Expert Review
Honda Track Drive Snow Blower with Electric Start HS928TAS

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Expert Review

Honda Track Drive Snow Blower with Electric Start HS928TAS

Date Published: 9/25/07

The Honda HS928TAS is an industry darling and is probably the highest-quality, most reliable snow blower available. As you might expect, it also bears one of the highest price tags of any snow blower on the market.

The HS928TAS is equipped with a track, which can be switched into a neutral setting so it moves freely; this makes it easy to roll this snow blower up a ramp and into a truck. This same feature makes it equally easy for homeowners to move it in and out of the garage. We like this track feature for the traction it offers on steep drives.

The adjustability of the HS928TAS also helps when clearing snow off of gravel surfaces; simply adjust the auger to a higher setting. This height adjustment will prevent the upheaval of the gravel and prevent stones from being kicked up.

We like the way this track-equipped Honda handles on long, straight stretches. If you don't have many turns to make, this machine hums along nicely. On the other hand, if you have a short driveway that requires many turns, you may find this model to be a bit cumbersome; it just doesn't turn as easily as a snow blower with wheels. If you're interested in purchasing this same machine equipped with wheels rather than a track, look to the Honda HS928WAS; the good news is that going with wheels will same you some money.

We recommend this snow blower for its outstanding Honda GX270, 8.5-hp engine; we find that this engine is tremendously reliable and built to last.

The Honda HS928TAS offers a convenient electric start, which we recommend for residential users. If, however, you would like to reduce the cost of this model somewhat, consider purchasing it without the electric start. With proper maintenance, this engine pull-starts without a problem, usually on the first pull.

The HS928TAS is built like a tank and weighs in at a heavy, durable 240 pounds. It's built close to ground, which is an asset for transporting it in a capped truck or van. This same low build, however, may cause discomfort when operated by users who are very tall.

The clearing path on this model is a generous 28 inches, but the intake, at 20.1 inches, is a bit smaller than is typical on comparable models. In our opinion, however, this small difference is far outweighed by the other advantages that the HS928TAS offers.

With a larger-than-average fuel tank of just over 1.5 gallons, this model runs non-stop for about 2.5 hours; this is another feature that makes it desirable for commercial use.

We find this to be an exceptional snow blower. The high price of the Honda HS928TAS is probably the only thing preventing more shoppers from taking it home with them.


Pros: Good choice for gravel drives, long stretches and steep terrain; easy to transport via truck; recommended for commercial as well as residential use
Cons: Track-equipped model is difficult to turn, expensive

Warranty
2 years residential, 1 year commercial



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Product Specs

Auger diameter
14 in.
Clearing path
28 in.
Engine
8.5 HP
Length
56 in.
Width
28-1/2 in.
Height
40-2/10 in.
Weight
240 lbs.
Starter type
electric
Fuel type
gas
Drive system
self-propelled hydrostatic


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release: 8.4.3-qa1
content_id: 266119
type: review
category: l4-cp-two-stage-snow-blowers-5-to-8-horsepower

brws title: Honda Track Drive Snow Blower with Electric Start HS928TAS Review: Powered by ConsumerGuide and HowStuffWorks

meta d: Honda's HS928TAS snow blower is the industry's darling. Check out the full review from Consumer Guide.

url: http://shopproducts.howstuffworks.com/Titanium-Shield-Long-Handle-Round-Point-Shovel-Silver-1349950-Union-Tools-/productId=94872893