Honda’s New Hybrid...Snowblower
11 November 2005
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| The new mid-size hybrid snowblower. |
Honda Motor has introduced its new mid-size hybrid snowblower, the HSM1590i. The new model can switch between three operating modes during snow removal (a world first).
Honda introduced its first hybrid snowblower in 2001. It combined a gasoline engine to power the snowblower apparatus with electric motors for forward propulsion. Since then, cumulative sales of hybrid snowblowers has reached 20,594 units. The new HSM1590i will expand Honda’s lineup of small and mid-size hybrid snowblowers to six models.
The HSM1590i uses Honda’s 15hp, 438cc iGX440 engine to drive the snowblower apparatus and to charge the two 24V battery packs. Independent right and left electric motors drive the crawlers. One of the crawlers can be made to rotate in reverse when turning at low speed, enabling the snowblower to turn on the spot (with an ultra small turning radius).
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| Hybrid system drive power flow. Click to enlarge. |
The engine features a new electronic self-tuning regulator (STR) governor&mash;the first such on a single-cylinder general purpose engine. The combination of electronic engine-speed control technology and Honda’s hybrid technology, and the exchange of data between the snowblower ECU and the engine ECU allows the unit to maintain its speed relative to load conditions.
The new electronics support a function for switching between three selectable operating modes:
Auto mode automatically adjusts travel speed and engine speed to match operating conditions.
Power mode automatically reduces travel speed in response to work load, and maintains maximum power output from the engine. Users set the snow discharge distance (up to 21 meters), and the engine maintains maximum power output based on the specified snow discharge distance, ensuring high operating efficiency.
Manual mode is designed for users who prefer the feel of the conventional model.
The iGX440 engine achieves emissions levels approximately 30% lower than those stipulated in the US EPA’s Phase 2 emission standards and the California Air Resources Board's Tier II emissions standards. Fuel economy in auto mode has improved over earlier model engines by approximately 22%.
The snowblower will debut 12 December 2005 at Honda power products dealers throughout Japan.
Once serial hybrid stuff really gets going, the market will be massive. There is no limit to what cannot become a hybrid. Historically, the shape of machines that serve specific furposes are dictated by the mechanics that drive them. If petrol electric stuff gets used it may mean these machines have the potential to become smaller or lighter
Posted by: Adrian | 12 November 2005 at 02:12 AM
Serial hybrid is a great idea however from the chart included it appears the snow thrower part is still run buy the engine.
The coolest serial hybrid I heard of was a volvo using a small gas turbine rather than an reciprocating engine. It could run about 25 miles on batteries alone as well. I saw this on TV years before the Prius came out.
Posted by: Tim Russell | 12 November 2005 at 07:30 AM
The big load in a snowblower is the blower; electric drive is just a way to get finer control.
Clever of Honda to get some hybrid cachet for a snowblower.
Posted by: Engineer-Poet | 12 November 2005 at 10:21 AM