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. 

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. 

First time I've seen one of these pictures up close.  Are those rubber engine mounts? 

Sorry if this has been posted before but in case not here's the link to the Yamaha Canadian pdf brochure.

http://old.nabble.com/file/p30366721/2011_sb_en.pdf

I have to admit being a little enamoured by these blue machines.  Except for a small generator I never owned a Yamaha product but that generator was the definition of "whisper quiet".   

I don't think we are going to know a whole lot about the new Yamahas until someone purchased one and starts taking it apart. I would like to see a service manual.

Maybe Steve (our official spokesperson) could call Yamaha and formally ask for a service manual.  Better yet, ask if Steve could get a demo for a year and provide a full review of the snowblower in return.