Opinions on Snow throwers?

[adamred]

I know its a bit early but we're moving to a new house this winter with a really long, double wide driveway and I 'aint gettin' any younger, so it is time to pay up and purchase a snow thrower....

Preferably now while they're still in stock and on sale...

Just looked at Sears.com and it seems they have some nice 6.5, 7, or 8 hp versions in the $600-700 range, any opinions?

California guys, no comments about sun and surf please....

Here's a pic from the blizzard of, oh jeeze who the heck knows anymore....

[tabs]

Ohh who the fk cares about snow blowers....why don't U go over to the Early 911S Registry Board....this kind of topic would fit right in over there...they might even suggest ways you can modify your snow blower so you can get into the R Gruppe with it...

[RickM]

I've had a MTD 10HP for about 8 years. I love it.

The typical engine on these units are Tecumseh Snow King with electric start. What I like is that many of the parts are generic and easy to find and inexpensive to buy. I would not get smaller than 10hp as higher snowfall AND/OR heavy/wet/slushy snow will cripple a smaller unit.

The one option that I would go for now is the brass mechanism used to direct the discharge chute. On mine it's merely a metal rod formed into a corkscrew. When turned via it's hande to move the chute left to right it tends to jam as snow or ices builds up there....a real pain. The newer models have a brass worm gear setup (sometimes heated/enclosed) to alleviate this problem.

HD sells Arien, MTD and Yardman (by MTD?).

[red-beard]

I used an Ariens 8hp model for 20 years, before moving away from the snow and fun...

[R Wilco]

They're all american bullies led by Bush.

[adamred]

Thanks Rick, does MTD stand for something, I'm racking my brains...

any opinion on craftsman? I like my craftsman mower, been very reliable....

[red-beard]

If you are serious about it, make sure you get a 2 stage. No single stage is very effective. In wet/heavy conditions, I used to spray PAM into the chute to keep the snow from sticking. I wouldn't be surprised if someone used TEFLON coatings to keep the snow from sticking.

You definite want electric start and battery start if you can find it. The old Ariens I used had electric start, but the pull cord was boken. If the blower quit, I had to used a 100 ft electric cord to re-start it.

[adamred]

Thanks red-

nice nick-name....I've been called red for years...

[tabs]

Maybe U boyz can start your own Gruppe....

[red-beard]

Red-Gruppe?

[adamred]

Would that be the "Tabs is annoying as s#$%T" gruppe....

[red-beard]

Originally posted by adamred
Would that be the "Tabs is annoying as s#$%T" gruppe....

LOL!

[Jay H]

I'd suggest a Simplicity or Toro snow blower. Simplicity makes exceptional products and it'll probably be the last snow blower you'll have to buy. Same goes for good JD.

My sister uses a two stage Toro with good results. Newer MTD products seem to be getting more cheaply built... Though, if you don't have much snow to move annually, these units will probably be O.K.

If you can stretch your budget to more higher end stuff like JD, Ariens, Simplicity and such, it'll pay off in the long run since you'll probably have fewer repairs. The stuff IS built better.

[tabs]

Originally posted by adamred
Would that be the "Tabs is annoying as s#$%T" gruppe....

Anything would be better than talking about snow blowers....it's about as interesting as talkiing about License Plate Frames....

But then again each to his own level of interest...Well my she had a .....and it worked really good....Yep that will keep the conversation alive while sitting around the pot belly stove down at the General Store...

[Z-man]

I have a Toro single stage unit, and it works quite well on wet Northeast snow. Bigger isn't necessarily always better.

-Z.

[tabs]

Originally posted by Z-man
I Bigger isn't necessarily always better.

-Z.

Thats what women always say....

[adamred]

Ok so let's talk about sinking houses, gastric busting buffets and coffee makers...now that's sterling conversation....

generally i really enjoy your tirades tabby but I just wanted some opinions from some fellow winter sufferers...

[RickM]

I can safely say that my 10 horsie MTD kicks my neighbors 8hp Simplicity.

I have to agree with the MTDs getting cheaper looking....don't know how it affects longevity or performance. I'd think the Ariens at HD look to be a good deal. Figure you'll buy it and probably have it for life.

BTW, my MTD was made in Canada...FWIW.

I don't care for Craftsman Gas powered products or Murray.

[adamred]

How about this bad boy...

Troy-bilt

Seems to have a lot of features, free shipping, etc...

[RickM]

Troy-bilt is owned by MTD. Good machines though.

I still say 10hp or over....