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

I had some fun looking at Honda Japan and saw the specifications for HS970i.  It uses GX340 instead of GX270 (HS928, HS970).  The HS970i is a heavy and strong machine and every bit as beautiful as the BLUE machine.  I am just wondering if Honda uses 340CC for that model, why is YS928 only using 250CC engine?  100CC is a huge difference.  Too me, Yamaha YS928 may be underpowered. 

Initially, I thought that the Yamaha engine sizes might lead to their machines being a bit under powered.  Then I thought about it for a while.

I doubt very much that the Yamaha models in question are Yamaha's first attempt at building a snow blower.  

Superior mechanical efficiency will allow for competitive performance with less engine size/power.  Think of  large North American auto engines vs. smaller Japanese auto engines both making the same power.  Why does a smaller Japanese engine make the same power as the larger North American engine?  Better design, balance and closer manufacturing tolerances are the main reasons.  Not saying the Honda engine is shabby.  I'm certain that the larger Honda engine will deliver considerably more power.   However, the Yamaha 250cc engine might just be all that's needed in a more energy efficient machine.

I'd be willing to bet that the Yamaha will be more than capable at doing what it's designed to do, even with a smaller engine.   It would be embarrassing if the smaller Yamaha engine outperforms the larger Honda unit, won't it?  

borat wrote:
Shhhhhh! Don't say that too loud - there's a lot of Honda nuts out there......

I like nuts whether they are blue, red, yellow, green or orange.  The law of physics does not favor neither Honda nor Yamaha.  These two are fine and efficient machines, I really doubt Yamaha has unlocked new locomotion technology that others have yet to discover. 

MN_Runner wrote:

I am sure the Yamaha and Honda are very similar, but then, we can only speculate.

But these are just the engines, what about clutches, belts, gears, ratios, bearings, etc.

The whole package and engineering behind the package is what delivers the final outcome.

That 6 hp Yamaha that I took for a test drive chewed ice and threw way further than my 8hp MTD.

The Yamaha YS928J is the only Yamaha model listed that does not use a belt to drive the Auger, electro magnetic clutch, does that help? Maybe?,  I am not an Engineer!

Engine displacement is not always a representation of final HP either, look at all the small car engines producing massive HP.

The truth will be in the test drive,

Oh, and here is an exerpt from the Canada Web Site:

The first Yamaha snowblower made its debut in 1978, and have been in production in Japan ever since. Yamaha snowblowers have evolved to meet the demands of Canadian consumers, featuring new technologies and improved features, making them more efficient and easier to use than ever before.

We’ve been in the snowblower business for 32 years. Here’s a little insight into our past:

• 1978 Launch of the first snowblower, YT665
• 1980 First single stage YSM250
• 1982 YSM555 debut
• 1983 First commercial model YT1090
• 1985 Debut of the 8hp YT875
• 1988 First electric chute, variable speed trans. SA560E
• 1996 First OHV engine and Hydrostatic trans. YT660E
• 1999 “Shear bolt guard system” intro.
• 2001 First silent model, electromagnetic clutch and auto choke YS870J
• 2003 Fully automatic silent model YS1390AR
• 2009 YU240 first dual stage sled and wheel style / Easy turn system intro.
•     4 Stroke Enigine  Powered by a proven durable and efficient 250cc, 4-stroke, air-cooled, OHV Yamaha engine. Serving up excellent fuel economy, so clearing your driveway won't break the bank. We've also added our low oil level protection for increased peace of mind. And the sound muting design of the large muffler is quiet for those early morning jobs!

Considering the YS928J is advertised as "The Flagship of Yamaha Blowers" I expect this blue beast to perform!!!

rubinew wrote: .

I would agree with this.  I know my jeep with the tall 3.21 gears is very underpowered, and I have to downshift to fourth gear if i am going uphill!  But a lot of people swap in 4.1 or up to 5.38 gears in the axles and they get much much better "power" with the same dodge caravan engine.  I shudder at what gas mileage they are getting though :)  You can't mess with the laws of physics, but there are always tradeoffs.

-dan

You got me!  I am just envious of your new toy which you are about to purchase.  Go Blue!

MN_Runner wrote:

Yeah, if they can get one in, spoke to the Dealer today, Yamaha told him not till early February.

He is contacting Dealers in other Provinces to see if they have stock and can send him some.

Sure, I had to pick a model that everyone else in the Country want!!

From what I gleaned from going to the Honda website and having google translate it from Japanese to English...I think that the Hybrid Hondas use the gas engine to power the augers AND also use the engine to generate electricity to power a separate electric motor that drive the tracks. 

Me too!!! I want a Yami bad. Keeping them in Canada for now will save me some cash... BC isn't that far to me go get one though..... MN_Runner wrote:

I don't know the specifics of the new Yamaha blowers (I have tried to get the info) but I can tell you that the earlier generation of Yamaha blowers imported into the North American market employed a gear reduction and drove the blower off the cam shafts. There was 2 for one ratio that created a lot of torque.  I was trying to repower an old Yamaha when I discovered this. Reminded me of those small 5hp Bobcat snowblower setups. That is why the yamaha pulleys are all off-set to one side unlike the Honda blowers from the same era. There is a striking difference between the Honda and Yamaha designs.  I would be interested to know if the new Yamahas employ a similiar gear reduction on the output shaft.