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

I moved to a new house, top of a hill, with farm land across from my driveway.

This is our second winter, and my MTD is not up to the task of clearing the packed snow that blows into my yard, sometimes daily.

I have been looking for a couple weeks, and had made up my mind to get the Honda. I had been to the Yamaha dealer previously, but they were not willing to deal.

Well today a new twist, I went back to Yamaha, and was offered the YS928J for the same price as the HS928TC.

Specs are very similar, with some different features. The Honda has full Joystick control on the chute, and is 100 lbs lighter.

The Yamaha has plastic coated chute, manual up/down. Has no shear pins, which may be a bonus, if the 'Shock Protection' works correctly. Also the Yamaha is quiter.

I have been reviewing this site, however, there is limited information on the Yamahas, likely because they just came back to Canada in 2009 (15 year Hiatus) and I am not sure if they are available in the U.S.

Has anyone out there used these models? Can you offer an Opinion?

rubinew wrote:
I'm not sure why you consider weight an issue, unless you plan to lift it into your truck to do multiple properties -- something I once had to do and purchased a Toro single stage for that very reason. Have you considered the advantage more weight brings? Traction. That's A Good Thing, and you'll need as much as you can get from your description of the conditions at your place.  It might be a little harder to move around the garage when it's not running, but how many minutes per year are you going to do that as compared to how many hours per year you'll be clearing snow?

Just something to consider.

aa335 wrote:

Hee hee, if I held a shovel like the previous poster mentioned, I would likely need a lawyer.

The problem with the shear pins is that I go to Toronto for a week every month. I can not imagine her trying to change a shear pin, in -20 weather.

It is sometimes a challenge to get the old pin out, plus line up the shaft with the auger, when it is cold, and iced, I would be very un popular :-)

Bill_H wrote:

I fully agree with you, I think the weight will help keep the auger in the snow, and give extra traction.

Just have to make sure the weight does not stop my wife from being able to use it. She doesn't need to be out there for hours, but if she can clear for her Van, then we are good.

The tracks are very hard to turn when not under power, even for me. But with the tracks moving, esp on snow, it was OK, not as easy as Wheels, but manageable.

Bill_H wrote:

I just fired up my Honda up and was moving it around in the garage and as long as you keep the speed low and the tracks moving, I had no issue spinning it or moving it around. And I'm not a big guy, either.

trouts2 wrote:

Ouch, deadbeat homeless guys?? I am getting advice from these guys :-)

Thanks for the Link, I did not have that same brochure!

I think I see a Yamaha in our future, just need to get one in stock for my wife to take for a test drive!

BillH is right. 

If the conditions are as bad as you say, the weight will be an advantage.   The machine is steerable under it's own power and has reverse.   Use the machine's motive ability to move it.  No need trying to wrestle something like that around without power.  Otherwise you'll be experiencing  a back injury.

aa335 wrote:

The Ariens dealer here is the same. Toro is made in the US so they can't use that arguement. But they push Ariens so much it makes me wonder why. If Ariens is all that and a bag of chips, why do a hard sell on it? Maybe they get more profit or something? Ariens did not impress me in anyway. The Toro and Honda did. Pushy dealers turn me off to the product.

I'm not sure what is the motivation for pushing Ariens so hard.  I mean I know it's money but there is something else involved.  They were pushing so hard it became insulting and condescending.  Makes me wonder what kind of attitude they represent when I have to get it serviced under warranty.  I went with my gut and took my money elsewhere.

Cool.  Be sure to take lots of pics if you do get one of these blue monsters!!!!



rubinew wrote:

For sure, what ever I get, I will post some pics, maybe even get the wife to take a video.

Or I could vidoe tape her using it :-)

Happy New Year to Everyone!