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zekeman


Joined: Dec 30, 2008
Points: 7

Selling new Honda HS928 track drive..What to replace it with?
Original Message   Sep 1, 2010 6:45 am
Not sure what to replace new (December 09 ) Honda 928 track drive with..I love the Honda smooth and throws snow like crazy and goes through anything  ( also have an older Honda 828 track drive at a rental property )...I went out bought this new HS928 tarck drive late December 2009 for my own home so i wouldn't have to transport the 828 back and forth...I  used this new Honda  for literally 5 whole minutes but need to replace it with a snowblower with some type of steering . I know i'm going to lose a few bucks on the new Honda but for this driveway i really need some sort of steering I live in Massachusetts have about 150+ feet of a circular driveway.. I was at Lowes the other day checking out the new 2010 model 1330SE "Simplicity built" John Deere machines with easy steer and dual electric shute controls, heated hand grips etc.. Any ideas?
Replies: 1 - 10 of 17NextNext page of topicsAllView as Outline
aa335


Joined: Nov 29, 2008
Points: 2434

Re: Selling new Honda HS928 track drive..What to replace it with?
Reply #1   Sep 1, 2010 10:37 am
I suggest Simplicity snowblowers so you can get service directly from a local dealer rather than going through Lowe's.  Your money better spent on a Simplicity product rather than paying for John Deere badge engineering and custom green paint.  I'd go with a Simplicity Signature Pro line 28", model P1628E, unless the Deere have features you want that the Simplicity does not.
This message was modified Sep 1, 2010 by aa335
FrankMA


Location: Merrimack Valley/Northeastern Mass
Joined: Jul 1, 2010
Points: 587

Re: Selling new Honda HS928 track drive..What to replace it with?
Reply #2   Sep 1, 2010 3:44 pm
"I love the Honda smooth and throws snow like crazy and goes through anything  ( also have an older Honda 828 track drive at a rental property )...I went out bought this new HS928 tarck drive late December 2009 for my own home so i wouldn't have to transport the 828 back and forth..."

Just curious how you can run the HS828TA with no problems but not the HS928TA? Is the layout of your home property a lot different than your rental property and therefore better suited to a wheel drive unit? I ask because I believe the only difference between the two models is the HP of the engine.

Toro Wheel Horse 522xi GT, Honda HS928TA, Honda HS621AS, Honda HS520A, Toro CCR3000 (work in progress), Honda HS624WA (sold 08/23/2010), Stihl BR550 Backpack Blower, Stihl MS250, McCulloch MS1635, Honda EM6500SX Generator
zekeman


Joined: Dec 30, 2008
Points: 7

Re: Selling new Honda HS928 track drive..What to replace it with?
Reply #3   Sep 1, 2010 10:39 pm
FrankMA wrote:
"I love the Honda smooth and throws snow like crazy and goes through anything  ( also have an older Honda 828 track drive at a rental property )...I went out bought this new HS928 tarck drive late December 2009 for my own home so i wouldn't have to transport the 828 back and forth..."

Just curious how you can run the HS828TA with no problems but not the HS928TA? Is the layout of your home property a lot different than your rental property and therefore better suited to a wheel drive unit? I ask because I believe the only difference between the two models is the HP of the engine.



My house is just too tough to do without some sort of steering system and the rental is very small just a short single car driveway so a couple passes and I'm gone. I don't understand why Honda does not design a steering system for all their blowers it really makes sense especially seeing that they have such fantastic machines that have been around for a long while now, they don't even have a steering system on the wheeled models when almost every manufcturer has some type of steering to make your job a little easier...
bus708


Location: Maryland
Joined: Jul 24, 2010
Points: 321

Re: Selling new Honda HS928 track drive..What to replace it with?
Reply #4   Sep 1, 2010 11:40 pm
I just wanted to let you know that Honda DOES make units with steering.  It is a HM1226ic Hybrid. It not only has steering but you can run it with remote control too.
zekeman


Joined: Dec 30, 2008
Points: 7

Re: Selling new Honda HS928 track drive..What to replace it with?
Reply #5   Sep 2, 2010 7:30 am
bus708 wrote:
I just wanted to let you know that Honda DOES make units with steering.  It is a HM1226ic Hybrid. It not only has steering but you can run it with remote control too.


I have heard of the 1336ic Hybrid but not the 1226ic..I saw the 1336ic a few years ago in a picture when they were released..Trouble is I would have to remortgage my home to buy one..Slick looking machine though..But at that point I would consider a truck with a snowplow and stay warm while clearing the snow
FrankMA


Location: Merrimack Valley/Northeastern Mass
Joined: Jul 1, 2010
Points: 587

Re: Selling new Honda HS928 track drive..What to replace it with?
Reply #6   Sep 2, 2010 9:16 am
"I don't understand why Honda does not design a steering system for all their blowers it really makes sense especially seeing that they have such fantastic machines that have been around for a long while now, they don't even have a steering system on the wheeled models when almost every manufcturer has some type of steering to make your job a little easier..."

I don't understand this either. Honda makes a great product (particularly their snowblowers) but they have not made any major or significant improvements on the HS line in many years. You pay a premium price for a Honda Snowblower and other brands that cost half as much or less have independent steering controls and features that should be incorporated into the HS line. This is one thing that has always bothered me about Honda. 

They don't even include the headlamp as standard equipment until you step up to the HS1132TA. I always wondered if they think people only blow snow during the daylight hours as this (to me anyway) should be not be considered an optional item like say an electric starter or heated handgrips (i don't think you need either but that's just me). During the winter months the sun sets around 4:00 pm where I live so by the time you get home from work and get the kids fed or help with homework, etc..., its pretty dark outside. Same for the morning hours - does'nt get light til about 7:00 am. I'm usually out there at 5:30 - 6:00 am getting my fairly long driveway, etc... cleared out. I think they would sell more snowblowers if they made these items standard and lowered the price just a bit to be more competitive in the big box store society we live in now.



Toro Wheel Horse 522xi GT, Honda HS928TA, Honda HS621AS, Honda HS520A, Toro CCR3000 (work in progress), Honda HS624WA (sold 08/23/2010), Stihl BR550 Backpack Blower, Stihl MS250, McCulloch MS1635, Honda EM6500SX Generator
aa335


Joined: Nov 29, 2008
Points: 2434

Re: Selling new Honda HS928 track drive..What to replace it with?
Reply #7   Sep 3, 2010 10:48 am
Honda is a big company with diversified products from small string trimmers to engines, and cars.  Snowblower is not their core business.  While snowblower companies introduce new models or reinvent model names/numbers yearly to excite consumers and stimulate sales, Honda won't care if snowblower sales are down this year because they can still sell motorcycles and lawnmowers.

The Honda snowblower models that are available to the US market are watered down compared to what's available for Japan domestic market and Canada.  It is already expensive compared "American branded" snowblowers.  Everyone is looking for bargain basement sales with rebates and other incentives from the Big Box stores which diminish unit profit for the manufacturer.  Big box stores puts a lot of price pressure on manufacturers.  I don't think that's part of Honda's business model and it shows.  Look at Honda lawnmower at Home Depot, you won't find the lowest price there.  Better luck at your local dealer who will throw in some oil and sharpening service.

 To be price competitive, Honda snowblower will have to be cheaper-built with the same sparse features to compete with other "American branded" snowblowers.  You and I can bet where our money is going towards, most features for our buck.  When that happens, Honda is left holding the bag with inventory of snowblowers unsold.  I don't see that happening.
bus708


Location: Maryland
Joined: Jul 24, 2010
Points: 321

Re: Selling new Honda HS928 track drive..What to replace it with?
Reply #8   Sep 3, 2010 11:36 am
Why don't you go with a nice Ariens or Toro? I have a Ariens 924108. It has never gave me any trouble. My driveway is about 800 ', I've just went through my first set of belts in 10 years. I recomend them to anybody. Even though mine is a 8 hp Techumseh - Briggs makes good engines too- Just dont buy a blower with a Clone engine. Get a nice Ariens or Toro with no less than 300cc- the bigger the better .
aa335


Joined: Nov 29, 2008
Points: 2434

Re: Selling new Honda HS928 track drive..What to replace it with?
Reply #9   Sep 3, 2010 11:55 am
337cc and I want more.  Arrrgghh arrghh.  :)
Steve_Cebu


Joined: Dec 17, 2009
Points: 888

Re: Selling new Honda HS928 track drive..What to replace it with?
Reply #10   Sep 4, 2010 10:00 pm
I'd go for the Toro 1028 it's a breeze to steer and throws snow as good as the Honda. I had the Honda 928TAS so I know it throws snow well but is a bear to turn for some people.

"If you have more miles on your snow blower than your car, you live in New England."  "If you can drive 75 mph through 2 feet of snow during a raging blizzard without flinching, you live in New England."
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