The right snow blower can make a world of difference during harsh winter months. Shoveling snow is tough work that can be hard on your health too. A snow blower makes the job faster and much easier.
With so many different models on the market, it can be hard to know which one is right for you. We will take a look at how to choose the right snow blower. We will also review four different models from Honda and let you know which one we think is the best.
Honda is a company that is known for their efficient and reliable engines. Engines are one of the prime components that make a snow blower great. This means you can trust that a model from Honda will be effective and of good quality.
The Best Honda Snow Blower
Cutting right to the chase, the best of the bunch is the Honda Power Equipment HSS928AAW 28″ snow blower. The 270cc GX270 OHV engine is the most powerful of the four models we review. This model can clear the widest path in one pass and also moves the largest amount of snow in the least amount of time. This is one heavy-duty piece of equipment that can tackle the toughest of jobs. It can be used over almost any terrain too. The HSS928AAW is packed with extra features that make it easy and convenient to use.
Selecting Your Honda Snow Blower
The first thing to consider when selecting a snow blower is how large of an area you will need to use it on. A small single-stage snow blower will be fine for a small driveway. If you have a driveway that is over 60 feet or a large property you need to make paths around, then it’s best to choose a two or three-stage model. The higher the engine CC rating is, the more powerful the blower will be. The next thing to consider is what kind of terrain you will be clearing. Two and three-stage blowers may be necessary for concrete and gravel surfaces while one-stage models are usually only good for flat surfaces. Be sure to check out the size and quality of tires or treads as well.
Snow blowers are either powered by electricity or by gasoline. Some require a mixture of gas and oil as fuel. Electric models may be rechargeable or they may need to be plugged into an outlet. This can restrict where and how they are used. Gas-powered models have no such restrictions and are also more powerful. They are better suited for tougher jobs. If you have large areas to clear, it may be a good idea to select a self-propelled model with power steering to make life easier. The type and amount of snow you will likely be clearing should also factor into your considerations. Wet and heavy snow may clog an under-powered blower that only has one-stage operation. The right type of auger and drift cutters are necessary to get through the hardest packed snow, ice and tall drifts.
The three major types of snow blower are the single, two, and three-stage models. A one-stage snow blower is a simple, straight forward machine that just blows snow out of the way. A two-stage model uses an auger to scoop the snow and then blows it out of a chute. These types do not come into contact with the ground and can be used over more varied terrain styles. They also are more powerful and can process and clear a lot more snow per minute. The three-stage models are the most powerful of all and add a stage where tightly-packed snow is chopped up before being expelled. These are mostly intended for commercial use or extremely large properties. Most homeowners will be best suited with a one or two-stage model.
Next, we will take a look at some of the common features to look out for. Not all of them are necessary or even desirable for all situations. This is just a basic guide of what is available so that you can know what to look for. This way, you can select the best model for your specific needs.
Starter Type
Models come with push-button or key-based electric starters or recoil starters with a pull cord. An electric starter will make it quick and easy to get the blower up and running.
Power Steering and Self Propelling
A self-propelled blower and power steering will make the job much easier.
Intake Height and Clearing Width
These stats determine how much snow the blower can churn through.
Tires or Treads
Good tires are a must and will make it easier to plow through the snow. Treads may be an even better option for rough terrain or especially deep snow.
Remote Chute Controls
You need to move the chute around to make sure snow is blowing in the right direction as you clear it. Remote controls make this quick and easy and prevent you from having to stop working to make the adjustments.
One-Hand Operation
This is yet another perk that will make the overall job easier on you.
Speed Controls
Variable speed controls allow you to better navigate over different types of terrain.
Headlight
If you like to get a jump on the job in the early mornings, some added light can come in handy.
Drift Cutters
These are great for cutting through the hardest and tallest of snow drifts.
Heated Hand Grips
This one is self explanatory. Your hands can get cold quickly and heated grips will make you much more comfortable.
Honda Snow Blower Reviews
1.) Honda Power Equipment HSS928AAW 28″
The Honda Power Equipment HSS928AAW snow blower is a 28″ model with a 270cc engine. This GX270 OHV engine is commercial grade and has plenty of power to cut through heavy, dense snow. This is a two-stage snow blower that can be used on concrete or gravel surfaces. It offers a 20″ height clearance so you can get through the worst of what winter has to throw at you. It clears a path that is 28″ wide with one pass.
This snow blower isn’t your average two-stage model. A fast-spinning impeller throws snow faster and farther than the competition at this price point. This machine can clear an impressive 55 tons of snow per hour. All of the Honda models on our list are well-built machines. This snow blower is built like a tank and should stand up to the toughest use and abuse for many years. Not only is the engine powerful, but it’s impressively quiet as well. You won’t have to worry about bugging the neighbors or the irritation to yourself from a loud motor.
The chute is remotely controlled so you can make on-the-fly adjustments to the direction where the snow is blown. It can be adjusted up to 210 degrees and even has an elevation adjustment of up to 70 degrees. A headlight helps you see in low-light conditions while an adjustable auger allows for heavy-duty snow removal. The auger is protected by skid shoes to increase the snow blower’s longevity. This machine is self-propelled and has power steering as well. It’s easy to use and this is further enhanced by a nice control layout. Simply put, this is one of the finest snow blowers on the market.
2.) Honda Power Equipment HS720AA 20″
The Honda Power Equipment HS720AA 20″ 190cc snow blower is a great choice for those who only have a small driveway to deal with. This model is light, easy to use and easy to maintain. This is a simple, single-stage snow blower. Honda’s GC190 OHC premium residential engine is fuel efficient and packs plenty of power.It clears a path of 20″ wide in one pass. Snow is thrown up to 33 ft. from the chute.
This model is ideal for the new user. Everything is simple and intuitive. There is no need to mix gas and oil for your fuel. This is a lightweight, simple machine but don’t let that fool you into thinking it won’t work well. It can take care of snow that is a foot high and can churn through 1800 lbs. of it per minute. This model is semi-self propelled but the light weight makes it feel like it is fully propelled. It comes equipped with an electric starter for fast starting in cold weather.
The best thing about this model is that it tackles tough jobs as if it were a bigger unit, but comes in a small, single-stage package. It is also very simple to maintain. A large gas cap and opening makes fueling easy. They’ve made it as simple as possible to drain fuel and oil too. The spark plug is easy to access for changing as well. Large wheels make it easy to transport and the controls are all simple and well designed.
3.) Honda HSS724ATD
The next model on our list is the Honda HSS724ATD 198cc. This is another two-stage snow blower in about the same price range as the HSS928AAW 28″ model. It has a less powerful engine coming in at 198cc as opposed to the 270cc version in our top model. The thing that makes this unit different to set it apart is its use of tank-style tracks instead of the usual large wheels. This means the HSS724ATD is great for almost any type of terrain. Not only can it handle gravel and concrete paths, it’s wonderful for steep slopes, uneven terrain and the deepest snow. The auger height is adjustable too, making it even more versatile.
This snow blower is electrically started and features a track drive with powered steering. Starting is done with a key and a recoil starter is still available as a backup. The infinitely variable speed, hydrostatic drive makes operation smooth. The engine is quiet and efficient. This machine can clear a path of 24″ wide as it throws 1500 lbs. of snow per minute. Chute control is handles with an electric control that is similar to a video-game joystick. It’s easy to move that chute around with one hand as you continue steering with the other.
Offset shear set bolts protect the auger, impeller and drive shaft to add to the longevity of your snow blower. The auger is heavy duty and serrated to cut and break through tightly packed snow and even hard ice. This is a great model for anyone with a large, uneven property and varied terrain to clear.
4.) Honda Power Equipment HS720AMA 20″
Honda’s Power Equipment HS720AMA 20″ model may be the best buy for anyone on a budget. Like the HS720AA model, this snow blower is a single-stage, 20″ unit with a 4 cycle, 190cc Honda OHC engine. In fact, it shares almost all of its specs and features with the HS720AA snow blower. Think of it as a stripped down model that has all of the great performance and build quality, but just cuts back on some of the non-essentials in order to come in at a much lower price.
One of the first cuts done to make this version so affordable is the removal of the electric starter. This unit is started with a recoil cord in the same way you would start most lawnmowers. Less convenient perhaps, but still highly functional and just as good at doing the hard work as the more expensive model. Like its predecessor, this snow blower is easy to use and easy to maintain. It is super light and easy to transport or pack away at the end of your work. Any area where you may need to work on maintenance is easily accessible.
The drive mechanism is manual but auger assisted. The chute turning radius is a nice 220 degrees. When it comes to the main thing a snow blower does, it does it well, removing up to 1800 lbs of snow per minute. This machine comes with a 2 year warranty for residential use and also includes a nice storage cover. It’s a great value and the best budget buy of the models we’ve reviewed.
Final Thoughts
Honda is a fantastic company with a stellar reputation for making reliable motors and equipment. You can’t go wrong by selecting any of the four snow blowers on our list. Each really offers something unique that may make it the best choice for you. The HSS928AAW is the most powerful. The HSS724ATD features tracks that make it great for any terrain. The single-stage models are simple to use and come in at very affordable prices. By following our basic tips on selecting a snow blower, you should be able to find a model that best suits your specific needs. For our money, the Honda Power Equipment HSS928AAW 28″ is the best of the bunch.
Honda makes great equipment, but they aren’t the only players in the game. Check out our choices for the best snowblowers across all brands in this article.
