I agree 100%, always safer to use a tool to break loose a stuck impeller or chute clogs. Just wish Honda would provide a scoop/spoon type clearing tool instead of a straight baton style clearing tool. Thanks for watching!

Richie at work, lead mechanic, telling us story about his Dad and Richie interaction. Richie, teenager wanting to help his Dad blow snow.. Dad lets him after extensive talk about not putting any part of your hand in that chute even turned off. Well Richie is driving snowblower up and down driveway, and then gets into heavy duty slush, and of course plugs. Shuts it off, looks over and doesnt see his dad, so puts his hand in chute and cleans whole area and no harm is done. Starts machine and is blowing walking towards the garage and his dad appears...waving, "Shut that machine off." Richie shuts it down and asks whats the matter? His father is a big man, real big, and is leaning over in front of Richie pointing to the ground, say.. "look at that right there, no, right there" Richie turns has back to his dad bent over... His dad rares up and swings back and kicks with all his might with toe of boot and kicks Richie directly in the crease of his butt. Hes up in the air down into the snow face first, completely covered in snow. Gets up half whimpering and asks "what was that for?" "I told you to never, ever to put your hand in that chute, and you disobeyed me." "Let that be a life lesson." I wish I could give this story justise, but we were all laughing until tears....and one thing..he never ever put his hand in a machine again...now hes retired..

@@sleepingwiththedog thank you, i was mortified when i saw his hand going into the auger area. no undo button

Horseshit

Hondas don’t store energy

I appreciate the perspective. I wouldnt mind swapping out the tool for something that works better. Thanks!

Haha. Alot more snowthrower and atv plowing video coming this winter. Thanks for watching!

Thats a great idea. Thanks for the info & Thanks for watching!

Thanks for that info. Have to get some.

Teflon, silicon, or past-wax all work great. I have a 1971 John Deere 7h.p.26" cut it just has the auger on and off no dead man control same with the one dead man control for the drive but it has a factory lock so it could go by itself and I never had a problem with it except a few belts over the years I did take the front end apart and motor off to refinish the paint since some of the driveways I done were stone ad scratched it up I wanted to make it last and look good I also have a newer one as well 8 h.p. with 24" cut it has the two dead mam controls one side auger other hand drive any to be honest with you I like the older one the best it's twice the machine even the body is heavier built only thing I did when I restored the old '71 was the front auger I ground teeth into it to cut through frozen snow and ice ...

@@JohnFrancoNH You can just use spray oil for cooking. Walmart sells it. About $2 per can. That works great!

I did also the same with a ceramic coating kit from amazon..no more jams for me!

Thats an excellent dealer you have there! glad to hear they are taking care of it. I have a custom teflon chute deflector i am in the middle of designing for my machine. Will catch blowby but still will allow for excessive slush to fall out and not clog. Stay tuned for part 2 (improved design) part one is already in my Honda playlist. Thanks for watching!

Glad to hear another HSS is liberated! Stupid collar what was Honda thinking, seriously!

Fun fact: only european and american hondas do have the collar. In Japan they are sold without.

My old hs828 from Canada came without one.

Yes Honda engines are the quietest small engines.

Yes this is true for all the Hondas ive owned. They like to be pushed not babied. Thanks for watching!

@@JohnFrancoNH I've noticed that with every blower. It relates to the impeller gap.

I may try this, i am very curious...even though the machine doesnt need it. Thanks for watching!

Thanks for watching!

Congrats on the new machine! Honda is king around here too! Thanks for watching!

I have put it to use and have to say it rock's like a boss. I have been looking after what I understand the T in its logo/name stands for - the TURBO.After some hard work trying to locate where the turbo lives - I now have to see myself defeated - there is non??.This model acts and work like its there - how bad a$$ is that....

I just called my Honda dealer. They're coming to my house tomorrow to retrofit the unit with the updated chute. (Excellent dealer.) They will actually do the job in my garage. Will add this comment above, too.

Has Honda fixed this on current 2020 models from the factory?

Glad to hear that..i will be covering this topic in a future video. Stay tuned. Thanks for watching!

You are correct. My Honda HHS928 was purchased in the fall of 2016. I brought it back to Chad Little Power Equipment In the fall of 2020 complaining about the chute problem with wet snow. I also told them I had researched the problem and that others had the same problem and Honda was looking into it. Chad Little replaced the chute for free of charge. So far this year no problems with wet snow.

Get the new updated chute under warranty...Thanks for watching!

the collar needs to be 100% removed like Japanese made models of prior years.

@@JohnFrancoNH I did it. It’s only 3 screws!

Thanks for watching!

I will try. Thanks for watching!

I tried spray, didn’t notice any improvement.

Great idea. Having the original as backup. I will make a video of removing mine just like you said. Cant wait to get that collar off.

I forgot to mention that rust oleum makes a product called never wet which is a type of clear coat that is water phobic. I haven’t tried it yet but plan on coating the inner chute this summer. Peace

Thanks for the info. I plan on purchasing the Honda power red oem spray paint. But you beat me to it. After touching up the inside of the chute i was planning to coat it with a teflon like coating that would make it super slick. I may just rub some carnuba wax in there periodically.

I will have to get my hands on one. Still think my inverted u shaped design will yield better results. Update video coming this winter. Thanks for watching!

@@JohnFrancoNH The new Honda chute is similar to your design except the U isn't inverted, and the chute doesn't extend above the top of the U. Before the snow flies I'm going to attach 1/4" thick rubber extensions to the impeller blades. Rather than bolting them in place the way the kits on eBay do I'm going to try automotive weather strip adhesive, as the only stress on the connection is the centrifugal force from the rotation of the impeller. If it doesn't hold I can always go back and bolt them.

Hondas do not need an impeller kit. Impeller kit is just a bandade for a poor design on other brand machines. But they do work. The clearance on the impeller on Hondas is less then other manufacturers. Which is what makes them great slush throwing machines straight from the factory. Thanks for watching!

I agree with John. It also depends on the model and chute design. I have a Toro 826 and the top part above the impellar and chute design is nothing like any other brand so because of this my snowblower has never clogged even when blowing 4"+ of just straight slush or 12" of snow with 2-3" of solid water soaked slush on the bottom. That adding rubber from a 1 stage rubber impeller to a 2 stage is for old snowblowers still using the impeller design Ariens uses today.

@@robertg.9964 I might try this on my old 2009 Toro 8-28 and see if it works and if it wears the auger belt faster.

Do you even own a Honda? the video is a demonstration only. I did the whole driveway if you didnt notice without one clog. The opposite is needed to keep it from clogging. Full passes is the key! Thanks for watching!

haha...Thanks for watching!

Bring it in the garage and start a small electric heater and melt it out Put a tarp over the top Then the next day you can grease it up.

Plan on making a much more improved collar of my own. Stay tuned. Thanks for watching!

yes more volume of snow keeps the chute clear.

I would also check the auger drive belt tension

Great idea!

NEboys I want to use the tool too. But its terrible. Its round! LOL How can someone scoop out snow with a rod? It would be nice if the end was paddle or spoon shaped. I need to find a better tool. But now with the collar gone i wont need to reach anymore. It will never clog. Thanks for watching!

People have been killed by machines when they even took the safety measures by shutting the machine off etc... you can never be over careful but like TheNewenglandboys said he knew someone lost 3 fingers so he will respect machinery more because of what happened to someone he knew, My wife lost her father in a farm accident, The Machine started on its own! After that horror I now take the spark plug wire off disconnect the battery unplug from the wall etc... because I always get reminded of what happened that day, Lets say that starter goes wacko on ya it will be a nightmare that could of been prevented. Just some friendly advice :) Stay Safe

I use to have a foreman had similar accident decades ago. Although they were made safer than before. Owners must follow all safety procedures. Those machines are meat grinder.

Thanks for the info (:

TheNewenglandboys yes. i seen someone pulled his hand missing one finger.

Nice! Thanks for watching!

Thanks for the comment. That definitely will work. But under normal operation i have no issues with slush.

You can also use car wax on the inside of the discharge chute. Several layers make for a very slick, non-clogging surface.

For years, i have been using Dupont Snow & Ice spray ordered from Amazon. Make sure to coat it in warmer weather.

Glad to hear that your HS55 is running strong. The main reason for me to upgrade was because of the new track assisted steering and joystick remote chute. I have a long driveway that is not straight (multiple turns) and inclined, so having the assisted steering for easier maneuvering was a key factor for me to upgrade otherwise i would of stuck with my HS1332TAS.

@@JohnFrancoNH I was really wondering why you made the switch. Thanks for your answer. One more question. I can only guess that Honda has changed the design of the belt cover for styling reasons. Does the plastic cover obstruct access to the oil fill?

I also have an HS55. Runs wonderfully.

I doubt that.

Hi, They are Oxford heated grips. Check out my video on the install. Thanks for watching!

John Franco thanks for your great reviews on the Honda 1332, i Will get mine on october 2020. Replacing a cub cadet 28 on tracks that has proven to be not reliable over the last 6 years

I've always heard it called heart attack snow. My aunt's fiance actually had a heart attack and died shoveling heavy snow. Best advice I have is to start getting stress tests regularly at about age 50-55. My dad almost had a heart attack at age 51 and he has run a bunch of marathons. Ended up with a few stints.

Upgraded impeller? I would like to hear more... Sorry but box is not even overloaded. The main purpose of the video was me intentionally clogging it on the small trailings of slush/snow. Demonstration only. I did the whole 800ft driveway without it clogging. Its to illustrate that it needs a good steady feed of snow/slush in order for it to clear the chute. Once you come back for the small soupy stuff it doesnt have enough material to clear the slush that starts to form on the shelf inside the collar. Thanks for watching!

Oxford Cruiser grips. Thanks for watching!

Wouldn't want anything else. Tracks stay planted and have grip even over ice on a slope.

I honestly dont like spraying stuff all over my equipment like that. Thanks for watching!

@@JohnFrancoNH Why would you spray it all over?

@@JohnFrancoNH who said spray it all over? Spray it where the snow gets sprayed.. Wd40 is an anti corrosive.

Silicone lube is a better choice than wd40

Douglas Borgaro Safe to say it’s true for Honda commercial grade too. Their hybrid model is a war machine.

I have a lot of respect for the fine craftsmanship of Honda, but the hybrid machine you refer to is also $8000 + dollars USD. I don’t like the prices! The hybrid has 13hp and 36 inch cut. I don’t like the chute design of the newer models. They are all subject to clogging under the worst snow conditions. To modify the auger or chute of a Honda to prevent this is sacralidge. Especially when you just dropped 8 grand. I am not suggesting Honda is anything but a great machine, wash out my mouth with soap for even thinking such a thing. But price wise, Come on man! Toro 1432 is $2600. That’s 14 hp with 32 inch cut. But more importantly, the design of the auger case, impeller, and chute is what prevents clogging and throws the snow so far. Honda needs to change their chute design. In Michigan’s UP they get more than 300 “ most years. Some of that snow is wet and dastardly! The point is to get the job done and do it quickly.

Oh, one thing I forgot. The Toro is built like an Abrams tank. The handle supports are square steal and thick. The all steal construction is thicker than most any machine I have tested.

Douglas Borgaro I’m looking at the new Toro Powermax HD 1428 vs the Honda 928 or 1332. Should I look for the previous gen Honda in good shape? What do you suggest for heavy wet now in Northeast?

The video was me purposely putting it in a failure mode. In order for me to show what could happen. i can do my whole driveway and not have it clog. Thanks for watching!

Thats nothing check out my next video if you want to see the Honda power thru insane amounts of slush.

Please don't stick your hand in there anymore I can't stand watching it

The Yamaha is an excellent machine. Comparable to a Honda for sure. I would love you use one and see how it does. Thanks for watching!

I agree with you on these two machines being the best. That’s not debatable. I recently viewed another video on KZfaq in which there is now electronic hydrostatic steering on the 1028 as well. My understanding is yamaha used to be built in Canada but recently went back to being made in Japan. Furthermore I don’t have more knowledge on this change.

Thats because Hondas are running on the lean side from the factory to pass emissions standards. I will be changing out the main jet and fixing that. Stay tuned! Thanks for watching!

The Honda updated chute fix is lame. And doesnt solve the blowby when chute is at its maximum clockwise rotation. Coming out with my new chute cover design soon. Stay tuned...

its really not that overloaded.

Yes...Thanks for watching!

Dealer will have to prove that the collar removal caused the warranty claim. Otherwise they have zero grounds.

grind off the welds with a cutoff wheel, i made a video showing it in detail

haha..not necessarily if you notice thats a baton on a Honda not a shovel like on Ariens. Its to help dislodge branches and large pieces not for scooping. Did the whole driveway in video zero clog. Clogging machine was for demo only. Thanks for watching!

Removed the collar / shelf in the chute ... but yes needs more volume quicker etc...

See if the dealer will replace the chute for free.

Its approx. 800 ft long. takes me an hour or less with the snowblower. Thanks for watching.

no thanks upgraded chute still does not fix the snow in the face issue when at 9 and 3 oclock

@@JohnFrancoNH I don’t have any problem. You want people to buy your expensive unnecessary piece of metall for $250. Ridiculous!

HAHA..i just was going say... plastic chute, really?. Come on bro! Thanks for watching!

Hey, leave my little single stage toros alone! Lol jk but seriously, up to 4 inches, I'm going to clear more sq ft then the bigger two stages.

@@outdoorvideos3825 nothing wrong with a single stage. I prefer them on light snow falls. Lol

@@JohnFrancoNH Lifetime warranty on all the plastic on the Toro, no rust, no clogging, it's just a better snowblower. (well better design). I have a Toro my neighbor has a Honda. I see him unclogging his from time to time. In the past 10 years mine has never clogged once.

@@lank278 I have a TORO HD 826 OXE and its can clogs up badin slushy snow and its REALLY hard to unclog. Ive had No problems with my old cheap MTD yardman. Also, No problem with plastic chutes. None. Not in 27 years. They are better than steel for many reasons. Want less clogs? Impeller kit and short throat and plastic chute. Mi dos centavos, Amigo!

With out the collar the Honda is unstoppable in the hands of any person regardless of skill level. I speak from experience with these machines. The main difference is that Hondas were known never to clog, so its very surprising when they come out with the newest flagship HSS models that could potentially clog is not used in an intelligent manner. Thanks for watching!

Bullshit, my Ariens never clogs, it shoots slush and dense heavy Snow 40 feet. Honda sucks compared to Ariens, what good is a well-built machine if it clogs and the shoot system is painfully slow

Zachary, the only thing i spray on my machine is Honda Spray Polish (detail spray) after the season is over just before i put the cover on it and park it. it really cleans up the machine nice and leaves all the paint and plastics conditioned. Spraying stuff in the chute and auger to me is short lived. So i dont bother. Spray film is and oil based fluid commonly used to protect truck frames during winter. But try it out and let us know how it works. A better alternative is silicone spray (very slick) or the stuff dupont makes, i forget the name. Thanks for watching!

Did you not catch the main purpose of the video? I purposely left it a mess to put the machine in a failure mode. For it to get clogged on purpose. My normal routine passes would leave the drive cleaner. Thanks for watching!

Not sure as of yet, but i would like to get myself a new style chute and see how it performs. Thanks for watching!

Just purchased a new HSS928AT, it has the collar. I have not had the snow to try it yet. My old Areins, I would spray the chute with WD-40 or Armor All silicone, and had no problems. I agree with the "need to get a full load". I would shut off augers, while in drive until the housing was fuller, then hit the auger on, then shut auger back off until the next full load. Blowers tend to throw the snow further with a full load, thus clearing the driveway and preventing having to blow it again on the next pass.

Wanted to upgrade to electric chute and new steering controls

Yes i have heard but. I will check it out. Thanks for watching!

Yes that is a good idea! Thanks for watching!

Unfortunately that wont help. Thanks for watching!

Hey Bobby, Not that I own one, however I am seriously considering this model, my understanding is that this model has a hydrostatic transmission (fluid powered) and that you can go from one direction to another without having to fully stop the machine by letting off of the levers. Hopefully John will comment and be able to give you the official Honda owner answer, however I would bet dollars to dinars that he will tell you the same thing as I did. Take care :) Great video John

Aaron is correct. Thats the beauty of having the hydrostatic transmission. I love it and will never go back to the gear style machines, if i can help it. But transitioning from forward to reverse i still would do it gradually when you completely change directions. I say this because even though the machine can allow you to move that drive lever directly into reverse. The inertia of the machine still is going the other way. And the out come would be very jerky operation. I prefer the machine to almost come to a rest before the change. So if you allow for a gracefully transition there will be less stress on the mechanicals of the machine. I believe the hydro static unit can handle it. But its just the other related components you dont want to induce additional stress, fatigue, wear and which could possibly lead to backlash. Thanks for watching!

@@JohnFrancoNH so go to neutral first gotcha. I'm loving this machine. Hit a newspaper yesterday. Engine stops, red light on. One cotter pin out, newspaper out, back in business!!! The only thing that I don't really like is the electric shoot although it is cool it's soo slow to turn from all the way left to all the way right. Is there a way to make it faster?

All great ideas..Thanks for watching!

2020 models should have the revised chute with cut out in the collar. Thanks for watching!

I just bought a 2021 model that was produced in September 2020 and it still has this same collar. Honda's website shows new models with this old collar still in place. I suspect that they are changing it out upon request as opposed to making all the new models with the revised chute

@@sfong06 My model has the updated chute.

Great tips Dave and great machine you have. More Honda HSS videos coming this winter. Thanks for watching!

Yes i know..Thanks for watching!

Nobody wants to keep unplugging the chute, why not fix the issue. Why did you click on this video ...know it all?

I agree. Never mess with a proven design. Thanks for watching!

It's funny because I have no problem with my alcheapo Murray Briggs and Stratton single stage snowblowers with slushy heavy rain wetted snow. Those slush were the ones looks semi transparent and supper heavy to remove by shovel.

Yes that will also work..left it a mess for demonstration purposes. The HSS1331ATD can leave the driveway clean with my normal routine. Thanks for watching!

Great idea but nearly impossible to fabricate. Have you tried making one??? Too many moving parts in the chute assembly to make happen. The Honda does not clog if used in an intelligent manner. I cleaned off that whole 900 ft driveway before doing the clogging demo with out a clog. What you mention as been tried before. A friend asked me for a few years back for help with his heated grips that he was trying to heat via heat transfer off the cylinder head with a closed system of liquid coolant. By using copper pipe plumbed into to the grips. It did not work. It never got hot enough. Then i suggested piping the exhaust thru the grips and it worked very well. And he ditched the original coolant idea.

Only Hondas with the collars in place, previous gens were slush pumps.

Hondas dont need impeller kits. I clogged it as a demonstration only. I did that whole big ass driveway without a clog before i started filming the video, pay attention to the context bud.

Thanks for watching!

Absolutely. Dont blame the tool blame the user! Thanks for watching!

You can buy the new upgrade chute from your local dealer. It only cost $52. There are only 3 screws on the bottom of the metal chute. Pretty easy to install it!

I agree...that is perfectly fine...nothing to complain about

Thats ok its more fun for me to upgrade/fix my Honda. Thanks for watching!

Yes i know i made it fail on purpose. Did a whole 900ft driveway with no clogging.