Tokyo, February 5, 1998 - The FG100 mini-tiller will go on sale from February 25 at Honda Power Products dealers throughout Japan. Designed for plant-gardening/vegetable gardening use, thanks to its GX31 super-compact lightweight 4-stroke engine, the FG100 achieves clean exhaust emissions and low fuel costs.
The vast majority of mini-tillers on the market incorporate 2-stroke engines. The FG100 is the first mini-tiller that features a 4-stroke engine to enter the market. The power unit, the GX31 engine (originally launched in January 1997), can incline freely through a full 360 degrees, and is as compact and lightweight as any 2-stroke engine. Its fuel costs are only about half those of a 2-stroke engine under normal usage conditions, while its exhaust emissions are relatively clean. A single lever makes operation very simple. Smooth starting is ensured through the fitting of a mechanical decompressor - both of these are standard fittings. Whether in a public garden or in your back yard, it is an ideal machine anyone can use with ease.
The FG100 mini-tiller
Main features:
- The first in its class to incorporate a 4-stroke engine, its exhaust emissions are relatively clean. Low fuel consumption, vastly reduced oil loss and simple maintenance requirements make it very economical to run.
- User-friendly design.
- Fitted with a single throttle bar for simple operation and a mechanical decompressor to guarantee smooth starting for any user.
- Convenient carrying handle comes as standard for greater portability.
- Folding handle comes as standard, facilitating easy storage and enhanced portability. Wheels that help the machine move easily also come as standard.
- Incorporates low-vibration rotors with a plow width of 230mm that make cutting highly effective. The outside blades can be taken off for smaller areas, with the plow width being reduced to 160mm.
The FG100 is imported into Japan from the United States. Hoffco Inc. is the subcontractor hired by Honda Power Equipment Mfg. Inc., based in North Carolina, to assemble the machines, using engines supplied by Honda. Hoffco Inc. is the first subcontractor ever for Honda Power Equipment Mfg. Inc.
Domestic annual sales target:
1,500 units
Main specifications: (for Japanese model)
| Machine name | FG100 | |
| Total length/width/height (mm) | 1,080 x 395 x 980 | |
| Fully equipped weight (kg) | 14.5 (with moving wheel) * | |
| Engine | Engine name | GX31 |
| Engine type | 4-stroke single-cylinder gasoline (OHV) with forced air-cooling system | |
| Total displacement (cc) | 31 | |
| Max. power output (PS/rpm) | 1.0/7,000 | |
| Starting mechanism | recoil type | |
| Ignition | transistor-type magnet | |
| Fuel tank volume (l) | 0.6 | |
| Principal clutch mechanism | automatic centrifugal clutch | |
| No. of transmission gears | one forward | |
| Plow width (mm) | 230/160 | |
| Blade diameter (mm) | phi 220 | |
| No. of revolutions of blade axle | 194 (engine rotating at 6,200 rpm) | |
- *Fully equipped weight is machine with full tank of gasoline, oil filled to capacity and grass-cutting blades attached.