Honda Announces Launch of FG400/500 Mini-Tillers for the Home Gardening Market
February 19, 1998, Japan
Tokyo, February 19, 1998 - The FG400/500 mini-tillers will go on sale from March 5 at Honda Power Products dealers throughout Japan. Designed for home users, these models feature multi-purpose compact 4-cycle OHC engines, which are the first engines in the world to have been fitted with an internal timing belt.
First launched in May 1997, these GC135/160 engines have relatively clean exhaust emissions and are extremely economical to run. Thanks to their superior engines, the FG400/500 mini-tillers are among the lightest machines in their class. They start and run quietly, and are very simple to operate. The FG400/500 series comprises five different models, enabling a wide range of applications for anyone to use, whether you are a keen gardener or a farmer working on your own truck farm.
FG400J2 mini-tiller
FG500J2 mini-tiller
Main features:
- Fitted with GC135/160 multi-purpose compact 4-cycle OHC engines, they are some of the most compact and lightweight machines within their class. Their exhaust emissions are relatively clean, and they are quiet and economical to run.
- Simple construction features a change lever and a deadman's control clutch arrangement, making the series easy to use.
- Handle height can be adjusted to suit the individual operator.
- Large fenders fitted as standard increase user safety.
- Hatchet-shaped blade rotors provide highly effective tilling action, while a special board prevents any straw or grass from coiling around the rotors.
- A swing-handle arrangement makes it easy to use even in fruit orchards or other restricted spaces (J2A model only).
- Front fender adaptation for use in paddy fields or fruit orchards (J2A model only).
Domestic annual sales target:
6,000 units
Main specifications:
| Model names | Holiday | Super Punch | ||||
| Grades | FG400J1 | FG400J2 | FG400J2A | FG500J2 | FG500J2A | |
| Total length (mm) | 1,350 | 1,355 | 1,385 | 1,355 | 1,385 | |
| Total width (mm) | 655 | 655 | 600 | 655 | 600 | |
| Total height (mm) | 1,070 | 1,070 | 970 | 1,070 | 970 | |
| Fully equipped weight (kg) | 47 | 49 | 44 | 50 | 45 | |
| Engine | Engine name | GC135 | GC160 | |||
| Engine type | 4-stroke single-cylinder gasoline (OHC) with forced air-cooling system | |||||
| Total displacement (cc) | 135 | 160 | ||||
| Max. power output (kW (PS)/rpm) |
2.9 (4.0)/3,600 | 3.7 (5.0)/3,600 | ||||
| Starter | recoil type (fitted with mechanical decompressor) | |||||
| Fuel tank volume (l) | 1.7 | 2.0 | ||||
| Ignition | transistor-type magnet | |||||
| Main clutch mechanism | belt-tensio | |||||
| No. of transmission gears | one forward | two forward, one reverse | ||||
| Rotors | Blade diameter (mm) | phi 300/4-line | phi 300/4-line | -- | phi 300/4-line | -- |
| Plow width (mm) | 630 | 630 | -- | 630 | -- | |
| Blade shape | hatchet | hatchet | -- | hatchet | -- | |
| Handle | Vertical positions | 3-stage | 3-stage | freely variable | 3-stage | freely variable |
| Lateral swing function | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | |