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

I am considering replacing my Ariens 926 snowblower with possilby a Honda.  I want a better motor and something that is going to tackle the plowed driveway a little better.  I think if I could get a Subaru motor on a larger size Ariens, I would still consider one but they only offer it on the smaller compact model.  Anyway, I can't make up my mind on a tracked model or wheeled model honda.  I live in Wisconsin and have a 3 car wide driveway and sidewalk to do.  Will the tracked unit clear down to the cement or do I have to shovel the little bit it leaves behind after blowing?  Also, would I be able to turn 180 degrees when I get to the end of my sidewalk with the tracked unit or would I have to make my turn in the driveway because I may need more room to make a turn on about a 4 foot wide sidewalk?  Probably still have to do that with a wheeled unit anyway.  I've head a few people state that the tracked unit moves a little easier when you have a little bit of snow under the track but since I have a concrete drive, I may not have that little bit extra to easy the turn.  I really would like to try one out but most all of the dealers around here don't stock the two stage only the single stage.  I would assume because of price and low sales on the larger units.  I saw a used HS1230TA from about 2004 for $2500 but feel that might be too big.  It looks like new and only has about 4 hours of use.  Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

John 

lseap107 wrote:

I live in Canada, with open fields, and get a lot of blown packed snow. For that reason, I am looking at getting a track.

The Honda dealer up here only brings in tracked models, and the Yamahas (the one I want) only make tracked versions.

I have only used tracks for a short time, in the parking lots, testing, and yes they are hard to turn, if not under power. The trick is to keep the tracks moving, while you turn, otherwise, it is a fight. My wife was able to turn the 928 Honda, and the 624 Yamaha (both 250lbs) by keeping the tracks turning.

Me and my neighbors are all fighting with our wheeled blowers riding up, and not digging into the drifts and EOD. Just this morning, I had to plow through 30-40 inch drifts, and several times the auger was pointing up. So I back up, and hit again, leaning forward, and pushing up on the handles, wiggling, etc. I would rather have to learn to finess the turning process on the tracks, then wrestle all day with keeping the auger in the snow.

Now if you can find a wheeled model, that is front heavy, with good traction, then it may work in your area.  Keep in mind that all track models have an adjustment (manual or gas assist) to push the auger even further down, to help chew through tough snow.

Regarding lower gears, the Honda is a Hydrostatic drive, so you can go as slow as you want!

You can fine tune your average below but it’s about 50 inches which is not so much.

http://www.crh.noaa.gov/arx/climate.php?month=Year&type=snow 

 

 

Handling:

A big track is tougher to turn than a locked wheeled but not by that much once you get used to them.  Turning at the sidewalk is not a problem.   Going to a showroom and trying one will probably be a turn off as it takes using them for a while to get used to.  I have no problem with any track.

 

Traction:

Tracks have a reputation for traction but if you compare one to a wheeled outfitted for traction the advantage decreases by quite a bit.  For example comparing an Ariens 1028 to a Honda 1132.  With the Ariens having 6 x 15 tires with good tread the difference in traction for lifting or bad EOD piles gets pretty close.  They both slip in nasty stuff and both lift with the Honda having an advantage in less lifting but when forced low will slip their treads in bad conditions.  Chains on big tires would reduce that advantage even more.

 

Since you did not mention slope as a reason for a track I’ll assume you have a level area.

 

The value of a Honda for you would be an advantage of shifting the weight to the bucket and good distance.  Both of those for you are only related to the driveway EOD if the sidewalk can be cleared leaving some of the pile in the gutter.  At lease distance for the sidewalk part is not a factor.  You did not mention a tough time with the buildup of the sidewalk compared to the end of the driveway so possibly you have a way to deal with that.  You are probably running parallel there.  I assume your running parallel in the EOD area also but maybe have to get more there.

 

For the lower gear part:

You can adjust your friction disk closer to the center of the drive plate which you may have already done.

I did not find the slow hydro speed all the much of an advantage.  When the wheeled and track had to go super slow the conditions were bad and you are very close to the margin for slip on forward progress.  Going very slow and having very very slow did not gain much before slip.

 

For the better distance part: 

A healthy 1028 looses to a 1132 Honda tossing crud snow but not by much.  Honda will wax a 1028 in the driveway area with just fallen snow i.e. no crud like at the EOD.  An 11hp Honda will toss better than your 926 but you are not going to get monster distance from the fabled Honda tossing EOD with a 9 or 11.

 

For distance tossing EOD you could take a smaller cut with the 926.  You could boost your governor speed higher and run most of the time at reduced throttle.  At the EOD you could buck it up.  The load will reduce your RPM below 3600 anyway but you’ll have more umph.  

 

I clear about 150 feet of EOD so I want distance also.  At 36 feet you could start in the middle, go parallel and if super bad wet crud you’d have to double toss the edges.   For some snows I pre-clear an area to toss to so I don’t have to double throw.  I clear a couple of rows near the end of the driveway then go the sidewalk away from the driveway which I want to toss past the EOD.  I can’t so toss into the cleared area.  I then go parallel to the EOD taking whatever cuts I can and it’s out of the way.  The double toss and the rest of the driveway get cleared after.  For better distance you could try to setup so you are always tossing to the right which is the good side for a machine.

 

For the lifting part:

The Honda will be an advantage but as mentioned above if bad crud they slip their tracks so the overall advantage won’t be huge.  A Honda will probably not be a “cure”.   You could try a weight kit on the 928 and smaller cuts. 

 

Specifically for a Honda 928WA vs a 928TA there would be an advantage in the track for the EOD in lifting.  You won’t get any lifting advantage with the W vs the Ariens 926.  You gain some amount of advantage with the track but I doubt it would be significant before the tracks slip.  For the snowfall you get and with the EOD only 36 feet there may be some other was to clear that would use the Ariens more effectively.  The 9hp Honda will out toss the Ariens but not by whopping amounts at the EOD section unless your engine is tired.

 

If you wanted more advantage in lift and distance then an 11hp Honda would be better.  It only comes in 32 inch bucket unless newer models have 28.  An 1132 for you would be impractical overall unless you are so frustrated only the big guy will do or of course for fun.

 

So the options would be Honda 928WA.   With the justification being the EOD only the reason for replacing the Ariens lessens.   For the amount of snow you get each year and the amount of snowfalls that the Honda would be an advantage each year it would be hard to justify the expense for me.  You may be perfectly happy with that but you won’t know as you can’t use the Honda for a while first.  Maybe you could strap on a 10 or 11.5hp to the Ariens for much less and be satisfied.  It would be an easy swap and you could sell your engine on Craigslist making it cheaper.

 

 

 

 

 

rubinew wrote:

You just described the old Toro Power Shift large frame models with tire chains. 

I've purchased a Honda 1132TAS and while we've not had any snow yet, I've tried maneuvering it on dry blacktop while moving forward, and I haven't had any issue with it. As long as the tracks are moving it feels like its floating a bit because of the design of the treads. I'm not a big guy, either.

lseap107

Do you have pictures of your Ariens 926 we can see?  Do you have any pictures or detailed information on Honda HS1132 you are interested in buying?

I used my Honda HS928TA two days after Christmas for the first time and I was so impressed. I must of had 24 inches of heavy wet show plowed at the EOD and the Honda went thru without slipping on the first pass. The snow being higher than the 20 inch height clearance was no match for the tracked version. My previous Ariens you would have to rock back and forth to get thru the EOD, my reason for going with the Honda HS928TA. Tracked version is great and easy to maneuver in the snow, on dry pavement best to pull then push, with the auger set to highest height. I wouldn't change my tracked version for a wheeled version, very happy with my decision and purchase.

kderobertis, just curious.  What Ariens did you have?   Do you know what the factory number was, tires, chains?  Since you  used both it would be interesting to know.  

kderobertis wrote:

This is good to read. I am very interested in getting a tracked Yamaha, and there are more ppl that complain about tracks, than those who like them :-)

I was begining to get a bit nervous that I might regret the track. I have the same porblem with my current blower, the rocking, wiggling, and plain fighting with it to keep the auger in the snow.

trouts2 wrote:

I had the Ariens 624, much smaller than the current Honda,

lseap107 wrote:
I have the HS1132 myself and most of the time, I don't need the tracks, but this model only comes in track.  Turning 180 on the sidewalk is a non issue, there's enough room.  Honda snowblowers are surprising short and compact and with a little manhandling, you can pivot it around its center.  The challenge is turning 180 at the garage door, where you have a physical barrier, this will require some skill to turn without hitting that door.  :)  .  I haven't made contact yet.

Your end of drive situation doesn't seem too severe to warrant the strong points of a Honda track snowblower.  The only two useful feature is the variable hydrostatic transmission which does not require feathering of the drive bail to get really slow crawl speeds.  Honda track snowblower can put a lot of weight on the bucket to lessen riding up, but it will ride up when forward speed is too fast or going over driven packed snow.  Put it in scraper mode, bucket fully down, set crawl speed and let it do its job.  Don't rush or force it.  The heavy bucket weight and aggressive serrated teeth auger will do the work.

If you have patience and tolerance, get the tracked version.  I like a little challenge so I don't mind the tracks.  However, your drive way seems short which means there's a lot of turns .  Since you chose to throw it to one side, that also means a lot of chute directional changes.  Cranking the chute and frequent turns can either give you real good exercise or you will end up cussing about it.  Everything about operating a Honda is just more physical. 

If you are dead set on tracks, then by all means get it.  If you consider wheel model instead, I'd offer you to consider a Toro 826OXE and a 221QR combo that would come in at little less than a Honda 928WA.  The 221QR single stage snowblower can zip up and down the sidewalk very fast and will probably outpace a 2 stage snowblower with snow up to 5 inches.  The Toro 826OXE has good power to width ratio to take on EOD nicely.  Both Toro's are very user friendly.  I find the little Toro single are great for grooming curved paver walkways and tight areas.

I like my HS1132 a lot when it is snowing heavily and when the snow at the EOD is nasty.  The sheer volume and distance of snow it process is impressive.  I rarely get 20 inch snowfall to let this machine show it's strength.  Most of the time, the Toro single 421Q or Honda single HS621 is used instead.  But if I were to narrow down what I would practically use, the Toro 826OXE and 421Q would be my choice.