Shindaiwa, Oregon, EETC Team Up At GIE+EXPO
Dealers, landscapers and others who attended the 2008 GIE+EXPO had the opportunity to brush up on key handheld power equipment topics at the “Handheld Power University” Jointly sponsored by Shindaiwa, Oregon Cutting Systems, and the Equipment and Engine and Training Council (EETC). The Handheld Power University presented easy-to-digest, 15 minute presentations that were applicable to all brands of equipment. Some of the topics covered were “Handheld Product Safety”, and “Saw Chain Anatomy and Basic Maintenance.”
Landscapers walked away with practical information that they could immediately apply to their business. “We had standing room only for most of the sessions,” noted Pete Fernald, Shindaiwa Technical Services Manager, who presented Low Emission Engines: Fuel & Oil Concerns. “Our goal was to provide an opportunity for landscapers at the show to receive some practical knowledge for their businesses in addition to all the new product information. In tough economic times it’s important to get as much value as possible when attending trade shows or other events.”
Landscapers also walked away with the opportunity to enter Shindaiwa’s GIE+EXPO “Power Passport” promotion. Everyone who attended a seminar at Handheld Power University and stopped by both of Shindaiwa’s indoor and outdoor booths, qualified to enter a drawing for their choice of the newly released Shindaiwa products including the EB802 and EB8520 backpack blowers and T282 string trimmer.
On Saturday afternoon, Shindaiwa drew the Power Passport winners. Not only did they depart the 2008 GIE+EXPO a little smarter about handheld power equipment but they also left with some brand new Shindaiwa equipment:
Grand Prize Winner – Carlos M. of St. Louis, Moi., winner of EB802, EB8520, and AH242 articulating hedge trimmer
1st Runner up – William T. of Nashville, Tenn., winner of EB802, T282, and $250 gas card
2nd Runner up – Michael T. of Louisville, Ga., winner of EB8520 and a $100 gas card
I had the pleasure of attending that workshop, where Eddie Anderson made his presentation. It was fantastic. Very informative and brought out some very good questions from the group of spectators who gathered. It was also the largest group I was at one of the presentations.
Good Job Eddie and Thanks for the information!
Thanks, Wayne, for the kind words. I was suprised and pleased by the turnout and the questions asked at the end were relevant and on topic. I enjoyed giving the presentation as well as the entire 3 day event.
As I said, ethanol is here and whining and complaining won’t make it go away, so we, the service dealer, need to equip ourselves to deal with it in a positive and proactive way, and use our knowledge and expertise to further show our customers we are the people to do business with when it comes to OPE.
Eddie
We could use 2 things as a Stihl dealer (I am in sales, maybe they’ve been done…)
1. Information either for us, or directly for the customer, on how to care for machines with this ethanol ’stuff’ (boy, that’s being nice). We already tell people to use highest octane, keep gas no more than 1 month, shake the can, use high grade premix, run the unit dry if it will sit for more than a few weeks, but what else?
2. ‘Ethanol tuneups’ are mentioned above, are you referring to a typical carb tweaking, (yes, new air filter, plug, fuel filter), but what else?
Thanks,
Steve Sherwood (Sales Mgr)
The term “ethanol tuneups” was something I came up with as any kind of idea dealers might use to entice current and potential customers to visit local dealers if they happen to have or suspect fuel-related problems: Any way dealers can get out ahead of the ethanol curve and position themselves as experts with information and hands-on skills available nowhere else. For starters, it could include inspection of all fuel components for any degradation or decomposition or gumming. You could even offer to test customers’ fuel right out of their containers.
Another aspect of an “Ethanol Tuneup” would be verifying that the engine is tuned to the manufacturer’s specified RPM, by using a tach, with whatever fuel the customer plans on using all the time. If a saw is tuned just a little lean on E 0 (fuel with no ethanol) and then the customer puts a tank of E 10 in it that may be enough to cause it to run too lean and run poorly or even cause engine damage.
Another problem that I have seen when switching from E 0 to E 10 is the solvent action of only 10% ethanol will dissolve and loosen any old deposits or gum or varnish, whatever you want to call it, and cause carburetor problems. These deposits were not a problem with E 0 fuel but E 10 frees them up. So the customer may need a new fuel can as well as having the fuel tank and carb on the machine cleaned.
If you only attend one trade show this year, the Louisville show is THE one. Best in the country.