Qs for the snowblower braintrust

[RallyJon]

I'm tripling the size of my driveway this summer from about 1300 sq ft to about 4000 sq ft.

I currently have the smallest gas-powered Toro Powerlite single stage blower. Performance was fine for the usual 4-6 inches we get around here, but really struggled during the 12-20 inch storms. The 16" width was a drawback. Incredible quality--bulletproof. I've done zero maintenance on it in 6 years, not even drained the gas tank over the summer--and it's never failed to start.

Anyway, I figure I need something bigger for the larger area. There are a couple of nice 20-24" single stage blowers from Toro and others. But they might be marginal in a big storm. The smallest two stage blowers are 24". Much bigger than that and they break my budget and won't fit through the cellar door.

So is there a huge difference in performance between the biggest single stage blowers and the smallest two stage blowers? I don't want to be a power tool weenie here and buy twice what I need--I just want the right tool for the job.

[RickM]

I wouldn't get anything smaller than a 28" 10hp blower. Not sure if that'll go through your door though. If you shop around you may be able to get it for between $899 and $1k.
Many use the tried 'n true Tecumseh 10hp Snow King engine with electric start.

Another factor to plan for is wet snow, wether deep or not. My neighbor has a 5 hp Simplicty and it completly chokes in wet snow. Meanwhile I'm pumping it 15-20 feet with my Canadian made MTD.

...and don't forget iced over snow. My blowere doubles as a rototiller when it needs to.

[Bill Verburg]

I've got a 2 stage 5hp Toro 521, 20yrs old , carb needs a regular every 3 or 4 year rebuild(cost ~$5), 3000sqft driveway, way north of you.

The slushey spring crud is the only time it struggles, sometimes you have to double blow to move it 25+ feet

[RallyJon]

After much internet research and a couple of trips to local retailers pushing floor models around, I just bought an Ariens 7524 (7.5HP, 24" wide).

[RickM]

Good unit...they make a quality product. Does it have the brass worm screw chute positioner?

[RallyJon]

Not sure. Apparently they redesigned a bunch of ergonomic/control stuff for this year's models and the chute positioner was one of them.

[RickM]

I'm sure the design is good.
Mine has the inferior rod that's formed to a corkscrew. It's the one feature I hate on the machine.

[yellowline]

Get a tractor mount snowblower, if you have a good size yard and need a solid garden tractor. Much easier, almost fun, too.

It's the only way of doing things when you have a 200 foot long driveway.

[Joeaksa]

Whats a snowblower?

[gatotom]

my vote would be to get a snowplow. I have been snowplowing my driveway for over 20 yrs and you couldn't give me a snowblower. Besides sitting in the cab snowplowing is warm and dryplus you can crack that can of beer if necessary.

[cstreit]

So I've been debating this lately too.

I have a 60 foot driveway... and adding a second next year around 150' for the back garage we'll be building. The smowblowers that attach to the front of the lawn tractors are more expensive than the hand driven ones. So I was thinking about the attachable blade/plows... Anyone had experience with these? I don't see the point of a snowblower on the front of the tractor.... Especially when it costs more than a regular one...

[lendaddy]

I have 2 stage beast as well. I cannot help but think a few more rpms would really improve performance (read throw distance). Anyone agree?

[RallyJon]

A friend of mine has a snowplow on a Kubota 4WD tractor. Frankly, it sucks. It doesn't clean his driveway--it just pushes snow around with plenty spilling off the edges and an inch or two left underneath. Also, the tractor doesn't have the speed to build up momentum or the traction to just grunt through the snow berms.

OTOH the guy who cleans my Mom's driveway has a huge plow mounted on a 4WD pickup truck. Takes him 10 minutes and the result is perfect.

But if you don't have any place to push the snow--my driveway has retailing walls on three sides--a blower is just the ticket.

[RickM]

Originally posted by lendaddy
I have 2 stage beast as well. I cannot help but think a few more rpms would really improve performance (read throw distance). Anyone agree?

In this case bigger is better.


A co-worker here has a PTO driven snowblower on his "Garden" tractor....he hates it. I'ts much less manueverable that a hand controlled model.

Others I know have been very happy with plow attachment for their ATV.

[legion]

Originally posted by cstreit
So I've been debating this lately too.

I have a 60 foot driveway... and adding a second next year around 150' for the back garage we'll be building. The smowblowers that attach to the front of the lawn tractors are more expensive than the hand driven ones. So I was thinking about the attachable blade/plows... Anyone had experience with these? I don't see the point of a snowblower on the front of the tractor.... Especially when it costs more than a regular one...

Where the heck in Naperville do you live?

I didn't think there was any room in that town for a "back garage" with all of the houses one on top of another.

BTW, I have a Craftsman snow blower. I'm happy with a shovel on my 40 ft. driveway, I just inherited the snow blower when my parents moved to Nashville. It is nice to use to clear the driveway before work. I think of this particular snow blower as cheaply made. For example, the plastic bracket that holds the crank for positioning the snow chute has disintegrated. Maybe I'll fabricate a new one out of steel...

[cstreit]

Legion, ain't that the truth.

We are actually moving Friday. There are still some small pockets of "unincorporated" Naperville here and there. It took us 3 years to find one that was affordable, had enough room, and had a layout compatible with having a decent 2nd garage.

Near south side was the ticket. Here's the property:

[legion]

I used to live on Nottingham in Brookwood Trace. (Near 87th and Naper-Plainfield.) You're right in the same area!

My first job ever was as a dishwasher at Traverso's. Great food!

[cstreit]

That's right down the road! Small world!

...back on topic, with a driveway down the right side of the property, I'm going to need a hand with snow removal!

[dweymer]

what's this... "snow" you speak of??

[yellowline]

The thing with a plow is if you get hit with 2 consecutive, good-size storms, where do you end up putting the snow?

Snowblowing takes care of that, IMO. Throwing it 20 or 30 feet away leaves plenty of room for more.