Abby’s Guide > Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) > Discussions > Shame on Tecumseh and Briggs and Stratton
Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions |
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FrankMA
 
Location: Merrimack Valley/Northeastern Mass
Joined: Jul 1, 2010
Points: 587
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Re: Shame on Tecumseh and Briggs and Stratton
Reply #13 Jan 26, 2011 8:11 pm |
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Accord and Camry brands are introduced in the 1980's. Those brands are still here today...growing. GM opted to launch a new model in the same class every few years. Launch, then cancel, then relaunch a new brand... over that same time frame models like the Citation, Celebrity, Lumina all came and went. It was marketing over brand development. How does one remain brand loyal when the brand is constantly being discontinued.
Look at Ariens with snow blowers. I guarantee you that whatever model you buy this year will be replaced by a different model next year. Ariens Deluxe, Ariens Platinum, Ariens Pro, Ariens Prosumer, Ariens Deluxe Platinum, Ariens Sno-Tec...What would be wrong with say simply making the best 28" snow thrower that can be engineered. Maybe a wheeled model and a track model and standing them up against any and all competitors. Maybe there's a good reason for not taking that approach. I don't run an OPE company so that reason is probably over my head.
I believe this is the approach Honda has taken as your statement aptly implies, "What would be wrong with say simply making the best 28" snow thrower that can be engineered ". Make one hell of a snowblower and offer it in a wheeled and track version knowing that those machines will typically perform flawlessly if maintained and used correctly (just like most any OPE will). The Honda engines on my snowblowers and the Kohler Command 22 HP on my tractor perform and sound great. I wish that the type of engineering and commitment to excellence was provided and offered on more OPE but most folks (usually oblivious to quality) could care less!
Toro Wheel Horse 522xi GT, Honda HS928TA, Honda HS621AS, Honda HS520A, Toro CCR3000 (work in progress), Honda HS624WA (sold 08/23/2010), Stihl BR550 Backpack Blower, Stihl MS250, McCulloch MS1635, Honda EM6500SX Generator
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samdog
Joined: Feb 9, 2010
Points: 55
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Re: Shame on Tecumseh and Briggs and Stratton
Reply #14 Jan 28, 2011 12:19 pm |
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I don't disagree about the cluelessness of American manufacturing (esp. GM and Chrysler) but anyone who doesn't check the oil before using their OPE deserves a failed engine. By the way; some of those electronic oil level sensors were malfunctioning and causing people to over-service their car engines. How is this smart ? A $5 dipstick with total reliability vs a complex, expensive, tempermental electronic sensor?
This message was modified Jan 28, 2011 by samdog
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aa335
Joined: Nov 29, 2008
Points: 2434
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Re: Shame on Tecumseh and Briggs and Stratton
Reply #15 Jan 28, 2011 1:17 pm |
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By the way; some of those electronic oil level sensors were malfunctioning and causing people to over-service their car engines. How is this smart ? A $5 dipstick with total reliability vs a complex, expensive, tempermental electronic sensor? It is no less smart than electric power windows. It is more complex but over the years, has become more reliable than hand crank windows. Let's name a few more, electronic ignition, electronic fuel injection, direct injection, catalytic converters, ABS, DSC, etc... Everything new will be scrutinized and criticized, more so by those dyed in the wool who so ingrained in their ways. It's natural, we're comfortable with what we know. Some are even technophobic. Some day people who already know too much don't want to accept anything new. It's an old timer's disease, some get it, some don't. Electronic oil levels sensor will become common place real soon. Every car will have them, just like the mandated tire pressure monitoring system on all new cars. It's a federally regulated mandate to make cars more efficient.
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