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

Seen a lot of questions and comments on this so I'll just post my 2 cents worth.  We get a lot of HARD blown in snow around here.  Just bought a Honda HS928TCD (tracks) and I think it's night and day compared to two other wheel types I have used.  Yes, the Honda is (only slightly) harder to make a turn at the end of the line, but this is very much more than compensated for by not having to fight the blower through the first 200 yards of hard snow to get to the turn.  The Honda just pushes ahead and and is very easy to steer.

The hydrostatic drive on the Honda is good to have.  It shifts on the fly (no declutching) to adjust to any speed required do get the job done right.  The electric chute controls are wonderful - don't seem to have a problem freezing up.  When looking to buy, I found the manual chute controls on Hondas sturdily built but a bit hard to turn compared to others.  Electric....good.  WIsh the Honda had heated grips (it's -36 C here today!).

When going through lots of harder snow, the Honda engine is obviously working harder.  I compensate by slowing down forward speed or taking a partial cut - no sense in putting undue stress on the new guy, but I suppose it's only logical that more snow to move equals harder work for the engine.

The two wheelies took a lot of muscle for the hard snow - almost woulda been easier to shovel it.  My old wheelie (JD 826 with chains and "summer" tires) went thru but slowly and with difficulty and lots of muscle required.  The other new wheelie (since returned to dealer), equipped with "snow hog" type tires simply refused to touch the stuff.  I looked into getting chains for the snow hogs, but most dealers, even those that sold chains made expressly for the snow hogs, said they didn't help much (one said they made things worse!).

The Honda tracker is definitely more difficult to handle than a wheelie when in the garage on dry concrete, but I can live with that.  Maybe the suggestion of putting it on a creeper would help, but I just don't have to move it around there much anyway.  Come summer: prep it, store it and see ya next winter.

Bottom line (for me): probably almost anything will go through soft snow, but if you need to blow hard snow, get a tracked model.  I love my HS928TCD , and I imagine the new Yamahas and perhaps other tracked models (ie Ariens, but no hydrostatic drive) would work as well.

Great review!

I have had a similar experience with the tracked Yamaha! Yes, a little harder to turn, but a lot less work getting to the point where you need to turn!      

The Yamaha will bog down as well with a full hit of hard snow, have to slow the drive to almost a crawl, which is easy to do with hyrdro static drive.

My old blower didn't bog as much, because I could never feed it packed snow the way I can with the track drive.

I am sure you will get many years of reliable service out of your Honda!

      

I wonder where the sweet spot ends with tracks and maneuverability.   I mean it sounds like an in-shape 40 year old man would have no problems with tracks.  But would you recommend tracks to someone who's more advanced in years?  So lets say someone in their late fiftys...with the machine built to last 20 to 25 years,  would they still be able to handle it when they're in their seventies?

I don't remember who posted it, but it was on this forum that I read this tip, and it works well.

When ready to turn, leaned the Auger back, the TCD has a gas lever for that, then lift up lightly on the handles, this tips the weight forward, and spin around, it actually works very well, I did keep a slight bit of forward track movement as well.

So to clarify better:

As I come to the end of a cut I slow the forward motion to a crawl, lean the auger back, lift a little on the handles, shifting the weight to the front of the tracks, then rotate 180,

adjust chute, lean auger back to desired forward position, and keep on blowing!

Paul7 wrote:
Well....I'm 67,  had shoulder surgery (BEFORE I got the Honda  lol) a few months ago, so I hope so.  I find the Honda easier to handle in hard or soft snow than the wheelies.  Little harder on the turns, not much and just take it easy.  Blower I tried earlier with "Easy Steer" required constant muscling  to keep it going in a straight line in soft snow especially when taking a partial cut which produced an asymmetric sideways force on the blower, but not the Honda.  Adjust the forward speed to optimum, scream MUSH, and it just goes - very little gee hawing required.  It's important to know how to use the attitude adjustment with the Honda - keep it set right, which is easy with the handlebar control.  Taking a little getting used to when backing cause I'm still used to the wheelie - durn thing wants to run me over if I just shift it to reverse (the old wheelie disengaged reverse automatically if you didn't keep holding the reverse in, but I suppose if it came to it I'd fall backwards and the Honda would stop).  Just a minor adjustment to reflexive operating procedure required here.  'nuff said - I like it and I'd buy it again. 

Paul7 wrote:

If you use your legs and hips, moving a track machine is not a problem, unless you have a specific physical limitation that prevents you from a normal level of activity. I think people want to steer it with their arms, and it becomes a more complex problem ;).

Dr.woof good luck with your new Honda.

You made a good choice on your snowblower.

Paul7 wrote:

Hi Paul  this old guy is 56 ,neck surgery last year and two back

surgeries in the last 10 years,and I still man handle my machine.

I received my Honda HS928TA in September and I wouldn't trade it for a wheeled version if I had to do it all over again.

This machine rocks and makes blowing snow fun again!

Dr_Woof wrote:

You touched upon many of the same points that I discovered when I went from a Honda HS624WA wheeled model to my new to me Honda HS928TA track model. I wish we had the option of the TCD model you guys up in CA have but I guess Honda feels we lowly Americans are not worthy :)   I did a comparative review of both in late December/early January after using my HS928TA for the first couple of times. I've always enjoyed using the hydrostaitc tranny and to be honest was very apprehensive of buying a track drive model after hearing/reading all the horror stories about the "difficulties" of a track drive snowblower. Technique (IMO) is the key to ease of use with the track drive and once this is realized, manuvering becomes just a tad more difficult than a wheel drive model. Traction is superior in every situation you described and in my case going from a 6 HP to a 9 HP was an incredible step up in performance, especially on the EOD and heavy, wet snow.

I too love my HS928TA but would hope that some day Honda (and Yamaha for that matter) wake up and realize the missed opportunity of not offering the higher end models that are available north of the border. Good luck with your new machine!

I will take a wheeled snowblower any day over a track system. A good set of Snow-Hog tires provides excellent traction and the Snowblower can be moved around with the engine off. Nothing worse then running an engine in a closed area. Oh did I also mention the wheels are much cheaper.

FrankMA:

I don't think the differences between the TAS and TCD models in the Honda line represent a significant upgrade. After looking at the specs, basically it looks like the TCD model adds power adjustment auger height and chute instead of manual, and it also offers onboard battery starter. Honda does offer significant upgrades to their line, but when I look, I don't see them offered much outside of Japan itself, and remember that those upgraded models are $6,000 and up. I don't think the market for a machine like that is significant.

Edgenet:

The tracked models are definitely harder to move without power and they do cost more, but I think running an engine in a garage for a minute while you move it isn't really much of a risk. But to each their own.

tkrotchko: I thought the TCD models had some sort of gas assisted 3 position height adjuster rather than the manual foot pedal like my TA model? I definitely like the joy stick controller for the chute rotation and deflection.

The TCD models have an infinitely adjustable heigth adjustment controlled by a lever on the right handlebar which actuates a gas strut  They have a 12 volt battery, electrical joystick chute control (rotation and heigth) , and are equipped with a headlight.  Mine came with both side and rear mounted bucket skids and was already set up with the carbureter anit-icing shield..

Dr_Woof wrote:

NICE!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm jealous.....: )

tkrotchko wrote:
Maybe Hondas are, but my trigger release (one for each side) Yard Man isn't hard to move at all.

Agree that running an engine long enough to move something isn't a problem, especially if the doors are open. I have to open ALL the doors in my garage to even start an engine because it sets off the smoke detectors.

Dr Woof:>>Yes, the Honda is (only slightly) harder to make a turn at the end of the line, but this is very much more than compensated for by not having to fight the blower through the first 200 yards of hard snow to get to the turn.  The Honda just pushes ahead and and is very easy to steer.

 

   The above is what I’m finding as I get used to the track.  Point, shoot then follow it.  Not 100% converted yet to say I’d choose a track over a wheeled for a single machine but it’s inching closer after each storm.  Turning for me is not a problem.  The HS624 is easy enough and so is the HS828.  The HS1132 requires more focus but easy enough also.

    The three Ariens 1028’s I had here got sold off.  I’ve got 4 Hondas here and none are for sale. That does say something about my preference.  None of them are going anywhere until I get a similar replacement machine first.   

   What's not so great is determining when your in low or middle bucket.  I can't see the catch positions.  Maybe some painted stripes down there would do it.

    Also, the ones with choke after full throttle is not so great.  They start and run to high rev very quickly. If I back off choke they often stall so have to run it to choke to prevent stalling then back off and do it a few times to keep the revs down.  I don't like to have the high revs or the banging and thumping from choke.  The 1132 has manual choke at the carb and no problem.

  

DR Woof: >>I found the manual chute controls on Hondas sturdily built but a bit hard to turn compared to others

 

   Was that after adjustment?  The machines I have all have the adjustment under the worm. You can make the crank tight or fluid.  One machine was tough but I took the chute off, wire brushed the chute and seat then greased and oiled them.  It was fine after that.   

I just tested the floor models on the manual chute - so perhaps they could have been adjusted better for easier rotation.  The engine on my 928 starts quickly, but runs pretty slowly until it warms up regardless of where the throttle is set.  I would prefer a manual choke myself, but it's not available on the 928.

Dr_Woof wrote:
Try loosening that bolt that holds the bracket to the engine.  It's located near the universal joint on the crank.  My was binding up before I let it loose a bit.

First year of ownership was frustrating, since I decided that my first two stage snowblower was going to be Honda's biggest model and with tracks.    The HS1132.  Prior experience was with a Toro Powerlite and Honda HS621 single stage, and various shovel types.   

Going on third year now, I'm feeling very comfortable with it.  Found a new appreciation for coordinated turns and chute adjustment while the snowblower is in motion and pumping out snow.  I'm not in a hurry so I try to do it smooth.  I can almost place the snow in single spot while turning.  Feels like flying a helicopter, requires constant minor adjustment to direction and chute, but it's fun.  I would love mine to be a TCD model, it's like driving a car with power steering and power windows. 

Just tried something new this year.  Last week, we had slushy snow, then freezing rain, then some snow on top of that.  I tried to keep up clearing the pavement, but the temperature dropped so there was 1 inch of frozen ice and packed driven over snow tire tracks.  The driveway was uneven with elevated tire tracks and patches of snow and ice  My rear wheel drive car had a bit of trouble climbing the incline with the snow and all the ruts.  The temp has been 5-15F so no chance of that 1" ice melting anytime soon, even with all the sun. 

Took out the Honda, put it in scraper mode, run it along the driveway length, then across.  Now I have a smooth graded surface and the raised tire tracks are gone.  Another plus was the serrated auger scratched up the glare ice so now I have enough traction for the car to climb.  I was going to salt the driveway but now I don't have to, which I only salt when absolutely necessary.

I did feel weird running the snowblower when there was no new snow on the ground, and arouse curiosity in the neighbors, but I wasn't going to spend hours chipping away at the ice layer.  However, after half an hour running the snowblower in scraper mode, this little Zamboni smoothed out the driveway and made it walkable without resorting to salt.  Well, chalk one up for another reason why tracks are desireable.  Only with tracks can you point the auger at the ice and put lots of weight on it. 

As I have stated several times on various posts, I was apprehensive about the track drive system vs. wheel drive because of all the negative comments that have been posted. The friend I bought my slightly used HS928TA from convinced me otherwise and I'm glad I listened to him. Learning the proper technique of manuvering and handling the track drive system is really the key to smooth and painless operation.

If you try to fight the tracks or use them as you would a wheel drive system you will definitely be disappointed. Operating a track drive in the showroom or on bare pavement is simply not a good method of judging the way they handle in real world (i.e. snow covered ground) conditions. Yes, it is not easy to move around your garage in the middle of summer but if it is placed on a dolly your problem is solved. Once I have my machine ready to tackle the winter, it stays off the dolly and is ready for use at a moments notice. I appreciate all makes and types of OPE and enjoy using all the toys I have in my arsenal.

It's a good thing that we have many brands to choose from when we decide to go out and buy a piece of OPE. Just because one prefers brand X over brand Y does not mean that one is neccessarily better than another. Some like brunettes, some like red heads, me, I've always been a sucker for a pretty blonde! That said, it does not mean that one is better than the other.

I wish I had a HS928 track version so I can do a direct comparison.  My HS928 wheel version is neither perfect nor easy to manuver on a dry pavement but it blows reasonably well compared to my old MTD 8hp 24" blower.  I have no issues with my wheel version blower - I was not interested in paying for more than what I needed to clean my small driveway.  I wish I have gotten WA instead of WAS as I have no need for an electriic starter.  If a track model works out for you then good for you and if wheel model  works for you then it is equally good for you as well.  There is really no right or wrong answer here other than what meets their needs and preference.

Around here you never know what you're gonna get when the snows come.  I consider myself lucky that a hard snow blew in less than 24 hours after I bought a $2000 wheelie because it gave me the opportunity to immediately see that that one would not work under those conditions.  And fortunately the dealer agreed after coming out and seeing for himself what it would do.  Without the hard snow then, I'd still be sitting on a $2000 blower that doesn't always work (just when you need it most) and no opportunity to return it.  If all you ever get is the soft stuff then I suppose a wheelie is all you need - save some bux.  But if you're worried about the hard stuff you can't go wrong with tracks.