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

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royster wrote:

Well you sure do keep it clean. I have to go out and blow what we have now, my wife is too busy studying so even with a cold I have to do the driveway. This will be our last storm of the year and it's already melting.

Steve_Cebu wrote:
You have to rev the engine past 4000 RPM, that's when the VTEC kicks in.  There's a half a second of power surge.  Feels like a mini-turbo.  :)

Steve_Cebu wrote:
5:20 PM Friday, April 1. 2011
It is still snowing, about 15 cm (6 inches)   so far. It is not supposed to  stop snowing until 6 AM tomorrow.  It is a very wet snow , almost rain at times.  I am not going out until it stops .        probably 30 cm before it is over.

aa335 wrote:

Yes, but if you do that you won't get 36mpg and while I lead foot it more than my wife I still get 32mpg combined. My Civic Si had a lot of power once the VTEC kicked in.

royster wrote:

You are getting almost twice what we are getting, but it's really wet and did clog up my Toro something fierce. It's like 80% water out there. My driveway is completely clear now.

Steve_Cebu wrote:
That doesn't stop those Prius hybrids from trying to drag race me.  They're still getting 35+ mpg.  :) 

Surprising how aggressive tree huggers drive, with skinny tires and vague electric steering.  I love how those Prius hit a brick wall at 100 mph, can't accelerate any more.

I used to have a Honda Accord with VTEC.  I'm too old now to wait for VTEC to kick in. 

royster wrote:
You got a new single stage and you're not going out yet?  Hmm...something is wrong with this picture. 

aa335 wrote: Not as forcasted , it  stopped snowing, with about 20 cm (8 inches) of wet snow  I normally wait for the plow to go by before I clear the driveway, but I was anxious to try the new single stage, It seemed so small  and quiet  so I wondered , but all went quite well,  it only threw the snow about 6 feet but the snow was very wet .  Then the plow went by filling up the end of the driveway with packed wet snow , by allowing the auger to clean itself out several times  I was able to get through.   My opinion on the single stage is that they are quite a useful machine if the snow is not too deep and you are not in a hurry  to get it done. My driveway is 12 x 90 feet.

I have been eyeing a SS as well.  I really want to buy a new HS621 but it is not available in US.  So next best SS would be a new Toro 421QR.  I have made a few bids on eBay but was not able to get a 421Q for $500.  Hopefully you are happy with your new Craftsman SS.  I firmly believe Toro 421Q and 221Q are the best SS on the market.  I am glad I did not buy Honda HS520 last year.

MN_Runner wrote:
The HS520 is long in the tooth.  Hopefully, someone is working on it's replacement to stay competitive.  The latest crop of B&S powered single stage snowblowers with remote chute rotation comes at a lower price and better performance.

The HS621 platform with GX200 engine, redesigned auger, remote chute rotation and deflector, around 85 lbs would be a good product.  They just have to position it as a premium single stage, instead of competing with the bottom feeders.