Snow throwers: Honda vs. Toro

Any help or recommendations will be greatly appreciated. Looking at 2 stage Honda HS724 and Toro Power Max828.

 

Had a Toro for 3 winters, forget the model but it is about 30 inch wide about 10hp and we get around 30 feet of snow a winter and it runs great. Would recommend Toro!

 

I would not recommend Honda small engines. They are usually overhead cam and require special maintenance. Get the toro. Make sure its got a briggs or kohler. Stay away from techumseh as they are out of business and parts are impossible to find for them.

 

What ever you get, make sure it is a 2 stage with a briggs and stratton engine.

 

I don't know anything about snow blowers but I do know that Honda lawn mowers are damn good. I would guess that their other power equipment is also good. I learned to mow grass on my dads old Honda many years ago. that mower lasted 14 years cutting crass once a week for about 9 months a year. It still ran when we got rid of it but the rings wore out and it started burning a lot of oil.

He bought another honda.

 

We have a Toro Mower that's older than I am just so you know. I don't think that thing has had anything but blades, gas, oil, filters and spark plugs done to it. Fucking tank.

 

I think you'll be good if you purchase either.

 

I have a Toro 826LE Power Max Two Stage since 03, No problems, Have used the hell out of it this winter. Started at 730 am and went to 4pm last Sunday after our 20 plus inches of snow storm. I have yet to change the plug. It has a Tecumshe engine which I was a little wary about before I purchased it. I went and talked to the repair shop at the Toro dealer. The mechanic told me that they had more trouble with the Briggs and Stratton motors. Nine years and no complaints.

 

I just bought a Snapper L1429E and love it. With all the snow we've had recently it's the only way we got out of the drive (over 100 yds at about 15 to 20 degree slope) and our access road (~ .2 miles). I've dug us, our neighbors, and several friends out with it and love it. Heated hand grips make a HUGE difference.

Like others have said, a B&S engine is key. They're just about indestructible.

 

double post..

 

I have a Honda 928, 28"cut 9hp Track driven, Best snow blower I have had. It can throw more snow farther and in more quantity than any of the others I owned. I don't have any problems throwing wet slushy snow on top of a 12' high snowbank, the others could not, it will blast the fluffy stuff 60' or more no joke.
I have had Toro (plastic joystick snapped in half, Craftsman 12hp Briggs the belts and pressure plate disk keep on slipping due to ice up and water, and a Canadian Tire 10hpTecumseh(won't go there)... those machines always required re-tightening of the bolts due to vibration after a good workout, It was a pain in the ass looking for bolts in the snow I was sick of buying blue lock tight.. The Honda 3 years old now, has been free of the stuff that plagued the others, except for oil changes and lubrication, I haven't turned a wrench on it yet. Get the Honda its a good quality machine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BihUW8eCTis