Sometimes, the achievements of the free enterprise system just knocks your socks off. In this case, the combined ingenuity of U.S. and Japanese engineers who design power equipment is amazing.
Thrown a curve by environmental activists and politicians, the hand-held power equipment industry nevertheless is moving boldly forward, focusing on the future and developing equipment that does more than just meet noise and emissions limitations.
While regulations from the California Air Resources Board and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency are driving much of today’s hand-held industry, adding hours to engineering schedules, impacting designs and altering factory production lines, manufacturers are moving beyond arbitrary government-imposed regulations. New products being introduced or coming down the pike promise to meet or beat CARB levels without overburdening landscape contractors’ profit margins or driving them back to brooms and scoops.
Besides operating with fewer emissions and lower noise levels, hand-held power equipment is becoming easier to use too. The idea is to make operators more productive, as well as less fatigued at the end of the day. Workers get more done faster when they’re not so tired.
ENGINE CHOICES. The two-stroke engine has been the prime power plant for hand-held equipment for years. It typically has better power-to-weight ratios than four-stroke engines. It’s more economical, both to build and to buy. And tighter quality standards have increased two-stroke engine operating life.
On the other hand, a couple of major players in the industry have opted for four-stroke engines to power hand-held equipment. Ryobi North America, Atlanta, Ga., introduced a consumer model four-stroke engine in 1994 (represented in the image above). Now, according to Frank Coots, public relations director, it is introducing a new model this summer that is 2½ pounds lighter than the first version and 30 percent more fuel efficient than comparable two-stroke engines. “Plus, it will run in any position,” he said, noting that one of the criticisms of four-cycle equipment was that engine oil leaked into air cleaners, etc., if the engine was operated upside down.
| Tough Mandates Force Changes |
| Everyone agrees that hand-held power equipment can and should create less pollution. However, how much less pollution, and how soon new technology needs to reach the market, has been a point of debate between green industry representatives and the California Air Resources Board.
CARB, the governing body that sets emissions standards for California, passed its Tier I regulations in 1996 and manufacturers had little trouble retooling their engines to make the grade. However, the passage of Tier II regulations caused greater concern with its mandate requiring approximately a 70 percent reduction in emissions levels over the existing set of standards by the 2000 model year. Representatives of the hand-held equipment industry, led by the Portable Power Equipment Manufacturers Association, Bethesda, Md., had their proposed plan rejected in favor of the original proposed rules. “We felt we came up with a proposal that exceeded the guidelines CARB set forth for the industry, but they decided to go with the other option,” said Don Purcell, executive director of PPEMA. “Our member companies will do their best to develop engines that comply with the regulations.” Supporting its aggressive position, CARB was also presented with evidence that hand-held engines are already designed to comply with Tier II. Four-cycle engine manufacturers American Honda, Duluth, Ga., and Ryobi North America, Atlanta, Ga., have products already on the market. Two-cycle engine makers Tanaka, Kent, Wash., and RedMax, Norcross, Ga., were also certified in April by CARB for engines they developed that comply with the new rules. Industry sources agree that these engines turned the tide in CARB’s decision, but some manufacturers warn that these technologies are still unproven in the field. They are also concerned that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which by law must have rules in place for its second phase of national emissions standards by the end of the year, will toughen up its rules based on the new technology and the CARB rules, leading to changes sooner rather than later for the rest of the country. MAKE IT WORK. A key concern for manufacturers is that the Tier II mandate forces the focus on only one component of a machine. “We’re confident that we can meet the standard within the time frame,” noted Mark Michaels, senior forestry product manager, Husqvarna Forest & Garden Co., Charlotte, N.C. “The main issue is that when we design machines we look at the entire package – power to weight, noise, vibration, comfort, etc. This standard focuses on only one thing – emissions. By focusing on emissions, there may be a need to compromise aspects of the unit, and I would hate to see anything have to take a step backward.” A perceived lack of long-term field testing with some of the new engine technology was highlighted as a concern of some manufacturers and, indeed, Honda has put a temporary hold on sales of trimmers with its new four-cycle engine due to problems with throttle response and starting when hot. Scott Conner, senior manager, consumer products at Honda, said that the majority of the units in the field have been performing to users’ expectations, however. THE NEW ENGINES. Two-cycle engines developed by Tanaka and RedMax that meet CARB standards aren’t revolutionary. The main modification for both engines is the combustion chamber, where the engine is able to burn off more of the pollutants and generate fewer emissions. RedMax’s engines reach Tier II levels without a catalytic converter, noted Skip Auguston, technical specialist and reportedly reduce fuel consumption. Auguston said RedMax plans for other modifications before putting the engine into full production for the 2000 model year. Tanaka, on the other hand, is pushing the envelope with plans to demonstrate its engine on a trimmer at EXPO ’98 in Louisville, according to Jim Elmer, vice president of marketing. “It has some modifications to the crankcase, piston and cylinder, and it uses a catalytic muffler,” he explained. Tanaka plans to produce units for sale in the next model year. Still, some people are concerned that CARB approved these engines without enough testing. “Sometimes, when you get back to the real world, factors such as price and technical feasibility can be more difficult to achieve than in the lab,” argued Purcell. ACROSS THE COUNTRY. Bob Larson, deputy director of the engine programs and compliance division of the EPA office of mobile sources, Ann Arbor, Mich., said the new technology and CARB’s rulings could result in influence Phase II proposals for more stringent national standards. “I think we have a significant opportunity to adopt federal standards that are more stringent,” noted Larson. “But it would be a big stretch to say we would consider adopting California’s standards.” Given recent engine developments, Larson said the EPA could “conduct our own tests and request additional data from manufacturers.” Unlike California, however, it takes more than just a complying engine to move a standard. “When we consider emissions rules, we are required by law to consider factors such as cost, lead time safety and economic feasibility to manufacture the engine on a large scale,” noted Larson. -Paul Schrimpf |
Coots said the new 26cc engine will be on the market this fall with a trimmer/brush cutter, with additional versions of the engine and other equipment applications to follow next year.
American Honda, Duluth, Ga., has entered the hand-held business with a grass trimmer and a small cultivator/tiller unit, powered by Honda’s Mini-Four engine, according to Scott Conner, senior manager of consumer products. “Naturally, our focus has been on designing a small four-stroke engine that will meet CARB and EPA standards,” said Conner. Their first engine is a 22cc unit. A 31cc unit is being introduced later for backpack blowers.
“We’re working on new technology to reduce blower noise levels,” Conner added. “Besides engine noise, we’re working on ways to make the fans and blower systems quieter as well.”
Four-stroke engines generally do a more efficient job of combustion (one reason exhaust emissions are lower) and they tend to operate at lower noise levels. The trade-off is higher cost, more moving parts to wear and replace and another oil reservoir to check. How well commercial landscapers accept four-stroke engine power remains to be seen.
| Headed Which Way? |
| New regulations will help drive the trend to “split shaft” tools, according to Tom Bingham, product manager, Echo Inc., Lake Zurich, Ill. “As engines become more expensive and more costly to maintain, the commercial landscape operator will want as few engines as he or she can get by with.
“It’s just not cost efficient to keep a dedicated piece of equipment that isn't used often. At some point, it will get so expensive the contractor will be back to a ladder and a hand saw,” Bingham said. Conversely, Mark Michaels, senior forestry products manager, Husqvarna Forest & Garden Co., Charlotte, N.C., believes the commercial user will more often opt for dedicated equipment. “We’ve offered multiple use edgers for several years, but it’s more a mass merchant product in the U.S. The commercial landscape contractor is more likely to have a worker using the same tool all day, and he doesn’t want the operator stopping work to change heads.” Michaels said multiple head options are more widely used in Europe, where contractors may go from job to job with their equipment in the trunk of their car. Randy Harris, marketing manager, The Toro Co., Bloomington, Minn., noted that Toro is “looking into” multiple head tools, but has not gotten into that portion of the market as yet. “The busy commercial crew is usually working with specific people assigned specific tasks and time used to change heads is time wasted,” he said. “Plus, there is more chance of attachments getting lost between jobs, falling off trucks, etc.” American Honda, Duluth, Ga., has one hand-held product, a grass trimmer, with an optional brush cutter attachment. “We don’t expect it to be our number one seller, but we have found commercial users in some areas want it,” noted Scott Conner, senior manager, consumer products. Shindaiwa, Tualatin, Ore., is also working on multiple head technology and Dave Dahlstrom, marketing manager, believes it has good potential. “The key is keeping it simple and easy to use, including ease of switching from one tool to another,” Dahlstrom added. It’s likely a mixed bag, according to Gary Hardee, national sales manager, Stihl, Virginia Beach, Va. “Most professional companies will opt for dedicated equipment and won’t want workers taking time to change heads. On the flip side, the smaller company might find interchangeable heads very cost efficient,” Hardee added. With all the talk of emissions, noise, etc., Hardee said a key factor in the future of the hand-held equipment business will be safety. “Companies are bringing out anti-vibration handles and are more ergonomically balanced tools,” said Hardee. “Lower emissions and noise levels will benefit the operator, too, but we think there will be more emphasis on safe operation and more formal safety training.” -Gary Burchfield |
TWO-STROKE STILL PREDOMINATES. It’s another example of good old free enterprise ingenuity. Manufacturers have come up with new and modified two-stroke engines that look like good bets to beat CARB and EPA requirements, even before they’re all in effect. Most of the manufacturers are investigating four-stroke technology, and may or may not eventually adopt it or offer choices to commercial users. But for now, they focus is still on making two-stroke engines more environmentally friendly.
Tanaka Power Equipment, Kent, Wash., met CARB Tier II emission standards with two-cycle engine technology.
“Our engine will be in production late this summer,” said Jim Elmer, vice president for marketing for Tanaka, noting it is designed for trimmer/brushcutter use.
Other manufacturers have made similar improvements. Husqvarna’s E-Tech engine, with a catalytic converter system, has dramatically cut emissions, according to Mark Michaels, senior forestry product manager at Husqvarna.
Michaels said engine advances have benefits beyond meeting California standards. “With tighter tolerances to meet the new standards, there will be more fixed carburetors or carburetors with limited adjustment. Units will be more ready to run ‘out of the box’ without requiring much field adjustment. That will save operator time,” he said.
Shindaiwa builds its own two-stroke engines and looks to meet contractors’s needs for long lasting equipment, according to Dave Dahlstrom, marketing director.
“Naturally, it must be maintained properly, but we’re convinced today’s contractor is looking more for durable, long-lasting equipment, with less emphasis on price,” Dahlstrom noted.
Meanwhile, Virginia Beach, Va.-based Stihl, Inc., is trying to reduce equipment maintenance costs by standardizing units with an engine family that powers 14 products with one basic engine design.
“It means, for example, if an operator loses a gas cap or an air filter cover, he can switch one from another product because they’re interchangeable,” explained Gary Hardee, national sales manager.
“It’s cost efficient for the company’s shop, as well as for the servicing dealer,” Hardee added. “Basically, if the mechanic has one cylinder, he can repair the engine on any one of 14 different products.”
Meanwhile, two more, well-recognized brand names entered the commercial equipment business last year. Toro signed a joint venture with Maruyama to manufacture commercial gas-powered equipment for the hand-held market. Randy Harris, marketing manager for Toro’s Landscape Contractor Group, said the Toro commercial line will continue to be powered by two-cycle engines, at least for now.
“We plan to meet the CARB and EPA stan-dards, but we’re still studying the cost feasibility for the commercial user,” said Harris.
Kawasaki also stepped into the ring last year with a new grass trimmer, but plans to demonstrate two new hedge trimmers and a blower at OPEI in Louisville this summer. “We are working toward a full line of hand-held equipment for the landscape contractor,” said Deb Szymczak, marketing coordinator.
MARKETING CHANGES. “For the past 15 years, the focus of the outdoor power equipment industry has been building and selling products that are lighter, faster, more powerful and more cost efficient,” according to Michaels.
“Now, you throw in the factors dealing with regulatory limitations on noise, emissions, etc., and in many respects it’s contradictory to those earlier objectives,” Michaels continued. “The new technology required to reduce noise and emissions has the potential effect of adding weight and cost.”
Husqvarna, as well as other manufacturers, is not necessarily accepting that trade-off as a given. Nevertheless, cautioned Michaels, contractors may need to make some adjustments in how they evaluate equipment.
“Our goal is still to make the contractor’s job easier and more productive, but now there are new parameters we have to consider and the contractor will, too,” Michaels said.
Elmer foresees a shake-out coming in the industry.
“There are close to 50 brands of hand-held equipment today, with perhaps half of those competing for the commercial lawn and landscape market. I think some of those brands will disappear as regulations stiffen and the market gets tighter,” Elmer added.
There has been a decrease in the number of independent distributors as well, and even a decline in dealer numbers, according to Elmer. “In some areas, we have had to go dealer direct because there isn’t a distributor in the area,” he said, attributing this in part to stiffer regulations and the natural “settling out” of the industry.
Getting a new product accepted has been easier at the user level than the dealer level, said Szymczak. “We’ve had good response from commercial users, but dealers are more reluctant to add a new line because the market is so saturated,” she added.
At the same time, most observers see continued growth for the commercial landscape maintenance business. Elmer cites the growing number of business parks in the Seattle area, a trend being mirrored in most major cities.
“Most of the business parks and complexes have a lot of grounds that need maintaining. On the residential side, the number of two-worker families means more lawn care will be hired out in the future,” he said.
Tom Bingham, product manager for Echo, Inc., Lake Zurich, Ill., agreed.
“Contracted maintenance is growing,” Bingham said. “At the same time, landscape contractors are looking for more cost-efficient ways to operate. We find fewer and fewer contractors are buying throw-away equipment. Even the one-truck contractors are willing to spend more money on equipment as long as they can get quality and reasonable life expectancy out of it.
“While the emissions controversy has de-tracted from other engineering and design aspects, it is forcing the industry to become more innovative,” Bingham added.
The author is a freelance writer in Lincoln, Neb.
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