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

I just picked up a 2012 Honda HS928K1WA. I just replaced my Yamaha YS828 and am clueless  on Honda's Hydro-static trans..

How do you use it?? If I put it is what would be speed 3 and engage the clutch it clunks and does an instant engagement. There is no slipping the clutch so to speak no matter how slow I engage it or how fast.  OR do I have to always have to have it in neutral and ease it up to speed every time I have to start out. If so, that would suck. HELP!!

You bought a $ 3000.00 Snowblower, and Obviously did not read and understand the Owners Manual.   Once the engine is running the transmission engages by the simple movement of the forward and reverse control lever, PROVIDING that you have placed the transmission lever located between the handles and almost underneath the back of the machine in the "ENGAGE", and Not The "DIS-ENGAGE" position.  I use a broom handle to move that lever.  Once you do this the transmission requires no additional " Understanding " as it will be maintenance free beyond the very RARE addition of fluid when it eventually needs some, which is not very often.  The owners manual is written so anyone can understand the operation of the machine, perhaps read it a few times with a friend till you understand what it tells you.

New_Yorker,

When are you going to show us your Honda snowblower that you been hiding inside the library? 

New_Yorker wrote:
What PLANET are you on? Read the owners manual before buying, I am not "professor ANAL and smart BY A HALF"  It is a snowblower.  I am very mechanically inclined, I had a business for some time as an Audi mechanic/owner. I can wire and  plumb a house in code, so BUYING a snowblower without reading the owners manual seems ok to ME.  Yes, it was a surprised that the Honda engineers could be so inept in their transmission design. Common design logic would dictate that you would not want to ADD a step to your hands while powering a snowblower. Common design logic would also dictate to use a bleeder valve to NOT to  produce an instant on scenario that would be hard on the trans.  How common 2-stage snowblowers work is time tested, adding another step that gives you operational LESS CONTROL  and calling it BETTER is ASININE.  Who cares if it is a Honda or an Apple computer  with great design thought instilled into their products.   A Lexus with a CV style transmission that you would always have to have one hand on to advance your speed from the center console,  INSTEAD  of the foot pedal is a bad design even though it is a Lexus.  And being a fanboy defending a illogical design flaw seems DUMB to me. No need to get pissed at me, it is just my opinion, and I disagree with others that this IS a design flaw. Like I said I will get use to it.  Yamaha doesn't sell in the USA and Yamaha only makes track drive now. I don't like track drives. So Honda is the next choice even if it is flawed.

Whoha,

Don't waster your energy and time on New_Yorker as he does not even own a snowblower.  He likes to read manuals online when he has an access to internet at his local library.

I dont see the problem with my 926 track model.  It just goes at watever speed is selected when you clutch it.  No clumk at all, but I rarely start out at a very fast speed and generally blow snow at reduced speeds.  Even on clean concrete - no clunk but it will stress out your shoulders if its set fast.  Just gotta be careful its not unexpectedly in full reverse when you do the clutch thing or youll get track marks all over yurself.

@Whoha

Interesting username.    All in the same, its either a playground or a toxic waste zone.  The creator has an amazing sense of humor.

I was quite surprised you used a Dremel to cut out few extra notches on the chute ring, although I know why extra rotation is desired.  That take some guts or insanity.  Most people wouldn't have the heart to hack a brand new snowblower that hasn't even seen a snowflake or has gone through an oil change. 

If the transmission is really an issue, there should be a lot more people b*tching and whining about it.  It's not like Honda snowblower were just released last year.

Again, I would suggest getting your new snowblower checked out or at least compare how an identical HS928 transmission operates.  It's not necessary to call Honda engineers INEPT across the board because of an isolated problem.  Not that I need to defend engineers for whatever reasons, but if you're dropping $2500 on a snowblower that is still in warranty, it's the least you can do before mudslinging.

What is H1?

Hummer H1

MN_Runner wrote:
H1 would be the original Humvy

Sorry, I am an Air Force guy.