Abby’s Guide > Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) > Discussions > Single Stage Auger Designs
Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions |
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aa335
Joined: Nov 29, 2008
Points: 2434
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Re: Single Stage Auger Designs
Reply #5 Nov 5, 2011 3:21 pm |
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The Toro design is by far superior in every way and is why they enjoyed such a large part of the single stage market. Now that their patent is up all bets are off!!! AJ The powercurve is very efficient in moving fresh snow. The continuous curve gives it a steady and smooth pull forward. Because of the flexibility of the rubber and being open, it is more forgiving in uneven surfaces, and more comfortable to the user because it is less skittish. It also has the lowest rotation mass so it can keep spinning faster and propel medium weight snow further. Also, Toro uses the inverted funnel design with tighten up the snow stream and increase it's exit velocity. But these advantages means it is not as good in slush as other auger design with the flat and stiff center. The older Honda HS621 singles have a 9 inch wide flat center that is very stiff. The auger assembly is very heavy as well. It will dig into slush and push it up the chute without clogging. It also has a very gutsy GX160 engine that has low RPM torque. The flat closed center means the slush/snow has no place to go except up. It doesn't have inverted funnel so the slush won't get choked. It will not spit the snow in front of the auger. On the Honda HS520, it has smaller center portion that is stiff, it is supposed to be compromise between the Toro and the older Honda HS621. This actually gave the HS520 slightly better distance than the HS621 in fresh snow, but still trails behind the Toro. But because the engine is anemic, in slush, it bogs down and lose it's stiff v-center advantage. Had Honda put the GX160 engine in the HS520, it would give the Toro a run for the money, but it will cost $200 more. I wouldn't say the Toro is superior in every way, but it is a model of efficiency between the auger and the inverted funnel. Everything is a compromise. Tune it one way, performance suffers another way. Toro does have a nice balance performance. So what's new? The Briggs/Simplicity/Ariens/Snapper single stage with the 208cc engine, same auger design as the Toro, but with a stiffer center portion. So you got more powerful engine with less deflection, it will do better than the Toro or the Honda. Check out the videos. It is quite impressive. But I don't really like the way its put together. It attracts buyers with bigger engine, lower cost, and an improved auger, at the expense of finesse and aesthetic.
This message was modified Nov 5, 2011 by aa335
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blumonster
Location: Wisc.
Joined: Oct 14, 2011
Points: 163
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Re: Single Stage Auger Designs
Reply #9 Nov 5, 2011 4:34 pm |
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So what's new? The Briggs/Simplicity/Ariens/Snapper single stage with the 208cc engine, same auger design as the Toro, but with a stiffer center portion. So you got more powerful engine with less deflection, it will do better than the Toro or the Honda. Check out the videos. It is quite impressive. But I don't really like the way its put together. It attracts buyers with bigger engine, lower cost, and an improved auger, at the expense of finesse and aesthetic.
If only the finesse and aesthetic were missing in these machines...
They need to prove themselves in action, prove that they are reliable. Poulan Pro should be one of these.It is sold for 320 at stores here.If I did not get the used Hondas I now have I probably would have gotten the Poulan Pro or Home Depot's Sno-Tek (for around 400) .
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