Airless Spray Center: Robin Subaru moving in on Honda

Airless Spray Center: Robin Subaru moving in on Honda

Robin Subaru moving in on Honda

Robin Subaru is moving in on what has been Honda territory for the past 20 years.  This doesn't surprise us here for many reasons.  The first and foremost reason is that Honda is still marketing a 25 years old design.  The OHV (overhead valve) engine was a great step up from traditional small engines then, but now their design is tired, worn and outdated.  And Honda, in their arrogance, doesn't care.  Their engines normally work well and they have trained their customers well.

However, Subaru is marketing an OHC (overhead cam).  This engine is more efficient and powerful for it's size.  It is also lubricated better.  Honda still depends on a "splash" system, which is really primitive.  These Robins engines are actually CHEAPER than the same hp Honda.

What Is an Overhead Cam?

(OHC) A Camshaft Mounted above the Head to Activate the Valves is driven by a timing (cam) chain. Direct valve activation by a cam eliminates the need of pushrods and rocker arms, and their accompanying lash and inertia. Valves respond quicker, valve adjustment can be more accurate, and engine speed can be higher.

OHC Engines Offer Mechanical Advantages over Comparable Size Pushrod Engines:
• More power
• Higher engine speed
• Fewer moving valve train parts
• Greater precision
• Easier maintenance

Robin Subaru is One of the Four largest engine manufacturers in the World—
Subaru Robin currently produces over 1,200,000 engines annually. A line of engine models, ranging from 4 to 25 hp, is marketed direct to OEM accounts, plus a variety of other distributor, dealer, and retail outlets. Power equipment applications range through construction, industrial, agricultural, recreational, and rental markets.

 

All Robins engines are backed by Worldwide Fuji Network—
All products are backed by parent, Fuji Heavy Industries, Ltd. Group, Saitama, Japan. Subaru Robin offers a more comprehensive engine package than any other engine manufacturer. A two-year manufacturer’s warranty plus over 4,000 Robin parts & service dealers in the U.S. and Canada further strengthen appeal to the OEM.    And Robin Subaru will actually honor the warranty, unlike Honda who has denied 99% of all warranties that we have submitted to them.

WagnerSprayTech has gone to the Robins engine exclusively.  Graco and Airlessco are offering now offering other engines as options (instead of only Honda's).  Most pressure washer companies offer other engines.  We at Airless Spray Center think that this is a movement that is long overdue.

Happy New Year

OK.  2007 is past and we're ready for 2008 to get our industry back on track.  Most of our customers were slower in 2007 due to the post mortem new housing slump.  Most of the forecasts that we have seen on the construction industry suggest a stable floor and the start of a really slow upward swing.  Sound good to us.

There isn't allot of news regarding the airless equipment market.  There are a few changes to the market, but nothing that will revolutionize the industry.  The small electrics are just stabilizing in their spec's.  Very few changes.  The gas market has seen the introduction of the Airlessco gas/hydraulic which will give the Speeflo PowerTwins and the Graco GH pumps a run for the money.  I will post the spec's on this pump on a later post.

But, for Now......

Have a really GREAT holiday season.  Rest up.  This spring will be the start of a really busy season.

Winterize

Now is the time to think about winter-izing the machines that you won't be using through the winter. There are different ways to accomplish this, but we recommend the following.
REALLY clean the pump by flushing with the appropriate solvent (of the last product used). Then run about a gallon of lacquer thinner through the pump. Last, fill the pump with 1/2 kerosene, 1/2 non detergent oil (compressor oil). Leave this in the pump. Leave the prime valve open to ensure that there is no pressure in the system. The pump is now protected from rust, corrosion and freezing.
Remember to flush the oil/kerosene mixture out of the machine with lacquer thinner before using again.

ALSO. Remember to drain all gas out of machine tanks unless you have added storage treatment to the fuel. Otherwise you will varnish up the fuel system and will accellerate maintenance and repairs.

Old Advice Remembered

I was reminded of advice that we used to give with regularity and needs to be restated. We had a machine that came to be repacked. The owner stated that he was going to convert the machine from all latex paints to a solvent only machine. We cleaned the machine, repacked the fluid section, flushed the lines and gun with solvent and replaced the filters. What we didn't do and should have done is to replace the siphon set complete. The owner charged the system and sprayed all morning. He noticed allot of junk in the filters at noon. The machine sat until the next morning. The solvent had loosened all of the latex material that has collected in the siphon set. The machine clogged. The pressure was turned up in an effort to blow out the junk. It packed it REALLY solid. The machine had to come back in for a new set. Because we didn't recommend the new siphon, we only charged for the siphon parts that needed to be replaced.
This was a reminder to us to recommend a new siphon set to all customers that are making a change like this. We haven't had a change from latex to solvent for quite sometime, so it slipped by us. The siphon set costs $196.00, so it isn't something that we would just add on automatically. So if you are making this kind of a change, remember to really check out the siphon from pump to screen. The hose and pipe are almost impossible to completely clean out. It is always better to replace them.

Airless Spray Center: Incredible cleaning products!

Airless Spray Center: Incredible cleaning products!

Incredible cleaning products!

I have had a couple of machines in the back that needed to be cleaned up and sold or rented. Both of these machines had been covered by asphalt products. 1 was only used for 2 months, so wasn't a severe case. It just was sticky and looked bad. The other machine is a couple of years old and none of the original colors or decals on the machine were visible. In a later post, I will include before and after photos.
I have had a few cleaning products for sale for 3-4 years. I have had no personal experience with them and have had to rely on any feedback that I could get regarding their performance.
You won't believe how well they work. "Liquid dynamite" started cutting through the tar and paint immediately. It softened all of the coatings and didn't even touch the original paint or decals. There is hardly any odor and it doesn't seem to bother any of our skin. This is the stuff that most of our customers should use to clean off the exterior of their equipment.
When we got to the really bad machine, it was working, but slowly. I hauled out the "Sledge Hammer" bottle. Oh man! This stuff cuts through 1/4" thick material. Still doesn't hurt the chrome or paint. Some scraping is still required, but only because the material is so thick. It does have a strong odor and will cause a "soap burn" if it contacts your skin. It is biodegradable though, so water instantly cuts it and neutralizes it's strength. We wore gloves and just rinses off any contact that was made. More info will be posted when the "after" pictures are in.