden market. The new HRC216K3HDA fits neatly between the current HRC models, the self-propelled HRC216K3HXA and the push model HRC216K3PDA.

"This new #honda self-propelled commercial mower expands the popular #honda HRC product line from two models to three, offering more choices of premium, reliable #honda lawn mowers to the professional landscape market," said Michael Rudolph, vice president – #hondapowerequipment Division. "With reduced weight for better maneuverability, rugged, durable construction, and lower upfront costs, the new #honda HRC216K3HDA commercial mower is a smart choice for lawn and landscape professionals."

The new #honda HRC216K3HDA lawn mower is designed from the inside out for simple starting, easy operation and quick stopping, featuring a host of advanced technologies that users will appreciate.

• Easy Start, Easy Stop:  The new model allows the user to save time by starting the engine while standing behind the mower and the flywheel brake safety system stops the engine and blades when the user lets go of the brake lever on the handle.
• Commercial Grade Power:  The fuel efficient #honda GXV160 commercial engine is the source of powerful, quiet operation with superior noise control for operator comfort.  At the same time, the precision speed control of the #honda GXV160 engine saves time by maintaining consistent speed across all mowing conditions.  The mower's hydrostatic transmission includes a heavy-duty automotive style shaft drive that eliminates the belt that can slip or wear out.
• Superior Cutting Performance:  The exclusive #honda MicroCut® Twin Blade System offers four cutting surfaces to produce finer clippings, and the mower can be adjusted to eight different heights suitable to all types of grass and mowing conditions.
• Commercial Grade Design:  The outside of the #honda HRC216K3HDA features a rugged 21-inch steel deck with front axle and bumper protection for additional structural stability and durability.  Completing the package are ergonomic heavy-duty steel piped reinforced handles designed for strength and operator comfort.
• Lightweight maneuverability: The dry weight of 117 pounds and operating weight of 121 pounds make the HRC216K3HDA easy to maneuver.
• Commercial Warranty:  The mower is backed by the #honda one-year commercial warranty (one year for the frame, two years for the engine) and a two-year warranty for homeowners.

The U.S. manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of the new #honda HRC216K3HDA is $1,149. The new HRC216K3HDA will be available at #hondapowerequipment dealers nationwide in November.

The #honda Commercial Series 
With the launch of the new HRC216K3HDA, the #honda HRC Commercial Series now offers three models, including the self-propelled, hydrostatic drive HRC216HXA and push-type HRC216PDA.  All three models are powered by the #honda GXV160, the world-renowned, easy-starting engine that delivers smooth, quiet, reliable four-stroke power and low emission levels. All three models also offer innovative features and durability for the professional landscaper.  The legendary performance of the HRC Series is enhanced by a number of standard features and benefits:

• Dome-shaped deck design that facilitates both bagging and mulching.
• Standard configuration of two-in-one mulch/bag, with a 2.5 bushel bag capacity.
• Offset MicroCut® Twin Blade System that delivers finer clippings.
• Hydrostatic Cruise Control Shaft Drive transmission for increased durability. (HXA and HDA models only; the PDA is a push-type model).
• Front guard provides lawn mower deck and engine protection; also allows for convenient transport tie down.
• Durable, lightweight NeXite® wheels with precision-sealed ball bearings.
• Cast-aluminum valve cover for optimum protection in commercial environments (PDA model only).

All #honda lawn mowers offer the same exceptional level of quality, performance and reliability as every product that carries the #honda name.  The heart of every #honda lawn mower is a world-renowned, easy-starting engine that delivers smooth, quiet, reliable four-stroke power and low emission levels.

# # #

• New EB2800i industrial and #honda EG2800i consumer generators expand the company's Industrial and residential portable power lineups
• The new generators are the first #honda generators assembled in the United States
• Inverter models with rugged, full-frame protection offer industry leading light weight and quiet operation as well as high quality power, fuel efficiency, and long run times
• New generators offer exceptional price/watt value with a U.S. Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $1,149.95
• Products available nationwide at both local and online authorized #honda dealers

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — #hondapowerequipment introduced two, all-new open frame inverter (OFI) generators at GIE+EXPO 2016, the largest trade show for outdoor power equipment, lawn and garden equipment, light construction and landscape equipment.  The new #honda EB2800i industrial model and EG2800i consumer model expand the company's portable power offering for light construction and home use applications, delivering more of what #honda generator customers have come to expect: quiet operation, high-quality power, fuel efficiency, and long run times in a lightweight, portable package.

"Market demand for portable generators of less than 4,000 watts is growing, and #hondapowerequipment is meeting this demand by expanding its portfolio of quiet, portable power, with two new open-frame inverter models," said Michael Rudolph, vice president – #hondapowerequipment Division.  "The all-new #honda EB2800i and EG2800i models are Honda's first generators to be assembled in the United States. Both new generators are the lightest weight open frame generator in their class and incorporate Honda's leading inverter technology and innovative features at an affordable price for both industrial and home users."

A Closer Look at the #honda EB2800i and EG2800i Generators

The Honda EB2800iindustrial OFI generator, the newest addition to the #honda Industrial Series lineup, was developed to serve the contractor market, providing high-quality power for multiple tool use on the jobsite. At an industry-leading dry weight of less than 67 pounds, the EB2000i portable was designed with the single worker in mind. The new #honda generator is light enough for one person to load and unload from a truck, operate, and carry around the jobsite, all while providing ample power for a variety of tools including small compressors, air circulation fans, large concrete drills, multiple hand tools, electric concrete vibrators, circular saws and battery chargers up to 2,800 watts. The #honda EB2800i complies with current OSHA and LA-ETL regulations while ensuring safe operation with GFCI protected receptacles.

For residential applications, the Honda EG2800iprovides quiet operation and sufficient power to keep the basics running such as a refrigerator, freezer, furnace blower motor, several lights, microwaves and TVs during a power outage.  The all-new Economy Series model weighs in at an industry-best dry weight of less than 67 pounds and comes equipped with a 30 Amp / 120 Volt receptacle for easy connection to a home transfer switch.

Perhaps the most practical, yet important features of interest to consumers who are purchasing a generator is the amount and the quality of power produced by the unit.  The #honda EB2800i and EG2800i models offer a maximum 2,800 watts of electricity with a wave form distortion factor of less than five percent.  This translates into a generous amount of usable power available for a wide range of industrial and residential applications. Ease of use also is key for any portable generator, and these all-new open-frame inverter models include easy-start control panel instructions.

In addition, both the Honda EB2800i and EG2800i feature rugged, full-frame protection and share a number of features and benefits that make these portable units the ideal choice for quiet, dependable power:

• Inverter technology is designed to power computers and sensitive electronic equipment that demand consistent electrical current with a stable sine wave or signal.  A computer or newer sensitive appliance operating on fluctuating power could possibly freeze, shut down, or be damaged. To overcome this problem, #honda engineers developed inverter technology, which allows #honda generators with this technology to provide cleaner current to power electronic equipment.  Further, inverter technology substantially reduces weight and sound levels of these units.

• Eco Throttle® allows the generators to conserve fuel by varying engine speed to the optimum level (given usage load), improving fuel efficiency and maximizing run time.

• Large, new 2.1 gallon gas tank provides 5.1 hours of operation per tankful of gas at rated load or 12.1 hours at ¼ load.

• Automatic Overload helps if the demand on the generator is greater than the possible output power; the generator protects itself by shutting down. Running a generator in excess of its maximum output power shortens its life. This #honda safety feature helps extend the life of the generator

• A large muffler design contributes to quiet operation; both models have industry-best sound levels of 61 – 69 dB(A) measured at 7 meters. 

• The #honda EB2800i generators incorporate individual outlet circuit protection; neutral bonded GFCI 20 Amp 120 Volt receptacles and meet LA-ETL and OSHA requirements.

The Power Behind the All-New #honda EB2800i and EG2800i Generators

The all-new #honda EB2800i and EG2800i OFI generators are powered by the #honda GC190 horizontal shaft engine—a quiet, four-stroke model specifically designed for premium, quality residential power equipment applications including pressure washers, water pumps, compressors, and portable generators.   Innovative #honda design features, including the world's first internal timing belt on an engine of this kind and a uniblock construction, make the GC190 engine lighter and more compact than other engines in its class with significantly reduced noise and fuel consumption. Combined with Honda's innovative lubrication system, the result is a simple, sophisticated design that minimizes the number of parts and can reduce potential maintenance needs.

The #honda GC190 engine also is equipped with the #honda Oil Alert™ system, designed to prevent engine damage caused by an insufficient amount of oil in the crankcase. Before the oil level in the crankcase can fall below a safe limit, the Oil Alert® system is designed to automatically stop the engine, protecting it from expensive repairs.

Price and Availability

The #honda EB2800i and EG2800i OFI generators deliver customers high-quality power and tremendous value in a lightweight, quiet-running, portable package.  With a starting U.S. manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $1,149.95, these all-new models deliver exceptional performance for both commercial and residential markets.  The #honda generators carry a three-year residential and one-year commercial warranty and are available now at local or online authorized #honda dealers. 

Manufacturing

The all-new EB2800i and EG2800i OFI generators are proudly assembled at #hondapowerequipment (HPE) manufacturing facility in Swepsonville, NC.

The 375,000 square-foot facility, which houses both #hondapowerequipment production and R&D operations, has long served as a major producer of #hondapowerequipment products for worldwide distribution, including lawn mowers, snow blowers and now, generators. In 2015, more than two million premium-quality #honda general purpose engines and more than 500,000 North Carolina-made #hondapowerequipment products were produced.

The Swepsonville plant, which today employs more than 725 associates, has produced more than 31 million products using domestic and globally sourced parts during its 32-year history. HPE is the largest manufacturing operation in Alamance County, which also serves as home to #honda Aero in Burlington, maker of the HondaJet HF120 turbofan engines. Additional #honda operations based in North Carolina include #honda Aircraft Company in Greensboro, maker of the HondaJet advanced light jet, and American #honda Finance Company in Charlotte, which provides financing to consumers who buy #honda products. #honda total employment in North Carolina is nearly 2,500.

The #hondapowerequipment product research and development team also is based at the HPE campus, where most lawn mower, snow blower and several general-purpose engines are designed and developed. As a result, #honda has greater synergies between development and production teams.