Model 9390-12-01 · 389cc Honda GX390 · 2,530 CFM · 160 MPH · 228 lbs · SP Variable Belt/Chain · ~$3,200–$3,800
How we calculated 8.7/10: We weighted engine reliability at 30%, SP drive system quality at 25%, airflow at 20%, and build durability at 25%. The 8.7 reflects Honda GX gold-standard reliability, the best SP drive (variable + reverse + differential), and 5-year warranty — held back by 160 MPH velocity, 228 lb weight, and premium pricing.
Honda GX390 — universal fleet standard — The most widely serviced commercial small engine in the world. Any Honda dealer can maintain it. Parts availability is unmatched. 3-year commercial engine warranty.
Variable speed + open center differential — Belt-powered chain drive with variable forward (up to 4.1 MPH), powered reverse (2.5 MPH), and open center differential for independent wheel speed during turns.
Powered reverse at 2.5 MPH — Essential at 228 lbs. Repositioning on slopes and in tight spaces without physically pulling the heaviest blower in the category.
5-year machine + 3-year Honda warranty — Industry-leading warranty package on all-steel construction plus Honda's own comprehensive engine coverage.
2,530 CFM split-stream system — Massive volume through the proven dual-airstream deflector. Excellent for large pile management, standing water, and surface preparation.
13" rear pneumatic turf tread — Larger rear tires than most competitors provide better traction on soft ground. Turf tread pattern minimizes lawn damage.
160 MPH — lowest velocity in HP class — Significantly below the Billy Goat F1302SPH (200 MPH) and even the LW V-Twin SP (179 MPH). Poor at dislodging matted, wet debris.
228 lbs — heaviest blower made — 63 lbs heavier than the Billy Goat F1302SPH (165 lbs) with less CFM and lower MPH. All-steel construction + heavy drive system = substantial transport challenge.
2,530 CFM — less than Billy Goat F13 (2,600) — Same engine class but 70 CFM less output. The Optimax housing design prioritizes volume distribution over raw output.
$3,200–$3,800 — significant premium — More expensive than the Billy Goat F1302SPH which delivers higher CFM and MPH at 63 lbs less weight.
Steel housing — rusts, adds weight — All-steel construction is impact-resistant but susceptible to corrosion and contributes to the extreme weight.
The 9390-12-01 features a variable-speed belt-powered chain drive with an open center differential — the most sophisticated drive system in the Optimax SP lineup. The variable speed lever provides smooth forward acceleration from 0 to 4.1 MPH, plus powered reverse at 2.5 MPH.
The open center differential allows the left and right rear wheels to turn at different speeds during cornering, eliminating the tire scuffing and fighting that fixed-axle SP blowers produce. On turf this prevents lawn damage; on pavement it reduces operator effort during turns.
2,530 CFM at 160 MPH is the most extreme example of Little Wonder's volume-over-velocity philosophy. For comparison: the Billy Goat F1302SPH delivers 2,600 CFM at 200 MPH with the same Honda GX390 engine. The 40 MPH velocity gap is substantial and means the Optimax SP GX390 is less effective at initial dislodging of matted debris.
Where it excels: once material is loosened, the 2,530 CFM volume through the split-stream deflector and square low-mounted chute moves massive quantities efficiently. Standing water removal, surface preparation, and loose-debris clearing are this machine's strengths.
The Honda GX390 is the same 389cc single-cylinder OHV found in the Billy Goat F1302SPH, paired with Little Wonder's Optimax airflow system. 1.6-gallon fuel tank provides solid commercial runtime. Oil Alert, cast-iron cylinder sleeve, and mechanical decompression are standard GX features.
The fleet advantage: any Honda-certified small engine dealer worldwide can service this engine. Parts are universally available. For multi-location commercial operations, this standardization on Honda GX is a meaningful operational benefit over Vanguard-powered alternatives.
The Optimax SP GX390 makes the most sense for commercial fleets that standardize on Honda GX engines across all equipment and need the Optimax's superior drive system (variable speed + reverse + differential). The 5-year machine warranty adds fleet budget certainty.
For most buyers, the Billy Goat F1302SPH offers more CFM, higher MPH, 63 lbs less weight, and a lower price with the same Honda GX390 engine. The Optimax SP GX390 justifies its premium only when the drive system quality, all-steel impact resistance, or Honda fleet standardization is the deciding factor.
The Little Wonder Optimax SP Honda GX390 pairs the world's most trusted commercial engine with the category's best SP drive system. The variable-speed belt/chain drive with open center differential provides exceptional turning and maneuverability. The 5-year warranty and all-steel construction are fleet-grade. But at 228 lbs with 160 MPH velocity and 2,530 CFM, it's outperformed on raw specs by the lighter, faster, more powerful Billy Goat F1302SPH at a lower price. This machine is for operations where Honda fleet standardization and the Optimax drive system are non-negotiable requirements.