Yamaha YS624 Review

Introduction

After five brutal winters in my corner of New Hampshire, I have run through more snow blowers than I care to admit. I started with a single stage electric that was useless once the snow got deeper than four inches. Then I moved to a cheap two stage gas model that threw snow fine but needed carburetor work every single season. Last year, I finally decided to stop messing around. I wanted something that would start every time, throw snow across the yard, and not feel like I was wrestling a refrigerator through the driveway. That search led me to the Yamaha YS624.

I will be honest with you from the start. Yamaha is not the first name most homeowners think of when they hear snow blower. Honda and Ariens dominate the conversation. But Yamaha has been making small engines for decades, and their snow blowers have a cult following among people who actually use them hard. The YS624 is their three stage 24 inch model, and it sits in a weird spot. It is compact, relatively light, and expensive for its width. I bought mine last October from a local dealer who had exactly two in stock. I have put about 40 hours on it over two seasons, clearing a 100 foot long driveway, a walkway, and my neighbor’s drive when he is out of town. This is my honest review after living with the machine.

How I Tested It

I did not run this machine through a lab. I do not have a snow depth gauge or a wind tunnel. What I have is a real driveway on a hill in northern New England, where the weather changes every six hours. I tested the YS624 in the following conditions over two winters:

• Light powder snow: 3 to 6 inches, dry and fluffy. This is the easy stuff that any blower can handle.
• Wet heavy cement: 8 to 12 inches of the stuff that feels like wet concrete. This is where cheap machines bog down and clog.
• Deep overnight dumps: 18 inches in a single storm, with a frozen crust on top from an earlier thaw.
• End of driveway slop: The frozen, chunky mess left by the town plow. This is the true test of any snow blower.
• Ice chunks and hardpack: Leftover snow that has melted and refrozen into a solid layer.

I ran the machine on a mix of paved asphalt and gravel. I did not use any additives in the fuel. I ran it on regular 87 octane pump gas with ethanol, because that is what most people actually use. I did not baby it. I ran the engine at full throttle for every pass, which is how you should run any snow blower. I timed how long it took to clear the full driveway. I noted how far the snow threw. I paid attention to how the machine handled on slopes and uneven ground. I also let it sit outside in single digit temperatures for two days to see if it would start cold. It did.

Performance

Engine and Starting

The heart of this machine is the Yamaha MX820 engine. It is a 208cc overhead valve engine that Yamaha builds in house. I have owned Honda powered equipment before, and I can tell you that this engine starts just as easily. The first time I pulled the cord, it fired on the second pull. That was in October when it was 50 degrees. The real test came in January when the temperature was minus 8 Fahrenheit. I choked it, pulled twice, and it started. No ether, no warm up, no drama. The electric start works perfectly if you want to use it, but I prefer the recoil because it is so easy.

The engine runs smooth and quiet for a snow blower. It has a cast iron cylinder liner, which means it will last longer than engines with aluminum cylinders. The oil fill is easy to access. The fuel tank holds about 1.5 gallons, which is enough for about 45 minutes of heavy use. I have never run out of gas while clearing my driveway, even in the deepest storms. The engine does not bog down when you hit heavy snow. It holds RPMs well, which is critical for a three stage machine that needs consistent power to feed the impeller.

Three Stage System

This is where the YS624 separates itself from standard two stage blowers. A normal two stage machine has an auger that breaks up snow and feeds it to an impeller that throws it out the chute. The Yamaha three stage adds a secondary accelerator inside the housing. The auger pulls snow in, the accelerator speeds it up, and then the impeller launches it. The result is that snow moves through the machine faster and gets thrown much farther.

In practical terms, this means the YS624 can chew through snow that would stop a standard 24 inch two stage blower. I tested this side by side with my neighbor’s Ariens Deluxe 24. In 12 inches of wet snow, the Ariens moved at a steady pace but struggled when the snow was heavy and slushy. The Yamaha moved faster and never clogged. The accelerator keeps the discharge chute clear. I did not have to clear a clogged chute once in two seasons. Not once. That alone is worth the price of admission.

Throwing Distance

The throwing distance on this machine is genuinely impressive. In dry powder, I can easily throw snow 50 feet. In wet heavy snow, it still throws 30 to 35 feet. That is more than enough to clear a double wide driveway without having to reposition the chute constantly. The chute rotates 200 degrees with a remote lever on the handlebar. The lever is smooth and does not stick. The chute deflector adjusts easily with a second lever. You can aim the snow exactly where you want it, even while you are moving.

I have a long driveway that runs parallel to my house. I can throw snow over the fence into the field behind my property without any issue. If you have a large area to clear, this machine will save you time because you do not have to make as many passes. The snow comes out in a tight, consistent stream. It does not spray everywhere like some cheaper blowers.

Maneuverability and Weight

This is another area where the YS624 shines. It weighs about 180 pounds. That is light for a three stage machine. For comparison, a Honda HSS724A weighs over 250 pounds. An Ariens Platinum 24 weighs around 230 pounds. The Yamaha is noticeably easier to push and turn. I am 5 foot 10 and not particularly strong, and I can pivot this machine on the spot without straining. The tires are 13 inch pneumatic knobbies that provide good traction on packed snow and ice. They are not as aggressive as the track systems on higher end machines, but they work fine for paved surfaces.

The compact design is a big plus. The overall length is shorter than most 24 inch blowers. It fits easily in my garage next to my lawn mower. The handles fold down for storage, which is a nice touch. If you have limited space, this machine is much easier to store than a big tracked blower.

Deep Snow Performance

I had one storm that dropped 18 inches overnight. The snow was light but deep. I set the skid shoes to the middle height and went at it. The Yamaha moved through it without hesitation. The auger pulled snow in fast, and the accelerator kept the flow steady. I did have to slow down a bit when the snow was over the top of the intake housing, but that is normal for any 24 inch machine. The three stage system handled the depth better than I expected. I never felt like the machine was going to stall or clog.

The end of driveway slop is the real killer. After the town plow goes by, you get a wall of frozen chunks mixed with slush and gravel. The Yamaha ate through this material without complaint. The auger is made of heavy duty steel with rubber paddles on the edges. The rubber helps prevent damage if you hit a rock or a piece of frozen debris. I have hit a few small rocks and the machine just grinds through them. No damage so far.

Build and Value

Construction Quality

The YS624 is built in Japan. That matters. The fit and finish is excellent. The panels line up. The fasteners are high quality. The paint is thick and does not chip easily. The chute is made of polyethylene, which is better than steel because it does not rust and snow slides off it more easily. The auger housing is steel and feels solid. The handles are comfortable with rubber grips. The control cables are routed cleanly and do not bind.

I have one minor complaint about the build. The chute rotation lever is a plastic piece that feels a bit flimsy compared to the rest of the machine. It works fine, but I worry about it breaking in extreme cold. I have not had any issues, but it is something to watch. The headlight is bright enough for early morning or evening use. It is an LED unit that throws a good beam.

Maintenance

Maintenance is straightforward. The engine has a spin on oil filter, which is rare on snow blowers. Most machines in this class have a screen or no filter at all. The oil drain is accessible. The spark plug is easy to reach. The auger shear pins are standard and easy to replace. The gearbox is sealed and does not require maintenance. Overall, this is a machine that is designed to be serviced by the owner. The manual is clear and well written.

Value Proposition

Now we have to talk about the elephant in the room. The YS624 is expensive. It costs more per inch of clearing width than almost any other machine on the market. You are paying a premium for the Yamaha engine, the Japanese build quality, and the three stage system. When I bought mine, it was about 20 percent more than a comparable Ariens or Toro. Some people will look at that price and walk away. I understand that.

But here is the thing. I have owned cheap snow blowers. I have owned mid range snow blowers. They all needed repairs within the first few years. The carburetors gummed up. The chutes rusted. The engines lost power. The Yamaha feels like it will last twenty years. The engine is proven. The build quality is excellent. If you amortize the cost over the life of the machine, the price difference becomes smaller. You are paying for reliability and performance, not just a name.

The 24 inch width is a limitation. If you have a massive driveway, you will want a 28 or 30 inch machine. But for most residential driveways, 24 inches is adequate. You trade width for maneuverability and ease of use. I clear my 100 foot driveway in about 15 minutes. A wider machine would save me maybe three minutes. That is not worth the extra weight and storage space to me.

Who Should Buy It

The Yamaha YS624 is not for everyone. Here is who I think should buy this machine:

• Homeowners with medium sized driveways. If you have a single or double wide driveway under 150 feet, this machine is perfect. It clears fast and stores easily.
• People who value reliability over price. If you are tired of fixing snow blowers every winter and just want something that works, this is the machine.
• Buyers who deal with wet, heavy snow. The three stage system is a game changer for slush and heavy snow. If you live in an area with wet winters, this machine will outperform almost anything else in its width class.
• People with limited storage space. The compact size and folding handles make this easy to store in a small garage or shed.
• Anyone who hates clearing clogged chutes. I have not had a single clog in two seasons. That alone is worth the price.

Here is who should not buy it:

• People with very large driveways. If you have a three car wide, 300 foot driveway, you will want a wider machine. The 24 inch width will take too long.
• Budget conscious buyers. This is a premium machine with a premium price. If you are looking for the best value per dollar, look at Ariens or Toro.
• People on gravel driveways. The three stage system is aggressive. It will throw gravel if you set the skid shoes too low. It works on gravel, but you need to be careful.
• Anyone who needs tracked traction. The YS624 is wheeled. If you have a steep, unpaved driveway, you may want a tracked machine.

My Verdict

I have been using the Yamaha YS624 for two winters now. I have cleared over 100 inches of snow with it. It has never failed to start. It has never clogged. It has never left me stranded in a storm. The engine runs like a sewing machine. The three stage system is genuinely better than any two stage I have used. The throwing distance is outstanding. The compact size makes it easy to handle and store.

Is it perfect? No. The price is high. The 24 inch width is limiting for large properties. The chute rotation lever feels a bit cheap. But these are minor complaints compared to the overall quality of the machine. I have recommended this snow blower to two friends. Both of them bought one and both of them thank me every time it snows.

If you are the kind of person who buys a tool once and expects it to last for decades, the YS624 is a strong choice. If you want to save money upfront and are willing to deal with occasional repairs, there are cheaper options. But for me, the peace of mind that comes with a Yamaha engine and a three stage system that never clogs is worth every penny. I plan to keep this machine for at least fifteen years. I honestly believe it will last that long.

The Yamaha YS624 is the best 24 inch snow blower I have ever used. It is not the cheapest, but it is the best.