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

One guy from MSP area is selling his 15 year old HS621 (the guy from Wayzata MN who hates HomeDepot and GC engines) for $450.  Another one is selling his one year old HS520 for $400 with one year remaining on the warranty.  HS621 is a nice machine but is it really worth more than nearly new HS520?  Replacement parts for HS520 is about 50% of the cost of HS621. What do I recommend for a friend?  I think the HS621 from that guy is simply way too high (if it were as good as aa335 then it is a different story).  HS520 seems like an economical option.  What do you guys think?

You buy what is right for you. Obviously there are sellers out there that have NO idea of what things are worth. Some just want them gone, Others think they have gold. I have found that when both selling & buying timing is everything. Want top dollar for a machine, wait for an approaching storm. Want to buy cheap, buy in the spring or when there are a ton of machines for sale.

I would go for the HS520.  If need be, put in $60 worth of parts like scraper and rubber auger and it's practically a new machine for a total of $460.  If the HS520 was abused with dented side panels and rusted bottom, then no, I would never buy abused or commercially used equipment.

If you are recommending a snowblower for someone to use as their main snowblower, I would go with the newer models with cheaper and readily available consumable parts, and with dealers who can service them.  This is why Toro's are in such high demand.  You can get parts for these anywhere.

I dont think either ones a good deal. I'm with greg if you want to buy used cant wait til near snow season. Last spring I got a near mint 621 for $220. This fall sprung for the new paddles and scraper to break it up a bit

SB prices are regional, just like labor, cost of living, 450K can buy you a single bedroom apartment or a 4 Bedroom, 2 Bay Garage...
$450+ is the average rate of a good 621 that will not require parts in this part of town.

Tough call. Parts aside, having used both, I have used the 621 in snow conditions in which the 621 never stalled out on me but the 520 has.
Will it be a supplement to a 2 stager or not...

mobiledynamics wrote:

Which part of the region do you live?

I used an HS520 last winter and did not care for it. I picked up a decent used HS621 at the end of last winter but never really got to use it yet. The HS621 has the same GX160 engine that was on my old HS624 2 stage and that was a great snowblower. I think the HS621 will  perform much better than the HS520 with the GC engine. If the machine was cared for and maintained properly it should be fine.

I just sold an hs 520 recoil start that was six years old for 275.00 It was in nice shape and didn't need anything. I also have a bigger two stage track machine that wasn't getting used much so I decided to just use that instead. If this 520 looks good I would say buy it as they are 629.00 new up here plus tax.

mobiledynamics wrote:

Having owned both at one time, I experienced the same thing.  I don't know why the GX160 engine is that much more gutsy, its the same displacement as the GC160.  Besides the cast iron liner versus aluminum bore, what else can it be that makes more power?

I thought they were identical but there are some subtle differences between GC160 vs. GX160.  GC has slightly longer stroke and smaller bore compared to GX.  GX is 163cc vs. 160cc and hp and torque are slightly higher for GX - perhaps just enough to make the difference.   The GX160 on the HS621 appears be the low profile kind of GX160 variations.

Generally speaking torque and power of push-rod ohv engines is a bit better at lower rpms vs. an ohc engine of the same displacement.  I've read that more than a few times.  Something to do with valve angle and efficiency at lower engine speeds. 

Ohc engines are capable of much higher rpm and that's where the configuration shines.  At higher engine speeds ohc engines will run more efficiently and make more power because there is no "valve float" that can be experienced with a push rod engine being run a too high rpms. 

Bottom line is that using ohc engines for OPE isn't the best application for that type of engine.  Put the same or similar ohc engine in a small displacement motorcycle and spin it up to eight or nine thousand rpm and it will be right at home.  In that application it will make considerably more power and live longer than a push rod engine of similar size.  It's all about the rpm range.