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?

Just an update:

It appears the YS928J is a liitle hard to get right now!!!  Guess it makes sense, we had record snow fall in November.

Anyways, the Dealer has been told by Yamaha that they have nothing for him till early February. He is calling other Dealers in Alberta, Manitoba, etc, to check for inventory.

I had to pick a model that seems to be very popular in Saskatchewan this year

I hope to have better news early next week...

rubinew wrote:

Wow, I sure hope you can get one this year! Still it's better to get exactly what you want rather than have buyers remorse getting what you don't really want.

If these links work here's videos of the Yamaha's in action.  From their Japanese site they also claim that each model is designed to be operated continuously for two hours on a tank of gas.  The site also notes that the warranty also provides for a free replacement machine is yours in stolen within the first year of purchase.  I'm serious.  Now that's a warranty!

http://www.yamaha-motor.jp/snowthrower/detail/popup/0006.html

http://www.yamaha-motor.jp/snowthrower/detail/popup/0002.html

http://www.yamaha-motor.jp/snowthrower/detail/popup/0010.html

http://www.yamaha-motor.jp/snowthrower/detail/popup/0009.html

http://www.yamaha-motor.jp/snowthrower/detail/popup/0011.html

http://www.yamaha-motor.jp/snowthrower/detail/popup/0014.html

Ok,

So it turns out the Yamaha Dealer in Regina won't see any till mid February, and even then, no promises.

I did find one YS928J in Saskatoon, last one in the Province.

As Luck would have it, I have a Service Call in Saskatoon today!! 

So I am heading up there now!  I will update tonight!!

rubinew wrote:

I know it's tempting to score a baby blue but isn't it late in the season? Inventory is scarce and you are at the mercy of the dealer, plus chasing down remains. Wouldn't it be better to put in an order or deposit for next production delivery. Just throwing it out there for thoughts.

If he gets the BLUE now, he may have some chance to use it. The winter is not over until May.  He got three solid months to use it.

Rubinew, let nothing stand between you and your destiny. We wannabees are rooting for you.  You may be the first the first American to do this. You wouldn't let us down? Deprive us of this simple joy (al be it vicariously)?  Its a long winter here.  What else do we have to do? Look at the smile on this guy's face, does he look like he has any regrets:

 

Underdog wrote:

Actually he wouldn't be the first American to buy one as he's Canadian.

Still I'm hoping he gets one.

Well I made the PLUNGE!!!!!!

I Purchased the YS928J from Saskatoon, and it is one beautifull beast! Wow.

I took it for a quick test run, chewed into the side drifts a couple times, made a few turns.

It will take some getting used too, but does this thing dig, and eat, WOW.  I will have to adjust the skids a touch, I noticed I took some of the paint of the tips of the Auger, so it must just be licking the pavement when tilted forward. The Auger on Yamaha does extend slightly past the sides and bottom of the housing.

It is -24C tonight, so a very short test run. I only took a couple quick pics with my phone, will take better pics with a real camera, when I have more time to play!

MN_Runner wrote:

CORRECT!!!

In Fact they are predicting 2-4 cm snow for tomorrow, and 5-10 cm for Thursday. Also the Wind will pick up, so I think I will get lots of use out of this Beast!