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

Looking at the pictures from Honda.com, the new 928 and 1332 models have auto choke and new exhaust systems.  Perhaps with the new exhaust system, the blower will be much quieter just like HS724. 

The skid shoe design has also changed for the 928 & 1332 models and it looks like the headlight is now standard equipment on the 928 models. I could never figure out why a headlight would be considered an option (and still is for the 724 models).

Personally, I have no use for the headlight and wish I could have bought mine for less money WITHOUT the light - don't need, don't want a light and the darn thing just gets in the way when blowing high drfts.   Autochoke? - just more to go wrong; if you don't know how to use a manual choke you should learn if you are buying a small engine..  New exhaust might be useful if it gets rid of the rubber carb warmer that makes it difficult to get to the carb itself, but nothin like the sound af a four stroke pounding away - I like it.   But - for the kinda money they get for them you would think they would include drift cutters like just about everybody else does - I made my own for about $3 bux wortha steel instead of paying somebody $75 plus shipping to get em.  And...when you folks down south gonna get the electric spout controls like we have up here (eat yur hearts out  LOL)?

I'm shopping for one right now, hesitating between the new 928 and the 1332. How reliable is Honda's electric chute control?

Will probably buy in the next week.

I was worried bout the reliability of the chute controls too.  Bought mine last January so it's had most of one winters use with no problems, and it was a relatively hard winter too.  As to long term reliability,only time will tell. That being said, the electric chute controls are a big advantage.   I have the 928 and prefer it cause it is easier to maneuver in confined areas.  Many people complain about tracked models because they are hard to use.  They definitely take a different technique than the wheelies, but when this is learned they are not that hard.  And the advantage of the tracks is amazing when going through the tough stuff.  Tracks, coupled with the hydrostatic transmission:  it'll go through stuff that a wheelie won't even touch.  I find the big drawback of tracks is inside;  the machine is very hard to move without starting the engine.  More of a problem in the off season, since I drain the carb when it's stored.  So....I fixed up an old crawler and just put the machine on it at the end of the season.  Moving it is still a bit of a hassle, but I don't have to do  that often.

MN_Runner wrote:
I think these changes are a result of tighter emission requirements.  That's about it.

It looks like the 2012 928's also include drift breakers too - right?  So, for 2012 light, choke and drift breakers are all added to the 928.  I assume the 2012 models are going to be what the local dealers have.  If there is still a $300 between the 724 and 928 then with those options added, I assume it would be worth it?

Honda snowblowers in the US never came with drift breakers.  Most of the time, it's not needed.  It's $60 as an accessory. 

I think the extra $300 spent on a 928 is well worth it just for the additional power.

DBV1 wrote:

I owned/used an HS624WA (same as the 724 except 1 less pony) for 10 years and it worked well for most of the storms we see here in New England. I picked up an HS928TA in the spring of 2010 and used it during all of last winter which was an extremely snowy winter around these parts. Hands down - go for the 928 if you have similar snow conditions as we have here in New England. The extra 3 HP is amazingly noticeable and the 28" bucket speeds the cleaning process up a bit. Where you will really notice a difference is on the EOD slop the snowplow guy graciously leaves behind. The 9 HP goes through this without hesistation, just keep your ground speed in line with the auger/impellers' ability to process what you're clearing. The 7 HP will get the job done but it will labor a lot more and be much slower at processing the snow/slop than the 9 HP. IMO, it's well worth the extra $$$. Let us know how you make out.

Agreed.  The 2 extra HP is well worth it.   I really liked the 24" size of 724 but the power on 928 is much more balanced and uninhibited. I am planning to purchase a new Toro 621 SS in a few weeks so I can use it when we get 2-6 inches of snow or use it as a fine cleaner. Toro 621 will be something simple my wife can use without worries  Good luck and enjoy!

@DBV1

You didn't mention if you were looking at wheeled or tracked Honda snowblower.

MN_Runner wrote:

Having both is really a nice option to have, especially as you get older -  the single stage is so easy to use on the smaller storms! I love banging around with the SS when the conditions warrant its use and then using the 2 stage when the going gets tough. I picked up a decent used Honda HS621AS this past spring (unfortunately after all the snow was gone) so I can't wait to put it to use. It has the same engine that I had on my old HS624WA so I can't wait to see how it performs on a SS machine. I'm going to be selling off my HS520A as the consumer grade GC OHC engine is anemic compared to the GX OHV series.

aa335 wrote:
Leaning towards the wheeled version as we have a concrete driveway.  Looked at both the Honda 24 and 28 today.  The 2011 28 also has firmer/different tires than last years 28 and this years 24.  Price difference was $200 more than the 24 - this was for the 28 without electric start.  It sounds like the Honda's are easy to pull start.  I think the 24 would be easier for my wife to maneuver when I am traveling, but for only $200 more the 28 seems like a better deal, but probably harder for her to handle???

Below are a couple links that highlight the new features of the 2011 28:

http://www.honda.com/newsandviews/article.aspx?id=6369-en

http://www.honda.com/newsandviews/article.aspx?id=6368-en

My Honda 928WAS is not that easy to manuver around and it would be tough for my strong wife to toss it around.  This is the exact reason why buying a SS (if you can) is a good option. 

Dr_Woof wrote:

As far as moving the machine why put a small piece of plywood on a dolly, should be no problem to move in the off season. JMO

DBV1 wrote:
Pretty much all modern engines have decompression feature to make pull starting easier.  But 300cc and larger engines do require more effort.  If a person is not fit to pull start, I think they're risking it by operating a 2 stage snowblower.

I was looking into the specs of the 724 and 928.  The 928 weights 6 pounds more, and 4 inches wider.  I don't think it will be harder to handle.  Your wife will probably get used to the heavier 928 that she won't notice it. 

The 928 will handle the EOD pile better due to the additional power.  But for normal snowblowing on driveways and sidewalks, you won't notice that the 724 is weak.  FrankMA can probably chime in and give his impression on the 724.

DVB1 - Trust you have a physically fit and strong spouse willing to move snow and enjoy running the snowblower during your absence. Steve_Cebu has a super strong wife as she can move her Toro 1028 with an ease.  In fact, Steve only takes videos while his wife clears the snow and flexes her muscle.

Thanks all for the help.  We ended up buying the Honda HS928WAS.  If it ends up being too much, then we can always sell it, but I think it will be fine.

Good choice!  You won't regret it when the big one strikes.  Take good care of it and it'll outlast you.  And don't forget to grease the auger shafts so they don't freeze up.  Get a few spare shear pins too, especially if you have gravel.

Thanks for the tip.  Looking forward to using it!

Dr_Woof wrote:

I can send you some shear pins if you like as long as you are not from Nigeria. 

MN_Runner wrote:
I'm in Illinois, very close to Minnesota.  :)

I consider you a friend so just let me know when you need some.

Thanks - funny about Nigeria.  I am from Ohio.   Do the shear pins break that easy and are they simple to replace? 

MN_Runner wrote:

I also have 2011 Honda HS928WAS.  I have yet to break any shear pin and it is very easy to change or check for tightness.  I lived in Columbus OH from 1977 to 1979. It does snow a bit in OH.

MN_Runner wrote:
Thanks.  I've got a few spare shear bolts on hand.  Probably takes me about 3 winters to break all of them, unless I'm reckless. 

DBV1 wrote:
Congrats on your new HS928, it's a great machine.  Having a snowblower makes it more enjoyable to clear the driveway and EOD.

The shear pins are actually shear bolts because they have threads.  The metal is very soft and will break easily if overtightened against the nut.  All it needs is a snug fit, that's it.   Don't wrench down too hard.

The shear bolts are easy to replace because they fall right out when broken.  Just line up the new bolt to the hole, spin it on the nut and you're done.  The only hard part is that small 4mm or 5mm hex nut that requires taking off gloves and use your bare fingers, without dropping the nut in the snow.   Of course, it will be easier if you have a 10mm socket and ratchet.

Columbus is a good city! I live in the Cleveland area and we get our fair share of snow thanks to Lake Erie. MN_Runner wrote:

Picked up our new Honda 928 today - can not wait to try it in the snow. The chute seems kind of hard to turn. Does it need more grease in it? Thanks!

it is not that easy to turn and seems normal.  Adding more grease will not help much.

DBV1 wrote:
Check the gear mesh between the worm gear and ring gear on the chute, it's probably too tight.  Loosen the nut on bracket that holds the worm gear and reposition it out a bit, then tighten it up again.

The gear does need grease, just a small amount.  Too much will attract more dirt and grit.

Before loosening the nut to make it easier to move - try other one at the dealer if not too far away.  It takes some effort to turn the crank.  It is impossible to determine whether the effort required to turn your chute is normal or not.  It is possible that my crank is too tight but I just got used to it.  My chute does not move unless cranked and stays in the position during  operation.

DBV1 wrote:

I stopped by and tried the 2012 928 model, you are right.  The chute was really hard to turn.  I also tried 1332 and 724.  The chute was hard to turn on all of them.  One thing I noticed was that the cable seems to be rubbing around where the chute drive extends to another piece.  Hopefully you don't have that issue.  BTW: A very nice machine.  The choke control is now on the back, which I wish I had that feature on mine so I don't start the engine at full throttle.  There is diagram of chute guide in your manual.

MN_Runner wrote:
So, does it seem a lot harder to turn than your model?  It seems like the more I play with it - the easier it turns.  Still should be easier though.  I did notice that the cable could come close to rubbing, where you said it was.  My cable seems to be ok, but will watch that.  Started it up today and seems very simple to use.  Starts easy too!  Just need some snow now.

The crank rod for the chute does rub against the cables, it was either the drive engagement or auger engagement cable.  On the 1132, it was a tight squeeze.   I went to the hardware store and bought some plastic tubing 3/8" or 5/16" ID.  I cut a 4" section, slit it in half, and slipped it over the cable.  If this tubing wears out, I'll just slip another one on.

It is good that it is getting easier.  When I cranked the chute rotator, it was a bit tigher than my 2011 model.  I was surprized by number of changes for 2012 model.  I think your 2012 model is much quieter than mine yet powerful.

I don't have a light so it is not as tight - the light wire harness adds to the thickness.   For 2012 HS928, the light comes as a standard feature which is the reason for the extra tightness. 

If the Chute is resistant the bolts holding it down were overtightened, back them off a little till they no longer cause the chute to bind. I used a 100% synthetic all purpose grease to lube that contact area because it is very water resistant, and will not harden the way lithium grease will.  Moving the worm gear was not necessary.  I also purchased stainless steel bolts for this as the salt from the road will corrode the metal fast on the chute and its hold downs.  The rotation shaft and gear is already stainless.  Another Honda Plus.

I think by buying my Honda 928 that I have jinxed this winter.   This is the first year in a long time that it has barely snowed (less than 4 inches total) and been so warm in the Cleveland area.  Bummer - bring on the snow and cold - want to use this Honda!

Be patient, it will come in big waves.  Snow that doesn't get dumped on Chicago usually builds up momentum and unleash on Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio.    .  Well mostly on Indiana.  Something to do with a big pond and lake effect snow.