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Abby’s Guide > Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) > Discussions > Need some opinions please

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

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estroner


Joined: Nov 29, 2010
Points: 4

Need some opinions please
Original Message   Nov 29, 2010 2:29 pm
I am looking at replacing a 25 year old snow blower. I live in Iowa and have a driveway that measures roughly 70X30. I do get some nice drifting, last year over the bed of my old truck, and some nice piles at the end of the drive. I am looking at the Toro Power Max 2-Stage 26 in. Snow Blower and the Ariens Deluxe 2-Stage 28 in. Snow Blower. They are the same price so I am not really sure which one to buy. Any help would be appreciated.

 

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Paul7


Joined: Mar 12, 2007
Points: 452

Re: Need some opinions please
Reply #33   Jan 15, 2011 8:49 pm
tkrotchko wrote:
http://www.honda.co.jp/snow/products/hss970i_1170i.html

That's the Honda equivalent.


Actually I don't think that one is equivalent to anything sold in North America by either company.  The hybrid Hondas have the easy turn feature.
Paul7


Joined: Mar 12, 2007
Points: 452

Re: Need some opinions please
Reply #34   Jan 15, 2011 8:51 pm
MN_Runner wrote:
Borat,

How about a Yamaha single stage?  It is just too bad Yamaha does not make one as you would buy one in a heart beat.  Honda Yukios might be a good choice.


This is as close as they come....only in Japan of course.

http://www.yamaha-motor.jp/snowthrower/lineup/yu240/operation/

 

trouts2




Location: Marlboro MA
Joined: Dec 8, 2007
Points: 1328

Re: Need some opinions please
Reply #35   Jan 15, 2011 9:06 pm
Shiva916. 

I have not noticed stepping up so much.  Maybe I'm missing it.  There is suggestions to stay clear of lower quality and pointing out the worth to "invest" in a better machine and why.  I don't see one brand particullary favored outside of a handfull of posters who post about their machine over all others.   

Many inquires are about A vs B and C or and often posts with a price cap.  Some posts stray but in general the bulk focus on the original question and bring info to the thread.   So you take an average and toss out the extreams in posts.  There will be answers to the left, right and on target.  

 So the point you mentioned is somewhat valid and happens on all forums.  The overall postings have good info and plodding through the haze goes with the nature of forums. 

borat


Joined: Nov 10, 2007
Points: 2692

Re: Need some opinions please
Reply #36   Jan 15, 2011 9:07 pm
Paul7 wrote:
This is as close as they come....only in Japan of course.

http://www.yamaha-motor.jp/snowthrower/lineup/yu240/operation/

 


Not a single stage, but I'll take it!

Ever notice how clean the snow is in Japan?  Even the end of driveway snow is pristine! 
MN_Runner


Location: St. Paul, Minnesota
Joined: Dec 5, 2010
Points: 622

Re: Need some opinions please
Reply #37   Jan 15, 2011 9:09 pm
I wonder if the beautiful model is included with the blower purchase?
rubinew


Joined: Dec 30, 2010
Points: 147

Re: Need some opinions please
Reply #38   Jan 15, 2011 9:34 pm
Paul7 wrote:
This is as close as they come....only in Japan of course.

http://www.yamaha-motor.jp/snowthrower/lineup/yu240/operation/

 


Wow, that little Yamaha actually thows the snow pretty far for the size!!!

Rest of the Thread:

As for comparing the Honda to Yamaha, up here in Canuck Land, we have access to both, and very equal models. The YS928J and the HS928TCD are very similar in size, function, and price.

I just found that there are a few extra Features with the Yamaha, that were not available on the Honda. Since Yamaha was gone from Canada for 15 years, and just came back last year, I suspect that Honda did what they want, with no competition in the High end market. I expect with Yamaha now back, we will see some changes to the offerings from Honda.'

It would actually be a good thing if Yamaha entered the U.S. market, it would likely push Honda to offer some of the other features they have. 

Then again, as someone pointed out, track drives may not be as popular in the U.S. and that Honda dealers hardly bring in the Track models. Yet in Saskatchewan, that is all the Honda Dealer brings in, is Track drives, no wheeled, you have to order it if you want one.

I don't even see a wheeled 2 stage offer from Yamaha, so that might be another reason they avoid the U.S. market, just speculation.

As far as what the OP needs, he did mention drifting, so if it is high, hard packed, and happens often, then a track drive may not be a stretch for him.  If it is rare, and mostly fallen snow, then likely several cheaper models will serve him well. I used a $900 MTD for 14 years, worked great in the city, at previous house. Now, I need track, and my wife wanted the battery start, and the HydroDrive, so here I am, with a Yamaha. If you try to get those features with other brands, you get very close to $3k, so it made sense to spend another $500 and get the Yamaha Quality. I know, that if I am not home, and my wife needs to use it, it will work, no fuss!!

Steve_Cebu


Joined: Dec 17, 2009
Points: 888

Re: Need some opinions please
Reply #39   Jan 15, 2011 10:08 pm
rubinew wrote:
great in the city, at previous house. Now, I need track, and my wife wanted the battery start, and the HydroDrive, so here I am, with a Yamaha. If you try to get those features with other brands, you get very close to $3k, so it made sense to spend another $500 and get the Yamaha Quality. I know, that if I am not home, and my wife needs to use it, it will work, no fuss!!


My wife wants to try out your Yamaha!

"If you have more miles on your snow blower than your car, you live in New England."  "If you can drive 75 mph through 2 feet of snow during a raging blizzard without flinching, you live in New England."
aa335


Joined: Nov 29, 2008
Points: 2434

Re: Need some opinions please
Reply #40   Jan 15, 2011 10:16 pm
Steve_Cebu wrote:
My wife wants to try out your Yamaha!


So that's what she said, eh?

sounds like a good opportunity to upgrade.
shiva916


Location: Massachusetts
Joined: Nov 13, 2010
Points: 22

Re: Need some opinions please
Reply #41   Jan 15, 2011 10:20 pm
MN & trouts, please don't take me the wrong way, I think that all members opinions are great to be voiced on these boards as thats what keeps them going and as great as they are. Obviously with any forum community you will get members that favor particular brands over others. Since getting my particular machine I think it's quite nice and will sing it's praises as much as anyone else if I were asked, but I also would not rule out any other type of machine were my needs to change or if somene asked me for an opinion about different machines.

Maybe it's just me, but some members seem so biased that if anyone mentions a machine other than the one that they love reguardless of the content of the post or what the OP may be looking to answer the response will be that "you should just buy XXXX machine it's the best" with little else. While this will happen in any kind of discussion and forum of any kind I just happened to see it on quite a few posts that I was looking at; and not to say it's limited to Honda, or Yamaha, but there are also Ariens fanatics as well. I think this is a very valuable website and with many very knowledgeable members as I have said before. I know first hand as this site actually helped me in my purchase.

Off topic a bit, and not that I think I would ever pony up the money for it but has anyone heard of Yamaha being sold in the US market again? And as far as the big Honda machines not being sold in the US market, you would think that certain parts of this country certainly would receive enough snow to justify one of these monsters. I kinda wish I had one just to blast out my driveway in like 10 mins, and bury the neighbors in the process. Just for laughs, then I could go blow them out too.  Don't want to be thought of as that guy....lol

rubinew


Joined: Dec 30, 2010
Points: 147

Re: Need some opinions please
Reply #42   Jan 15, 2011 10:25 pm
Steve_Cebu wrote:
My wife wants to try out your Yamaha!



Actually, My wife gets first try, maybe tomorrow, I am going on a road trip for a couple days, so I'll have to show her how it works, take her first test run!

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