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

We just entered August but the weather feels like we are in the middle of September already in MN. I am not sure what kind of winter we will have but hopefully it will be shorter than 2012-2013 season. I hope I am mowing in November and grilling outside. I am ready as you all are too.

This Spring/Summer season has been interesting mix of weather.  Very cold, wet, and hot.  All occurring within a 3 week period.  Lots of rain here and there, cold evenings.  I don't feel like summer is actually here yet, more like a very long Spring season.  With that said, I'm not ready for winter yet.  :)

Now, if Honda makes an announcement for a new snowblower that isn't decaffeinated or crippled for the US market, I'd be looking for snow right about now.  :)  I'm just dreaming about a Honda HS1128 hybrid with dual track motors, brushless auger/impeller motor, onboard engine start, LED lights, electric chute and deflector, electronic auger clutch instead of shear pins.  All this for $2800 or less. 

Until then, I like this weather and in no hurry for Winter to arrive.  Still got a few projects around the house to finish before it gets cold.

aa335 wrote: I'm just dreaming about a Honda HS1128 hybrid with dual track motors, brushless auger/impeller motor, onboard engine start, LED lights, electric chute and deflector, electronic auger clutch instead of shear pins.  All this for $2800 or less. 

MN_Runner wrote:

Where is that Honda employee who posts here? Maybe that employee can relay this reasonable request to Honda OPE marketing people. It is just too bad the marketing people are not listening to what customers want.

I'm here and listening. And reporting. I have weekly meeting with sale/service/marketing groups and review everything I read online regarding Honda Power Equipment. Comments, suggestions, etc. are welcome.

-Robert@Honda

Not sure if this forecast is what you have been praying/wishing for?

http://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/climate-weather/stories/uh-oh-farmers-almanac-predicts-a-nasty-2013-2014-winter

Thanks MN_Runner, but I wonder how many degrees difference there are between "piercing cold", "biting cold" & "bitterly cold"? It all sounds pretty freakin cold to me!

I see a lot of people taking here about the Honda brand. What exatcly makes that brand better than the others? My lawn mower is very old and need to get a new one.

GtWtNorth wrote:
I don't care for the cold, but I like the "snowy" stuff.

Jessica85 wrote:

Honda makes good snowblowers and lawnmowers and so does Toro and other brands. I have Honda snowblowers (a 2-stage and a single stage) and lawnmower and would have no problem buying Toro if I had to since it is from Minnesota. AA335 and Borat have good luck with their Toro single stage snowblowers. We like performance, reliability and the long term cost of ownership associated with either Honda or Toro.

GtWtNorth wrote:

Biting Cold: When you bike to work, you can temporarily damage your reproductive organ and may gain full control within 24 hours. Piercing Cold: When you bike to work, you can permanently damage your reproductive organ and cannot use it again until you die. So there are differences.

MN_Runner wrote:
Just to add a few of my comments.  I have a Honda and Toro snowblowers, and a Toro lawn mower.  These two brands have been around for a long time, by the same owners.  They have parts and service network support, as well as history, and their quality has not degraded like some other well known brands.  Honda and Toro engineered and build their products.

There are other brands that merely brand engineer their products, or have poor product life management.  Simply specifying paint colors and price points and then slap on the company logo just doesn't do it for me.  That's a lazy way of grabbing market share.  Big companies can do this, and they will.

Every consumer have different requirements and price points.  I suggest you do some research, talk with sales people, service people that you buy from.  Kick the tires on the product you intend to buy to make sure it works the way you think it should work.  If not, ask yourself if you can adapt to it.  The lawnmower is probably one piece of equipment that is most often used, in terms of hours.  Make sure you are comfortable using it.  Don't be seduced by "commercial grade", there are instances where homeowner user friendliness is sacrificed.  Homeowners typically do not need 125 pound commercial lawn mower.  The user is likely to be worn out long before the mower. 

MN_Runner wrote:
What if you don't ride a bike?  Does the same risks apply?  Can that be mitigated with heated seats?  Wait, I think I'm going to apply for a patent  or an IR for that.  :)

aa335 wrote:

Electrically-heated bicycle saddle seat covering, has heating element supplied from battery embedded in plastics foam material DE 10144607 A1 ABSTRACT The seat covering for a bicycle saddle has an electrical heating element, embedded in a plastics foam, material, which is operated from a battery voltage supply, in a similar manner to a heated insole for a ski boot. The plastics foam material is cut to match the shape of the bicycle saddle and secured beneath the latter. I was going to file your idea for the patent but it seems a bit too late. Sorry!

Piercing Cold:
Like a needle piercing your butt

Biting Cold:
Like a wolf's teeth in your butt

Bitterly Cold (aka: Brass Monkey Cold):
'Bitter' hope global warming is real

oldcrow wrote:
Thanks for the analogy, but it's hard to imagine the biting cold.  Never had a wolf biting experience to relate to. 

oldcrow, I like that explanation, I may steal it.

I don't know what kind of winter we are in for, but so far September & October have been very nice with temperatures above average by 5 or 7 degrees.

Cheers
Paul

aa335 wrote:
You've got a standing invite to visit me and wifey up in the north woods. Shouldn't be hard to arrange for a wolf-biting. A little bacon grease on the pants should do the trick.

GtWtNorth wrote: And this is Quebec? Wow, enjoy that while it lasts, brother. I'm in Michigan's Upper peninsula, probably about the same latitude as you. Winter is already on our doorstep. 4 or 5 snowfalls already, sub-freezing temps at night. That almanac prediction of biting cold may turn out be right. Better stock up on wolf repellant

You may steal with my blessing. A case of Canada's finest would be appreciated, though. Just too much hassle anymore to cross the bridge for brewskis. Bloody terrorists...

oldcrow wrote:
Sounds enticing, at least to the wolf. 

The grease is only meant to draw the critter in. You have to do the rest of the work. 

well here is SnowDay1
http://snowday1.wordpress.com/

it gets technical but the center of the country is in for "copious amounts of snow"

Good thing I have the Toro 2 stroker.

No hurry for snow here.  I can wait for at least after Thanksgiving.

Winter came here last night.  First snowblowing with the Honda.  Lotsa highways closed or not recommended for travel.  But it was a nice morning to blow snow here.

Dr_Woof wrote:
Do you have ample supply of beer?  You ran out last year so it would be really bad if you repeat the mistake again.

Snow is here now.  Time to put away the lawn mower and stock up on winter gas.

It's also time to change the air in my tires to winter air.  :)

This has been one of the longest winters in New Brunswick , Canada Starting in early December with very cold temperatures -20 C Then the snow began with storms of 12 inches or more in Dec, Jan , Feb and now March So far, I have used my Husqvarna 27 inch, 1450 Briggs , Hydro Gear Hydrostatic, snowblower 18 times and most of those times were major storms, drifting snow, 3-4 feet at the end of driveway. The snowblower has worked perfectly , but I am glad that most of our storms are over, I hope Royster