Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

Let's try this again.
There is a new buzzword that is currently making the rounds on internet forums, OPE dealerships, (and even some OPE manufacturers have let it slip from thier lips)...."Chinese Clones".
What are these "clones"?..... They are "reversed engineered" copys of equipment that have been proven products on the world market and sell for a fraction of what the originals sell for.

Has anyone had any experience with these products?

I ask because I got service bulletin from a well known engine manufacturer that basically said: "If we find that you are selling any of these "clones" in your stores....or that you take them in for service....or that you have anything too do with them whatsoever....then you shall no longer be a dealer for us."

I mean: "EGADS!" That puts me between a rock and a hard place.
Should I take these engines and equipment in for service and risk the ire of our largest supplier?
Or go with consumer demand for lower prices?
TIA....'lint.

Harbor Freight sells these over the counter for 129.

The manual for the 6.5:
http://www.harborfreight.com/manuals/96000-96999/96549.pdf

After a little more checking several race tracks have setup racing classes for these engines.

Harbor Freight sells the engine labeled Central Machinery engines and the manual on their web page says Central Machinery but the motor is made by Jiangdong manf in China. There seems to be a blizzard of Chinese companies that have partnered with Honda for the rights. But, given how Chinese companies sometimes work one umbrella company could have the rights and have many seemingly assocciated companies making the engine that are really the same company.

Harbor stocks Jiangdong made 11hp's for 269 and a 13 for 299. Parts can be gotten through Harbor, direct, or from several other sources via mail. I forgot to ask Harbor if they had on-hand stock.

Some places are selling the 6.5 for 109 and if you lived close to them could pick one up to avoid shipping. One poster picked one up on sale for 99 but I have not found one that low yet.

The 11hp seems like it would be a great candidate for an old Toro 724 frame.
trouts