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

Hello all,

I know it's a little bit early to think about snow, but some parts of North America has seen those little white flakes already on September 9.  Anyways, there are two new interesting models from Honda and Toro that may fulfill your wish of more power and convenience features.

The first one is a Honda.  As many of you know, Honda makes good performing snowblowers.  But Honda has been very slow to update their SS with more power and features that the competition already has for years!  But that has changed.  Rip Van Winkle has awaken.  The Honda HS720 is now available in the US. This models sports a  bigger 190cc (was 160cc) engine and now is available with remote chute and deflector controls.  I emphasize a remote deflector control!!!  Wooo Hooo!!!!  Of course, electric start is always available.  Just saw this baby at Home Depot today.  Honda went big this year.  Looks serious and purposeful.  Here the link.

Honda HS720AS


The second one is a Toro.  Some of us already seen this as a Toro 721R with a 212cc engine.  This model was released last year as a bare bones commercial model without the homeowner frills and thrills.  However, this year, we see the much wished convenience of remote quick chute and zip deflector added as a homeowner model 721QZE.  Here's the link.

Toro 721QZE

Surprisingly, the Toro is actually more expensive than the Honda.  So stop complaining Honda is expensive.  :)   Also, the Honda is made in North Carolina, designed by an US engineer.  :)

Very interesting...I was waiting for Toro to add some quick chute parts to their 721R but instead they upped the motor on the 721QZE. Good move. If they had only added a remote deflector control (I know...it's not necessary, but darn convenient!) The Simplicity 1222EE certainly has an auger that looks like it can chew up the EOD a little better than the standard paddle designs. I wonder if you give up much in throwing distance for that? This puppy's basically got the same engine as my 2011 Ariens Platinum 24 2 stage. I'll be interested to see if it actually performs well or is just gimmicky. The Red Buckets are probably still the kings of the hill in SS.

That  Simplicity 1222EE model that you mentioned have a serrated teeth auger.  The first SS to have it it, looks like it will take on EOD piles quite nicely.  It also has a big and healthy sized 250cc engine to compensate for the extra weight of the auger and the additional power requirement to break up hard chunks of snow.  I think the throwing distance isn't going to be that much better unless the auger speed is higher and it has some highly engineered chute like the ones on Honda and Yamaha.  

It's also interesting that this Briggs & Stratten design have an electric chute rotation.  Let's hope the gears hold up and there are end of travel limit switches.  It is also available as a Snapper brand, since B&S owns both Simplicity and Snapper.   I don't see the point of having both brands carrying the same product.  The only difference is different shade of red and a few stickers.   Personally, I prefer the original Simplicity and Snapper products prior to B&S acquisition.

Just to clarify, there are three new single-stage throwers from Honda.

AL of these are fully manufactured (including engine casting and machining) at the Honda Plant in Swepsonville, NC>

MSRP $799*

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Robert@Honda
Caveat: I work for Honda, but the preceding was my opinion alone.

Thanks for the info on the available models.  Looks like Honda had a few teething issues with the first year out with these models.  The Snow Director is just the worst I've ever tried, does not belong on this machine.  It requires too much effort to move, does not have enough fine notches to aim the chute.  The remote deflector is a a nice convenience, but it is also too heavy and grabby to operate.  Single stage are about finesse and lightweight, but I have to say that this new model is chunky and heavy, and requires slam bam grunt to operate.  I don't know who designed this model, but it would be good to study the competition to see why Toro 721QZE is just a better well thought out machine.

The snowblower looks serious and expensive.  It's only aestheric.  However, in my opinion, it doesn't need to looks so big.  My Honda 2 stage snowblower s small for a 32 inch model.  The new 20 inch HS720 is just porky.  This snowblower should have been an evolution of the HS621, not to the watered down HS520.

One last rant.  Honda is really slow to respond to changes, but why can't the US market get the electric chute models that are on the Canadian 2 stage snowblowers.   Aren't these snowblowers made in North America for US consumption?  Or do we have to yell in Japanese for someone in Corporate Honda to listen?  Hey, I would like those cool features that Japan and Canada gets.

OK off my soapbox. 

aa335 wrote:

I hear you. How about moving to Southern FL or Southern CA? I heard no or limited snow in those areas.

I have a HS520 and it's been a great machine. When I saw that Honda was upgrading, I couldn't wait to see the HS720AS. I really wanted to try out the remote chute controls. Well all I can say... they have some work to do. I agree the controls are way too hard to use and need a complete redesign.

MN_Runner wrote:
Not sure which part you heard, but I still like snow and cold weather.    The only time I want to move to a warmer state is during the coldest month of January.  I'm complaining a little bit since the east coast is hogging all the snow.  Can you guys share a foot or two?  I don't need it all at once, about 10 inches weekly would be nice.

I might have to drive across the borders to bring home a Yamaha just to spite Honda.  :)  It will be the first blue OPE in my collection. 

aa335 wrote:

Are you going to Toronto to buy the BLUE beast? London, ONT perhaps? It is a beautiful drive from Chicago to ONT.

MN_Runner wrote:
Nothing definite since it's not a necessity.  I have a summer time OPE that I would like to upgrade that takes higher priority.

Did Honda refine their controls for this year or is it the exact same as last year? Any other changes to these two lines (Toro 721 & Honda HS720) ?

I don't see any changes to the Toro 721, which is fine.  I'm happy with the Toro SS.  The larger engine on the Toro 721 is nice for EOD piles and slush.  Toro did introduced a new Snowmaster, which is interesting.  You may want to check it out.

Not sure if Honda addresses all the vibration and hamfisted chute problems on the HS720 this year.  They pulled the product off the market last year which is a smart move.  Telling people to torque their handle bolts and deal with it is quite a joke.