Small engines

[ctenidae]

Anyone know anything about Yamakoyo small engines?
I heard a tale that Honda's patents expired, and Yamakoyo picked them up, and so are making exact replicas of Honda small engines at a steep discount. Also heard that a guy who is distributing them bought the same engine in a Honda and a Yamakoyo, and had his mechanic take them both apart, mix the parts all together, and rebuild two engines, both of which started on the first pull and ran for 5 tanks of gas with no leaks. Testamonial-y, to be sure.

So, anyone use them? Are they any good, or are they just a cheap knockoff of a Honda?

 

[Glenn]

Looks pretty darn similar to a Honda to me. But looks can be a bit deceiving...a lot of the quality depends on the materials used, the machining and the aseembly.

What are you looking to use the engine for? Repowering some equipment?

 

[ctenidae]

Looks pretty darn similar to a Honda to me. But looks can be a bit deceiving...a lot of the quality depends on the materials used, the machining and the aseembly.

What are you looking to use the engine for? Repowering some equipment?

I'm not actuallyplanning on using any, just curious from a business point of view.

 

[Glenn]

Ah, gotcha. I'll try and do some digging.

 

[ctenidae]

This thread may have the lowest comment to view ratio ever.

I'm going to call that pretty good market research. 100% of those asked replied with "Wha?"

 

[Glenn]

I did some digging. They've been out for a few years...but there isn't much feedback on them. Lots of places online selling them though.

 

[Beetlenut]

FYI - Husqvarnapower equipment have Honda engines in them. About $100 - $150 bucks cheaper than the Honda stuff!

 

[mlctvt]

Looks pretty darn similar to a Honda to me. But looks can be a bit deceiving...a lot of the quality depends on the materials used, the machining and the aseembly.

What are you looking to use the engine for? Repowering some equipment?

I've got this exact engine. I bought the knock off version a 5HP at Pep Boys for $149.99 as a replacement for my walk behind leaf blower. Starts easily and runs great so far. I noticed that it looked exatly like the Honda version. I just assumed it was a typical Chinese knockoff.

 

[Glenn]

You know who makes some decent small engines? Subaru. I have a Robin on my 7hp Billy Goat leaf blower. Starts easily and produces a good amount of power. Biggest surprise for me was that it takes 10w-30 vs the ol' 30wt most small engines use. Then again, most of these newer engines run OHVs; and are probably more similar to car engines.