As far as I know, only the $3200 Honda does not use two v-belts, and has a transmission called a hydrostatic drive, or something. All others: Ariens, Toro, Husqvarna, Troy-Bilt, Craftsman, and others ...... how your non-Honda, used $200 machine makes it happen ......year after year after year! ....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgHH_Tcufx4 ...... all use the two belts which get stretched out from hard use over time and need to be replaced ..... like every five years. Plus, other things can wear out, too.
Honda makes a $8000+ snowblower that weighs 550-lbs, but my $550-24" Troy-Bilt is perfect for me!
.... old vs new .... that's when they built stuff ....
https://namvideo.com/watch/AfczSG-9ygg