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

Relative to larger horses generally equals larger buckets - as well as overall OPE equipment.

For a given application of 7 horses on a 24" versus 9 on a 28" bucket, how much more does the extra horses in power versus the lesser play a role in bucket size.
Or do I just look at weight of both machines and look at it from a power-displacement ratio.

Or I would assume more torque, less HP is even better when looking at engines for snowblowers.
I do like the smaller bucket but I also like the extra power....

The larger bucket is going to increase the volume of snow that needs to be thrown. This in turn will require more power in order to keep up with the increased volume while maintaining an adequate forward speed. I had a Honda HS624WA (6 HP, 24" Bucket) for 10 years and that would throw any amount of snow I fed it but I had to go very slow in certain situations or it would begin to bog down. This was especially true for the EOD slop that the plow would leave behind.

I bought a Honda HS928TA (9 HP, 28" Bucket) last year and the biggest difference I've found is that it can and does throw all the snow I can feed it but I can also generally maintain a respectable forward speed. The 3 extra ponies keep the engine from bogging down under most conditions however, there are still EOD situations that do require that I slow down the forward speed a bit in order for the auger/impeller to process the snow load. This is typical on very wet, heavy EOD conditions where the snow is similar to cement in consistency. The bulk density of the snow under these conditions is much heavier than dryer (colder temperature) snow so the volume is the same but the weight is greater. This type of condition is typical of early and late season heavy snowfalls where the temp's are close to the freezing point.

IMO, the 9 HP engine/28" bucket is a good combination for the average homeowner. The larger engine will handle most conditions easily and the 28" bucket provides a good compromise between process speed and manuverability.

I agree with frank.  Very satisfied with my Honda 928.  And you can always take a partial cut if the going gets REALLY tough!

The 7/24 will effectively give you .291hp per inch of bucket width, the 9/28 will give you a bit more at .321hp/inch.  The 9/28 would be a better choice and you can always choose to take a slightly smaller bite with the 9/28 and maintain a faster forward speed in my opinion.

I hope to find out how my 11hp 26" restored 1984 Cub Cadet does this winter in deep/heavy snow.  I suspect with only a 26" wide bucket and 11hp I should be able to go through most any amount of snow at a decent pace.

Carl

IMO you dont want anything wider then 26" with a 250cc engine, if you want a 28" bucket then you need a 305cc or 10hp rating min.

stresst wrote:

I think that will vary depending on where you live. Get 2 or 3 inches and it won't matter at all. As was already said, you can always just take smaller bites. I think this whole thread is over-analyzing. Nobody knows how deep the next snowfall will be and that's a critical variable.

I think the whole argument boils down to what the snowblower operator deems an acceptable amount of time to clear a given area. I can go out there after a major storm and clear my property with one of my single stage units and get the job done. It will obviously take much more time but the end result will be the same.

4hp per foot of auger width or more is optimum. Marc

FrankMA wrote:
While we all lust for more horsepower to throw farther and clear snow faster, there's a point where more horsepower is a detriment, consider this:

1.  Heavier built rakes, buckets, bearings, pulleys, belts to handle the additional power.
2.  Increased vibration and noise
3.  Increased risk of damage to property, machine, or personal injury
4.  Increase skill and strength of the operator to handle the faster ground speed and more effort to maneuver
5.  Increased fuel consumption
6.  Increased cost of equipment and maintenance

I have a 11 HP / 32" wide snowblower.  At full governed operating RPM, and half of available ground speed, it requires concentration and effort to keep it the machine and the snow discharge in  control without damage to property or injury to unsuspecting people/pets that happen to wander by.  Sure, I would love to have 13 HP because Ariens decided to sport their 28" pro model with a beastly 414cc because bigger and badder, right?  Not really!  There isn't a time when tackling ice encrusted EOD pile or 20" fresh snow when I want it to be any faster or throw any further.  Hurling frozen ice or unsuspecting hidden objects 50 feet in the air is reckless.  We're not clearing airport runways where speed, distance, and volume is critical.

I don't know how many people feel the same way as me, but snowblowing is a therapeutic activity, there's no need to be any faster or more dangerous.

I started looking at some options.....

and came across a used 622. Small 22" 2 Stage. However, not sure how undepowered it will be on throw  BUT I like the 22" bucket width.
 All I care about is how this will throw on hardened EOD. 15 feet and I'll be a happy camper. I like the 2 stage for the chop, cut and then the impeller option.
Methinks it may perform just a smigen better than my single stage due to same power - 2 stager has blades/impeller but drivedrain loss on driving both may be just a smiggen better on throw distance.


Even with the driveway, walkway, etc - I was constantly clearing out the chute due to wet snow clogging it.

I need that ~chop, dice, breakup~ action before it reaches the chute.

Next up are the 24"s, in which there is the HS724, Ariens Plat. and Simplicity makes a 305CC driven machine....
So going back to throw, Impeller speed is important eh ? On wet , sloppy snow or heavy dense salted iced snow, am I focusing strictly on engine and then second to that build quality.
I don't care about hand warmers........or turning

I can say from the experience of using a HS624WA for 10 years that the HS724 will get the job done. Once again, you'll have to adjust your forward speed to accomodate the process speed of the augers & impeller. If you go too fast, the engine will bog down because it's won't be able to keep up with the volume of snow it's trying to process. You'll definately get a respectable throwing distance if you keep your forward speed in check.

As far as build quality goes, I think that is just as important as the engine. Once you get into the thick of the EOD garbage, the machine will begin to shudder and vibrate as it processes the dense mixture of salt, ice, slush, etc... The build quality needs to be robust enough to take that type of abuse and not fall apart. A heavy duty, thick steel bucket, augers and impeller are a must for longevity and performance as well as any surprises you can't see lurking in the slop. Press into the bucket and check the auger and impeller blades and compare them to those found on a high end machine if possible - see how they measure up.