Abby's Guide to Copiers
Username Password
Home Discussions Reviews More Guides

Member Profile


JasonBlue

Name Jason
Email Address private
AIM
YIM
ICQ
Gender Male
Age
Location Near Boston
Personal Quote
Privileges Normal user
Rank
Points 2
Number of Posts 2
Number of Reviews 0
Date Joined Jan 23, 2005
Date Last Access Nov 30, 2005 6:49 am
JasonBlue's last  
Re: Honda HS520 vs Toro 3650, why would I need a 2-stage
#1   Nov 30, 2005 6:43 am
I own a Toro 3650.  Live about 20 miles south of Boston, so I get the same types of snowfall you would expect in Natick.  I got it 2 years ago, after much internal debate.  I always said that I would only buy a 2-stage machine; none of that wimpy single stage stuff for me.  After doing some research (mostly on this site, or it's predecessor), I was convinced that a single-stage would do the trick.

I was NOT disappointed.  The first snowfall I had to deal with was in early December (the weekend of the Pats/Miami game that had me sitting in a snow covered stadium, with more than 50% of the seats empty).  We probably had 15" - 18" and I couldn't get over how the machine handled it.  It handled more than I would have expected, and the EOD was a bit slow, but certainly do-able.  My driveway is about 80 feet long, double wide, with a slight incline from the street.  The machine cleans clear down to the pavement, and actually does move along pretty much as fast as I can keep up with it.  There is a bit of what I would call torque steer, for lack of a better term;  it doesn't necessarily track very straight, pulling itself sideways a bit as you go, but you get used to it.

The machine stores easily.  It can be lifted by this weakling and thrown in the back of a station wagon, or even an open trunk, if need be.  I have not had the "snow in the carburetor problem" people speak of, and the thing starts easily.  The gas-oil mix if not really a hassle, as some say.  The 2 stroke engine is probably noisier than the Honda would be, and it does smell a bit, but those are the only drawbacks I see to the machine.  The main reason I chose the Toro over the Honda, and the 3650 over the 2450, is the crank style chute control  That's also why I shied away from the Snow Commander.   I played with them all in the store and knew that I would always be wishing I had a crank had I bought any of the other machines.

So, there you have it.  Buy the 3650 and be done with it.  You will not regret it.

Great find on a Honda Hydro Walk-Behind!
#2   Apr 2, 2005 6:48 am
Grazing my local HD 2 weekends ago and saw a reconditioned Honda HRB217HXA.  That's the one with the hydorstatic drive and blade brake cluch.  They normally sell it for $699.  This one was missing a few small parts, like oil filler cap, mulch plug, air cleaner cover, etc.  Total parts about $35.  The machine showed no signs that it was ever used: pristine deck, blades, etc.

It had a red "Manager's Special" tag on it for $199.  I already own an 11 year old honda that is similar and love that machine.  Couldn't leave it there.  Actually, I didn't get it that day, too busy.  Took me a few trips back to find the right guy to honor the $199 price, which was no longer on the machine.  Even the store manager wouldn't do it, and wanted the $590 "mark down" price.  Finally got the lawn and garden manager to sell it for the $199.  Persistance pays off!

Full 2-year factory warranty, too!!!!

Copiers Guide   •   Discussions  Reviews  
AbbysGuide.com   About Us   Terms of Use   Privacy Policy   Contact Us
Copyright 1998-2024 AbbysGuide.com. All rights reserved.
Site by Take 42