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

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Brand-New-Honda-Hybrid-Snowblower-HS1336IAS-/160687132129?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2569b30de1

Finally, but....at a cost.  It's a monster.  And no battery start.

For $8k, you could get a good used skidsteer, plus tracks, plus HD snowblower attachment!

First of all, I don't know how many of these HS1336 are going to be sold here at the price.  It's too big and too expensive.  No one is asking for this one.  I've been asking for a HS928 or HS1132 TCD models that the Canadian market have, not the decaffeinated US models.  With that, throw in independent electric drive motors for the tracks and I'm happy.  Now if Yamaha markets their snowblower in the US, Honda better uppe the ante with a few more features, just to stay competitive.  Hello Honda of America!!!!
 
It's weird, but there is definitely a huge difference between the Japan market versus US market.  In the US, if a machine is to costs $3000 and up, buyers wants something they can sit on, and comes with a whole bunch of PTO attachments.  However, in Japan, buyers wants accept something a big and expensive machine like the HS1336 that does just one thing well, and the user still is okay with walking behind it, rather than sit on it. 

aa335 wrote:

I agree 100%. Why would Honda USA not market the same product available in Canada here in the USA???? It really makes no sense as the northern tier of the US deals with same winter conditions as our Canadien brothers just over the imaginary border.

FrankMA wrote:

I believe Honda charges quite a bit more for their Canadian model over the US model. But I do think they should at least offer the Canadian model here in the US as an option. So if they did sell it here it would cost more which shouldn't be that big of a deal since Honda is already expensive as it is. Honda owners don't mind paying a bit more as long as they get what they want. Honda beancounters probably nixed the more expensive model here due to the Walmart mentality many Americans have.

Steve_Cebu wrote:
I wouldn't mind that the dealers don't keep the Canadian models on the US showrooms.  However, at least gives the buyer the option of ordering them through authorized dealers.  Funny how a lot of crappy OPE is allowed to sell here but the good Honda stuff gets barred at the border.

aa335 wrote:

Sadly. likely, due to the beancounters at Honda.

longboat wrote:

For 8K you could hire a snow removal company for about 5 years! And never have to lift a finger! lol

stresst wrote:

The thing is after 5 years all you are left with is an empty wallet. If you buy a decent tractor it'll probably run really well for 15+ years with regular maintainance.

Many municipalities have Honda 1132 TAS machines because they are nearly bulletproof and have low maintenance.  My guess is that this new $ 8,000.00 Honda Hybrid will be bought up for the same use, as well as institutions like colleges, hospitals, parks departments, and similar applications.  Places where a truck with a plow can't be used, and smaller two stage machines wear out too easily or demand constant heavy maintenance.  Sidewalks in towns and villages would be ideal for a machine this size.  Honda says the engine is an 'Intelligent Commercial grade' engine, with self diagnostics.  They call the machine a Hybrid Snowblower  3613iAS.  It would be interesting to see in operation.

New_Yorker wrote:

Well we have a ton of sidewalks in my city as it's the State capitol with a really large downtown area and they use commercial rigs that you ride in to clear the sidewalks. The way the plows pack the snow onto the sidewalks there is no walk behind that would handle it. The machines they have can chew through 4+ feet of what amounts to EOD without any problems at all. They are fairly slow and they do not throw the snow very far. I am not certain if they can control that but I would imagine they could but since these are used in neighborhoods throwing snow far could be a hazzard. These are out a couple of days after the storm and all the roads are plowed and clear.

I'm not saying a Honda couldn't do it but honestly it would be a nightmare and take too long. These machines are full commercial ones. I haven't seen our city or any other town around here using anthing less than a full commercial machine.

Colleges up here use mostly Honda and Toro, those you will see pretty regularly.