Too much snow....

[recycled sixtie]

Would like to get your ideas on a good small snowblower - price $500-800 that is not too big and is very effective. I am thinking Honda possibly. I want a snowblower that can handle wet heavy snow that we had yesterday. My 70 yo neighbour did our snow yesterday for us. I can't let this go on. His is an Ariens - does not start in cold weather, pull cord comes out of the machine and it cannot handle heavy snow head on.Cheers!

[yel911]

Only HP can handle wet snow. The bigger the better. Wet snow will bind in the shoot and you'll have to dig it out. My Toro 1132 still bogs sometimes.

[kaisen]

You can pay up for a brand name snowblower, like Honda, and fool yourself into believing you get what you pay for.

In my experience, a cheap Craftsmen does the job just as well, for just as long. Go shopping and you'll quickly see that with the exception of Honda, they're all the same unit rebranded with little changes.

I paid $599 for this 26" a couple years ago on Black Friday and I'd buy it again. Starts first pull. Every time. (it's also electric start, but I use the pull)

[VincentVega]

At that price point I think most units are the same. Around here Lowes has a Troy Built 24" for $540 this week. I planned to get one this fall, might be this weekend.

[GH85Carrera]

WOW, that is a lotta snow. We think a few inches as too much.

A friend of mine is a Dr. and was looking at where to set up a practice. One of his ways to decide were to move to was he would go into a big box store and ask where the snow blowers are. If they pointed to them he drove further south. When he asks for a snow blower and the clerk replies "a what" he is far enough south.

He ended up in Charleston SC.

[pavulon]

I have two tracked Honda's (724TA and 1332TA). I'd buy another but have not owned anything else. They are hydrostatic machines and have never let me down. The lateral chute adjustment isn't the most sophisticated thing ever but it doesn't break either. At your price point, you'd be buying a used Honda and it's a seller's market at this time of year.

[vonsmog]

No matter which snow blower you buy, just spray the inside and shoot with cooking oil, like PAM. It makes a world of difference! Just make sure the blower is dry when you spray on the oil. I have to do my 60" blower on the Kubota a few times a season, but then we get about 150" of snow a season.

[Jim Richards]

snowblower?

[nota]

what is this snow stuff ?

can't you freeze t death in that ?

move south

[nynor]

Originally Posted by vonsmog

No matter which snow blower you buy, just spray the inside and shoot with cooking oil, like PAM. It makes a world of difference! Just make sure the blower is dry when you spray on the oil. I have to do my 60" blower on the Kubota a few times a season, but then we get about 150" of snow a season.

slick!!!

[mikesride]

Surprised that your neighbor has issues with his machine. Ariens is known as the PORSCHE of snowthrowers. Simplicity also makes a good machine, all others are primarily made by MTD (including craftsman) The new generation snowtech Briggs engines have been running great for the last few years.

[Groesbeck Hurricane]

Hmmmm, I went from a hand shovel and Wife to a Snapper with a snow plow to a 60HP tractor. Have not had to use the tractor yet....

[widgeon13]

Originally Posted by kaisen

You can pay up for a brand name snowblower, like Honda, and fool yourself into believing you get what you pay for.

In my experience, a cheap Craftsmen does the job just as well, for just as long. Go shopping and you'll quickly see that with the exception of Honda, they're all the same unit rebranded with little changes.

I paid $599 for this 26" a couple years ago on Black Friday and I'd buy it again. Starts first pull. Every time. (it's also electric start, but I use the pull)

Same thing I have and it cleared 42" a few years ago.

[john70t]

Living in Canada, I'd suggest a 2-stage one with auger drive (if you have a large area to clear).
Some are self-propelled and easy. Chop through everything.

For all others, go lightweight. So easy to store and move.

[kaisen]

A one-stage non-driven (not self propelled) showblower is just a fancy shovel. They're almost worthless in wet snow. Waste of money.

[sammyg2]

Originally Posted by mikesride

Surprised that your neighbor has issues with his machine. Ariens is known as the PORSCHE of snowthrowers. .

LOL, maybe he bought the Ariens model with the dilivar head studs and magnesium cases and thermal reactors and the 944 timing belts and the 928 electrical system

[imcarthur]

Craftsman 9HP 24" electric start + auger drive here. It always starts & works very well. And it is very easy to handle with the drive. 4 FWD 2 BWD speeds. Certainly overkill for my driveway in the near burbs. We bought it 6-7 years ago for my f-i-l in a snow belt with the deal that I got it back when they didn't need it anymore, so I have had it for 5 years.

Did I mention that it always starts?

Ian

[imcarthur]

Oh & thanks for reminding me. I just went out after not touching it since March. I filled it with gas & choked it. Three pumps of the bulb & it started right up.

Ian

[tevake]

I got nothing for you on snow blowers.

But do jump over to my " condo on Kauai" post so you can plan your escape!

I saw your mention yesterday of coming to Hawaii this winter, so if kauai is in your plan check it out, and let me know if this would work for you.

In the mean time, stay warm.

Cheers Richard

[teenerted1]

Originally Posted by john70t

Living in Canada, I'd suggest a 2-stage one with auger drive (if you have a large area to clear).
Some are self-propelled and easy. Chop through everything.

For all others, go lightweight. So easy to store and move.

two stage are a good idea everywhere. the price difference from a single stage isnt worth the savings. like others have said a single stage is really a fancy gas powered shovel. get the widest inshoot you can afford, or that will fit on you walkway. fewer trips up and down driveway the wider the swath you can move.

make sure to get extra sheer pins too. nothing like being halfway down a 400ft driveway and the auger stops turning and there are no spares in the garage.

also make sure to summerize before putting away for summer and winterize after coming out of storage.