Abby’s Guide > Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) > Discussions > Honda HS621 restoration
Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions |
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jrtrebor
 
Location: Michigan - 3 hours north of Chicago on the lake
Joined: Feb 10, 2010
Points: 539
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Honda HS621 restoration
Original Message Oct 27, 2013 8:57 pm |
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Well here is my most recent find. Actually I bought it at an auction back in August. But didn't get around to restoring it until earlier this month. It was pretty rough but started on the second pull. So figured it was worth the 40.00 I paid for it.   The upper handle was pretty messed up. So I replaced it with one that I kept around from and old Toro CCR2000. It bolted right up and was also a little longer than the stock Honda handle. Which is nice.   Stripped and repainted the muffler cover. As well as the lower handles.   The blower housing sides needed quite a bit of straighting. Also welded on a small piece of steel onto the bottom of the left side where it had been worn off. Not adding the piece would have allowed snow and water to get inside what is the belt and pulley compartment. That would not be good. Installed a new set of paddles and a new scraper that I bought on ebay for $53.00   Cleaned up everything inside. Have to say that these blower are really well built. The steel used for the bucket and the undercarriage is heavy gauge. Actually the undercarriage is plate steel. The bracket between the engine and the bucket is like something you would find in a automobile.   Sandblasted the bucket and sealed some of the joints with auto Spot putty. Gave it two coats of Rustoleum Red oxide primer. Then two top coats of Krylon Tough Rust semi gloss. I did end up giving the center interior section of the housing another coat of black Rustoleum Hammer finish. That gave it a smoother, slicker finish and that paint if extremely durable. That is also what I painted the auger with.     Didn't do much else other than check the carb bowl for dirt or signs of water. Replaced the plug, oil was good and clean. Belt was good. So it's ready to go. In case some of you noticed there is a modification that I made. I designed a chute rotator system for it. Which I will show in another thread.
This message was modified Jan 2, 2014 by a moderator
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aa335
Joined: Nov 29, 2008
Points: 2434
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Re: Honda HS621 restoration
Reply #1 Oct 28, 2013 12:51 am |
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You got quite a sleeper deal on that HS621. Some people would pay more than $40 for that GX160 engine alone. You did a really nice job cleaning it up to show room condition. I like the electric rotation you put on it. Looking forward to the details. I always enjoy seeing the extra things you put into your machines.
As you may remember, I went through the same process of restoring my 10 year old HS621 about 3 years ago. It was stripped down to bare metal and repainted. I didn't have a sand blaster so it was slow and tedious with a angle grinder and a wire wheel. It was well worth it and it is still a great snowblower to work on. Just taking it apart I had an appreciation on how well made this machine was. I had an itch to modify to increase its power. I had thought about putting a larger GX200 engine, which has the same engine block, mounting dimensions, but with larger displacement with longer piston stroke, just to get more power out of it. I also thought about putting in some kind of remote chute rotation. I decided to keep it all stock. It's such a great machine that I thought to leave it alone and just bring it back to the condition when I bought it. It was good enough for me.
Every once in a while, I have an urge to look through craigslist to find another HS621 to buy and restore. I really enjoy working on it but I don't have the place to store it. And even after I restore it, I just don't have the heart to sell it. I'm in the process of organizing my garage and I am avoiding creating any more clutter or junk.
Did you repaint the plastic cowl and the belt cover? Or just buff out the small scratches? They look really shiny. My plastic cowls and belt cover were scratched up so I used Krylon Fusion paint. The color was a little off and more muted, not as bright and shiny as yours.
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GtWtNorth
https://t.me/pump_upp
Location: https://t.me/pump_upp
Joined: Nov 16, 2008
Points: 264
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Re: Honda HS621 restoration
Reply #2 Oct 28, 2013 9:44 am |
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jrtrebor, very nice find! especially at that price. How do you do it? Are you known as the snow blower guy in your area so everyone tells you about the deals. I'm jealous. A great refurb also. I have the same questions as aa335 about how you treated the plastic cowl and added the rotator. aa335 - how is the plastic paint holding up on your machine after 3 years? I haven't had a chance to try it yet. Cheers Paul
https://t.me/pump_upp
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jrtrebor
Location: Michigan - 3 hours north of Chicago on the lake
Joined: Feb 10, 2010
Points: 539
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Re: Honda HS621 restoration
Reply #4 Oct 28, 2013 6:25 pm |
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You got quite a sleeper deal on that HS621. Some people would pay more than $40 for that GX160 engine alone. You did a really nice job cleaning it up to show room condition. I like the electric rotation you put on it. Looking forward to the details. I always enjoy seeing the extra things you put into your machines.
As you may remember, I went through the same process of restoring my 10 year old HS621 about 3 years ago. It was stripped down to bare metal and repainted. I didn't have a sand blaster so it was slow and tedious with a angle grinder and a wire wheel. It was well worth it and it is still a great snowblower to work on. Just taking it apart I had an appreciation on how well made this machine was. I had an itch to modify to increase its power. I had thought about putting a larger GX200 engine, which has the same engine block, mounting dimensions, but with larger displacement with longer piston stroke, just to get more power out of it. I also thought about putting in some kind of remote chute rotation. I decided to keep it all stock. It's such a great machine that I thought to leave it alone and just bring it back to the condition when I bought it. It was good enough for me.
Every once in a while, I have an urge to look through craigslist to find another HS621 to buy and restore. I really enjoy working on it but I don't have the place to store it. And even after I restore it, I just don't have the heart to sell it. I'm in the process of organizing my garage and I am avoiding creating any more clutter or junk.
Did you repaint the plastic cowl and the belt cover? Or just buff out the small scratches? They look really shiny. My plastic cowls and belt cover were scratched up so I used Krylon Fusion paint. The color was a little off and more muted, not as bright and shiny as yours. Thanks aa335 your right the engine alone was worth the $40. I do remember you talking about your blower and how pleased you
were with it. I was hoping to run across a GX200 to put on it, but no luck there. These blowers are a joy to work on.
Simple straight forward, quality parts and fasteners. I think you can break the whole thing down in about 20 minutes.
I did work on the plastic covers. I've tried so many different things on those type of covers mainly Toros.
This time I took all the deep scratches out with a Red Scothbrite pad on a die grinder. Then wet sanded the cover
using a variable speed dual orbiting sander. I think I used 1500 and then 3000 grit paper.
Then waxed it. That plastic or vinyl is strange stuff to work with. I'd really like to know what type of material it is.
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jrtrebor
Location: Michigan - 3 hours north of Chicago on the lake
Joined: Feb 10, 2010
Points: 539
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Re: Honda HS621 restoration
Reply #17 Dec 25, 2013 4:03 pm |
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I saw tiny parts of the belt on the snow and I smelled burnt belt. I don't know how I managed doing that.
Sounds like either the tension pulley is getting at the belt. Which could be because the pulley is out of alignment. Or it could be the the belt is not routed correctly. Usually there is a diagram on the inside of the belt cover on most SS machines that show the correct way to route the belt. On Toro's there is a post with a nylon sleeve on it. If the belt doesn't get placed on the correct side of that post it will eat belts. The Honda's don't have that post. But they have a "Belt Keeper" just in front of the crankshaft pulley. The Keeper has a "notch" in the top of it. So it looks as if the belt should run over the top in that notch. But in fact, it's supposed to run underneath the keeper as shown in the photo below. If it's run over the top your going to get binding, reduced power to the auger and it's going to eat up your belt. Just a thought. 
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aa335
Joined: Nov 29, 2008
Points: 2434
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Re: Honda HS621 restoration
Reply #19 Dec 25, 2013 11:07 pm |
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I saw tiny parts of the belt on the snow and I smelled burnt belt. I don't know how I managed doing that. Talent is needed... Anyway I googled and all the related videos were not available for my newly acquired iPad mini. I will watch them on android. I miss my old HS35 which did a great job of clearing snow. In fact now I will go outside and shovel some more because it snowed today after yesterday's shoveling. Lots of exercise. :D The HS621 is significantly better machine performance wise than the HS35. However, the HS35 is quite an engineering design. It is so stout and robust that it is begging for a much more powerful engine. Unfortunately, such a design today would be highly cost prohibitive. Even maintaining the old HS35 in running shape is expensive already. The symptoms of clogging and burn smell and bits of rubber on the inside are indicators of slipping belt. Definitely a belt tension or routing issues. jrtrebor is right on target with his assessment on the root cause. The belt should be under that little tab next to the crank pulley. While you have the belt cover open, I would look around to see if anything else needs attention. Check the idler pulley to make sure that it is spinning without excessive play and not binding. Also, the idler arm should pivoting smoothly without and excessive play. Try spinning the auger without the belt engaged and check for any binding there as well. Problems might be a seized or worn out auger shaft bearing. That's pretty much it. These older Honda are quite well built and they are a joy to work on. Most problems can be easily taken care while the belt cover is off.
This message was modified Dec 26, 2013 by aa335
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aa335
Joined: Nov 29, 2008
Points: 2434
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Re: Honda HS621 restoration
Reply #20 Dec 25, 2013 11:22 pm |
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It's throwing distance is at least as good as the Toro 5hp models.
It's a tighter stream that a Toro.
Also haven't had any problem with chute clogging with the wet stuff.
My experience with the HS621 is the same as yours. The HS621 isn't a throwing distance champion compared to today's Toro's. However, it still has the tightest stream of any SS snowblower, right up there with the HS520. It gives up bit of throwing distance, but what it does superior to the newer Toro is in the slush. The flat center paddle will pump the packed slush up the chute even up the point of stalling the engine. The Toro will sometimes clog at the chute. The other day I was out clearing a 1 1/2 inch of really wet snow. I used the Toro 421QE. None of my neighbors even bothered with using a snowblower, it would be useless. The Toro did clogged several times and I thought retiring the Toro and bring out the Honda HS621 to do the slush clearing. It would be superior to any snowblower for this kind of stuff, except for an older Toro S620 with the flat paddles. I kept the Toro on to finish the job because I was a little lazy and feel like having two dripping wet snowblowers in my garage. :)
This message was modified Dec 26, 2013 by aa335
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blumonster
Location: Wisc.
Joined: Oct 14, 2011
Points: 163
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Re: Honda HS621 restoration
Reply #23 Dec 29, 2013 2:37 am |
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Sounds like either the tension pulley is getting at the belt. Which could be because the pulley is out of alignment. Or it could be the the belt is not routed correctly. Usually there is a diagram on the inside of the belt cover on most SS machines that show the correct way to route the belt. On Toro's there is a post with a nylon sleeve on it. If the belt doesn't get placed on the correct side of that post it will eat belts. The Honda's don't have that post. But they have a "Belt Keeper" just in front of the crankshaft pulley. The Keeper has a "notch" in the top of it. So it looks as if the belt should run over the top in that notch. But in fact, it's supposed to run underneath the keeper as shown in the photo below. If it's run over the top your going to get binding, reduced power to the auger and it's going to eat up your belt. Just a thought. Thanlk you for the help jtrebor. I opened it up yesterday and compared the current belt with the previous one and Honda belt. Honda belt is thinner than the other two, must be a belt issue. I tried it after putting the new belt although there was no new snow to clear. It worked fine. I will report back when we get new snowfall.
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blumonster
Location: Wisc.
Joined: Oct 14, 2011
Points: 163
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Re: Honda HS621 restoration
Reply #24 Dec 29, 2013 2:44 am |
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The HS621 is significantly better machine performance wise than the HS35. However, the HS35 is quite an engineering design. It is so stout and robust that it is begging for a much more powerful engine. Unfortunately, such a design today would be highly cost prohibitive. Even maintaining the old HS35 in running shape is expensive already.
The symptoms of clogging and burn smell and bits of rubber on the inside are indicators of slipping belt. Definitely a belt tension or routing issues. jrtrebor is right on target with his assessment on the root cause. The belt should be under that little tab next to the crank pulley. While you have the belt cover open, I would look around to see if anything else needs attention. Check the idler pulley to make sure that it is spinning without excessive play and not binding. Also, the idler arm should pivoting smoothly without and excessive play. Try spinning the auger without the belt engaged and check for any binding there as well. Problems might be a seized or worn out auger shaft bearing. That's pretty much it. These older Honda are quite well built and they are a joy to work on. Most problems can be easily taken care while the belt cover is off. Thank you for the help, aa335. It was just the belt. I like it when the solution is simple. Augur spinned when turned by hand, though not super fast. Also noticed the free play on the handle, could not measure it as the manual described but it looked normal. Idler pulley was spinning fine. When the machine was tilted back, a pool of gas drained by itself on the ground. Is that how it should be when you tilt it?
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aa335
Joined: Nov 29, 2008
Points: 2434
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Re: Honda HS621 restoration
Reply #26 Jan 2, 2014 4:13 pm |
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Thank you for the help, aa335. It was just the belt. I like it when the solution is simple. Augur spinned when turned by hand, though not super fast. Also noticed the free play on the handle, could not measure it as the manual described but it looked normal. Idler pulley was spinning fine. When the machine was tilted back, a pool of gas drained by itself on the ground. Is that how it should be when you tilt it? I use the manual as a baseline for setting the tension. It's kind of a guestimate for the play on the bail handle. I just fine tune it from there, which is a just a notch tighter than stock. Just make sure it is not too tight. You will prematurely stretch the belt and not let the auger brake engage properly. I have not seen any kind of fuel coming out of this snowblower. Can't tell you if what you're seeing is normal.
This message was modified Jan 2, 2014 by aa335
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NJhonda
Joined: Jan 9, 2014
Points: 25
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Re: Honda HS621 restoration
Reply #32 Jan 9, 2014 8:01 am |
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NJhonda
Joined: Jan 9, 2014
Points: 25
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Re: Honda HS621 restoration
Reply #35 Jan 10, 2014 11:12 pm |
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I know. I was gonna talk him down to $40 but did not have the heart :)
This message was modified Jan 10, 2014 by NJhonda
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NJhonda
Joined: Jan 9, 2014
Points: 25
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Re: Honda HS621 restoration
Reply #40 Jan 12, 2014 4:53 pm |
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Is he driving from NJ to buy your HS621? Roundtrip tolls will be more than $50 from NJ. what are you talking about? its not anyone here and toll from NJ to where it is is no more then $10
This message was modified Jan 12, 2014 by NJhonda
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NJhonda
Joined: Jan 9, 2014
Points: 25
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Re: Honda HS621 restoration
Reply #46 Jan 19, 2014 3:32 pm |
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NJhonda
Joined: Jan 9, 2014
Points: 25
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Re: Honda HS621 restoration
Reply #48 Jan 19, 2014 5:44 pm |
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I don't understand what you mean here.
Anyways, that's a ridiculously awesome find. Very nice ! That machine was probably stuck in a time capsule for the last 12 years. Did it come shiny like that or has it been Armorall-ed?
How much did you pay for this one? What I mean is that I sold my 'old' one for $50 less then I paid for the 'new' one.:) So the 'new' one cost me, in reality, $50. I did 'armor all' it. lol I thought some may think I lost my mind but I love my machines. BTW- paid $450 for the new one and sold the old one for $400
This message was modified Jan 19, 2014 by NJhonda
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NJhonda
Joined: Jan 9, 2014
Points: 25
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Re: Honda HS621 restoration
Reply #50 Jan 19, 2014 7:07 pm |
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Very good deal. The machine is immaculate. Well worth the time and cost. By the serial number, your HS621 is actually older than mine. Probably a 1996-1997 production date. Looks good with the armorall. You sure treat your equipment better than other people treat their cars.  Thanks!! You aught to see our cars lol
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NJhonda
Joined: Jan 9, 2014
Points: 25
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Re: Honda HS621 restoration
Reply #51 Jan 19, 2014 7:09 pm |
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Very good deal. The machine is immaculate. Well worth the time and cost. By the serial number, your HS621 is actually older than mine. Probably a 1996-1997 production date. Looks good with the armorall. You sure treat your equipment better than other people treat their cars. Your thinking mine is about 17-18 years old? niceee
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Location: CAN
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Re: Honda HS621 restoration
Reply #53 Jan 20, 2014 5:51 am |
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Awesome job, It reminds me my old 1984 Ariens restoration, cleaning, sanding, buffing, scrape, wipe, prime, paint, add new parts, that's a couples of hours of big work. But the thing that made me smile was the first snowfall and take out the bull to work
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NJhonda
Joined: Jan 9, 2014
Points: 25
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Re: Honda HS621 restoration
Reply #54 Jan 20, 2014 7:26 am |
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Actually the new one cost you $100.00
Which is still an extremely good deal.
You sold your old one for $400.
But you paid $50 for it.
So your profit was $350.
$350 from $450 is $100
Actually using it for 4 years I can clearly say that the initial $50 cost has been absorbed :)
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NJhonda
Joined: Jan 9, 2014
Points: 25
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Re: Honda HS621 restoration
Reply #57 Jan 20, 2014 1:22 pm |
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I'm guessing it's around that age, maybe a bit older. There's a forum member here that works for Honda that may be able to find out the exact month and year of manufacture from the serial number of your HS621. In any case, your machine looks like it only actually moved snow for one season and did a Rip Van Winkle all these years until now. Hopefully the fuel lines and all rubber components are not dried out and are brittle. Went over the whole machine and its like new. He used mobil 1 and drained the carb after every use, and kept it in a heated garage. Its truly a perfect machine :)
This message was modified Jan 20, 2014 by NJhonda
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robertcoats
Joined: Dec 12, 2011
Points: 39
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Re: Honda HS621 restoration
Reply #58 Jan 20, 2014 4:25 pm |
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I'm guessing it's around that age, maybe a bit older. There's a forum member here that works for Honda that may be able to find out the exact month and year of manufacture from the serial number of your HS621. In any case, your machine looks like it only actually moved snow for one season and did a Rip Van Winkle all these years until now. Hopefully the fuel lines and all rubber components are not dried out and are brittle. I can only access digital records back so far, (about 1999-2000) and mfg. dates / serial numbers older than that are probably on some little white metric-sized index cards in the basement of the factory in Japan. The HS621 was introduced to the USA market about 1992, and discontinued in 1998. Unlike mowers, which get used every year, snowblowers can last for decades, as they don't get used every year in many locations. Still, it is awesome to see equipment 25-30 years old still in use. -Robert@Honda Caveat: I work for Honda, but the preceding is my opinion alone.
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RIT333
Joined: Jan 3, 2008
Points: 33
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Re: Honda HS621 restoration
Reply #62 Jan 21, 2014 5:05 pm |
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I hear what you're saying.
But that doesn't change the math.
I guess we can assume that he doesn't work for the IRS !
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Robertbarr
Joined: Feb 2, 2014
Points: 2
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Re: Honda HS621 restoration
Reply #71 Feb 2, 2014 3:53 pm |
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I bought one of these used for $225 twelve years ago. What a machine. It's dealt with Chicago winters ever since. They're a little heavy -- about a hundred pounds -- but that big Honda GX engine thumping away gets the job done.
A friend of mine found an HS621 at the curb on trash day. Cosmetically near perfect, ran fine. Paddles were a bit worn but still usable. Needless to say, he snagged it and has been using it ever since.
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NJhonda
Joined: Jan 9, 2014
Points: 25
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Re: Honda HS621 restoration
Reply #72 Feb 3, 2014 8:50 am |
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These are truly one of the very best of the best SS blowers ever made. Nod the plastic Chinese crap that is out there today.. I HAD to locate a low hour unit and I was luck enough to do that. it will be in my family for generations now
This message was modified Feb 3, 2014 by NJhonda
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NJhonda
Joined: Jan 9, 2014
Points: 25
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Re: Honda HS621 restoration
Reply #74 Feb 10, 2014 12:07 pm |
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The best of the best of the ... İn single stage territory İs still Honda HS 35 . Honda can put a stronger engine and reproduce HS35 and sell it for $5000. But the fact remains the HS35 is the inferior 3.5 hp engine as compared the 621's 5.5 hp engine and the 621 throws way more snow furthur(32' vs. 21').. Seen and ran both. No comparison. Otherwise I would have bought a 35 :)
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NJhonda
Joined: Jan 9, 2014
Points: 25
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Re: Honda HS621 restoration
Reply #76 Feb 10, 2014 9:54 pm |
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Had both, HS35 was more productive, did not feel it was less powered than 621.Mind you it is heavier, maybe a factor in its better handling. within a few pounds of each other.(95 vs. 99 lbs). Weight basically the same. HP huge difference(60% more hp on the 621) and Honda rates the 621 in a whole nother league when it come to amount of tons per hour and throw distance. You had a sick 621 you were comparing. Its really not close
This message was modified Feb 11, 2014 by NJhonda
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bruced_500
Joined: Dec 16, 2014
Points: 2
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Re: Honda HS621 restoration
Reply #77 Dec 16, 2014 11:54 am |
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Hi all I'm looking for a reasonable priced salvageable auger for my HS621 , as I'm understanding the HS521 auger should work also? Is that correct ? So if anyone has a source for either of these like a local salvage yard or you have one sitting on the shelf and you want to get rid of it please let me know. thanks Bruce
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hi all. First post here. I too scored a Craigslist HS624 for a pricey sum of $50. The guy stored it dry so all it needed was new paddle rubber, oil and gas. Fired right up and has been throwing snow for 4 years for me and never missed a beat.. and puched thru 12" wet snow and never stalled. Amazing machine. I am looking for another to buy in case I wear mine out. 
Ok guys just got back from a 5 hour round trip for my 'new' HS621. Its an under 25 hour machine that is perfect in every way.. I sold the old one for a new cost of $50 for the 'new' one. Here are the pics of it.. 
