Preferred Snowblower

[cwlo]

I have had a lot of luck with Toro snowblowers, and am currently looking at a 2450GTS. However, I am wondering if anyone has compared it to the Honda 520. The Honda seems to be a little more balanced of a machine as far as "feel" and weight distribution. From the specs, The Toro seems to have slightly more power, as its a 2 cycle versus the Honda 4 cycle. I'm guessing that perhaps there isn't much difference between the two machines. Anyone?

[CCLC]

I too am very satisified with my toro snowblowers. We will be getting another snowblower here shortly. It most certainly will be a toro.

[HandyHaver]

This is my first year out and am having the same dilema as to which blower to get. I'm a few key strokes away from ordering one but it's a toss up between the Honda520A or the Toro CCR3650. Both machines have got good feedback out here. They both weigh in about the same,& both are about the same price. The Toro is a 6.5 hp 2 stroke, the Honda 5 hp 4 stroke. From reading past post and talking to guys in my area, they both are good reliable machines. I guess what's hanging me up here is "MORE POWER" (ARH..ARH..ARH).
I have to make a decision here soon so any feed back on this theory would be appreciated

[plowking35]

Rememeber two strokes make all their power up in the rpm range, as soon as it bogs down, all your power is gone. With the four stroke, as the rpms drop the torgue goes up, and you have just as much power as at high rpms. I have had both four and two stroke single stage blowers, and the honda is way for us.
Dino

[HandyHaver]

Thanks Dino,

Other than compressors, powerwashers & my lawnmower (all 4 stroke) I don't have that much experience with a 2 stroke engine. So what your telling me is that the 4 stroke will out power the 2 stroke under a load. If thats the case, it's a no brainer which unit will be on my truck.

[landscaper3]

We have gone with Toros and our happy. But this year we have 2 Toro's left and going to try 1 Crapsman oh Craftsman for a try. We will keep one of our Toros as a back up. Hey it might be worth the $300.00 difference! If not we still got the Goodones.

[plowking35]

We have had both types of blowers, and in light snows it wont make a dif what kind you have. But in deeper snow, the rpms drop on the 2 strokes and the distance they throw the snow is greatly reduced. In the same conditions, the honda even tho bogging down a bit, will still throw the snow farther, and wont lose rpms anywhere near as fast. I also had alot of problems with moisture getting in the 2 stroke fuel systems from being on the truck all day or night with snow falling. With the honda, one pull and you are up and running.
Dino

[Greenman2ooo]

Dino-

My local dealer sells Toro and Honda and said the Honda was much better because of the fuel/moisture problem you spoke of with the two stroke. He said the Honda starts on pull #1 no matter what.

Is Honda the only maker that manufactures single stage 4 stroke snowblowers? Seems Honda is really onto something with their 4 cycle products.

John

[Samurai WeedWacker]

Another advantage of Hondas single-stage snowthrowers is the speed at which the discharge chute may be turned. The Toros I've had have used a crank which is a lot slower than the handle used by Hondas.

[plowking35]

I havent seen any other 4 stroke single stage blowers. I did a monster 7 hp toro yesterday, but it weighed way more than I want to pick up. I hope the new 5.5 hp hondas are as good as the 6hp they replaced. I have the 621-6 hp and it is great.
Dino

[PHD]

What's with the puney snowblowers. 5, 6hp! wow you guys must get so frustrated. Why buy a bigger blower?

[plowking35]

If you do a search you will see alot of threadds about 2 satge vs single stage. the main reason I like single stage is that they are light, I can lift on and off by myself easily, and the honda has very good power to blow through the deepest snow even if it is wet. Also they are much faster than 2 stage blowers. I know you can bring ramps and the like, but I dont have room for a large blower on my truck once we load the v box spreader on, the 5 gal pails of salt, and the shovels. The single stage fits perfect right along the side of my v box. thank goodness for drop down sides. And in case we get a big strom, or heavy drofts, we have a 11hp two stage to deal with that. we have owned for 3 years and yet to use it, the small do fine by us.
Dino

[HandyHaver]

Just ordered a new Honda 520, pick it up Saturday. I love new toys!!

[cutntrim]

We sold our Noma 10hp two-stage, and bought two Honda 621's for the same reasons Dino has them. We've had Honda mowers for years, and can attest to the quality of their engines.

[JML]

I have an 11hp Ariens, its a bear...

[cabrone]

The best snow blower there is is the one I don't have to use!! But, seriously folks I am fabricating a snow blower to fit our 17hp kaws-scags for townhomes and condos. You can find these snowblowers all day long in the classifieds, its up to you kno how to fabricate them to your mowers, not to hard.

[Alan]

I went blower pricing this morning, I can get the Honda 520 for $599 locally. Is that a decent price? I've got two sidewalk blowers right now, one is an old Snapper, it's getting creaky, seen 6 years of hard use, the other is an MTD which is junk and not dependable at all. I'm leaning real heavy towards swallowing hard and getting the Honda so I can have at least one that I know will run every time I need it.

[cwlo]

The Honda 520 is $599 at Home Depot. I'm guessing its probably priced like the Toro's, in that there is no, or very little pricing difference since the factory sets prices to keep the independent shops alive. I don't think you can go too wrong buying it. Also remember that its pretty common for the whole snowblower inventory to be sold out after the first snow storm.

As far as the Toro's getting water in the fuel, how does this happen? I've got a Toro, and never had a problem.

[plowking35]

As to whetehr or the honda is dependable. I took our two 621 blowers out of storage yesterday. Filled them up with clean fuel, put the choke on and 1 pull it started.
Dino

[HandyHaver]

I use to clean air ducts and ran an 8hp. Honda on my compressor. The only time it let me down, I was doing an emergency job in a house where the heater 'puffed back" and sooted up the place. It was about 5 degrees out with a wind chill of about -15. I broke the pull cord on the first pull. I loaded back into my van, (with the heater on) fixed the cord and was back in business in about 30 minutes. Gotta love those Hondas

[EPP200]

HONDA 520

Reference price of Honda 520, they were $699 at Home Depot about 1 month ago and now they are $599. They may go up again. If you like the Honda 520 (Dino talked me into one and yes I bought it 2 months ago for $699! AHHHH!). I used it "up North" once and it was GREAT.

ED

[HandyHaver]

That's what I'm counting on because I picked mine up today.
I'm sure with all the good I've heard and read out here about it I won't be disappointed. Now all I need is some
"SNOW" out here in s.eastern PA. I can smell it..........it's not too far off!!!

[JCurtis]

I don't normally do sidewalks, but have been asked by a few customers to please do them for them. Idon't have a snowblower for walks, and don't want to waste valuable time hand shoveling.

Called a local power equipment place today (01/02/01) to ask questions about a Honda 621 or similar unit...

Of course they are all sold out... except for a Honda 621 electric start demo unit from last year. It was left sitting with gas in it (real smart move!!!) Anyway based on Dino's vaulted reputation and his glowing recommendation of Honda 621's, I asked the guy if it was for sale, said yes it was, if I could give them a few days to service it.

Price $600.00 with full 2 yr warranty.

Told him I would take it. Pick it up Friday or Saturday, Hell, even if I only use it on my walks at home its worth every penny. Nothing like plowing all night, and then coming home bone tired and having to shovel your own walks to get into the house to go to sleep.

Dino, does $600 sound fair?

[landscaper3]

Got 2 Toro 521 Snowblowers for sidewalks (myself and my guys love em!!)

[HandyHaver]

I don't have any experience with the Toros, but I got to hand it to Dino and all the others who recomended tthe Honda. What a machine. Worked the he*# out of it last weekend and with the exception of a newspaper on the very first job, it was an animal. I'm doing all res. and most of them included the walks. I'm sure the Toro is a great machine also (I know alot of guys that run them)but I think I'll stick with the honda. Just my opinion.

Mark

[Jason_S]

2 Stroker's usually start easier in the cold weather

[plowking35]

Sorry Jason no dice on the 2 strokers starting easier. My honda any day any weather conditions will start first pull. I have had to many 2 strokes that either would not start or stop after 5 min. Yes Jeff 600 is fair, if it is a 621. If its a 520 then that may be a little high.
That unit was 850.00 new if its a 621.
Dino

[Alan]

I absolutely love the Honda 520 I bought. Maximum of two pulls to start it, even after sitting the in the truck, covered wtih snow for hours. A little heavier than I really like to lift and a bit "bulky" compared to my old Snapper, but it's definately a keeper.

[Samurai WeedWacker]

Look for wear & tear on the scraper and auger/paddles. Compare to a new unit. Look at sides of auger housing- are they dented or bent? If the unit has adjustable skids and they are worn, ask the dealer to provide replacements.

[john r]

We have 2 820 Honda track machines. I havn't found another make that compares to it. Totally reliable. 1 pull after storage to start. Our next machine will be a 520.

[Samurai WeedWacker]

I had a tracked snowblower once. Never again. It was a pain to maneuver. Wheeled models work well enough.

[plowguy06]

I have a small craftsman, but would not recommend them for commercial use. I reccommend Ariens.

[Yardworks]

I'm a bit disappointed. I have a hard time parting with money, but I should have bought a Honda 520 before the end of the year. I know I want one but I already purchased a lot of things and another snowblower would be a hard sell to my wife. As for 2 stages, I think the best 2 stages are ones mounted on tractors. I have one 47 inch 2 stage blower on a JD 425 AWS. I don't use it much but when I do I am very happy to have it. I also have a 6 foot 2 stage Lorenz snow blower on the Three point of a Ford 1920 4x4 utility tractor. What a great way to remove big piles. Instead of hauling it away with the dump truck I just blow piles where ever I can blow it.(up to 50 feet) If I can't blow it somewhere on site I can blow it into the dump truck. That's what 2 stages are for, on machines not to be manhandled.