Briggs and Stratton continues innovation tradition at GIE+EXPO 2017

Briggs & Stratton Corporation continued its focus on bringing innovation to outdoor power equipment to help customers solve problems and get work done more easily on the jobsite or at home. The company showcased new products, power and technology under its Briggs & Stratton, Vanguard, Ferris, Billy Goat, Simplicity and Snapper brands.

Todd Teske discusses Briggs & Stratton’s latest innovations during a GIE+EXPO press conference.

“Briggs & Stratton’s mission remains focused on providing practical innovations driven by our customers’ needs,” said Todd Teske, Briggs & Stratton’s chairman, president, & CEO. “GIE+EXPO provides a great opportunity to showcase how our most recent user-driven problem-solving process has resulted in innovations that increase productivity, offer greater product performance, and improve the user experience.”

For commercial cutters and landscapers, a variety of new productivity-enhancing products were on display. Select Ferris mowers feature the Vanguard Oil Guard system, which allows for 500 hours between oil changes and up to a 60 percent annual cost savings. New Ferris 400S, IS 600Z and SRS Z3X zero-turn mowers allow commercial cutters to reach new levels of productivity, agility and comfort with features that complement the brand’s patented suspension technology. The new Billy Goat debris loader with a Vanguard EFI engine offers easier starting and fuel savings of up to 25 percent over carbureted equivalents. Billy Goat also featured a new Force II wheeled blower and a new laser clad blade on the Next Gen Hydro-Sod Cutter, offering precision cut and longer blade life.

Briggs & Stratton launched more than just products to increase productivity for commercial cutters. InfoHub for commercial turf is a new Internet of things, Web-based business solution that enables them to be more productive in the office too. With less time and less work, InfoHub for commercial turf helps cutters make more money through features such as real-time crew and equipment tracking, simplistic job scheduling, profitability and efficiency analysis, and more. Live demos of the InfoHub business solution were held at Briggs & Stratton’s indoor and outdoor booths.

Residential outdoor power equipment is a part of Briggs & Stratton’s long history, and this year’s products took it to the next level with innovations under the Briggs & Stratton, Simplicity and Snapper brands. The Briggs & Stratton Q6500 QuietPower Series inverter generator addresses several top unmet needs of generator shoppers. It’s more than 60 percent quieter, 30 percent lighter, and 45 percent more compact than standard portable generators. For homeowners in colder climates, the new Briggs & Stratton lineup of dual-stage snow blowers offers features such as dual-trigger steering, heated handgrips, durable steel components and more.

Homeowners seeking more room in the garage have new space-saving outdoor power equipment options from Briggs & Stratton. The Briggs & Stratton 2,000-psi electric pressure washers are easy to use and have a collapsible handle design for easy storage in tight garage spaces or on shelving. Spring 2018 brings the expansion of Briggs & Stratton’s Mow N’ Stow technology that is exclusively available on Toro’s SmartStow with Recycler walk mowers. The expanded offering has a new power rating option and multiple drive-type options. They are the only gas mowers that can be stored upright to take up to 70 percent less garage space.

Briggs & Stratton continues to expand other popular innovations. To address consumer requests for easier maintenance, Just Check & Add is expanding with the introduction of the 625 EXi Series and the redesigned Professional Series engines. Now consumers have more engine options that never need an oil change. Continuing on the path of giving homeowners more power options, Briggs & Stratton offers the Nexcel Series lithium-ion battery powerhead. At 82 volts max, it offers reliable, long-lasting performance with up to 45 minutes of run time. Briggs & Stratton unveiled its new patent-pending electronic fuel injection (EFI) system, designed specifically for residential engine applications. The company considers it a simpler, smarter approach to EFI.

Powered by a Briggs & Stratton battery, the Snapper XD 82-volt Max lithium-ion battery multi-tool system includes the tools that consumers need to get yardwork done easily. GIE+EXPO represented the first chance for lawn and garden professionals to see 12 new Snapper XD 82-volt tools, such as additional walk-behind mowers, string trimmer attachments and a cultivator. Snapper also introduced four re-designed SPX models with a new look and updated features such as a contoured seat and an integrated hour meter.

The Simplicity Regent sported a new design and new features such as electric height-of-cut and updated tires with improved tread design for better traction, and two Regent models will have rear suspension. Simplicity will also offer three new medium-duty dual-stage snow blowers featuring dual-trigger steering, heated handgrips and electric start.

Beyond engines and outdoor power equipment, show attendees got a look at a common home product that was due for an upgrade. The new GarageBOSS Press ‘N Pour Fuel Can, endorsed by Briggs & Stratton, features a simple and intuitive press-button spout design, allowing consumers to spend more time getting the job done and less time figuring out how to get fuel out of their gas can.

“We are excited to unveil so many new product innovations for our turf and lawn care customers all in one place,” added Teske. “We’re committed to being a leader in offering user-driven innovations that support our turf and lawn care customers and dealers.”

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