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

I'm looking to order a Honda HS928TA (recoil only) snowblower in mid April so I'm guaranteed to get one in late summer/early fall, but have no dealers on Long Island that have anything in stock, so I could see the physical size of this machine.

So forum members, any additional thoughts on this machine?  I have searched various threads and there are many people suggesting the HS928 over the HS724, basically because of the limited hp on the HS724.

I currently have a Ariens 624 for the last 5 years, good machine, served it's purpose, but looking to take it to the next level.  My biggest issue with the Ariens is the EOD issue, not easy but it does it job, now looking for something that won't have an issue. 

I would like to see the machine before placing a down payment, but these snowblower are very rare on Long Island (track version) and all dealers claim this is a special order unit, they don't stock them.

Well, I've put on my rain coat and will now cautiously wade into this pi$$ fight. 

Honda is probably the best snow thrower out there.  Yamaha may be better.  We'll have to see how they prove themselves when they get to these shores.   Both are not worth the extra money if getting the job done is the sole requirement.  People spend money on what they can afford (usually moderately priced or inexpensive) or what they want (often over priced).  It's the individual's choice.  If a person is buying a Honda comparable to an equivalent leading domestic brand just to get his driveway done much quicker, well, he may be in for a disappointment.  A well maintained leading domestic brand will get the job done just as efficiently as the Honda. 

I know that some might not think that this is a fair comparison but my 928 Simplicity will out work the neighbour's 724 Honda without breaking a sweat.  Not the same machines for sure but let's not forget that I paid $1500.00 all in.  He paid $3200.00 plus 13% taxes.   So, if one has the wherewithal to afford a Honda, have at it.  I could have a garage full of anything I want.  However, that's not the way I'm put together.   I'm much like what I buy.  Not flashy or glamorous.  I get the job done just as well as the next guy usually at considerably less cost.   I take a great deal of pride in that.

As for the Toyota baiting,  I'll say this, risking the ire of some participants.  If Toyota did not build cars in North America, they would not be seeing the problems they are today.   I say this because it appears that Toyota have begun to slide down the slippery slope that got the domestic brands into trouble.   That is, taking the short cut to the profits.  The components involved in the accelerator recall were manufactured where?  Toronto.  My wife's 2007 Camry's accelerator assembly was built by Denso in Japan.  No recall on that.    My 1996 Toyota T100 was built in Japan.   I have not spent one dime on repairs in over fourteen years.  I've spent money on maintenance of usual wear items but not a cent on repairs.   When I buy a Toyota, I open the door to read where it's built.  If it isn't built in Japan, I'm not buying it.  Period.  So, I'll be taking real good care of my T100.  That's for sure.  Otherwise, I'll pay a premium to have a Japanese built vehicle shipped to me. 

I'm confident that Toyota are going through some serious self-ass-kicking right now.  If they have any sense of history and pride, which they do, they will not only recover from these serious errors in judgment, they will pull up their socks and raise the auto manufacturing bar to new levels of quality.   If they don't, I'll be sorely disappointed.      

$3200 for a 724 Honda?   Yowsers.  I'd bet that's a $1700 machine tops. 

AA just for you, I am going to go get an MRI Mon. and see if my head is truly nice and thick lol...I will post the results....It's amazing how this all started.Someone was asking where he could go see a Honda snowblower.Someone who owned one said it clogged on him and didnt out throw a Toro.And all I said  is ...thats a crime.Oh boy thats all it took .Here come the Honda militants....How dare you speak bad of our Honda snowblowers.They r the best,greatest blah blah ,blah blah blah blowers in the universe. You will pay for your negative comments bout honda snowblowers.Hey calm down dudes.Its ok ,so honda blowers clog.Just take your little black stick and unclog it.Maybe you can put the clarence impeller kit on your hondas and then it will hurl snow farther than a toro or ariens or simplicity w/power boost hehehe oohhhhweeee.....

Honda 724TA goes for about $1,900 USD, what currency are we talking for $3,200?   Canadian? + 13% sales tax... has to be outside the USA.

mikiewest wrote:
You came up with that all on your own?  I'm starting to detect some brain wave activity coming from you.

That almost sums it up.  You got most of it right, except you left out the part about  unsolicited boasting about his Simp Pro with blah blah don't clog.  Are these not your words?

"Champion Honda on Old Country Rd. had a few but sold out due to the major snow storms we had this yr.I'm sure they will have more  but you'll have to wait till Oct or Nov.Have you given the Ariens Pro or Simplicity Pro any thought?I have a Simp Pro 11570e ...great machine.Plenty of power never clogs and its built like a tank but easy to move due to the easy turn feature."

I think the original poster was asking about Honda snowblower, did he not?

Don't go out of your way just for me.  I don't want you to get a Hemorrhage.

Save your money, don't get an MRI.  It doesn't really prove anything.  Put that money towards a new car so you can get rid your miserable Honda Accord.

nhmatt wrote:
That does seem quite high.  I paid less than that for a 1132TAS. 

The latest price on the Honda Canada site for the HST724TC is now $2699.99.  Down $300.00 from it's previous price of $2999.00.  Put 13% on that and it $3388.87, which was the price the local Honda dealership was charging when the neighbour bought his.  No discounts.  He may have had an extended warranty included in his price.  Nonetheless, still very expensive.  

That's alada money for that machine.  I wouldn't even consider it, but I'm the kind of cheap that would rather pee in the sink than use a pay toilet.  There must have been a lot of snow the year before, that's usually when people get hosed.

mikiewest wrote:

Honda blowers don't clog.  That little stick is there to beat back all the jealous owners of lesser machines.  I once asked a Honda dealer what that stick was really for and he said the question has never come up, and I was the first to ask. 

Knock knock:  Honda's are great.

nhmatt wrote:
No kidding.  If it were a few hundred more, no  problem.  But when you're looking at close to TWO GRAND more, I see major issues with that.  But hey!  With the big Honda sale on right now, I can get the HS724TC for $3049.87 all in.   YEAH BABY....WHERE DO I SIGN!!!!!! Don't think so.

Now that the domestics have begun to build cheaper but not necessarily less expensive products, the Honda and Yamaha machines might be our only opportunity for a premium snow thrower in the future.  I won't buy junk.  When I'm left with no choice but to pay $3000.00 plus for a quality snow thrower, I'll do it.  In the meantime, I plan on keeping the Simplicity in top condition and will re-power as necessary. 

The way the weather has been around here that last few years, the snow thrower has been leading a fairly leisurely life.  The first year I owned it, I put maybe 20 hours on it,  last year less than 15, this year less than 5 hours so far and the snow is almost gone.  I can see maybe one more hour being put on it this year at most if we get slammed by a late winter/early spring storm.    At that rate, it will probably outlast me.