Snow Blower

[KevDen2005]

Hey everyone,

I'm looking to possibly get a snow blower in the near future. This would be my first one. My previous driveway was very small but my new driveway is quite large and my one year old is having a hard time cleaning it.

I've looked online at reviews and products but I want opinions here. Also what to look for and issues.

Thanks

[TFOGGER]

I got my dad a 7 HP Craftsman(2 Stage) with electric start several years ago. He says it is the best present he ever received. His driveway is 18-25 feet wide, and 82 feet from the garage door to the front gate, with a steep hill in the middle.

[newracer]

Sams and Costco usually have good deals on them this time of the year.

[Great-Kazoo]

Ariens. OR Consider a riding mower with plow attachment. We're running a 24" Ariens walk behind and older craftsman mower with plow.

[rbeau30]

You could get a member to lend you one.

[beatdeadhorse]

[Great-Kazoo]

You could get a member to lend you one.

[beatdeadhorse]


He's moving snow, not cutting wood. A snow blower is harder to hide than the saw.

[BPTactical]

Stay away from single stage and electric models. Single stage will not clear more than 2 inches of dry fluff. Forget 6 inches of March slime.
Electrics- cord is a hassle and lack torque.
My folks gave me a couple and the small "electric broom" was the only semi useful one.
You want at least 5hp in a gas engine and two stage, meaning an auger to munch the snow and an impeller to throw it. You want a chute that articulates very well.
Stay away from Craftsman, once it hits about 4 years old parts get hard to find.
No need for 6 speeds, tracks, hand warmers etc. Keep it simple, tires and 3 speeds is fine. I have had a few of them, the neighbor gal gave me a Craftsman 7.5hp track machine that moved snow like a motherf~`€r (and rocks)but with the tracks it had a horrible turning radius and handling in general sucked. The ring gear in the auger gear box shredded a few teeth and a replacement part was no place to be found.
I ended up buying a year old 5hp YardMachines model with a "blown engine" off of Craigslist for $100.00. The clown selling it swore the engine was blown because it wouldn't run.
A $30.00 carb rebuild kit and new fuel hose rebuilt a "blown" engine[Coffee]
Sold the engine off the Craftsman for $125.00
Perfectly happy with the machine, it has handled any snow it has come up against. My only criticism is it is only 21" wide, the Craftsman was 30".
Wide is good.
Tire chains are a necessity.
Look for the Tecumseh Snow King engine. Always starts and most have an electric starter.

[rbeau30]

I am realizing that operating a shovel puts me in for days of pain afterwards, I think I may be getting .... old. I may be in the market for a machine this year, thanks for the helpful info.

[Wulf202]

What bp said.

I do snow removal on a large scale. I run ariens blowers. Polaris atv. Meyers plows. For shovels I use Bigfoot brand shovels but you need to think of it as a hand operated plow not a scoop shovel. It really saves the back.

[thedave1164]

I am realizing that operating a shovel puts me in for days of pain afterwards, I think I may be getting .... old. I may be in the market for a machine this year, thanks for the helpful info.

I end up in pain as well, just turned 50, anyway I have found 800mg of ibuprofen before shoveling along with lots of water will keep the pain away. YMMV

[kwando]

I've never had a problem with my single stage MTD. Yes you cannot wait until the end of the storm when there is 10+ inches on the gound, but if i know there is a big storm coming I just head out when its 4" on the ground. The trick to single stage for ME is to use the impeller to "drive" the machine. The impeller has a rubberish edge for excellent cleaning. Slush.... Don't even try!

I have a dual stage now, not all dual stages are awesome. The impellers usually do not have any rubber on them, so you have to adjust the scraper on the bottom. The impeller on the 2nd stage throwers have a large gap so it's worthless in anything less than 4". UNLESS you modify them, google "snow blower impeller mod".

[ray1970]

Shoveling snow keeps you young and healthy.

I've only been around here for about 15 years. In all those years I can only remember two days where I wished I had a snow blower.

[SideShow Bob]

NO ! You cannot borrow my snow blower......

[ray1970]

NO ! You cannot borrow my snow blower......


[ROFL2]

[rbeau30]

[ROFL2][beatdeadhorse][ROFL3]

[2XS]

Hey bob can he at least come and blow your snow ! I digress. My recommendation is an older used john deere snow blower the one I bought two years ago is from the 80's and runs like a top and replacement parts if needed are very much available from john deere.

[Duman]

I bought a used JD blower (from the 80's), put a new electric start engine on it (from northern tool). It's like a tank.

[SideShow Bob]

Hey bob can he at least come and blow your snow ! I digress. My recommendation is an older used john deere snow blower the one I bought two years ago is from the 80's and runs like a top and replacement parts if needed are very much available from john deere.

Well, after Tommorow's snow storm he can come clear my driveway, but he has to do my elderly neighbor's too, I always clear hers when I do mine..............

[2XS]

Here is the kind of snow blower I'm talking about pricey but built to last.

And it's four cylinder according to the ad. Hot Damn !

http://denver.craigslist.org/for/4722300874.html

[Great-Kazoo]

Here is the kind of snow blower I'm talking about pricey but built to last.

And it's four cylinder according to the ad. Hot Damn !

http://denver.craigslist.org/for/4722300874.html

Not with one spark it isn't. 4 Stroke, yes. 4 cyl, no.

[HoneyBadger]

My dad bought a 12hp Toro snow thrower that did an awesome job no with the heavy Michigan snow. It's 15 years old now and still working like a champ. It was 30 inches wide and could easily handle 10+ inches of heavy Michigan snow.

Do they sell those out here?

[SAnd]

Get a spare shear pin or two. If you have a spare you'll never shear it. If you don't have a spare you will shear it when you need it most.

[2XS]

Not with one spark it isn't. 4 Stroke, yes. 4 cyl, no. I'm aware Kazoo I was poking fun of the ad I realize almost all small engines are single cylinder that is why I thought it was funny.

[3beansalad]

...my one year old is having a hard time cleaning it.

Damn kids these days aren't worth diddly squat

Sent from my VS980 4G using Tapatalk

[Great-Kazoo]

I'm aware Kazoo I was poking fun of the ad I realize almost all small engines are single cylinder that is why I thought it was funny.

Sorry, my sarcasm meter's been on the shitz lately.

[crashdown]

Ariens, and order from Snowblowersdirect.com, free shipping and no sales tax.

[KevDen2005]

Damn kids these days aren't worth diddly squat

Sent from my VS980 4G using Tapatalk


I was waiting for someone to comment on that....

[Great-Kazoo]

I was waiting for someone to comment on that....

Parents, I blame the parents.

[SideShow Bob]

Now this is the snow blower you need:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81y9XSQ9Ru0&feature=youtube_gdata_player

[BPTactical]

Extra cool points for the Punisher logo on the chute.

[KevDen2005]

Parents, I blame the parents.

I always do