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.

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.  :)