Just to make a point that the pseudo-experts on these forums often have little knowledge of what they discuss, the Honda Power Equipment web site shows all 2 stage snowblowers without side (Commercial ) skid shoes. That is because Honda sells those heavy side mount skid shoes as an OPTION intended for the Commercial Use of any and all of the Honda 2 stage snowblower models. Nowhere in the Honda owners manual, shop manual, or Honda Website is it ever suggested that the commercial side mounted skid shoes NOT be installed on any or all of the Honda 2 stage snowblowers.
The pseudo-expert idea that the snowblowers adjustable auger housing fails to remain adjustable once the side mount skid shoes are installed, is an equally bogus idea. I know that from my own experience, but again the HONDA accessory says nothing about this, nor does the owners manual, or any other Honda resource. If purchasing and installing any original equipment accessory like the Commercial Skid Shoes did Limit the operation of the machine in anyway, you would expect the manufacturer (in this case HONDA) to make that limitation clear and ceratin. Obviously they don't even mention the possibility of this bogus advice. It would be interesting to learn from what 'source' such myths arise, but myth's they are, nothing more. Always check out such advice with the manufacturer before giving any credibility to it, never accept it at face value. The internet is filled with such bogus advice-chatter and we should always be aware of that.
So the accurate facts of the skid shoes are these . . . Use either the side or the rear mount shoes on your Honda 2 stage snowthrower, both work just fine according to HONDA who manufactures them.
