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Old 12-06-2018, 08:13 AM   #1
fatlazyless
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Default ..... Honda $nowblowers?

Today's LaDaSun has an ad from a local Gilford business for two different Honda tracked snowblowers at the reduced prices of about $2779 and $3199.

That's a lot of money for a snowblower considering my Troy-bilt 24" snowblower lists for $599, weighs about 175-lbs, is now six years old, and still gets the job done, for what I need.

Like, for the extra money, what does Honda give you ...... does it come with a Japanese snowblower girl who massages your lower back with the rubber snowblower tracks, after removing all the driveway snow, or what?
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Old 12-06-2018, 08:43 AM   #2
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Default It could be worse

Honda engines speak for themselves. They last forever and start first pull every time. Now I wont defend charging nearly $3K for a snowblower because I wouldn't pay for it either, but its the same argument with cars. I could pay $100K for a Tesla that gets me to work the same way a Honda Civic does for $25K. Its all a matter of preference. Not to mention, the civic would probably outlast the Tesla in the long run.

The real question is how long are you going to own, what is essentially an investment. If you are fickle, as most are, you'll own that snowblower 4-7 years and then get a new one. If you are planning on owning it 12 yrs plus, then it could be considered a good investment.

The truly amazing thing is that Honda makes an $8,000 snowblower, the HS1336i. I've seen this thing in person and it is almost the size of a small car and only blows snow. Again, they make it if you REALLY want to blow snow.
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Old 12-06-2018, 08:44 AM   #3
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When winter storms find out you have a Honda snowblower in your garage, snow avoids your driveway and falls on your neighbors’ property.
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Old 12-06-2018, 12:34 PM   #4
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Default Well, not quite...

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When winter storms find out you have a Honda snowblower in your garage, snow avoids your driveway and falls on your neighbors’ property.
...but you could throw the snow there with one.
I had a 130 ft driveway and a big honda snow blower 20 yrs ago. It was spectacular. Dependable, threw snow a mile, and could excavate road plowed snow off the end of the driveway AFTER is started to re-freeze. Pretty sure it would throw a pile of pea gravel without issue.
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Old 12-06-2018, 03:05 PM   #5
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Thumbs up Totally agree....

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Honda engines speak for themselves.
I've owned both a Honda rototiller and track drive blower in the past. They are bullet proof, and worth the money especially for large areas or semi or professional use.

Downsized a bit but did splurge on the Ariens fuel injected snow blower last season. Yes, it cost $300 more than a comparable carbed unit but the ease of starting, throttle control and power made it worth while for me. Plus, I don't need to worry as much about ethanol.

As is with most things, you get what you pay for and you only need to pay for what you need......
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Old 12-06-2018, 05:09 PM   #6
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Smile

I have a John Deere bought in 2008 for around $5,000. It comes with a 44 inch snowthrower, tire chains and weights, 42 inch mower deck with hi lift blades and 2 bags. This machine does everything except trim the edges. It will throw snow about 40 feet any direction wanted. It has never failed to start.

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Old 12-10-2018, 12:12 PM   #7
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Get a new one after 4-7 years who does that?

I finally gave my Honda away last year and bought an Ariens best decision I ever made. Throws snow better and doesn't "bog" down anywhere near as easily as the "red" one did.
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Old 12-10-2018, 02:13 PM   #8
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Default Fickle

The last two snowblowers I’ve bought, off CL, were 3 yrs and 6 yrs old respectively. The average American only owns a car for 6.5 years after they paid an average of~$36,500 for it. Fickle society. I’m glad some people buy new, so I can buy nice items used.
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Old 12-10-2018, 02:35 PM   #9
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Default Ariens: 23 years

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The last two snowblowers I’ve bought, off CL, were 3 yrs and 6 yrs old respectively. The average American only owns a car for 6.5 years after they paid an average of~$36,500 for it. Fickle society. I’m glad some people buy new, so I can buy nice items used.
Just sold my 23 year old Ariens, still worked fine, but wanted the fuel injected Platinum model, because of the easier steering and heated handles for my arthritic hands. The thing is a beast and I'm very happy with it. The Ariens brand has served me well! Oh yes and while not cheap, less expensive than Honda.
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Old 12-11-2018, 12:45 PM   #10
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You're not walking into TSC or Home Depot for Honda shear pins.

Had one. Not worth the premium, IMO.
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Old 12-11-2018, 03:49 PM   #11
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I have a 15 year old Toro 824, works great. It only does the walkways so it should last forever. The Kubota tractor does the hard work.
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Old 12-11-2018, 05:02 PM   #12
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I have a 15 year old MTD 28" from Lowes - paid about $700. Change the oil every couple of years and still runs great.
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Old 12-11-2018, 05:10 PM   #13
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I have a 15 year old Toro 824, works great. It only does the walkways so it should last forever. The Kubota tractor does the hard work.
I have a guy that plows and shovels my walk for $30. Then I just push everything back with my Kubota. I have a plow truck but at that price it's not worth doing myself when I get there on a Friday night.
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Old 12-11-2018, 05:46 PM   #14
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You know there's a shade tree, backyard, small engine guy on Parade Rd/Rt 106 who leaves about 3-4 snowblowers/lawnmowers in his driveway, close to the road in Laconia selling for about $200.

Last time I stopped to look, there was a 28" Craftsman snowblower that looked like it was almost brand new for $250 ....... such a deal ...... unfortunately my six year old $549 Troy-bilt continues to run like the greatest snowblower ever made in the world history of snow and I couldn't justify the upgrade? C'est la vie.

Husqvana, or however it is spelled, is the biggest snowblower maker in the world, and is made in Sweden, and just by looking at it, you can tell it is built to better design/quality than all the others. Rand's Hardware in Plymouth has Husqvana 24" for $749 which seems like a steal of a deal. It must weigh 250-lb which is very heavy.

If Harley Davidson made snowblowers, it would be identical to Husqvana, except it would have to be black and sound like a Harley.
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Old 12-12-2018, 08:44 AM   #15
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Default Husqvarna

I actually talked to a commercial dealer near me about Husqvarnas and Hondas (all he sells) and the price differential. His explanation of why the Husqvarnas were ~$700 less than a Honda, "The Husqvarna is great for 5-7 years, the Honda is great for 20".
Looking at the two side by side you can obviously see that the new Hondas use much thicker steel in the frame construction.

I personally use a 2011 Ariens Pro 28 with tank tracks. It'll go through anything and handles my 400-ft driveway in under an hour.

As others have said, get what works for you and maintain it. Everything else is just personal preference.
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Old 12-12-2018, 10:04 AM   #16
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What destroys any snowblower is when storing it away, after use, on a concrete floor, with the steel front end resting on the concrete, which will make it get rusty.

There are three contact points with the floor, the two rubber tires, and the front steel edge. Is good to rest the steel edge up on a small wood block, so's the wet will drain down and off from the steel.
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Old 12-12-2018, 10:18 AM   #17
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Default On the cheap

One of the best investments I ever made was ~$900 for a 33", 12HP NOMA snowblower with a Tecumseh engine. Purchased in 1986, it finally died last winter. It still ran fine but the frame had become so rusted and fragile it was ready to fall apart.

Our private driveway was about 700' with very steep hill portion. For 30+ years, that beast would clear the heaviest snow on our driveway, and often the neighbors too. Never needed any maintenance other than routine oil changes, fuel stabilizer, belts, etc.

At the time, NOMA was the OEM for Murray, Craftsman, and a few others. I saw essentially the same machine at Sears for $1200 a month after buying mine at Home Depot. HD sold Noma's for about 5 or six years. You can still find a few on eBay and parts are still available. https://www.snowblowers.net/brands/noma.html
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Old 12-12-2018, 04:05 PM   #18
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For anyone who hasn't yet seen this forum-format site (https://www.snowblowerforum.com/foru...er-forums-main), it covers all sorts of things pertaining to snowblowers, including reviews, repairs, and mfg-specific questions.
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Old 12-12-2018, 04:31 PM   #19
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Default chutes

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!
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Old 12-12-2018, 05:01 PM   #20
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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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Old 12-12-2018, 06:31 PM   #21
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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.)
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Old 12-12-2018, 07:58 PM   #22
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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.
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Old 12-13-2018, 09:15 AM   #23
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I bought a big Honda tank-tread snowblower in 1992 for $2k I think ($1k of which was my motorcycle in trade). This summer I had a basic service done in prep to move it to the lake house and bought a new one for my primary residence. The old Honda runs like new, starts on first pull and the dealer offered me $1k for it as he said used Hondas sell great


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Old 12-13-2018, 11:52 AM   #24
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I bought a big Honda tank-tread snowblower in 1992 for $2k I think ($1k of which was my motorcycle in trade). This summer I had a basic service done in prep to move it to the lake house and bought a new one for my primary residence. The old Honda runs like new, starts on first pull and the dealer offered me $1k for it as he said used Hondas sell great
So the dealer ill give you $1000, maybe change belts and spark plugs and sell it for $2000 which was what you paid 26 years ago., That's great value in a machine.
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Old 12-13-2018, 01:43 PM   #25
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My 16 yo Yardmaster isn't throwing as hard as it used to. I ascribe that to worn rings reducing the actual horsepower. I spent $4-500 on it. I am putting it in mothballs now because i got a new one with better controls and a slightly larger motor this year.

It still starts right up though. Just time for something better. If the new ones were $1000 and up, I'd just do the ring job and keep it going.
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Old 12-13-2018, 07:17 PM   #26
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My 16 yo Yardmaster isn't throwing as hard as it used to. I ascribe that to worn rings reducing the actual horsepower.
.... sounds like a job for Rislone 3X oil additive with zinc ..... to put the power back in that engine ..... about five dollars!
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Old 12-13-2018, 08:00 PM   #27
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Originally Posted by fatlazyless View Post
What destroys any snowblower is when storing it away, after use, on a concrete floor, with the steel front end resting on the concrete, which will make it get rusty.

There are three contact points with the floor, the two rubber tires, and the front steel edge. Is good to rest the steel edge up on a small wood block, so's the wet will drain down and off from the steel.
With the Honda track drive it has 3 height adjustments. The highest will put the blade about 2 inches off the ground. When I store mine I use this setting to keep the blade off the floor.
Also this height setting is good when going thru banks of snow. Just step on a lever and use the handles to set the height.
I have a HS1132tas that I paid over 3K for but it was well worth it.
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Old 12-13-2018, 08:15 PM   #28
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My 46 year old Ariens is still going strong on the 2nd engine. It will go through anything! I just wish it were safer. Its got a single belt for the impeller and transmission. Its actuated by a lever half way up the handle. It does have a dead-man style clutch for the drive wheels unlike earlier models.
I inherited an old MTD which didn't throw the snow and always clogged until I installed rubber impeller paddles. The gap between the impeller and housing was so wide I could stick my fingers through it. Those paddles really work and can make a lousy snowblower work better!!!!

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Old 12-14-2018, 06:43 AM   #29
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Originally Posted by Kamper View Post
My 16 yo Yardmaster isn't throwing as hard as it used to. I ascribe that to worn rings reducing the actual horsepower. I spent $4-500 on it. I am putting it in mothballs now because i got a new one with better controls and a slightly larger motor this year.

It still starts right up though. Just time for something better. If the new ones were $1000 and up, I'd just do the ring job and keep it going.
Run it out of gas and get some non ethanol gas or even that fake gas, then run it out again. Your new one will never break if it knows a backup is waiting in the wings!
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Old 12-14-2018, 11:40 AM   #30
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kamper View Post
My 16 yo Yardmaster isn't throwing as hard as it used to. I ascribe that to worn rings reducing the actual horsepower. I spent $4-500 on it. I am putting it in mothballs now because i got a new one with better controls and a slightly larger motor this year.

It still starts right up though. Just time for something better. If the new ones were $1000 and up, I'd just do the ring job and keep it going.
My experience has taught me that a lack of power often indicates valve leakage.

It may be possible to lap the valves and regain past performance.

Lapping the valves is a simple task.

I'd bet that YouTube has plenty of video tutorials on the task.
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Old 12-21-2018, 01:10 PM   #31
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Hey Kamper,
Does that old snowblower have a Tecumseh motor? If yes the problem might just be in the governor control. Tecumsehs used a plastic governor spool and they would wear very quickly if you didn't change the oil frequently.
You can tell if the rings are worn by just removing the cylinder head and looking down on the top of the piston. If it is covered in even light grey carbon everything is good. If the center is carboned but the edges of the piston are clean oil is blowing by the rings. The blow by oil burns off the carbon around the edge of the piston as it burns.
For all you people with snowblowers here's an easy tip that could save you a lot of aggravation, before you start the motor pull the engine over by hand with the blower control engaged. If it pulls over fine go to work, but if it jams you probably have ice or debris freezing up the auger or fan. It is a lot easy to pull it over once by hand than to replace a broken belt!
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Old 12-21-2018, 03:59 PM   #32
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Hey Kamper,
Does that old snowblower have a Tecumseh motor? ...
Peter
That could be it. Not worrying though. 16 years is good for any tool. If I get bored next summer I might take it apart but I doubt it.

Thanks!
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Old 12-21-2018, 06:01 PM   #33
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Rand's Hardware in Plymouth has two Husqvarna 24" snow blowers, and the price has been lowered to $699 ..... down from $799 ...... Husqvarna is the SAAB of snowblowers, made in Sweden by retired Saab 30-year employees who are bored out of their mind and wanted to keep working .... so they keep busy with Husqvarna snowblowers and chain saws ....... making Swedish snow blowers from old, left-over Saab parts ......... it runs like a Saab! ...... yah-yah-yah! ...... is better than hanging around the house!


So, now they have something to do with all those left over SAAB parts ...... yah-yah-yah!
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Old 12-21-2018, 08:11 PM   #34
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Rand's Hardware in Plymouth has two Husqvarna 24" snow blowers, and the price has been lowered to $699 ..... down from $799 ...... Husqvarna is the SAAB of snowblowers, made in Sweden by retired Saab 30-year employees who are bored out of their mind and wanted to keep working .... so they keep busy with Husqvarna snowblowers and chain saws ....... making Swedish snow blowers from old, left-over Saab parts ......... it runs like a Saab! ...... yah-yah-yah! ...... is better than hanging around the house!


So, now they have something to do with all those left over SAAB parts ...... yah-yah-yah!
Thanks FLL but my retirement financial portfolio took a big hit the last couple of weeks so I won't be buying any new toys for myself. MAGA is only working for one family in this country.
BTW FLL, could you spare a down and out old man a dime?
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Old 12-22-2018, 11:03 AM   #35
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Default .... what to do?

These are some really nice 24" Husqvarna snow blowers for $699 …… was playing around with the controls again this morning ….. my-my-my …… way far better than my 24" Troy-Bilt that cost me $549 …. reduced from $599 ….. it is huge and very heavy compared to the Troy-Bilt and even has an on/off switch for the two hand warmers within the two handles …..how's about that! ….. and when you depress both the auger and traction wheel levers, you only need one hand to keep both depressed down …..so that's one hand operation with hand warmers …… yikes!


Is too heavy for me …… since I snow blow a hillside walk way that has like four very long steps ….. so I need a lightweight machine to get it up onto each step ….. but it sure is tempting? ….. omg …. what to do?


It could probably bury your $3300 Honda with the treads …… treads are totally not necessary and way over-priced ….. compared to wheels w/ snow tires. … treads are just more to break down and not work right ….
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Old 12-22-2018, 03:46 PM   #36
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These are some really nice 24" Husqvarna snow blowers for $699 …… was playing around with the controls again this morning ….. my-my-my …… way far better than my 24" Troy-Bilt that cost me $549 …. reduced from $599 ….. it is huge and very heavy compared to the Troy-Bilt and even has an on/off switch for the two hand warmers within the two handles …..how's about that! ….. and when you depress both the auger and traction wheel levers, you only need one hand to keep both depressed down …..so that's one hand operation with hand warmers …… yikes!


Is too heavy for me …… since I snow blow a hillside walk way that has like four very long steps ….. so I need a lightweight machine to get it up onto each step ….. but it sure is tempting? ….. omg …. what to do?


It could probably bury your $3300 Honda with the treads …… treads are totally not necessary and way over-priced ….. compared to wheels w/ snow tires. … treads are just more to break down and not work right ….
Them there things on the Honda are called Tracks and not treads..wheels have threads.
I guess you could say the tracks have threads just like wheels do.

Anyway FLL, have you thought about giving this old guy a dime?? Us low income folks are being left behind while the YOU KNOW WHO CLAN are spending money like it grows on them there trees. I might even have to put my beautiful Honda $3300 track drive snowblower on craigslist just to pay my bills.
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Old 12-23-2018, 04:07 AM   #37
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Probably, the Aubuchon in Meredith is not really serious about selling their one Husqvarna snowblower, and just has it there for out-front-of-the-store decoration, and it gives their store black cat a place to explore at night, while awaiting a wondering mouse.

Aubuchon has a Massachusett's type of a price of $1149.99 for the same 24" model that Rand's in Plymouth is selling for $699. ...... while that price may sell it down in Mass ..... up here in NH ..... is probably just a store sidewalk decoration.

By the way, with the federal government somewhat shut down or something, will the monthly social security pay-outs still be happening ...... this may cause a big sales slowdown for $3300 Honda snowblowers .... forcing people to stick with their old machine ...... or shoveling with a shovel .... buddy, can yo spare a dime ..... my $3300 snowblower needs gas?
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Old 12-23-2018, 10:54 PM   #38
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My parents have had a Honda snowblower with tracks since about 1985.
The machine still starts on the first or second pull and has only needed oil changes and spark plugs for 30 years...
Doesn't break down, doesn't fail to start.
They might be expensive, but I really think they are a high value machine.
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Old 12-24-2018, 01:23 AM   #39
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I had an Ariens for 20 years, but it would bog down in the plowed snow at the end of the driveway and on many occasions I barely got it back up the hill from where my propane tanks are located. A number people swore that the Honda tracked model could deal with these. It does, and does it well. A lot more money than I would have liked to spend, but when its cold outside it's worth it. Easier to change the shear pins too. BTW, the Ariens was a great machine and still is taking care of my nephews needs. I would change the oil every year...the only maintenance.
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Old 12-24-2018, 07:46 AM   #40
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Them there things on the Honda are called Tracks and not treads..wheels have threads.
I guess you could say the tracks have threads just like wheels do.

Anyway FLL, have you thought about giving this old guy a dime?? Us low income folks are being left behind while the YOU KNOW WHO CLAN are spending money like it grows on them there trees. I might even have to put my beautiful Honda $3300 track drive snowblower on craigslist just to pay my bills.
Threads???
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Old 12-24-2018, 07:58 AM   #41
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Threads???
Threads are much whider than the treads found on other models. 😎

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Old 12-24-2018, 08:47 AM   #42
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Threads are much whider than the treads found on other models. ��

Dave
I hear you and you're right. Digest that for a while.
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Old 12-24-2018, 08:57 AM   #43
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Sort of like driving an Audi, Lexus, BMW, or Cadillac ..... doing the driveway with a $3300 Honda as opposed to the equal or better quality $699 Husqvarna .... makes an " I HAVE MONEY" type of a statement.

Well, here's some great news heard today on NHPR .....the Social Security monthly pay-outs will be paid out as usual ..... despite the gov shut-down ...... so's you all can still save up your Social Security to go buy a Honda snowblower ...... if you is really NARCISSISTIC .....and want that show-off red Honda ..... sneer-sneer-sneer!

A Husqvarna will bury a Honda!
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Old 12-24-2018, 09:24 AM   #44
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Sort of like driving an Audi, Lexus, BMW, or Cadillac ..... doing the driveway with a $3300 Honda as opposed to the equal or better quality $699 Husqvarna .... makes an " I HAVE MONEY" type of a statement.

Well, here's some great news heard today on NHPR .....the Social Security monthly pay-outs will be paid out as usual ..... despite the gov shut-down ...... so's you all can still save up your Social Security to go buy a Honda snowblower ...... if you is really NARCISSISTIC .....and want that show-off red Honda ..... sneer-sneer-sneer!

A Husqvarna will bury a Honda!
FLL, your responses, though typically trivial and frivolous, are usual less cynical and judgmental. I find it particularly interesting a day before Christmas. I sincerely hope you are well and that your vitriol towards perceived "narcissistic" people is tongue-in-cheek or at least lighthearted.

Merry Christmas to all you snowblower users, including Honda, Husqvarna, and we bottom-of-the-barrel-Craftsman-owners-because-we-need-to-but-would-choose-Honda-in-a-heartbeat-if-we-financially-could-"privileged"-critics-be-damned!

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Old 12-24-2018, 11:03 AM   #45
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Merry Christmas to all you snowblower users.
I can't stop laughing every time he throttles this thing up. Sounds like a jet boat getting on plane.

Big Block Chevy Snowblower
https://youtu.be/zvR-eaKUVqU

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Old 12-24-2018, 12:21 PM   #46
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At 195-lbs the Troybilt 2410, a 24" two stage snowblower with pull start and electric start, lists for $599, sometimes sells for $549, is plenty good enough for clearing 2-3 car spaces, going up and down steep walkways, doing the dock that's still in the lake, and clearing away the snow from your average two million dollar waterfront mini-mansion.

Mine is about six years old now, cost $549, and still looks/runs like a new machine.


Wish I could say the same stuff about my girlfriend!


I just love my Troybilt so, so, so very much!
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Old 12-24-2018, 12:29 PM   #47
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Mine is about six years old now, cost $549, and still looks/runs like a new machine.



Wish I could say the same stuff about my girlfriend!


You’d be in trouble if you had a six-year-old girlfriend you bought for $549.
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Old 12-24-2018, 12:34 PM   #48
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Did I read this right,,, you have 6 year old electric start girl friend.

This explains everything
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Old 12-24-2018, 02:57 PM   #49
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I think the electric part is when he plugs the compressor in to inflate his girlfriend!
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Old 12-26-2018, 11:45 AM   #50
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I think the electric part is when he plugs the compressor in to inflate his girlfriend!
That he bought at Walmart. The girlfriend that is.

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Old 01-22-2019, 01:25 PM   #51
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I just worked on a customers plow truck and he had a Honda snow blower in the back. He cleans a lot of high end properties in wealthy Brookline. He told me he has 5 Honda Snow blowers at 4K apiece.
He keeps 4 of then at customers houses and one that travels with him. He said he's had them for 12 years and never had a problem with any of them.
He did tell me he uses only clean fuel that he buys at Ace hardware or Home Depot. I guess this clean fuel won't gum up the carbs when they are left sitting for any length of time. I never knew they even had such a fuel?
Anyway, he's paid for those snow blowers many times over!
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Old 01-22-2019, 01:47 PM   #52
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I just worked on a customers plow truck and he had a Honda snow blower in the back. He cleans a lot of high end properties in wealthy Brookline. He told me he has 5 Honda Snow blowers at 4K apiece.
He keeps 4 of then at customers houses and one that travels with him. He said he's had them for 12 years and never had a problem with any of them.
He did tell me he uses only clean fuel that he buys at Ace hardware or Home Depot. I guess this clean fuel won't gum up the carbs when they are left sitting for any length of time. I never knew they even had such a fuel?
Anyway, he's paid for those snow blowers many times over!
I think he was talking about an additive to gasoline that keeps the carburetor clean. I don't think ACE hardware or Home Depot sells gasoline.
My Honda Track Drive starts with first pull. It has electric start but I've never used it.
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Old 01-22-2019, 02:01 PM   #53
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I think he was talking about an additive to gasoline that keeps the carburetor clean. I don't think ACE hardware or Home Depot sells gasoline.
My Honda Track Drive starts with first pull. It has electric start but I've never used it.
He told me he doesn't buy gasoline for his snow blowers, he called it clean fuel. I had never heard of it either?
It's called Trufuel and you can get it at tractor supply also. It's not cheap, $25 a gallon but he swears by it. I may start using it in my lawn mower.
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Old 01-22-2019, 04:28 PM   #54
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I noticed the Town of Meredith has a $3300 Honda tracked snowblower because today I saw someone who appeared to be a town employee using it in the sidewalk area in front of the Community Center ...... oh well. My no-good, stink'n, rott'n, miserable TroyBilt 2410 from Gilford Lowe's; a six year old, 24" wide, price $550, reg $599, which has worked perfectly for the last six years done bit the dust with the heavy wet snow storm of about eight days ago.

So, I removed the black vinyl cover that's above the two belts, just to look, and it looks like one belt is all stretched out of correct length; the two rubber tire wheels for moving it still work, but the impeller doesn't throw the snow up and out of the vinyl shoot. Who knows, maybe there's something else that's broken too?

I just spent $24 for a new pull starter from the internet, from some place in Ohio, installed it with the three small screws, and it starts up real good ..... had been using the electric starter this year .... an easy fix.

I never-ever move the slider choke lever..... the choke has not been touched in six years and the engine runs real good.

So, for getting this belt problem fixed, I can take it to four different small engine repair businesses in Laconia, Lakeport, Northfield, and Tilton.

Laconia: Tri County Power Equipment ... www.tricountype.com

Lakeport: Lakeport Power Equipment

Tilton: Bob's Small Engine from craigslist ..... used snowblower selection from $150-300 .... phone 496-4437

Northfield: Lenny's Small Engine .... www.lennysrepair.com/snow-blower-repair/

It probably makes no difference where I take it ........ just that I take it someplace? Probably, a 24" TroyBilt is a model they work on a lot. Up until last week, it was the greatest snowblower ever made .... oh well! Nice thing about it, it only weighs 185-lbs, and goes good.

All things considered .....think I will go with Bob's for starters ...... from the photos, it looks like a sideline business, done in the garage or someplace .... but, I have totally no clue? .....

Nice thing about a snow shovel ......unlike a snowblower ........ a shovel never breaks down ..... and never needs two new v-belts after six years...... which are difficult to replace! ........
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Old 01-22-2019, 07:36 PM   #55
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The auger drive belt will be loose until you squeeze the lever to engage the idler pulley.
Did you try adding more tension to the idler pulley?
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Old 01-22-2019, 08:02 PM   #56
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That sounds correct, and no I didn't try doing that ...... is just too cold to be working on this outdoors ..... after six years use ..... is time to take it to someone who knows what they are doing, and uses the correct parts ..... think I'll go with Bob in Tilton ...... the photos in craigslist look like an organized work area .... plus it shows an equipment lift .... selling used snowblowers for $150-300 .... sounds like a part time, hobby business or something?
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Old 01-22-2019, 08:12 PM   #57
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I noticed the Town of Meredith has a $3300 Honda tracked snowblower because today I saw someone who appeared to be a town employee using it in the sidewalk area in front of the Community Center ...... oh well. My no-good, stink'n, rott'n, miserable TroyBilt 2410 from Gilford Lowe's; a six year old, 24" wide, price $550, reg $599, which has worked perfectly for the last six years done bit the dust with the heavy wet snow storm of about eight days ago.

So, I removed the black vinyl cover that's above the two belts, just to look, and it looks like one belt is all stretched out of correct length; the two rubber tire wheels for moving it still work, but the impeller doesn't throw the snow up and out of the vinyl shoot. Who knows, maybe there's something else that's broken too?

I just spent $24 for a new pull starter from the internet, from some place in Ohio, installed it with the three small screws, and it starts up real good ..... had been using the electric starter this year .... an easy fix.

I never-ever move the slider choke lever..... the choke has not been touched in six years and the engine runs real good.

So, for getting this belt problem fixed, I can take it to four different small engine repair businesses in Laconia, Lakeport, Northfield, and Tilton.

Laconia: Tri County Power Equipment ... www.tricountype.com

Lakeport: Lakeport Power Equipment

Tilton: Bob's Small Engine from craigslist ..... used snowblower selection from $150-300 .... phone 496-4437

Northfield: Lenny's Small Engine .... www.lennysrepair.com/snow-blower-repair/

It probably makes no difference where I take it ........ just that I take it someplace? Probably, a 24" TroyBilt is a model they work on a lot. Up until last week, it was the greatest snowblower ever made .... oh well! Nice thing about it, it only weighs 185-lbs, and goes good.

All things considered .....think I will go with Bob's for starters ...... from the photos, it looks like a sideline business, done in the garage or someplace .... but, I have totally no clue? .....

Nice thing about a snow shovel ......unlike a snowblower ........ a shovel never breaks down ..... and never needs two new v-belts after six years...... which are difficult to replace! ........
First your waders and now your snowblower. Surely your foam noodle savings will make up for the repair/replacements costs and aggravation of buying cheap everywhere else?!

"Penny wise..."

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Old 01-22-2019, 09:56 PM   #58
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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
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Old 01-23-2019, 08:02 AM   #59
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First your waders and now your snowblower. Surely your foam noodle savings will make up for the repair/replacements costs and aggravation of buying cheap everywhere else?!

"Penny wise..."

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He stretches that buck just like the belt on his snow blower.
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Old 02-05-2019, 07:50 AM   #60
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Default ..... loose belt-easy adjustment

I really found this out the hard way, yesterday, when I replaced the belt on my TroyBilt 24" Storm 2410.

Best way to work on a snowblower is to roll it forward, up and over, placing it on the nose, or on the front edge of the auger area. And, before doing this, I poured out almost all the gasoline, otherwise it probably would have spilled out from somewhere.

So the auger belt was loose, but not broken, and apparently it just got a little stretched out from six years use. Having spent $15 for a new belt from eBay, removing the black vinyl snow shoot, the upper belt cover, and the large lower bottom plate .... I danged well went ahead with replacing the belt, after all that effort.

Now, and here is the key, it turns out this machine has two easy-to-do slack belt adjusters, for the auger and the drive belt, that are easy to access, and easy to do, and easily would have fixed the loose belt, had I known what the heck I was doing before getting inside the machine.

Down low, in the back, close to each tire, the two cables connecting the hand control paddles with the insides, by loosening just two 3/8" small bolts you can make the tiny but very important adjustment by sliding the cable guide which adjusts and tightens the cables that go to the auger and drive wheel tires control. This easily solves the stretched belt problem, from the outside, without making the big effort to get inside the machine.

That was a major pain ..... and this is a relatively small, light weight machine weighing 185-lbs .... which is not all that small.

Here's another trick if you got a snow shoot made with the black hard vinyl rubber .... is, on a warm day, to apply a lot of Vaseline with a sponge all over the inside of the shoot .... it gets absorbed into the black vinyl .....and helps to keep the black vinyl-rubber from sticking and clogging up with the slush or icy snow.

And yes, the new belt was a GO ...... even though the old belt was just stretched ..... and a tiny cable adjustment would have done it ..... still, a go is a go, even if I basically beat myself up replacing the belt which did not really need to be replaced ...... the machine powered through all the driveway snow from last week's storm that never got done with a shovel.... after it set up for five days or something ..... and it worked good ..... hurray for TroyBilt!

So's now I noticed the two steel slides under the auger area are all worn down and need to be replaced, plus I might as well go get a new drive belt since I was able to copy the numbers off the old belt.

How much would this have cost at a small engine repair, plus it needs to be delivered and picked up ..... plus they do not coat all the bolts with Vaseline ..... they probably just re-install the rusty old bolts. Ya knows, a giant jar of Vaseline, $2.50 at Family Dollar, and a little effort can keep a snowblower going almost forever.
............

So here's the take away from my trial and error snowblower belt repair. Most two stage snowblowers except for Honda have two v-belts, a 3/8" and a 1/2" wide belt that carries the power from the engine to the drive wheels or the snow grinding augers. Over time and use the v-belts get a very little stretched out, and eventually if not kept tight, will no longer carry the power due to a loose slipping belt going around the steel pulley wheel, inside.

On my TroyBilt, and maybe on other makes, adjusting the cable tension on the two cables going from the handle grip paddles to inside the machine will fix the v-belt slippage problem. Down low, close to the tires, in the back, on the outside of the machine, there's two cable guides or very small pulleys that can be moved a small distance, like 1/4"-1/2" up or down, by loosening two small bolts, to keep the cable tight, and this should keep the v-belt(s) from slipping .... and you now got a happy snowblower without going inside the machine. .......

And, so easy to do, that a cave man can do it with one small 3/8" socket wrench....... but who knew? ...

One small 3/8" socket wrench for a man ....... one giant snowblower repair for mankind ..... or something like that!

This has got to be the greatest discovery ever made since snow was first invented! ...
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Old 03-19-2019, 03:01 PM   #61
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Default ..... anchors away with Honda

Talking about Honda snowblowers, today-March 19-Tuesday, the Home Depot in Tilton has 'zactly one snowblower left for sale ....... a brand new Honda 9hp-28"-tracked snowblower with price reduced 25% from about $2450 to about 1950.

For the mega-millionaire who is very particular about removing the snow ..... just so!

I would buy it except it's about $2000 more than I want to pay, and I just got a 21" single stage Craftsman with a Honda motor in basically new condition for $150! ..... that only weighs about 65-lbs.

That Honda down in Tilton is brand new, is resting on a wood pallet, and looks like what the U.S. Navy would get if they had to remove all the snow from the top deck of a submarine ..... a Navy quality snowblower, except it is red and black, so would have to get re-painted in battleship gray ...... and get a snorkel installed for under water, snow blowing ........ and anchors away!
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Old 03-19-2019, 05:53 PM   #62
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That Honda down in Tilton is brand new, is resting on a wood pallet, and looks like what the U.S. Navy would get if they had to remove all the snow from the top deck of a submarine ..... a Navy quality snowblower, except it is red and black, so would have to get re-painted in battleship gray ...... and get a snorkel installed for under water, snow blowing ........ and anchors away!
It would be a lot easier for the submarine to just dive and wash the snow off with all that salt water. No gas engine running, no pollution, no risk of injury to the operator.
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Old 03-19-2019, 07:22 PM   #63
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@TiltonBB, Thank you ..... take a bow, struck the funny bone just right.


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Old 03-20-2019, 07:25 AM   #64
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Wow, what a deal ....... for the relatively low price of $250 ..... over in Mechanic Falls, Maine ..... in craigslist ..... there is a Honda HS-50 snowblower for sale for just $250..... that is like a TroyBilt or a Craftsman price for a Honda ..... it says it has one mechanical glitch that needs fix'n.... but you got the whole summer to get on it ....... dang!
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Old 03-20-2019, 08:36 AM   #65
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Wow, what a deal ....... for the relatively low price of $250 ..... over in Mechanic Falls, Maine ..... in craigslist ..... there is a Honda HS-50 snowblower for sale for just $250..... that is like a TroyBilt or a Craftsman price for a Honda ..... it says it has one mechanical glitch that needs fix'n.... but you got the whole summer to get on it ....... dang!
The Honda HS-50 snowblowers have disc drive instead of the an automatic transmission that the newer ones have. It could be that he is having problems with the disc drive that is either out of adjustment or the rubber on the drive wheel is worn. When this happens it won't go thru heavy snow or not move at all. Just take the bottom plate off off and look at the disc.
I had an HS-50 and that is the only thing that went wrong with it.
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