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

Hello everyone,

I've decided between 2 snowblowers:


Toro 621 ZR  ($760)
Honda HS520  ($840)

These two are available locally and I know I will be able to get parts in the future. This might not be the case with other brands being sold in town, so I really want to stick with the Toro or the Honda.

I don't want a 2 stage (we don't get that much snow here).

I'm leaning towards the Honda, but just want to make sure I'm not making a mistake and should be getting the less expensive Toro. I'm not worried about electric start, and the "quick shoot" is not important to me. The Toro I have selected has the same features as the Honda (handle on the chute, recoil start).

Which one would you buy (let's assume the prices are the same, as the difference in cost is not important to me).  I want something that will perform well, and last for many years.

Thanks very much
James

I'm selling my HS520 in a couple of weeks because I bought a nice used HS621 at the end of last season. The OHC engine in the HS520 is anemic (IMO) compared to the OHV in the HS621. I have not a had a chance to use my new to me HS621 but it has the same engine that was in my old Honda HS624WA 2 stage that I used for 10 years. That engine in a single stage has to be winner. I'd go for the Toro if it was my decision and I love Honda power equipment, just not the HS520.

FrankMA wrote:
Sorry to hijack this thread James,

FrankMA, congrats on the HS621 acquisition!  Again, you have to wait a few months to go on a honeymoon with your new toy.    How's that Toro CCR3000?  I'm still keeping my eye out for a nice one that doesn't cost $350.

aa335 wrote:

Yeah, once again I managed to aquire a nice snow machine and have to wait before I can use it.... I never got that CCR3000 going for any appreciable time before springtime rolled around and other OPE equipment took center stage. A new carb ($ 180.00) is insane considering I only paid $ 40.00 for the machine so I'll continue to tinker with it in a few weeks or so.

Here's a shot of my new to me HS621AS - no beauty queen but pretty enough! 

James: I agree with aa335 that if an electric Powercurve 1800 did most of what you asked of it, then the 418 would probably work just as well if not better. For some reason I was under the impression that you would have gotten more snow than what you describe.

FrankMA wrote:
At least it's not a rust bucket.  Don't know how old your HS621 is, seems in pretty good shape.  How is it mechanically?  Does the engine run?  Everything working?

The machine is in really good shape. I bought it off a guy in South Boston who had a 2 car driveway in a very urban area. He would snowblow his driveway and the 30' sidewalk in front of his house and that was it. South Boston is located right on the coast so it usually does not get hammered with snow like where I live. He had it on CL last Spring for $ 125.00 and when I saw the ad I jumped on it. I knew I was going home with it as soon as I saw it. I tried to offer him $ 100.00 but he knew what he had and would not budge - that was OK because I thought $ 125.00 was a decent price anyway and after looking it over we had a deal.

It needs a set a impeller blades and a new scrapper bar + some overall TLC but I'm capable of bringing it up to speed and am quite happy to own such a fine piece of OPE. I can't wait to put her to use this winter and see how well she performs. I've always read great reviews on the HS621 so I had my eyes on CL looking for one (for quite some time I may add) and finally scored a decent looking machine. I wish that Honda would sell these fine machines in the USA.... Nothing like a good single stage for those 4" - 6" snow storms that are'nt quite heavy enough for a 2 stage.

FrankMA wrote:
I bought the HS621 as a new machine back in 1998 for $800 US.  The electric start was probably about $900.  That was a lot of money for a single stage, 50% higher price than the nearest competitor.  In today's money, that would probably be $1200 or more.  I guess Honda figured that it wouldn't sell too many HS621 at those prices so they came out with the HS520, and compete against Toro 221Q's. 

The HS520 had a fresher look, still feels solid, heavy, and high quality.  It was more nimble to move around, but a bit skittish and bounce around more.  In normal snowblowing situation, the snow jet was a tighter so it went a little bit further.  However, in foot deep wet snow or EOD piles, it performed worse than the older HS621.  The HS621 superior engine just had more grunt torque.  The larger flat center paddle was superior on slush or hard packed snow as well.  It was less resistant to clogging.  These were my observations since I had both machines at one time for direct head to head comparison.

One feature I really like about the HS621 is the streamlined aesthetics. It has that sleek "get the job done" kind of look. It might sound a little crazy but it reminds me of a shark.

I appreciate all of the replies. I think I'm going to get the Toro 621, but I will get the base model to keep the price down. I don't think I need the fancy features like the "quick shoot" or the "zip deflector".  Toro charges a huge premium for those extra features. The 612E is $620 locally, so that puts the price right between the smaller 418 Toro and the 621QZE "cadillac version" which sells for $820 locally.

Plus, the basic 612E has a metal chute vs a plastic chute on the higher models.

Thanks for all of the replies and suggestions.

James

FrankMA wrote:
Yes, it is quite sleek compared to the newer machines.  The newer ones are either too busy with exposed muffler guards, fuel tank and caps, valve covers, or handle consoles with headlights. 

Trying to look bulky and busy like a 2 stage snowblower is not a good approach, especially for people shopping for snowblower for the first time.

Mr_Pacman wrote:
I don't think I ever seen any Toro single stage with a metal chute.  Even all their larger and current 2 stage snowblowers have plastic chutes.  If anything, metal chutes are more expensive and will be offered on their higher models, not the other way around.

Properly designed and made, plastic chute is more slippery and does not allow snow/ice to stick.  I don't have any problems with the plastic chute on my Toro 421Q, it's lightweight, easy to change direction.