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...

A little bit more than what I had set my limit to, but I paid $300 for the unit.
Add another $225'ish in parts on order...

ahemm, cough cough, thanks or no thanks to someone who got me jonesying for a 621.
I swear, I promise, I'm done scouring craigslist and ebay for any more snowblowers this season.....I promise

You're welcome.  I'm just a catalyst to get things started.  You know who to ask if you want to spend money.  :)   If you're done for this season, there's always next season.  That should be spring.

What was the original asking price?

You got a decent deal for $300, not a steal.  Something in that condition around here, which is rare to find, would easily fetch $400.  Considering the age of your unit, I say it has been living a pampered life.  You did good!

How's that shed coming along?  Did you make extra room for new acquisitions?  Little 'red is just a small hobby, big 'blue is what's going to break the bank.  :)

Just looking at the pictures again more carefully.  Is that auger bent?

aa335 wrote:

That's what I was thinking, looks like it hit something pretty hard.

U know I did notice the pic as I was imported them off the camera card.
It is slightly bent it or is it by design ????

I looked at the welds, how it was on the shaft, etc afterwards.
It spins fine and there is a hairs breath from the rubber to the bucket when I spin it.
But nothing rubs and it seems fine...
It looks more pronounced in the pic but yes, one side is not perfectly 90 degrees.

AA - can you confirm if it is perfectly straight on both sides ?


Shed is delayed. I have not found the perfect finish for cedar.
I like the natural color of cedar but any clear sealer had no UV inhibitors so it will turn grey regardless....
To get it with UV inhibitors, I need to stain but eh.....I'm not a big fan on staining it .
I would paint it but it's so sacriligous to paint western cedar. While I think paint will be something I like on color
and overall how it blends.....the other half of me is like, NO, cedar should never be painted....

It's kinda like mixing wine and beer together.....

So little rust on this unit. Pretty amazing to find one in this condition.  Did you get any history from the previous owner? Looks like it was hardly used.

It was kinda weird...I go there to inspect it and I was like can I crank this up ...
He reaches for the extension cord and I was like, no, let's pull the cord.
He does like 6-10 ~wimpy pulls~ and I was like let me try it. Give it a ~good pull~ and it starts right up...

Then he goes on to tells me he has always used the electric start .

I obligly ask if he minds if I drain the oil outside his driveway ....I  brought my small oil vac.
He says sure, no problem and he actually did it for me on the spot.....by tipping the unit over and pouring the oil backwards out of the fill hole.
I asked is this how you normally do it....there is a drain bolt right below, and he told me this was how he has always changed the oil.

So the seller was not the most mechanical, but yes, I thought the condition was in really great shape.....

Except for what appears to be a bent auger, which I did not pick up on till I was looking at the pics.
Hopefully, someone with a 621 can chime in and confirm wheter one side is slight tweaked or fully straight....

That center part should be flat across both sides.  Looks like both sides were bent.

However, it should look like this.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Honda-HS621-HS-621-Snowthrower-Snow-Thrower-Auger-NEW-/250611539091?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a599c9c93

As long as the gap between the bucket and rubber is small, it should not affect the function.   Try spinning under engine power to see if auger vibrate and out of balance.

If it bothers you, return your new paddle set and consider buying that auger assembly on ebay, it comes with the new rubbers.  So essentially,  $160 for the metal auger.

My auger is bent too, slightly on one side.  I'd probably consider buying that auger assembly the next time I need new rubbers.  But it's so miniscule, I might just overlook it.

I do have ~issues~. Especially with any motor equipment.....I'll go to far as replace exterior moulding on my cars cause the sun has aged it and while trim products make them look good....it's just not as good as fresh. I think I may just spring for the augers but It's more like $200 extra when you factor in the shipping.

Grrrrr.....in the pitch of night and with the flashlight making sure the augers spun, and bearing that it looked so mint and rust free (just short of the marks on the bucket), I thought I made out pretty well - considering others in my area were asking $450 with questionable body conditions..

Buy another one, switch the augers, then resell it :)