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...

The practical and sensible side of me just thought if you you can put up with your current status quo and make your snowblower upgrade decision when you move to a new house? A shed and a new snowblower now costs money that you can put towards better machine 2 years later. Just throwing it out there.

I ended up getting a HS520AS - or on my model, it's a 520KAS (I've always known it as AS for the electric start). It was $375 Brand New and around $20 additional in tolls, and another $20 in gas Seemed like a OK deal.... Plenty of the ~HS621~ but my issue was between the ages of the machine, the driving out to possibly buy them/inspect them with unknown variables (gas and tools a minimum of $20+) assuming throwing at least a minimum of $100 into it for new paddles & drive belt, it was hard to spend the money on a ~questionable~ used machine regardless if she started on the 1st pull.. I get the GC vs GX debate. I did see any 221's on CL There were plenty of 3650's and the asking price on average based on ~my region~ was $400-$500. Had I gone the Toro route, it would have been the 221QE. Their Power Chute on the large 2 stages seems SLICK as hell . If I went with 2 Stage, I would have easily had looked at either Ariens 26-30 Deluxe/Platinum Line or even a HS 928. Between that and a shed of any variant, it was not worth the extra money to spend on something that may not even be a good fit when we move.. I've got all the grease points lubed up, and sprayed down the chute, and interior of the Auger with weatherpruf. Just to keep things as in *sellable* condition as much as possible, I wrapped the bottom handlebar/lift handle that right with some electrical tape any may even go sofar as to put some closed cell pipe foam on it... The Toro's if I recall actually have small metal wrapped skid edges if you want to call it that, to at least keep both sides of the Auger Housings Off the ground. The Honda's are just a straight Edge... I MAY wrap the edges with Gaffers Tape. I Can't think of a better way if just keeping the bottom edges as ~clean~ as possible minimizing the inevitable scrape that will occur. I guess I could just leave as is, and then just sand/level and paint it black when I am ready to sell....

chefwong wrote:

$375.00 Brand New??? These are going for $ 700.00 - $ 750.00 brand new where I live. I just picked up a used HS520A in good condition for $ 250.00 about 1 1/2 months ago. If you got a brand new one for $ 375.00 you did real good.

$375 for a new HS520AS?  Must be a back of the truck special or Robin 'hood' relocation program.   Say it isn't so.

Just came back from Home Depot - $749   and they had 4 in stock.  Sounds like you got a great deal for the Honda.

It was actually listed on CL. I go out to meet the guy and it turns out the address he gave me was a *booth* in some megamall flea market. It was not BNIB but inspections show brand new (scraper and augers were new/untouched). The only thing that threw me off during inspection was that it was 520KAS - with a K in it. A quick google on my phone while I was there did show a KAS model # so it seemed legit.

Nice deal.  Did you ever wonder how he can sell you for that cheap?

The place of business was a large flea market setup with booths, indoors and outdoors. I assume these guys get ~deals~ from various sources.... There was a Yamaha track model on CL for cheap, but I believed it has some mechanical issues and it was on tracks... Same goes for HS50 or HS80's.... I think the OPE OCD has hit me, cause I find myself on CL looking for deals....on a 2 stager.

chefwong wrote:
I think you mis-diagnosed yourself, it's not OCD, but an addiction.  :)  Big difference.

You came to the right place. Happiness loves company. 

The HS928 is where its at.  Buy once, cry once.  Ancient Chinese proverb.

aa335 wrote:

If you really want to drive yourself crazy, do what I did (twice). Buy your snow blower during the warm weather months so you can agonize all spring, summer and fall waiting for snow. I bought my HS624WA at a yard sale in May of 2000 and had to wait about 6 months before I could use it. Just this past March, I bought my new to me HS928TA and have been waiting ever since to use my new toy. Talk about a glutton for punishment!