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...

chefwong wrote:
Are these OEM or aftermarket paddles?  I bought aftermarket ones which costs less, I think they were half price of OEM, but they were very soft and did not last very long.  If you're ginger, the paddles might last a while.    The OEM ones are stiffer and seems to be better constructed.

chefwong wrote:
 
3/4" edge of rubber to edge of metal auger.  Total width or rubber is 2" exact.

Thx aa335. I actually had a weird hunch it would be 3/4".
Briefly browsing a couple of sites, while I did not compare part #'s, some sites listed the paddles the same for 520/621.

Nevertheless, I'm not sure how much wear is imposed with use just due to it being rubber...but the manual states that one should replace them when it is down to 5/8".

The parts I speced were OEM. If I am not familiar with a brand and the 3rd party alternatives, I generally stick with OEM.
At 50% less, sometimes you do have to learn the hard way by buying and comparing to know if it's worth the difference or not.

ie: Miele Vacuumn Bags in my opinion are better than the 3rd parties.
Reputable places where I buy spare misc parts for my cars (I'm the type that will replace even even a retaining holder) just because I like to keep things all new and fresh...
Anyhow, I order a sidemarker light that was 3rd party BUT listed as Just as OEM.  When I pulled the OEM unit out, and compared - the lens housing was the same manuf. as
the one I received. However, the Gasket Material if not the O Ring on the OEM was 2X as thick as the one I received.

chefwong wrote:
The part numbers should be different.  Honda changed the paddle design for the 520, they are not interchangeable.   The center paddle on the 621 is longer and will not fit the 520, and vica versa.

If you need more replacement parts to restore that 621 to full glory, here's a place to buy parts.  I don't know of any other place as comprehensive inventory.

http://www.boats.net/parts/search/Honda/Snow%20Blower/0/HS621%20A-A%20SNOW%20BLOWER%2C%20JPN%2C%20VIN%23%20SZAN-1000001%20TO%20SZAN-1038238/parts.html

Stick with OEM paddles.  I don't know who made the aftermarket one but it was not as robust.  My paddles are beginning to split at the middle of the two plies.

I have the Miele Aquarius and I know exactly what you mean.  After owning it for 2 plus year, I'm glad I didn't get "sucked" into the hype of Dyson vacs or any type of cyclonic bagless vacs.  The success of Dyson is clever marketing and distribution, like Bose, but cannot hold a candle to even mid fi audio..  I've also used paper filter bags and the always seems to blow out dust every time I change them.   Miele fabric bags are the best.  The dust and dirt keep gets tightly packed in the bag, but it doesn't clog and reduce the suction power.  If Miele makes snowblowers, I'd buy one too.

AA - Don't recall was it this thread or a another thread but I do recall you mentioning a paddle redesign.
There is reference to a paddle redesign on the 520 on this thread.....

Is there one for the 621 that you are aware of ?
I looked through all the parts on the the years for the 621 and the auger/paddle design all look the same.....

BTW, did you end up replacing your Auger Bearings on the 621.
That's the only part I need to break down to see if that will need be changed.

I considered the chute collar/springs/tension holders (the 3 springs) that lock the chute but it seems mighty fine.....and still have plenty of tension.
I would be replacing the throttle springs and such (anything that should have stretched in 10 years time)...

chefwong wrote:

Chefwong,

What's the benefit of replacing those stretched throttle springs?   I have the springs that are attached arms of the governor.

I thought there were a redesign for the 621 paddle because the parts diagram online shows a v-shaped paddle, but I've never seen one in pictures or brochures.  I doubt there is one.

Speaking paddles, the flat center paddle on the 621 is what makes it so aggressive on slush and EOD piles.  There is virtually no deflection when it hits hard stuff, as compared to the Toro 221 curved rotor.  However, because it is so wide, it does require more torque to turn.  The 520 has the V-shape, which requires less torque, and allows it to throw light to medium weight snow further.  However, put slush in front of the 621 and there is no contest.

I didn't replace any bearings.   These bearings don't see many hours of continuous duty, slow speed, and the load on them is minimal.  I inspected them and the seals looks intact and no signs of lubricant leak, it spins smooth with no slop, so I decided to reuse them.

I will replace the chute collar and those springs though.  I like it to have crisp action when I rotate the chute, like how it works on the HS520.

The elusive Toro Snow Commander is rated at 7hp. So I think this might be the most powerful single stage in terms of hp. 
.5 hp stronger than the 3650. Its also self propelled but I think the some of the smaller toros would provide more power per linear foot.:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0ZmkFeW28E 

Underdog wrote:
The power of the Snow Commander is negated by wider 24" auger, heavier frame, and possibly that third paddle.  It is very big and heavy, almost intimidating to use, literally.

Just a couple of cobwebs but I think I lucked out...
Other than the outer edges being a smigen bent inwards, it came with electric start (not that I would need it) and she wasn't a rustbucket to boot.
It's a fairly easy renewal on this.....and fresh parts are on backorder as they need to be ordered from Honda direct....


I'm tired of typing so here's some pics just to add some pics to the board......