YS624T for sale

[trouts2]

   I've posted a YS624T on Boston area Craigslist.  It is in excellent external
and running condition.  The belts are fine and so are the tracks.  The carb
was removed and cleaned.  The tractor section was degreased and then
lubricated.  I used it last year and it was spectacular.
   I've picked up a YS624TEN which is the same model except has a light
and electric start.  
David

[Underdog]

I didn't know you could find a 6hp with electric start. Great find. Post a picture some time when you get a chance.

[trouts2]

   The electric start is integrated into the top cover and much nicer than the afterthought mounting on most snowblowers with the starter button housing lightly screwed into the top of the shroud cover.
  The light is quality also and has a on/off switch which is the only snowblower that I know of with a switch.  All that I’ve seen are always on.  
  I pickup snowblowers as a part time thing for extra money so always have a few around which is great for comparing them.  The Yamaha is without question a quite a leap in quality compared to other makers and the performance as much a leap also.  There’s a noticeable gap in quality between an MTD and Ariens but the gap between Ariens and
Yamaha is greater.  The price break is also greater but the cost of yearly ownership of a Yamaha is probably the lowest in the industry.  The only machine that I could want over the 624TEN is an 824TEN which I’ve been on the lookout for.  

[Underdog]

This is a great looking blower.  I think the 6hp has a better balance than the 8hp.  
The 6hp seems to handle better and is easier to turn. I really need the electric start, so thought I was stuck with the larger 8hp Yamaha.  I think that the Yamaha snowblowers have an advantage over the Honda snowblowers with the 2nd reverse speed.  I come across a Honda 928 with hydro that was too cheap to pass up. It will nice to compare the two.

[trouts2]

   They both are in excellent shape.  The one I’m selling is the better of the two but I’m keeping the TEN because of the electric start and light, both of which I don’t use.  The TEN has a sticky shifter which has been puzzling me for a long time.  The spring driven release in the tractor section does not always pop out the black cylinder that sticks out of the base.  It sticks sometimes in first for some.  Shifting from forth to first unwedges something but I can’t figure out what it is.  I’ve looked at it a few times and it’s on the list again today.  
   I’ve used a YS8hp and it was nice but as you mention the 624 is easier to move around.  I’ve had a few MTD track machines which are slick.  They have handlebar triggers for track turning.  Driving one around is fun but I’ve never had one here during snow.  I think they would do very well though.  They generally are 8hp’s.  
   The two reverse options on the Yamaha are excellent in being good speeds.  The low speed is just enough to back up comfortably and the faster speed good for greater distances but not enough to run you over.  With many snowblowers there ranges are such that if you set the travel of the friction disk for good reverse speeds first becomes no movement or too slow.  The Yamaha 4 and 2 are just right.  They could have setup 6 and 2 and made a few useless positions like most but they got it just right.
  I used a Honda 828 a few times and it’s a nice machine with great tossing distance and throughput.  The Honda beat all of the machines I tried it against in distance and could clear at a greater rate easily.  I due to having a faster impeller speed.  

[Underdog ()]

In what ways do you think that the Yamaha has an advantage over the Honda (hydro)?

[trouts2]

   I'm not sure what Honda hydro is.  I thought the metal was better on the Yamaha than the Honda's I've seen, cases, auger blades & etc.  The mountings seemed better also.  The low chute control on the Honda is pretty inconvenient and like old style snowblowers.  Most modern snowblowers have dash mounted controls.  The Yamaha has neutral which is a nice feature for a track.  
   The Honda GX series is a great motor.  I'm not that familiar with the Yamaha motor but it seems like a great motor which also has a roller bearing mounted crank.  The GX has a cast iron bore.  I'm not sure about the Yamaha. I decarbonized the head but there was not enough in there to have it been worthwhile.  
   The muffler on the Yamaha is very nice and so is the air intake housing.  The fuel sedimnet catch is nice an so is the metal shutoff versus plastic.  Ditto for the choke control.  

[Underdog ()]

http://www.hondapowerequipment.com/products/snowblowers/content.aspx?asset=sb_whychoose

By "hydro" I was referring to Honda’s Hydrostatic Transmission.  Like what was on the HS828 you tried.
From the web:
 

Every Honda two-stage snowblower offers the convenience of our exclusive hydrostatic transmission.

•Easy to control

A single lever accurately adjusts ground speed without affecting the auger rotation speed.  Push forward to move ahead; pull back to go in reverse.  And adjustments to forward and reverse speed can be made with one hand, quickly and easily.

•Infinite variability – easy to find the right speed for every snow condition

Hydrostatic transmission :  from the Honda web site:

Need to slow down as you make a turn?  Want to go just a hair faster?  The hydrostatic transmission can accommodate your personal preferences, as well as the changing conditions outdoors.  Pick a speed and go.  Change on the fly.  You set the pace, and your Honda snowblower will do the work for you.

•Smooth and predictable speed transitions.  

There’s no gears, so no shifting is necessary.  The hydrostatic transmission provides ultimate control and improved safety.

•Virtually maintenance free

Honda’s hydrostatic transmission is commercial grade, built to withstand years of use.  And unlike some transmissions used by competitive units, the hydrostatic transmission is virtually maintenance free.

[trouts2]

   The Honda has a fluid resivoir tank but I’m not sure how it all works.  I don’t thing there is any “hydro” capability on the YS624 or YS828.  The 828 as far as I know shifts like the 624 with similar linkages and drive.  Does yours have a fluid anything on it?  

[Underdog]

trouts2 wrote:

     I used a Honda 828 a few times and it’s a nice machine with great tossing distance and throughput.  The Honda beat all of the machines I tried it against in distance and could clear at a greater rate easily.  I due to having a faster impeller speed.  

No hydro on my current YS-828 (although the new Yamaha snowblowers all have it). I was referring to the HS-828 (honda) that you mentioned.  That reservoir hold the hydraulic fluid for the transmission system.
Expensive to repair if they break.  And apparently they do break  but I'm not sure how frequently.

[jpchan88]

still available for sale?