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

My brain and pocket tell me that Toro PowerMax is the new under-rated king and perhaps deserves the MVS (Most Valuable Snowblower) title.  Compare their performances from a single stage to a two-staged snowblower.  They are pretty good.  I don't wish for a lot of snow after watching one of the homes collapsed or having a lot of water damages.  For me, it makes more sense to spend the extra dollar on the lawnmower since I use it weekly from May to October instead of a snowblower which I may use it no more than ten times during Nov to Apr. 

My Hondas are pretty good looking but are they really all that reasonable?

"My Hondas are pretty good looking but are they really all that reasonable?"

No.

They're certainly a good machine but are far from a good value.  Equally capable machines are available for half the price.  I.e.  Ariens, Simplicity and Toro.  Other products made on AYP and MTD platforms will also perform impressively but in the long run, don't hold up as well as the three premium domestics listed above. 

I've said it numerous times.  I could own a garage full of any machines I want.   However, my sense of value guides me toward what makes good economic sense. Why pay over twice the amount for a machine that will not deliver anything more in return?   With reasonable maintenance, any one of the above mentioned domestics will more than likely last as long as the Honda and do as good a job if not better, at doing what it's designed to do.  If it does break, it will be much less costly to repair.   

My Simplicity was around $2000.00 less than an equivalent Honda.   I spent the difference on a trip to Panama.   Here's a pic of the canal.  I'll post a pic of the pyramids when I get back from Egypt in February.



 

Borat,

You have a sound combination of intelligence and emotion.  A nice trip in Dec/Jan sounds much better than blowing or thinking about SNOW.

Actually, I enjoy winter and I also enjoy using my snow removal equipment.   If a person doesn't like winter, central Canada isn't a good place to live. 

Personally, I hate traveling but i do like going places.  Did a couple weeks in Hawaii last Feb.  Went to Oahu, Maui and The Big Island.  Oahu and Maui are ruined.  Big Island is still decent. 

Here's a pic of the big surf at Hapuna Beach on the Big Island not too far from Waikaloa:

MN_Runner wrote:
I know it's kind of late to ask this question now that you already have a Honda snowblower.

Did you not had opportunity to look at all various offerings of snowblowers and price ranges before making the final purchase decision?  All the major brands have been around a while so it's not like Toro just suddenly appeared this year and became the most sought after snowblower in history.   I'm a fan of Honda and Toro, for reasons of my own.  But I don't think they are the best.  They are the "best" or excel for what I think is significant.  You can buy steak or ground beef, it still comes from a cow, and comes out the other end when you're done.  A snowblower moves snow, so does a shovel and a broom.  Long about question, what factors made you decide to buy the Honda that you have now? 

The grass is always greener on the other side.  Have you logged enough hours operating your snowblower to know what it is capable of and what you don't like about it?  Do you notice subtle differences  or all snowblowers look and feel the same.  Looking at videos and assess snowblower performance can be misleading unless you have solid base for comparison.  One of my favorite and most impressive snowblowing video is actually from a budget brand, not even from the 5 top brands.  In the right snow conditions, even the cheapest snowblower can produce spectacular results.

Seems like you're going through buyer's remorse and wondered how the extra $1000 or so can materialize to tangible benefits.  It may never materialize.  There are products that are priced beyond the point of diminishing returns.  Some people don't mind, and some people think its ludicrous.  It's their money, I'm not going to pass judgment on how they spend it.

Hi AA335,

I bought my Honda because of my past experiences with Honda lawnmower and stayed away from Toro because of a really bad lawnmower experience.  Plus I was neither interested in a heated grip nor other electrically controlled features.  Honda looks simple and easy to maintain.  I don't really have a buyers remorse since it looks so pretty in my garage next to my Honda lawnmower.  Just because Honda is expansive that does not mean it is the best snowblower or best value.  Sometimes Honda machines get too much respect compared to other brands.

MN_Runner wrote:
Very well put MN_Runner. 

Not-so-common, common sense shining through bright and clear!

MN_Runner wrote:
I had looked into a Honda HRX lawnmower with hydrostatic transmission.  I didn't buy one, does not appeal to me even though it wears a Honda brand.  I prefer Toro and Snapper for lawn mowers.

I currently have two pieces of Toro equipment.  They are not the most stout and toughest products or best you can buy.  They're simple, effective, and fun to use, and reliable.

The other two expensive pieces are both Honda's.  Well built, arguably one of the best of it's time.  They are complex, effective, and somewhat finicky to operate, and very reliable.

I enjoy them all for different reasons.  My Toro single stage snowblower throws snow better than my Honda single stage, but I have trouble deciding which one to part with if that issue ever comes up.

If you have an appreciation for equipment, it is the best for what's important to you.  I like seeing posts from people who have recently acquired snowblower and are ecstatic by it.  They may pay $1000, $2000, or $3000 for it.  Does that matter?

" They may pay $1000, $2000, or $3000 for it.  Does that matter?"

I'll send a post card......

borat wrote:
:) 

It's not like they bought a $1000 snowblower and send you $2000 to go on a vacation. 

aa335 wrote:
I agree. 

However, if the buyer didn't spend the extra 2K on a machine that will not do anything better than a machine that cost $1500.00, as in my case,  they can invest/spend the money  saved by not buying the Honda on anything they wish.   They can take a two week vacation and still come home to a snow thrower that will do everything that the Honda can. 

When a person has to be concerned about how they spend their money, something like a Honda is an extreme and unnecessary expense.   If  more than capable machines are available for half the price, they'd be wise to avoid the excessive cost of the Honda and spend the money they save on other things.    Basic economics.

MN_Runner wrote:

MN_Runner Your Honda is a fine machine, triue it doesn't have some of the Toro's features but Toro doesn't have heated grips and other options that other brands have. I talk up Toro because it really is a 1st class option not just Ariens and Honda. It has some awesome options like the quick chute any the twin trigger steering and the auger system. I returned my Honda 928TAS to the dealer got a refund and lost $200 of that and bought the Toro and didn't look back.

That doesn't make Honda bad or Toro good, it just means that I prefer Toro because the price is right the features are what I like and it does everything well. It's primary flaw is that it's very well balanced so it can ride up in heavy snow easilt if you go fast in my driveway. The Honda did NOT do this..... But.... it hung up a lot on my sort of wavey driveway because the skid shoes were in the back.

You have the Honda and it's a very capable machine. I really miss the hydrostatic transmission in it. You'd lose too much trading it in. If I were you I'd go down to the Toro dealer and try out a 826 or a 1028 and see how they feel blowing snow. I'm sure if they have any left they'd be happy to accomodate you. If you then feel they are what you really want just flip your Honda next year on CL, you won't lose much and then you can buy a Toro or whatever. But try everything out when you have a chance including Ariens and Simplicity and John Deere. This is a good time to try out snowblowers. You might find what you have is pretty darn good. If not you can deal with it next year. Honda holds it's value really well. I'd let you try mine out but you are a bit far and all the snow it in the woods now.

Hi Steve,

Thanks for offering such a kind response.  I am done buying a snowblower for now.  Anytime you get a new machine (or toy), there is some excitement at the start but it fades (hopefully very slow) then you realize blowing snow is a chore.  I would rather go for a nice long run instead of blowing all that snow away.  The point is there are many snowblowers that are equal or better (performance and cost) than Honda at a resonable cost.

MN_Runner wrote:

Sure thing, only one thing tho snowblowing for me isn't a chore.

My wife either takes videos or pics of me clearing the driveway or I take them of her being dragged around by it because she tries to hold it back in 1st gear. LOL

I lived in the Philippines for 5 years, lots of sun, no snow. I'm saving for an early retirement there. But for now I'm going to enjoy my snowblower. It's either that or throw rocks at trees.

Borat is right tho, for the extra money spent on a Honda you could have taken a trip or done something else. After a while you might really come to appreciate your snowblower. My parents hated snowblowers and refused to own them.

Spice up your snowblowing experience mount your camcorder on it and take some awesome pics or something. Just a thought.

Steve,

Maybe it was good that you returned your Honda.  There is a gasoline leak recall on HS928 (looks like blower made prior to 2010 model) and other 2-staged blowers:

Model	Frame Serial Number
HS724	SZBE-1037913 through 1046577
HS928	SZAS-1151080 through 1169012
HS1132	SZBF-1018734 through 1025998

I want to stay warm but not by burning down my blower. My 2010 model is not affected but it might be good to get your Honda checked out if your model/serial number fits the list.  Stay warm!

MN_Runner wrote:
I'm glad to report that my 2008 HS1132 isn't affected by this recall either.  Woo hoo!

AA335,

Good news!  What year is your blower?

MN_Runner wrote:
I bought it in 2008.  It maybe 2007 or 2008 production year.

MN_Runner wrote:

Maybe but at the time that wasn't a factor. I can afford a Honda but it just didn't work out for me. I'm a big guy 200 lbs. My wife is literally 83 lbs. She can use the Toro but not the Honda. She gave up on the Honda after a short while. Of course if it catches on fire that would be a really poor and costly way of removing snow.

Steve,

Your wife maybe 83LB but she looks pretty tough and strong.  She got some serious muscle and probably much stronger than me.  Maybe I need Toro 1028 more than her.

MN_Runner wrote:

Yeah she loves to work out, she's down to just an hour a day 5 days a week now due to a lack of time. Still 200 lbs. of tracked snowblower isn't fun to muscle around in the snow even for her.