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Coldfingers


Joined: Nov 20, 2008
Points: 84

toro 621ze or honda hs520e
Original Message   Jan 13, 2012 11:58 am
Sold my single stage snowblower and now I want to but a new one. Would you get a toro 621ZE for 595.99 of a honda HS520S for 689.99? Both have electric start. Thanks in advance, the guys on here know a lot more about this stuff than I do.
Replies: 5 - 14 of 14Next page of topicsPreviousAllView as Outline
RedOctobyr


Location: Lowell area, MA
Joined: Nov 5, 2011
Points: 282

Re: toro 621ze or honda hs520e
Reply #5   Jan 13, 2012 4:20 pm
Coldfingers, were the Honda paddles able to touch the ground when you raised the handle? I have basically 0 experience with SS, but trying my new-to-me Ariens last night, it was trying to pull itself along rather hard, once I lifted up on the handle and let the paddles hit the ground.

I'd used an electric Toro SS before, on my deck. I never tried pulling up on the handle, and I wouldn't have wanted the plastic paddles hitting my wooden deck. But using one with rubber paddles on pavement was eye-opening. I had to pull back against it, then "fix" the problem by lowering the handle a bit, to slow it down. It was trying to run away from me at times, and was even pulling itself uphill, as I recall. Granted, there wasn't really any snow to speak of. But the paddles certainly aren't new, and it can pull itself pretty well.
This message was modified Jan 13, 2012 by RedOctobyr
CharlesW


Joined: Jan 9, 2011
Points: 76

Re: toro 621ze or honda hs520e
Reply #6   Jan 13, 2012 4:21 pm
First off, I'm definitely a Honda fan. Three honda cars and three Honda motorcycles right now. Several of both in the past.

It's been over a year since I was researching snowthrowers and I think I remember the Honda 2 stage machines being highly recommended, but not everyone cared for their single stage units.

Everyone with a Toro SS seemed to like it so I bought the Powerclear 421QE.

After only one season, I have no regrets and would buy the same machine again.

The 621ZE does not have the Quick Shoot and if you have to change the chute direction a lot, I would certainly recommend it.

The electric start isn't needed, but I bought it for possible resale benefit. People seem to like having the electric start, but I have never used it.

Coldfingers


Joined: Nov 20, 2008
Points: 84

Re: toro 621ze or honda hs520e
Reply #7   Jan 13, 2012 6:01 pm
I'm a honda fan also, having had honda cycles and a Ridgeline truck but like you said, in the single stage machines it looks like Toro is the deal. Yes, my paddles would touch the blacktop when I lifted it up some but it still never gave you the impression it was pulling you much at all. I wondered if I got one that had a curved skid or something but figured after awhile it would wear in and be okay. I always wanted to try someone elses to see if it was just mine or not. I finally decided to sell it and just use my two stage but even when you have the skids set fairly close it just doesn't clean down to the pavement like a single stage will. So then I run a shovel over it afterwards and think, no, I miss that single stage cleaning and need to get one again. Like so many have mentioned, its really nice to have both as when you do get a bad storm or the plow comes by the two stage is nice to get rid of the big stuff. I have a track drive Ariens that does a nice job with the EOD and storms but not for the finishing touch ups.
MN_Runner


Location: St. Paul, Minnesota
Joined: Dec 5, 2010
Points: 622

Re: toro 621ze or honda hs520e
Reply #8   Jan 14, 2012 8:44 am
The new Toro 621XXs are also having leaky carborator problems so I would hold off on buying a Toro.  This is the primary reason why I helped a friend last Saturday to buy a new Honda instead of Toro.  It is not fun having a foul smelling garage. 
MN_Runner


Location: St. Paul, Minnesota
Joined: Dec 5, 2010
Points: 622

Re: toro 621ze or honda hs520e
Reply #9   Jan 14, 2012 9:02 am
aa335 wrote:
Yeah, the Toro is very aggressive at pulling.  I have to be very careful going down hill because it will take off faster than I can safely follow behind it, it's scary when there's ice on the driveway.  A slight tip back on handles is all you need to slow it down, but you need to be quick before it builds momentum.  :)   Or be prepared to let it go down hill by itself without taking you down. 


I had an opportunity to try Toro 97CC 2 cycle blower at my church on 1/1/2012.  It took me about 20 pulls to start it but once it got started it ran fine.  The rubber did look new and fresh.  It did nice job pulling and removing the wet 1" snow but when the snow was about 3" deep it started to choke and showed weakness.  It pulled a little too hard but it is probably good going up the hill.  Maybe not so safe for going down.  The Honda does not pull that hard so it can be more work going up the hill but just right for going down.
This message was modified Jan 14, 2012 by MN_Runner
CharlesW


Joined: Jan 9, 2011
Points: 76

Re: toro 621ze or honda hs520e
Reply #10   Jan 14, 2012 9:29 am
MN_Runner wrote:
The new Toro 621XXs are also having leaky carborator problems so I would hold off on buying a Toro.  This is the primary reason why I helped a friend last Saturday to buy a new Honda instead of Toro.  It is not fun having a foul smelling garage. 



Ouch!

This is the first I have heard of this. Makes me wonder if my 421QE is actually fixed after the recall was performed. I never had the problem and I do have and use a fuel line shut-off valve so I'm not overly concerned yet.

There is no recall listed on the Toro site, and a Google search doesn't bring up any references to any problems with this years models.

How about a link to any information you have seen about the problem still existing?

MN_Runner


Location: St. Paul, Minnesota
Joined: Dec 5, 2010
Points: 622

Re: toro 621ze or honda hs520e
Reply #11   Jan 14, 2012 9:50 am
The salesman from Honda/Toro dealer said they were seeing same leaky carborator problems on Toro 621XX.  You have two year warranty on the Toros and hopefully they got your problem resolved.  I think your carborator is fairly cheap (under $20) so you can replace it if it leaks again and you are out of warranty.
This message was modified Jan 14, 2012 by MN_Runner
CharlesW


Joined: Jan 9, 2011
Points: 76

Re: toro 621ze or honda hs520e
Reply #12   Jan 14, 2012 9:54 am
MN_Runner wrote:
The salesman from Honda dealer said they were seeing same leaky carborator problems on Toro 621XX.  You have two year warranty on the Toros and hopefully they got your problem resolved.  I think your carborator is fairly cheap (under $20) so you can replace it if it leaks again and you are out of warranty.



OK.

That explains it.

MN_Runner


Location: St. Paul, Minnesota
Joined: Dec 5, 2010
Points: 622

Re: toro 621ze or honda hs520e
Reply #13   Jan 14, 2012 9:58 am
The dealer sells both Honda and Toro (and other brands).  It has more Toro machines on the floor.  It is a fairly honest dealer - maybe I am just too gullible. 
aa335


Joined: Nov 29, 2008
Points: 2434

Re: toro 621ze or honda hs520e
Reply #14   Jan 14, 2012 10:07 am
If the fuel leaks when it's out of warranty, it will be covered under safety recall.
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