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

I have a 1970's John Deere 732 that I bought it used as my first snowblower and it really doesn't throw snow very well.  Thanks to this forum I have purchased the impeller kit from Clarence small engine and waiting to receive it and put it on.    However, in the mean time, I saw this Honda HS828S for sale for $350.    According to the ad, it is in VERY GOOD condition but has not been started in 3 years and the gas will need to be drained  and replace before starting.    Couple of questions for you experts:

1.  What year do you think this is?

2.  Is this a good unit and a good deal?

3.  Would you recommend bringing gas with me and try to start it before I buy it?

FROM THE PLANO SITE:

Model and Serial Numbers

While at first, the model numbers for the different snowblower models may look like gibberish, they actually do mean something. Let's take a look at a typical model number. 

HS521K1 AS

In this model number, "HS" simply stands for Honda Snowblower". The first number, 5, represents the horsepower (4.5 in this case), which is usually rounded to the nearest whole number. The next two numbers give the clearing width for this model, 21". Models made before 1987 will not have the clearing width as part of the model number. The "K1" indicates the version of that model. Honda may make small changes in a model from time to time. The new version will have approximately the same specifications as the previous one, so it's not given a new model number. Instead, Honda gives it a new K number. The HS521 is replaced by the HS521K1, and so on. Some of the changes are obvious, but some are not. The most reliable way to tell which K number your machine has is by using the frame serial number, usually located on the rear of the chassis near where the handles are connected. Where needed, we list the serial number ranges for the different versions below. 

The letters after the model number tell about some of the features of the model. "A" simply means that the machine was made for the American market. The "S" indicates electric start. On self-propelled models, there will be either a "T", indicating track drive, or a "W", indicating wheel drive.

I think all of you forgot to think about the gearing system could fail too?

like belt slipping, worn gear teeth, loose parts.

Whatever..

Den

Denis wrote:

Denis - if you read my post above MORE CAREFULLY, you will see that "all of us" DID NOT forget this....

Marty

Catfisher,

Who took this picuture? Maybe it is three years old, too so you have not idea what it looks like.
Based on everything I have read here, I would consider a new new machine, which will last ten years,
with an annual cost of less than $100/year.

For me, it would be a waste of time to check out a snowblower that is neither running, nor has run for three years.
Taking it to the shop could easily cost you $200.

With the mild winter we are having in Cleveland, (not knowing where you live), by the end of the month
your dealers should have some reduced prices on their inventory.


Gary

GARY,

Look at the date on the pic

so bw what did u do?  there is a guy on a nother forum that just bought one of these for 1K and he appears to be quite pleased.

Yeah, did you buy it? If not, let me know where it is so I can buy it?

It was posted on craigslist.com in the minneapolis section.  The seller never responded to me when I asked for the year of the machine.  And then it mysteriously disappeared from the website.  If I hadn't had kept the picture, I would have thought for sure I made it up in my mind 

Anyway, I just added the impeller kit from Clarence small engine to my JD 732.  She is pushing a lot more air out the chute than before, just don't have any snow here in Minneapolis to test her out.  I am hoping that will be the fix for me.  If not, then it looks I am heading to HD for an Ariens. 

Thanks guys!!

Catfish,

That impeller kit will make a  huge difference  in your blowers performance!!!

                                                                          fred

               

Fred,

Not sure why you call me catfish, but it has good ring to it

I hope your right regarding the impeller kit.  I have a mind to just take the JD 732 through the yard and see what she can do.  I can tell you this, the impeller bladers were in rough shape.  Bent, nicked and a huge gap between the housing.  Like I said, she is pushing some serious wind now.  Can't wait for the next snow to see how she does.

Thanks again for all the advice.   Would never have known about the kit without you guys.

BW