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

Any advice as to which of these two single stage blowers is the better choice?  Thanks.

People usually look for big snowblowers after a rough winter. When I moved into a new house with a steep driveway, I wanted something that can handle the worst winter.  That way, I can be self-sufficient and not having to wait for plow trucks or other people to help.  Plus, I have a rear wheel drive car with 5 inches of ground clearance.  It has to be brought into the garage because I will not leave it out on the streets overnight.

In 1998, a new Honda HS621 sold for $800, the electric start was even more.  Now, the HS621 is only available in Canada, for $1200.  The GX160 commercial grade engine, the metal bucket, and the tough metal auger is expensive.  They were overbuilt, and they were too costly for US consumers.  The Toro single stage units was much more competitive in price, and with very good performance too.  Parts and service network support was better, so it had overall lower ownership cost.

my vote is toro. i've had both and have found the toros just throw snow better.  personal fav would be the 2450 2 stroke.

seabird wrote:
Is there much difference between a 2450 and a 221QE?

borat wrote:
Essentially the same powercurve auger, the 2450 lower bucket section is metal, upper is plastic.  Side plates are metal on the bottom, plastic on top.  The 2450 has the same Rtek engine, but only 20" width.  It was designed only for the Rtek 2 stroke engine.  Engine cowl is red, console is black.  It has more compact and lean look.

The 221Q has all metal side plates, added pivoting scraper, quick chute, zip deflector, and square deflector.  221Q can accommodate both 2 stroke and 4 stroke engine on the same chassis due to the cast aluminum engine mount.  The bucket section is unibody style like the HS621 and HS35.

I stopped by my trusted Honda OPE dealer today and asked them about reliabilites of Honda HS520 and Toro 621 (same as 421) SS. The dealer owner tells me that Honda HS520 is much more reliable and experiences far less service calls compared to Toro 621.  The owner thinks the quick chute is a great idea and selling point  for Toro but you have to anticipate more service on the carb of Toro 621.   I have to assume some truth on this since he sells and services both Honda and Toro.

@MNRunner

Did you buy one yet?

Not yet - It just bothers me to hear that Honda is more reliable than Toro.

@aa335

Trust your Toro 421 started without any issue this fall.  I have a little time before deciding since no snow for another 10 days or so.  I am sure the realiability question entered and resolved before you bought your Toro.

Do you own a Honda automobile? 

I used to have Honda Accords.  They were reliable and safe to drive.  But they were also very boring to drive, at least to me.  They were appliances on wheel, always humming along.  What bothers me is because they were so reliable, I didn't have an excuse to get rid of them. 

The last Honda was a 1998 Accord developed transmission failure and had all kinds of emission problems.  After putting in $3000 during the 10 years I had it, I drove it to 250,000 miles and got rid of it.  I was not going to get another Accord, they keep getting bigger and bigger and drove like everything else. 

Now, I like to sacrifice some reliability for excitement. 

As a matter of fact, I own Honda (2005 Odyssey with 80K) and Toyota (2007 Camry with 110K) and they are boring and these cars have not been in the shop too often.  I generally fix my own cars when I can and the repairs are not over my head.  I am also boring too as I run everyday (my blood pressure is 90/60 and a resting heart rate of 45 bpm) and have not been to doctors office too often.  I do have one coming up for my big 50 physical exam and hopefully the results are boring too.  Sometimes being boring is okay ...