The Honda F200 Tiller

The Honda F200 tiller is equipped with small general-purpose Honda G100 engine (76 cc, 4.6 cu-in), planetary gear transmission and internal expanding shoe clutch. The engine uses horizontal carburetor with butterfly valve, flywheel magneto ignition system and recoil starter.

Honda F20
The Honda G100 is a single-cylinder air-cooled 4-stroke internal combustion engine with 46.0 mm (1.81 in) cylinder bore and 46.0 mm (1.81 in) piston stroke. Compression ratio rating is 6.5:1.

The engine produced up to 2.0 HP (1.5 kW) at 4,200 rpm of maximum output power and 3.3 Nm (0.33 kg·m, 2.4 ft·lb) at 3,600 rpm of torque.

Honda F200 Tiller Specification


ModelHonda F200
Dimensions (L x W x H):1,250 x 585 x 960 mm (49.2 x 23.0 x 37.8 in)
Dry weight (without tines)27.0 kg (59.5 lbs)
Max handle height1.045 mm (41.1 in)
Fuel tank capacity0.85 L (1.8 US gal)
Engine
Engine modelHonda G100
Displacement76 cm3 (4.6 cu-in)
Bore x stroke46.0 x 46.0 mm (1.81 in x 1.81 in)
Max. horsepower2.0 HP (1.5 kW) at 4,200 rpm
Max. torque3.3 Nm (0.33 kg·m, 2.4 ft·lb) at 3,600 rpm
CarburetorHorizontal type, butterfly valve
Cooling systemForced-air
Ignition systemTransistorized magneto ignition
Lubricating systemSplash
Starting systemRecoil starter
Stoping systemIgnition primary circuit ground
Fuel usedUnleaded gasoline (octane number 86 or higher)
Transmission and clutch
TransmissionPlanetary gear
ClutchInternal expanding shoe

The History of Honda F200 Tiller


This was about the time that Honda launched its new ME general purpose engine, a model that was to make Honda Power Products the other pillar in a global marketing trio. Under the million-unit target arranged for the ME family of engines, one strategy was initiated to develop a fresh product equipped with the G100 derivative. Gunji Saito, who for most of his career at Honda experienced been involved in the development of medium- to large-size cultivators, experienced been given the order to develop a mini-tiller.

The F200 mini tiller, nicknamed "Komame," (meaning "diligent worker") however made its debut in Mar 1980, about a year after the project first started. It was the product of a dedicated effort directed by Saito and his team, which involved specialists in important parts including engines, transmissions, frames and design.

The organization, however, experienced determined to test Komame's marketability by launching it in limited markets in Japan. For this reason Komame's initial sales target was a mere 2,000 devices, while the additional brand-new products all experienced five-figure focuses on. "It was as if the organization experienced no interest in selling it," said Saito, laughing.

Komame's sales, however, began to rise shortly after its release. To their surprise, sales grew among users at general agricultural farms rather than the meant home market. The machine was perfect for the older person tending a small garden at the back of the farm, or for the landowner who desired to rid his house of weeds.

By April and May, Komame's sales had been rising. Then in Summer, having been shocked by the results, the staff carried out a survey of merchants. However, the store-owners were just as puzzled. "They did not understand why it was selling, either," said Saito, again with a chuckle.

The nickname was one reason for the product's success. "Komame" was coined by Masaru Miyata, then in charge of Power Products home sales, who experienced characterized the machine as becoming "small and sweet." Successful, too, was the second year's TV commercial produced by the sales-promotion team and a marketing marketing campaign by the home sales team using the slogan, "Weekend Growing plants." As a result, sales in the home growing plants market, Komame's initial target, also grew.

Saito, then in his thirties, was specific the post of Good sized Task Head (LPL) in purchase that he may deal with the advancement of a new mini-tiller, a size category he had never dealt with before. The cause he acquired joined up with Honda in the initial place was to develop cultivators.

Rather than function with huge, commercial versions such as those from Kubota and Yanmar, his objective was to develop devices for avid home gardeners and most people who merely appreciated farming as a hobby. To him, the advancement of a mini-tiller was a great chance.

The worldwide agricultural industry was then experiencing a period of drop, but gardening was enjoying a boom in popularity.

Appropriately, Honda had begun organizing a sales network for lawn and garden products, preparing for the launch of its HR21 lawn mower. Saito hence produced the perseverance to convert apart from traditional plantation users, major the mini-tiller idea as a "beginner's machine for make use of in house and hobby farming."

With an objective of tapping brand-new consumer marketplaces, the particular focus on group was discovered as house users who had been searching for an choice to hoes, shovels, and backyard rakes. In addition, Saito understood somebody who was into house farming; a girl who acquired frequently lamented to him, "I desire there was a lovely, small cultivator I could make use of." Those phrases provided Saito extra self-confidence in major his idea.