Abby's Guide to Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more)
Username Password
Discussions Reviews More Guides
Abby’s Guide > Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) > Discussions > Need some opinions please

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

Search For:
estroner


Joined: Nov 29, 2010
Points: 4

Need some opinions please
Original Message   Nov 29, 2010 2:29 pm
I am looking at replacing a 25 year old snow blower. I live in Iowa and have a driveway that measures roughly 70X30. I do get some nice drifting, last year over the bed of my old truck, and some nice piles at the end of the drive. I am looking at the Toro Power Max 2-Stage 26 in. Snow Blower and the Ariens Deluxe 2-Stage 28 in. Snow Blower. They are the same price so I am not really sure which one to buy. Any help would be appreciated.

 

Replies: 20 - 29 of 52Next page of topicsPreviousNextNext page of topicsAllView as Outline
borat


Joined: Nov 10, 2007
Points: 2692

Re: Need some opinions please
Reply #20   Jan 15, 2011 6:10 pm
It would appear that the Honda aficionados might be feeling a little inadequate. 

Maybe now we'll be hearing a little less crowing about the "end all and be all Honda".

A refreshing change.  'Bout time.
tkrotchko


Location: Maryland
Joined: Feb 9, 2010
Points: 143

Re: Need some opinions please
Reply #21   Jan 15, 2011 7:04 pm
trouts2 wrote:
MN_Runner, if you google GC vx GX you'll get some good info.

>>>MN_RUNNER, "Why are you pitting Yamaha against Honda?"

Borat hates Honda.  Blue was the greatest thing to come down the pike for turning a Honda hater into a Honda basher at the slightest oppertunity. 

Borat dosen't open his wallet that much and has to treat it with anti-sieze so it won't lock up.  The cost of a Honda or Yamaha would give him a heart attack.  His was under doctors orders to get a snowblower to replace the shovel or he never would have bought one.  

>>> There's a new king in the snow blower world and it's painted blue.

   Well sort of.  There are big Hondas out there we don't see.  What about those to Blue? 

>>>Yamaha will soundly spank any equivalent Honda.

"Equivalent Honda"?

  If you're going to stop at the HS1132 that's not the "equivalent Honda".    Take the HS1132.  Is that the "equivalent Honda"?  Bucks wise, power wise, build wise & etc.  There are a lot of considerations for comparison.   It would be tough to consider, "I'd bet that  in every imaginable operational aspect." to be true without knowing more about the Yamaha.  If you know what's under the hood post it.  Which model are you comparing to what Blue?  I can't find much other than marketing lit on the net.

>>>There's a new king in the snow blower world and it's painted blue. 

So the question is what is the "equivalent Honda"?  Are you drawing the line at HS828, HS928, HS1132 or what? 




http://www.honda.co.jp/snow/products/hss970i_1170i.html

That's the Honda equivalent.

joed


Joined: Sep 1, 2008
Points: 84

Re: Need some opinions please
Reply #22   Jan 15, 2011 7:11 pm
I had a similar decision to make last month.  I ended up going with the Toro 826 two stage.  So far, it's been a beautiful machine.  Very well-balanced, fast, blows the snow a long way, and really easy to turn.   I tried out an Ariens platinum deluxe before choosing.  It's a nice machine too but tougher to move even with the auto differential lock.
Paul7


Joined: Mar 12, 2007
Points: 452

Re: Need some opinions please
Reply #23   Jan 15, 2011 7:13 pm
The issue that I have with Honda and Yamaha is that they keep their best machines for the Japanese market.  Over here we have to muscle and jerk their heavy tracked machines around...but in Japan they have dual hydro driven tracks to turn their high end machines. 
MN_Runner


Location: St. Paul, Minnesota
Joined: Dec 5, 2010
Points: 622

Re: Need some opinions please
Reply #24   Jan 15, 2011 7:29 pm
Paul7,

The main reason we have big and brute versions of Yamaha and Honda is that we, North Americans, are physically stronger and can handle the weight.  Average japanese is around 5'5" with a weigjt of 130 lb.  On other hand, we north americans are around 5'10" and weigh around 200 lb.   So the japanese market demands fancier models but less likely to die from a heart attack since they are conditioned to insane prices.

Borat,

Before going to a Yamaha dealer, please carry a defibrillator with you in case you develop a deleterious VF.  We need your voice in this forum. 

MN_Runner


Location: St. Paul, Minnesota
Joined: Dec 5, 2010
Points: 622

Re: Need some opinions please
Reply #25   Jan 15, 2011 7:29 pm
Borat,

When you buy a Yamaha, please let us know. I will not wait for that special event.

This message was modified Jan 15, 2011 by MN_Runner
trouts2




Location: Marlboro MA
Joined: Dec 8, 2007
Points: 1328

Re: Need some opinions please
Reply #26   Jan 15, 2011 7:40 pm
 >>the OP is looking in the low $1k price range

I think the original poster is long gone and the thread done.

>>tkrotchko

   That's what I was looking for and I believe there are models above that looking like a Durango.  The place one would be sure to find high end pictures of Honda machines is Borat's dartboard. 

OK Borat where's the beef?   Your dissing on Honda at every oppertunity.  Here's your chance to plant the flag.   What's so great about which Yamaha compared to which equivalent Honda?  I've had, used and worked on several Yamahas and think they are fantastic.  I've now worked on 3 Honda and think they are fantastic.  I would lean somewhat to Yamaha for a few reasons on the years and models I know but I don't know the newer Honda or Yamaha.  Your help to unmask the wonders of the Yamaha to compare with the cheaply built Honda that would never tempt you wipe the dust off the conbination lock to the vault would be of assistance to educate the homeless guys at the library.

JGtravelor<<<< Didn't he get booted?

 

This message was modified Jan 15, 2011 by trouts2
Bill_H


Location: Maine
Joined: Jan 12, 2008
Points: 354

Re: Need some opinions please
Reply #27   Jan 15, 2011 7:40 pm
MN_Runner wrote:
Borat,

When you buy a Yamaha, please let us know. I will not wait for that special event.


I believe Borat has in the past stated he expects his Simplicity to be the last machine he'll ever have to buy (or something like that). With proper maintenance (which I'm sure he does) I don't see any reason to expect otherwise.

Who the hell let all the morning people run things?
borat


Joined: Nov 10, 2007
Points: 2692

Re: Need some opinions please
Reply #28   Jan 15, 2011 8:02 pm
Bill_H wrote:
I believe Borat has in the past stated he expects his Simplicity to be the last machine he'll ever have to buy (or something like that). With proper maintenance (which I'm sure he does) I don't see any reason to expect otherwise.

It's OK Bill.

The Honda boys are just crying in their beer.

Just hand them a tissue.......

By the way, you're right.  I doubt I will need anything more than the machine I have.  Might pick up a used Toro single stage for light duty work.  Other than that, as you've suggested, the Simplicity will likely last many, many, years. 
shiva916


Location: Massachusetts
Joined: Nov 13, 2010
Points: 22

Re: Need some opinions please
Reply #29   Jan 15, 2011 8:06 pm
trouts2 wrote:
 >>the OP is looking in the low $1k price range

I think the original poster is long gone and the thread done.


Trouts, I agree that likely the OP is long gone and has likely made a purchase by now but I was just getting commenting on the issue that someone asks a question about certain types of machines they are thinking of and someone usually responds with "Honda's rule and are awesome" or something along those lines. No doubt they are great machines and I would like to have one but I don't think that they are the best solution to everyone's situation.

I must admit that prior to buying my Ariens I cruised these forums looking for advice and suggestions from prior posts and that helped me in purchase. For one, prior to checking out the Ariens line at HD, I was pretty unfamiliar with them and if someone asked me what type of snow blower they should buy I would have likely said go to sears and get a craftsman. I do see quite a lot of them around and have to admit I owned one myself, but I guess thats called being unknowledgeable in a subject. I think that there are some very experienced people on this forum with a great deal of worthwhile opinions and smarts about OPE, and then there are others like myself that are just trying to get some help and offer some assistance where possible. While I am not a wiz with snow blowers I do know a little about small engines and tinkering around is a bit of a hobby, so I may not be in a position to offer an opinion on every thread in here, but it gets a little old with people just throwing 2cents in about Honda, Yamaha, etc when a person like me may not be able to devote $2k + to a machine that only gets used a few times a year depending on where you live. This is not to say that the red and blue claims may not be without merit but my opinion is that they may be machines better to suited to someone elses need. It's kind of like going to a car forum and asking about a corolla or a civic and the only answer you get is...BMW is the ultimate driving machine.

Just my 2cents

Replies: 20 - 29 of 52Next page of topicsPreviousNextNext page of topicsAllView as Outline
Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Guide   •   Discussions  Reviews  
AbbysGuide.com   About Us   Terms of Use   Privacy Policy   Contact Us
Copyright 1998-2024 AbbysGuide.com. All rights reserved.
Site by Take 42