..... Honda $nowblowers?

thinkxingu · 12-12-2018, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VitaBene

When looking at snowblowers, avoid one with a plastic chute. They feel nice and flexible in the store, but on 5 degree temperature they can easily shatter!

While I generally agree, I've got an 11-year-old Craftsman, as do my brother, father, and good friend, that have had 0 issues. We spray them with silicone each fall, though, to prevent sticking.

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Descant · 12-12-2018, 07:31 PM

TIC: Lots of good info here. I'll be thinking of all you guys when I hear the "thunk" of my plow guy and I pour another cup of coffee.
7 storms a year at $40, 2 at $75. It would take me 2-3 hours to snowblow my driveway. My coffee maker lasts ~6 years and my plow guy gets a new truck about the same schedule. I don't pay for gas, oil,, tune ups, or original purchase price. The value of my own time: priceless. (I think my wife would re-phrase that, but that's only speculation and I don't want to get her started. She starts easy, on the first pull.)

Lakesailor · 12-12-2018, 08:58 PM

Great thread on snowblowers. It is definitely easier to just wait for the plow guy. But if you must get out when you need to get out, the plow guy could be hours away. I've also seen them do damage to the blacktop, the lawn, the shrubs. etc. One guy actually plowed into the neighbor's cherry tree and took off a large piece of bark, eventually killing the tree. (He disavowed all knowledge of that of course). Honda is expensive for sure, and not really worth it unless you plan on having it for 20+ years, and take reasonable care of it also. I bought a brand new Honda HS 524 in 1986 ( won't tell you what I paid for it). Do the math, it is now 32 years old. Two winters ago, the original auger belt snapped on the last pass on the last storm. I changed both belts myself the next spring and it is still going strong. It is a beast for a small blower, everything is metal, no plastic at all. Parts still available. For me, it was worth it, but I probably wouldn't do it again. Today's philosophy is use till it breaks, then through out.

The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to thinkxingu For This Useful Post:
pondguy (12-12-2018), VitaBene (12-12-2018)

12-12-2018, 07:31 PM	#2
Descant Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Merrimack and Welch Island Posts: 4,463 Thanks: 1,379 Thanked 1,665 Times in 1,084 Posts	TIC: Lots of good info here. I'll be thinking of all you guys when I hear the "thunk" of my plow guy and I pour another cup of coffee. 7 storms a year at $40, 2 at $75. It would take me 2-3 hours to snowblow my driveway. My coffee maker lasts ~6 years and my plow guy gets a new truck about the same schedule. I don't pay for gas, oil,, tune ups, or original purchase price. The value of my own time: priceless. (I think my wife would re-phrase that, but that's only speculation and I don't want to get her started. She starts easy, on the first pull.)

The Following 4 Users Say Thank You to Descant For This Useful Post:
Biggd (12-13-2018), ishoot308 (12-12-2018), pault842 (12-17-2018), Tallyho (12-22-2018)

12-12-2018, 08:58 PM	#3
Lakesailor Junior Member Join Date: May 2018 Posts: 12 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Great thread on snowblowers. It is definitely easier to just wait for the plow guy. But if you must get out when you need to get out, the plow guy could be hours away. I've also seen them do damage to the blacktop, the lawn, the shrubs. etc. One guy actually plowed into the neighbor's cherry tree and took off a large piece of bark, eventually killing the tree. (He disavowed all knowledge of that of course). Honda is expensive for sure, and not really worth it unless you plan on having it for 20+ years, and take reasonable care of it also. I bought a brand new Honda HS 524 in 1986 ( won't tell you what I paid for it). Do the math, it is now 32 years old. Two winters ago, the original auger belt snapped on the last pass on the last storm. I changed both belts myself the next spring and it is still going strong. It is a beast for a small blower, everything is metal, no plastic at all. Parts still available. For me, it was worth it, but I probably wouldn't do it again. Today's philosophy is use till it breaks, then through out.