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

Preface: I've have has a HS520. Due to space contraints, etc - I'm not looking at 2 stage. Single stage for the most part is a perfect fit just short of....living on the right side and the plows only plow to the right so I cam constantly getting plowed in... Throw is fine already on the HS520. I was only curios does the 421/221 or even any current models on the market may have a bit more bite on the EOD/overnight plowed snow...

In practical sense, I thought if I was to replace a scraper bar 2 times every year, it will still take a lot of years to equal the price of one custom CNC part.  The last one used was aftermarket and it did not hold up as well.  Hopefully the OEM stuff will be twice as durable.

Anything that has a engine and paint has a soft spot for me.
I knew I would be in for trouble the 1st minute I looked into ~acquiring~ one.

To a degree, I think with the right gauge stock, and good solid welding, it probably can be done in just 2 pieces of stock
One that acts as the scraper base and the latter that acts as a mount. However, I do like the design incorporation with the mounting plates on the
back that sits ontop of the ~ridge~ that reinforces the whole thing.

I'm thinking plastic does have some benefits as well. Since it is a wearable edge, it's also better on pavers.
Softer wearing on wood as well.

I think it's time to scrap the scrap metal idea...

chefwong wrote:
Yeah, the benefits of a metal scraper blade on a single stage are minimal compared to the cost.  Makes more sense on a 2 stage machine.

In the midwest, we just got 5 inches of heavy snow.  Took out the 621 on its maiden snowblowing task after the restoration.  It did really well even against the end of pile stuff.  I did my driveway, all the sidewalks, even the next 4 neighbor's sidewalks too.  The GX160 engine definitely have serious useable torque, smooth, and quiet.  It worked so well, I was going clear the whole block too. 

Scraper bars are not actually supposed to scrape.  Instructions I've read always say to leave a bit of space between the scraper and the surface being cleared by adjusting the skids accordingly. 

borat wrote:
Yes, this applies to 2 stage snowblower, and that's how I set it too.

However, on the single stage, the Honda manual says to set the scraper height so that the rubber auger is above the pavement.  When I tip the single forward, the rubber auger makes contact with the pavement, and the scraper blade does not scrape the pavement.

I sold the 724....
Had a little buyers remorse.

My initial goal was I wanted a 2 stager, something metal, something serrated, something with a secondary blower to cut, chop, dice and then blow the snow out.
Something COMPACT.
This was all based before I built myself a new shed which could hold considerably bigger toys
Found the 724, at a great price and great condition....and bought one at a whim without putting deeper thought into it...

So while sitting back yesterday, looking at engine specs, and between drivetrain loss, I was feeling that even though I love the compactness of the bucket, it was a little underpowered at the end of the day.
I could probably get the same throw with the 621 and a little bit of manual work ice breaking EOD...
So I put it up on CL, got a quick response and ended up having a $500 profit for xmas goodies.

Now off to the interesting part.
Been debating whether it's worthwhile to get a snowblower that is not Supported in any shape or fashion in the USA.
Parts would be a mission to get.
I do like the features of it, it's quiet AND in my research, AFAIK, used agricutural equipment is NOT charged a customs fee when brought back to the US.

hmmm....Tough call. No support and parts support is such a huge factor to a degree ....

Wow, it's been quiet, I thought you were busy wrenching on that 621, not flipping 2 snowblowers.

So I see you're thinking about picking up a Yamaha from across the border.  Either that or a Pisten Bully or a Unimog.across the ocean. :)

aa335 wrote:

You can buy both Pisten Bully and Unimogs (used ones) in the US. Pisten Bully would be great for grooming your driveway so you could ski down to the street.

Unimogs are tough to stop, but parts seem to be tough to get. Maybe an older Toyota Landcruiser with dual flamethrowers would melt the snow better.

ole blue 928 it is. It's probably too late in the season to figure the logistics out....still checking out youtube on how they raise/lower the bucket mechanisim is like but it's sure seems like it's a bite more refined than the latter red bucket.  I'm sure I could probably pick up a powerful old Ariens right now, but I'm just a tad worn out on doing anything more mechanical or painting on any snowblower for at least another 353 days....

Canadian red buckets have air or hydraulic assist cylinder on TCD models. Not sure if it's too late to get any new ones at this time. Prepare to spend big bucks on either blue or red buckets.