DO you have a backing plate to support the rubber paddle or are you using the impeller paddle as the backing plate?

Clarence always had his pieces of conveyor belt pre drilled and long enough that they were tight and scraped the interior of the housing clean and wore down over time.

Have you cut away the steel sheet metal that is tilted inward on the chute used to concentrate the flow of snow being blown out which causes the clogging issues on your type of machine?

I would still use plenty of fluid film to blow the snow across the road with the rubber impeller paddles as a matter of doing the job easier.

 

Have you cut away the steel sheet metal that is tilted inward on the chute used to concentrate the flow of snow being blown out which causes the clogging issues on your type of machine?

That's a proven myth. People, please do NOT hack up your machines.

I

I would still use plenty of fluid film to blow the snow across the road with the rubber impeller paddles as a matter of doing the job easier.

Have you ever used these machines? They blow to kingdom come as is, no spray necessary.

 

The rubber is bolted on to the impeller blade with no need for a backing plate.

The rubber seal is not pre drilled. It is sized to fit up against the impeller housing.

I have not removed the chute collar. I did modify its size and pitch.

Fluid film or any other spray lubricant does not work for any significant period of time in the housing and chute.

 

“That's a proven myth. People, please do NOT hack up your machines”

Not a likely accurance, but an undeniable component.

 

I deny it because people who have removed them still had clogging under the right conditions(as all snowblower do). Reason why is because they were going to slow.

 

Hey all.

I’ve been dabbling with the idea of building some HSS impeller seal kits and decided to pull the trigger.

The HSS impeller is a new larger diameter design. The shape of the blade and location of the reinforcement underneath makes for a tricky install. Universal impeller kits are a particularly un-ideal fit.

So what is the typical impeller gap with the new machines that it now needs a seal as opposed to the older style that did not need one? And why does a new machine need a seal kit? An impeller kit will generally throw snow further, does yours throw it further from factory specs.?

 

So what is the typical impeller gap with the new machines that needs a seal as opposed to the older style that did not need one? And why does a new machine need a seal kit?

The impeller gap on these Honda's are very, very little. Definitely no bigger than the previous gen. I would not go drilling holes in my impeller or hacking up my chute. The "issues" are overblown. People just need to learn how to use these snowblowers to their max potential, there IS a knack to it. And this is coming from somebody first hand who has had clogging twice and never encountered it again simply by modifying my operating techniques. That's all it takes! And trust me, pretty much every snow storm in my area is followed by a ton of rain. So I have had plenty of experience in "the perfect conditions" issue free...

 

Issues are not overblown. I've owned Hondas for 20 years and NEVER experienced the clogging problems I have with my new HSS1332ATD.

 

I bet you have just got it and have limited experience in operating it, correct?
I had the same issues when I first got mine, as is well documented on here. However, once I got used to the machine, I learned what made it tick and learned how to operate it to its fullest potential. Haven't had an issue since. So take it first hand from somebody who was once in your shoes, be patient and punch in some experience operating your new machine - learn it inside out and you will be extremely happy with it. As with all machinery, some can operate it much better than others and those are the ones who have no issues with these snowblowers.

Don't take what I am saying personally, as if to say you don't know what you're doing. That's not what I am saying. I have years of experience operating snowblowers and I was lousy using my hss1332 when I first got it. All snowblowers are different and take some getting used to in their own right. Give it time and you'll master it.

Think of snowblowers like women. You could have 20 years experience with your last one and "fulfilled" her every time, then with the new one you may have trouble "fulfilling" her. Doesn't mean there is something wrong with her, shes just different and it's going to take some trial & error/experience to be as good with her as you were with the last one. But trust me, the potential is there for the new one to be even better if you can get it right! LOL

 

It is a nicely constructed mod kit.:smile2:

 

well thought out and well made, I don't see what all the fuss is about. no one is twisting their arm and making them buy this kit. either you feel you need an impeller kit or you don't and you can still make your own kit

 

My HS machines had relatively tight impeller clearance, but both had a very obvious benefit from an impeller kit. In the best case conditions, it appears to not have made much of an impact. Thats not really an issue, since it throws snow very far in best case. The real impact is worst case, when the bucket is very lightly loaded, or filled with slush. The amount of snow required to be able to cleanly clear it across the driveway is much lower now, so its super easy to clear those few inch dustings. Before, it would flare a bit coming out of the chute and some snow might hit the other end of the driveway if I throw it across the width. And for slush, it made an obvious impact, although it did work quite well before. The thing will do a good job effectively pumping water and throw it a few feet no problem.

Now, for a lot of people these things wont matter much. It worked good before the impeller kit, and most people dont clear the slushy stuff at the curb, or throw all the snow to one side of the driveway. So for most people, it probably wont make a difference they care about, but it is a bit better.

 

I'm new to the forum and just bought an HSS724. The Honda is replacing a Toro 824XL from 1998 (barrel auger and Tecumseh engine).

The Toro is mostly getting replaced due to age and inability to throw far enough. My dad has had an HS828 since 1992 and I hope the new one performs like that does.

Regarding the clogging issues with heavy, wet snow, the Toro originally had a heavy wire guard in front of the lower part of the chute. It was in the same place as the collar on the new Honda HSS models. You can see the guard in this pic.

My Toro also had bad problems with clogging and, without a shadow of a doubt, removing that wire guard helped. It still clogged but not as often and clearing the clogs was much easier with that guard out of the way.

It would be nice to know what the purpose of the collar is. The cynical side of me says it's lawyer inspired.

 

It would be nice to know what the purpose of the collar is. The cynical side of me says it's lawyer inspired.

It's there to help deflect snow from spraying on the machine. I would not remove it. Removing it won't prevent clogging, adjusting your operating style will. Actually I would argue that removing it would cause more clogging, because it would cause more snow to build up on the raised "bonnet"(for lack of a better term), then you are just creating another obstruction for the path of snow out of the chute. The previous model without the collar didn't have a raised "bonnet", so people making those comparisons need to realize that due to the design of that machine it would not have had the same benefit of the collar that the current gen does.

Having said all that, installing the impeller kit certainly couldn't hurt. I personally don't want to drill through my impeller, but I acknowledge the potential extra benefits of it so if the thoughts of drilling through your impeller don't make you feel queasy, go for it.

 

I installed an impeller kit today( ordered from the thread author) . The clearance of my impeller to the housing was pretty close and uniform, I’d say around 1/4-1/3”. I’m not sure how much it will help but I don’t think it will hurt and I’ve got to get this baby working right.

Took about an hour once I made up my mind to drill. Very easy with the chute off.

 

I PM'd mtblade with an apology for being rude.

Sorry about that.

————

We're all trying to keep our snowblowers running and working to the best of their ability.

 

Honda power equipment just rubs some people the wrong way in the same manner as Tom Brady and Lebron James. The greatest people(err equipment) in their class also have the most critics! Nothing/nobody is perfect and said critics get off on honing in on that.

 

Hey little update. My impeller kits fit HSS724 machines as well.

That it is all.

 

Well folks, I got HSS kits ready to ship.

Now the plates are made of stainless steel. And the same high quality 3 ply belted rubber. Bolts are still zinc coated.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/HONDA-Snow...r-kit-HSS724-HSS928-HSS1332/332912117039?hash=item4d831bc52f:g:vfsAAOSwypZb~u3o

 

I get this when I click on your link: "The listing you're looking for has ended."

Can you update it?

Well folks, I got HSS kits ready to ship.

Now the plates are made of stainless steel. And the same high quality 3 ply belted rubber. Bolts are still zinc coated.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/332909847105

 

Your kit looks so well made I am ordering one today rather than fabricating a one off for myself.

Problematic design of my driveway makes slush a recurring issue early and late season. Twice or so a year simply could not move the tonnage and clogged mercilessly, motivating my move to a bigger machine. My 928 is so new it has yet to see snow. But with my ongoing slush issue I am doing all I can to equip my new machine to enhance it's slush removing ability as early as possible.

A good zero gap impeller kit should serve me well. Yours looks great. Thanks.

 

Thanks for the heads up @jrom, link should be fixed.

 

Did you find any difference when you installed this kit? The impeller gap is pretty small as-is and throwing distance is already among the best(if not the best) out there.

 

Yes, even with the Honda’s minimal and exceptional ~4mm gap, an Improvement is noticeable. Particularly with sopping wet or slushy snow.

The extra benefit is the protection from pebbles gouging the impeller housing. I had a very bad case of this, small pebbles are mixed with the rock salt my town spreads. The pebbles would jam and drag between the impeller and housing doing noticeable damage.

I never added that Info to the description. Thanks for the reminder.

 

Did you have to remove the chute to install?

 

I highly recommend removing the chute for the install.

There is no need to go to through the trouble of removing the impeller or struggling with right angle drills.

I plan on doing an installation video soon with recommended tools and my personal method of installing seal kits on any machine easily.

 

Are there any concerns about throwing the impeller out of balance? The hhs impeller spins at a higher rate than most and would be easier to throw out of balance and cause stress on bearings.

 

Always a concern, but should not be an issue as long as each piece of rubber sticks out about the same length, then the weights should be OK. If one were to come off, then you'd be in trouble, but you'd know pretty darn quick. So, I wouldn't worry about it.

 

Thanks. After fabricating and installing an impeller kit on my old machine I am looking forward to your installation video.

 

I know I can do it without a video, but I too look forward to your installation video.

I'm not as interested in throwing snow further or even slush handling, but the impeller housing protection aspect sounds good to me.

I'll be ordering a kit soon.

 

There's no operator error. It's a snow blower not a space shuttle during reentry.
You have a spinny thing throwing snow into a hole which collects snow and clogs. The hole doesn't move, the chute direction doesn't affect it, there. Throttle needs to be full and travel rate does not affect it, there is nothing for the operator to do. Snow/slush volume does not affect it. It's like monkeys throwing poop on a wall. The poop sticks. Itching more that that. Chute has a bottle neck.

Just because you haven't had the problem does not mean it doesn't exist.

Its once or twice a season for me. This is my 4th year with hss32, I had 3 years with a hs32. When its 32 degrees, the wind is whipping and its sleeting its shitty because it would continuously clog solid. So solid it was extremely hard to clear. Sometimes it would freze in the chute. It's a problem.

 

There's no operator error. It's a snow blower not a space shuttle during reentry.

As with everything in life, some people are better than others at doing it. Whether it be cutting a slice of cheese, operating the brakes-gas pedal-steering wheel on a car, wrapping presents(grrrr) OR operating a snowblower and everything else you can imagine. No matter what you do, your way is not the only way(and probably not the best way)! And that goes for me, and all of us.

 

My impeller kit just arrived. Well designed and well made. Thanks.

 

Will be ordering one of your kits. Happy with my snowblower but am addicted to making things better. lol

 

HSS Impeller Seal Kit Installation Video

I finally got around to making an install video of my kit.

 

One of your kits is on it's way to Mass! i thought I would build my own kit, but am to busy to get things done lately. your kit looks well and your videos are a good encouragement.
I subd to your youtube channel.
Thanks

 

Thanks, I’m happy you found the video helpful.