Great video, you explained things really well. I was leaning towards spending the extra money for the tracked blower but now I realize the wheeled one would be better for me.
First test of my Snow Joe was a massive blizzard that dropped 20+ inches of snow with drifts well over 3ft. ruclips.net/user/postUgkxoHYZbq5g9fkcAtinlTqstNlje-UQkCHN This snow thrower is definitely not designed for this much snow but it powered through it. We did have to knock down taller drifts with a shovel and at times the chute was awkward because snow banks were much higher than it could throw, but still much easier than shoveling. The plus side of the small size is the maneuverability. Easy to lift up to walkways and works in tight spaces near cars. Highly recommend.Note: after assembling it started but did not turn. The belt wasn't in place. Easy fix.
We've seen many blowers come in for service after years of use that would be in much better condition if those skid shoes were installed... Thanks for the comment Dave
Do the skid shoes affect performance in any way? Just wondering why they wouldn't come standard. They come with skid shoes on the back of the bucket. Do you leave those on when you put the side ones on?
@@bobbybrown614 They do not affect performance and come into play when the surface goes up in the front, like the edge of another surface or running into ice. Also if you angle it so pressure is added to the auger it provides a secondary safeguard to that front edge rubbing a surface. It is not required like the wheeled machines, just secondary protection if you want it, that is why its not standard. Yes, you would leave the back skid shoes on. When you adjust the back skid shoes and scraper bar you would adjust the optional skid shoes at the same time.
How are the track machines compared to the wheeled models as far as icing up after the machine is shut down and put away? I've had trouble with the chute next snowfall when its very cold. The base of the chute has frozen up. I would think that the tracks would also ice up and not work well the next time you used it. Its not like the weather warms up enough for it to thaw in the dead of winter. And no, I don't have a heated garage.
I have been reading that they had a fatal transmission design and if you push it hard, the pin in the wheel axle will break and it is over $200 to replace ( because honda makes you replace the whole axle). I am not sure if they corrected it on the newer models. I would love to know! I figure the whole point to having a track is so I can push it through frozen snowbanks and not break!
Good question Chelsey. Years ago that was the case. Today there is a pin in the end of the axle that will shear if something goes wrong, however we rarely see that happen. You can see a picture of that shaft and drive wheel here: goo.gl/3FYmyA
Very informative and clear. I fix a lot of snowblowers and I am not a Honda fan at all. They are very expensive to repair. If a part cost $20 for the average machine it will be $60 for a Honda. It seems most Honda parts are designed to make it very difficult to repair without the new overpriced part. The scrapper bar wears out quickly because of the design. The shoes for the height adjustment are at the back of the auger drum and are held on with 5 M bolts that are too small. If you strip or break a bolt you have to replace the bracket on the inside of the blower ( Both bolts are welded to it) and then replace both bolts with the new assembly ( probably $20) Your other choice is to drill out the broken bolt or grind it off to replace it.I am sure that Honda wants you to buy there new part and thats why it was designed that way. Most other blowers have a scrapper bar with a slotted grove to lower it but Honda has fixed bolt holes at the back of the drum and then a bolt on each side of the drum to allow the bar to pivot up and down but not enough adjustment so you will be replacing the scrapper bar every two or three years depending how much you use the machine. Honda should have shoes at least 6 inchs long that mount on the side of the drum instead of the shoes they have on the back so as to make the machine move easy and protect the drum from wearing down so easily. There are lots of other things that are very expensive to fix but it has to do with how it was designed and in my opinion it is just a money grab. Heres the good stuff about Honda. They start easy,have lots of power,blow snow 50 feet,have excellent resale value,good quality paint,built with better metal than most machines,metal was prepped properly before they are painted. Ok thats it for now. I have to go weld more metal onto my scrapper bar.
Good comments, we work on our fair share of snowblowers as well. There is always the question of value. With snowblowers, you can compare value of parts, repairs, cost of purchase etc... but like you mentioned, the measure of value is completely different when you are powering (or not powering) through wet, heavy, or deep snow when its cold (and you are cold) and you need to open up your driveway or parking lot.
I have used my tracked Honda for 30 years,that's right 30 years,have only had to change the belt,that's it.Glad I bought it,now I have a Kubota tractor,clean up is now a breeze and less work.
John, it depends. The benefits of tracks are many but the wheel machine has its place. Specifically if you have small areas to get in and out of i would recommend the wheels. They are easier to maneuver in tight spaces. Tracks on the other hand have better traction, height control on the auger (apply additional down pressure or keep shroud up for transport or blowing over a stone driveway or yard without digging in or throwing stones.), no tire pressure or tire maintenance. Hope that helps! - Jeremy
The side shoes should be standard on the track model, why should a person have to add them and pay even more money? This doesn't make much sense to me.
The new Honda has too many bells and whistles in too many things that can go wrong I don't like that part of it. I have a tracked Honda That's 30 years old and still works perfect.
So, let me get this right... The "Auger Interlock" AKA 'Kill Switch".. will... Maybe...Hopefully...If Everything Goes Right...If all Works Right... It stops the engine !!???? Sounds awfully iffy to me. Like sometimes it works, Sometimes it won't. Just trust me and just let's see. Thanks MacGiver but NO THANKS!!!
Rick, The "kill switch" does work very well. I've used it and it does what it is supposed to. When the sensor detects excess load on the augers it stops the engine. The augers don't stop instantly but the engine does shut off and the augers come to a stop as the engine shuts off. This unit still uses shear pins like all other units do. ***The intent of the kill switch is to minimize having to replace shear bolts.*** The other question I've been asked is if the kill switch activates too quickly. We've sold a bunch of these and nobody has had issues with "false" kill switch activation.
Хобби
A helpful video! Thanks for not wasting our time with unnecessary fluff. Well done, Gap Power.
Great video, you explained things really well. I was leaning towards spending the extra money for the tracked blower but now I realize the wheeled one would be better for me.
Good detailed overview of the feature sets.
Very informative video. Well done. Thanks!
is there a poly skid plate kit option?
I'm looking for a new electric start crawler. How do they handle sidewalk cracks?
First test of my Snow Joe was a massive blizzard that dropped 20+ inches of snow with drifts well over 3ft. ruclips.net/user/postUgkxoHYZbq5g9fkcAtinlTqstNlje-UQkCHN This snow thrower is definitely not designed for this much snow but it powered through it. We did have to knock down taller drifts with a shovel and at times the chute was awkward because snow banks were much higher than it could throw, but still much easier than shoveling. The plus side of the small size is the maneuverability. Easy to lift up to walkways and works in tight spaces near cars. Highly recommend.Note: after assembling it started but did not turn. The belt wasn't in place. Easy fix.
I recently purchased an HSS928 with tracks, in my opinion the side skid shoes are a must! Love this machine!
We've seen many blowers come in for service after years of use that would be in much better condition if those skid shoes were installed... Thanks for the comment Dave
Do the skid shoes affect performance in any way? Just wondering why they wouldn't come standard. They come with skid shoes on the back of the bucket. Do you leave those on when you put the side ones on?
@@bobbybrown614 They do not affect performance and come into play when the surface goes up in the front, like the edge of another surface or running into ice. Also if you angle it so pressure is added to the auger it provides a secondary safeguard to that front edge rubbing a surface. It is not required like the wheeled machines, just secondary protection if you want it, that is why its not standard. Yes, you would leave the back skid shoes on. When you adjust the back skid shoes and scraper bar you would adjust the optional skid shoes at the same time.
Very well explained!
How are the track machines compared to the wheeled models as far as icing up after the machine is shut down and put away? I've had trouble with the chute next snowfall when its very cold. The base of the chute has frozen up. I would think that the tracks would also ice up and not work well the next time you used it. Its not like the weather warms up enough for it to thaw in the dead of winter. And no, I don't have a heated garage.
They can ALL ice up
I have had mine for 17 years. Track has never froze up.
Are all the models available with wheels ? Or just specific ones ?
Hi Cedric, all the models are available in wheel versions except for the HSS1332 series. These are only available in track.
I have been reading that they had a fatal transmission design and if you push it hard, the pin in the wheel axle will break and it is over $200 to replace ( because honda makes you replace the whole axle). I am not sure if they corrected it on the newer models. I would love to know! I figure the whole point to having a track is so I can push it through frozen snowbanks and not break!
Good question Chelsey. Years ago that was the case. Today there is a pin in the end of the axle that will shear if something goes wrong, however we rarely see that happen. You can see a picture of that shaft and drive wheel here: goo.gl/3FYmyA
you should be a spokesman for Honda snow blowers..... :)
Can you pull start the one with electric start? I don’t see the pull start handle on the video
Yes, all the battery start units have a pull start as well
My model has both.
Very informative and clear. I fix a lot of snowblowers and I am not a Honda fan at all. They are very expensive to repair. If a part cost $20 for the average machine it will be $60 for a Honda. It seems most Honda parts are designed to make it very difficult to repair without the new overpriced part. The scrapper bar wears out quickly because of the design. The shoes for the height adjustment are at the back of the auger drum and are held on with 5 M bolts that are too small. If you strip or break a bolt you have to replace the bracket on the inside of the blower ( Both bolts are welded to it) and then replace both bolts with the new assembly ( probably $20) Your other choice is to drill out the broken bolt or grind it off to replace it.I am sure that Honda wants you to buy there new part and thats why it was designed that way. Most other blowers have a scrapper bar with a slotted grove to lower it but Honda has fixed bolt holes at the back of the drum and then a bolt on each side of the drum to allow the bar to pivot up and down but not enough adjustment so you will be replacing the scrapper bar every two or three years depending how much you use the machine. Honda should have shoes at least 6 inchs long that mount on the side of the drum instead of the shoes they have on the back so as to make the machine move easy and protect the drum from wearing down so easily. There are lots of other things that are very expensive to fix but it has to do with how it was designed and in my opinion it is just a money grab. Heres the good stuff about Honda. They start easy,have lots of power,blow snow 50 feet,have excellent resale value,good quality paint,built with better metal than most machines,metal was prepped properly before they are painted. Ok thats it for now. I have to go weld more metal onto my scrapper bar.
Good comments, we work on our fair share of snowblowers as well. There is always the question of value. With snowblowers, you can compare value of parts, repairs, cost of purchase etc... but like you mentioned, the measure of value is completely different when you are powering (or not powering) through wet, heavy, or deep snow when its cold (and you are cold) and you need to open up your driveway or parking lot.
I have used my tracked Honda for 30 years,that's right 30 years,have only had to change the belt,that's it.Glad I bought it,now I have a Kubota tractor,clean up is now a breeze and less work.
More complicated = more to break.
Give me a good old shear bolt.
Get rid of the electric joystick put a manual one on they are quicker anyway and lower the price a thousand dollars
Would you recommend paying extra for the tracks?
John, it depends. The benefits of tracks are many but the wheel machine has its place. Specifically if you have small areas to get in and out of i would recommend the wheels. They are easier to maneuver in tight spaces. Tracks on the other hand have better traction, height control on the auger (apply additional down pressure or keep shroud up for transport or blowing over a stone driveway or yard without digging in or throwing stones.), no tire pressure or tire maintenance. Hope that helps! - Jeremy
The side shoes should be standard on the track model, why should a person have to add them and pay even more money? This doesn't make much sense to me.
Hey Johnny love your movies
Been using my track model for 30 years,not needed.
Side shoes are Nice on the 32
Jamais des reportages en français
How come Honda don’t come with heated grips?
I had my Cub Cadet 3X 26" for 7 years and didn't know I had heated grips till last week ha ha. It's not needed.
And a stereo,and seat????
👏👌🇳🇴🤠
The new Honda has too many bells and whistles in too many things that can go wrong I don't like that part of it. I have a tracked Honda That's 30 years old and still works perfect.
Wow, make my 20 year old Craftsman look primitive.
It is primitive compared to 30 year old honda
DO ANY OF THESE HAVE POWER STEERING OR CRUISE CONTROL ? ................. ASKING FOR MY BLONDE WIFE.
They have hydro static drive which is what I think you are asking for in "cruise control". They do have powered steering.
So, let me get this right... The "Auger Interlock" AKA 'Kill Switch".. will... Maybe...Hopefully...If Everything Goes Right...If all Works Right... It stops the engine !!????
Sounds awfully iffy to me. Like sometimes it works, Sometimes it won't. Just trust me and just let's see.
Thanks MacGiver but NO THANKS!!!
Rick, The "kill switch" does work very well. I've used it and it does what it is supposed to. When the sensor detects excess load on the augers it stops the engine. The augers don't stop instantly but the engine does shut off and the augers come to a stop as the engine shuts off. This unit still uses shear pins like all other units do. ***The intent of the kill switch is to minimize having to replace shear bolts.*** The other question I've been asked is if the kill switch activates too quickly. We've sold a bunch of these and nobody has had issues with "false" kill switch activation.
Not needed