Forums Archive Index > Snowblowers-Reviews Only Please > Honda, HS 980i Hybrid, snowblower review

Author: nspeed

Date: 26 Jun 2006 9:33 am

As this is our first snow blower I can’t compare it with other models but I hope you can gain some information from this review (as I have from yours)

The Idea to buy a snow blower came quite late (mid Dec 2005) and as I found out no one had any more in stock apart from one retailer who just got one back because someone switched to a larger version so we had a look at it + testdrive, tought about it and then paid (well actually my dad) 5500 Euro (Live in Austria).

Why we bought it:
- Easy to handle, as you don’t pull or push the whole snowblower you just pull either handle (like bike brakes) and then the side you pull slows down/stops depending on how far you pull. By the way it has about 220 kg so you anyway don’t get far with your muscles. So my 65 year old father can handle it very well.
- Able to throw snow over a 2,5 m wall
- Was available

Quality:
As expected from reading information on the internet it is well built and there were no problems until now apart form the ignition for the electric starter. After the first week the plastic screw fastening the ignition became loose, so when trying to start the machine the whole lock was turning. We got by this winter by tightening it up each time. During the first service the said they fixed it with glue.

Handling:
As I already explained above the driving part is easy (like driving a tank – I think). But you can’t turn on the spot as you can only stop a single track an not let it turn backwards. You turn around one of the tracks, which was alright for me.

Controls (right to left):


not seen:
Button Auger on/off: Press it for a couple of seconds (+ holding the dead man thing) to get the auger going
Button for automatic: switch this on and the engine will always run the same revs, depending the amount of snow the speed of the tracks will change.

Story:
We had it in use in winter 2005/2006 and it was certainly worth it, we had loads of snow here in Austria. As we are at the end of our road we get a lot of snow piled up from the snowplough, and we never had any problems throwing that into the field to have room for the next lot. Apart from once (snow and then rain on top) it never clogged up.
Coming back up the cleared hill it has very good traction; it pulled me up where I had difficulties standing on my own.

Pro:
Easy handling
Remote chute with joystick

Cons:
Price

Date Purchased: 23. Dec 2005
Price Paid: Euro 5500 (2nd Hand, only 1 or 2 weeks)
Recommend: Yes


my dad

Author: Marshall

Date: 26 Jun 2006 8:52 pm

Nice review. Welcome.

Author: mishka

Date: 28 Aug 2006 5:46 pm

Quote:
Price Paid: Euro 5500 (2nd Hand, only 1 or 2 weeks)

WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!! this is $6k+ in US .....not so chip. :beat: ..... Good snowblower BUT $6000 dollars :pound: