I was at a local Honda dealer yesterday and I was stunned by the prices on their snowblowers. In Canadian dollars, they were: 928 wheels: $3000 928 track: $3400 724 track: $3400 1132 track: $3500 I know they have tracks, hydro tranny, honda engines, etc. but they're at least $1000-1500 more than equivalent toro and ariens models. Is it gold, they re making?

I haven't seen one up close yet but from the information available, they look like very serious machines.  They actually make the Honda look insignificant by comparison. 

This is the baby I'd buy.

		Price Tag $3,999  msrp*
Overview Technical Details Features Accessories and Apparel Gallery and Media Payment Estimator Extended Warranty Select Model YT624E YT624EDJ YS928J YT1232ED	Clearing Width 71.5cm (28 in) Housing Height 51.0cm (20 in) Blowing Capacity 50 tons/hr Maximum Blowing Distance 16m (52 ft) Axle Rubber track Transmission Hydrostatic Speeds Infinitely variable Ground Speed (km/h) Forward: 0 ~ 3.2 Reverse: 0 ~ 2.4 Type Dual stage with "Shock Protector" Diameter 350mm (13.8in) Drive Electromagnetic Height Adjustment Gas assist Rotation Electric Deflection Manual, two-step (remote lever) Turning Radius 220º Chute Material Steel with inside plastic liner Model MZ250E Type 4-stroke air-cooled, OHV, single cylinder Displacement 251cc Maximum Horsepower 8.5 hp Starting System Electric 12VDC battery type (std) Ignition T.C.I. Recommended Fuel Regular unleaded gasoline (PON 87) Recommended Engine Oil Yamalube 5W30 Fuel Tank Capacity (L) 6.7 litres Engine Oil Capacity 1.1 litre Wet Weight 169kg (373 lb) L x W x H mm (in) 155.8 x 73.0 x 110.5cm (61.3 x 28.7 x 43.5 in) Private Use† 2-year, limited. Commercial Use† 1-year, limited.

I noticed that some of these Yamaha models have plastic liners in the chute and even the impeller housing!  

I put a plastic liner in my Simplicity chute when I bought it new in 2007 and it's been working great.  Never get snow sticking to it and it's wearing very well.  It looks like it's good for ten years at least, if not more.  I'm going to have to take a look at lining the impeller housing with the same stuff.  That however, will be much more critical and likely difficult.  That's the last place you want to wad up a sheet of tough plastic.

borat wrote:
I was tempted to line my chute with this slippery plastic too.  However, the only time I notice snow sticking is when I stop blowing.  Otherwise, there's enough velocity and distance in stock form to move the sticky snow from the chute.

Anyways, it must have some performance improvement since Toro 2 stage unit has the plastic chute and impeller housing.  That Powermax housing must be non-stick for it to work.

What kind of plastic did you use for your liner?

borat wrote:

I used a piece of Wacky Karpet/Krazy Carpet or some goofy name like that. 

It's a piece of plastic that textured on the back and very slick on the bottom.  It's a kid's toy used for sliding down hills in the winter.  Cost about $8.00 and can be found at places like Walmart and Canadian Tire.  Possibly elsewhere that winter outdoor sleds/toys are sold.  It's tough stuff and easy to work with.

I didn't line my chute to improve snow throwing distance, although, I'm pretty sure it does.  I lined the chute to keep winter control material (gravel/sand/salt) etc. from stripping the paint.  It's a bit of a job to measure, cut and install, but once it's done, it will last a long time.  If a second liner ever needs to be made/installed, it will be much easier to do because the first liner can be used as a template.   I also added a thin piece of stainless steel plate to protect the deflector. 

Nice.   That might be in my future mod list.

snowmachine wrote:
I might have to buy a Yamaha just to put a "smack down" on the Honda blow-hards!!!

borat wrote:
What did you use to fasten it to the chute?

The chute had two small hole at the bottom front.  I used those with a rivet/screw.  At the top, I used the bolt hole and bolt that controls the arc of the deflector.  That's all it needs to hold it firmly in place. 

borat wrote:
If you can't beat them, join them.  :)

Besides the differences in paint, they do have common design philosophy.  I'm not talking about reasonable prices, tough cast iron gearboxes, and C channel handlebars.  :)

Please do get one.  I wouldn't mind Honda getting some competition so they can get back on the ball.  It's lonely at the top.