I'm getting a snow blower

gonefishie · Mar 10, 2008

I'm gonna get one of those thing. I'm not gonna shovel anymore! Woke up last Sat. morning to a crap load of snow that was dumped upon me overnight and it didn't quit until about noon Sat. That afternoon, I went out and cleared a path through the deck to the truck and the car. Dug a path behind her car so she can get out of the driveway. I must have pulled a muscle in my shoulder and or neck. Woke up Sunday morning in agony, spend the rest of yesterday and so far today in pain. Sharp, shooting pain, man it hurts like a mofo. Does anyone have any recommendation for a blower that is self-propelled and economical?

Bob_VT · Mar 10, 2008

Re: I'm getting a snow blower

First of all if you purchase one....... get a decent one with a brand name and engine. The quality up front will help in the long run.

Keep in mind you are exsposed to the elements when you blow snow...... you need to keep up with the storms.

Second if you can hold out..... they will be going on clearance soon.....

As an alternate thought..... see if your lawn tractor will accept a snow blower attachment.

I have used a tracked one in the past except I get too much snow so I use a plow on a 3/4 ton truck.

Bass Man Bruce · Mar 10, 2008

Re: I'm getting a snow blower

If you're gonna be throwing any good amounts of snow I'd be sure and get a 2 stage machine. We have an Ariens 350 and a foot of snow really slows it down.

MikDee · Mar 10, 2008

Re: I'm getting a snow blower

Alot depends on the surface you're snowblowing, dirt, gravel, stone, or a soft surface will require a 2 stage machine, (1 stage for the drive wheels, 1 stage for the blade drive) that will roll on 2 front wheels, and you can adjust the height of the blade by those wheels, or you'll be picking up a lot of rocks, & stones, and going thru a lot of shear pins.

If it's a hard surface, like black top, brick, or cement, any type will work but the cheaper, smaller, lighter, more manuverable single stage may come in handy, these have a rubber edged steel auger that pulls itself thru the snow when you lift the handlebar, as it blows the snow thru an adjustable chute, when engaged.

heyttown · Mar 10, 2008

Re: I'm getting a snow blower

I bought a toro about 3 yrs ago from HD... I love it, I have a 15' wide drive by 100' long plus sidewalks and it handles anything we have in my neck of the woods. Ive went through drifts over 1' tall and this thing didnt blink an eye. Its a single stage and cleans down to the concrete.... I would say the only downfall of this machine is in small amounts of snow im guessing 2" or less...The machine is walking you more then you are it...It pulls itself through the snow.

DJ · Mar 10, 2008

Re: I'm getting a snow blower

When I lived in Minnesota, I bought a Toro 8 HP (Tecumseh) 2-stage snowblower. Don't bother with a single stage. Mine was a wheel type with chains (actually traction strips).

I once ran five gallons of gas through that 8 HP in one weekend.

That was a BIG storm.

Anyway, I never had an ounce of trouble with it. I did however keep it maintained. I kept the fuel treated, the oil fresh and everything else lubed. I changed the belts every fall. Mine was the one that always started and moved snow.

If you buy one, make sure you get some extra auger shear pins (DO NOT USE BOLTS). You may need them. I sheared a few while hitting large (unseen) ice chunks left over by the street plow.

Get extra belts too! I never broke one probably because there was an extra set hanging in the shed.

I just bought a new set every fall and installed the ones I bought the last year.

SS MAYFLOAT · Mar 10, 2008

Re: I'm getting a snow blower

Keep in mind that there is a difference between a snow thrower and a blower. Usually I consider a single stage a thrower. That is what I use. Its a 5hp Techumseh (I really don't care for) 21". This past weekend I had a 18" to clear out. It did do the job, but this one was in our flood this past August. Some mud got into the jet and clogged the carb up. After cleaning it out, it has run great. I did eat a belt though..............

Yep, I know what you mean by sore muscles. I had to dig out the car and truck. Then by the road the snow from the plow truck, the snow was about 3' deep. I had to hand dig that area. That was about a 12' X 36' area. I'm sore from using muscles that don't normally get that kind of work out. Luck has it my wife likes to massage my achey body

..........SS

arboldt · Mar 10, 2008

Re: I'm getting a snow blower

It really depends on where you are.

We bought a single-stage 20 years ago (Monkey Wards label, made by MTD) when we moved to Ft Wayne, and it's still working after 5 years there and 15 years in Kalamazoo. I have had to replace a couple parts in the last 2 - 3 years.

Our single-stage handles elmost everything we've gotten for these 20 years. The only things it can't handle is heavy slush and (sometimes) the super-heavy pack from when the city snowplow fills the bottom of our driveway. I keep hearing about the near-record snowfall this winter, but it sure seems like it all went either north or south of us. I don't think we've had more than 4" at a time, with a max on-the-ground of maybe 12".

The single-stage snow blowers seem to do a better job of cleaning up the driveway. If I lived 200 miles north , I'd definitely get a 2-stage. They have one stage for augers and a second for impellers that actually throw the snow. Drive wheels are powered from the auger power.

Stop and think how much snow you actually get, and how much overkill you want.

Lone Duck · Mar 10, 2008

Re: I'm getting a snow blower

arboldt said:
It really depends on where you are.

We bought a single-stage 20 years ago (Monkey Wards label, made by MTD) when we moved to Ft Wayne, and it's still working after 5 years there and 15 years in Kalamazoo. I have had to replace a couple parts in the last 2 - 3 years.

Our single-stage handles elmost everything we've gotten for these 20 years. The only things it can't handle is heavy slush and (sometimes) the super-heavy pack from when the city snowplow fills the bottom of our driveway. I keep hearing about the near-record snowfall this winter, but it sure seems like it all went either north or south of us. I don't think we've had more than 4" at a time, with a max on-the-ground of maybe 12".

The single-stage snow blowers seem to do a better job of cleaning up the driveway. If I lived 200 miles north , I'd definitely get a 2-stage. They have one stage for augers and a second for impellers that actually throw the snow. Drive wheels are powered from the auger power.

Stop and think how much snow you actually get, and how much overkill you want.

Yep! A lot of folks do not realize that 2 stage means it has an impeller to throw the snow. A single stage does not.

rolmops · Mar 10, 2008

Re: I'm getting a snow blower

If you have heavy snow like up here in Upstate NY you should get a 2 stage 20 or even 24 inch wide and at least 8 horse,preferably 10.
The extra power will throw that snow nice and far away so it won't blow back into your driveway.
As for brands,it does not matter very much since you probably will not use it for over 20 hours a year and I suspect that they all come from the same factory in china.
The Sears one is 20 % more expensive than the exact same one that is made by the company that produces them for Sears.Just go ask the Sears sales man what company makes them for Sears and check their prices...

JB · Mar 10, 2008

Re: I'm getting a snow blower

When I lived in MN I moved most snow with a blade on my tractor. Close in stuff with a shovel.

When I moved to Ft. Lauderdale the shovel somehow got shipped with the rest of my "stuff".

I put it on the porch witha "FOR RENT" sign on it and some ratzakratza transplanted yankee STOLE it!

tashasdaddy · Mar 10, 2008

Re: I'm getting a snow blower

what's a snow blower??? we have leaf blowers.

kenmyfam · Mar 10, 2008

Re: I'm getting a snow blower

Get the neighbour to do it. I do

Bob_VT · Mar 10, 2008

Re: I'm getting a snow blower

tashasdaddy said:
what's a snow blower??? we have leaf blowers.

Okay.... why would someone want to blow away leaves? I just let them mulch up with the lawn tractor......

and my 9' plow fits the walk up to the back door so we do not shovel..... nothing beats the ability to reach up....get a sip of coffee and adjust the heater while I am clearing the driveway.

kenmyfam · Mar 10, 2008

Re: I'm getting a snow blower

Bob_VT said:
Okay.... why would someone want to blow away leaves? I just let them mulch up with the lawn tractor......

and my 9' plow fits the walk up to the back door so we do not shovel..... nothing beats the ability to reach up....get a sip of coffee and adjust the heater while I am clearing the driveway.

No matter how comfortable you make it, I would still rather not do it !!!

Caveman Charlie · Mar 10, 2008

Re: I'm getting a snow blower

They are not all made in China. Toro snow blowers are built in Windom, MN. It's about 20 miles from me.

qaztwo · Mar 10, 2008

Re: I'm getting a snow blower

You must be in the southern part of the state, up here in indianapolis didn't even get enough to cover the grass completely.
I storage is not an issue would by a 2 stage.

whywhyzed · Mar 10, 2008

Re: I'm getting a snow blower

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gonefishie · Mar 11, 2008

Re: I'm getting a snow blower

qaztwo said:
You must be in the southern part of the state, up here in indianapolis didn't even get enough to cover the grass completely.
I storage is not an issue would by a 2 stage.

No, north of ya, Delaware county. We must have had a very localized storm cell. I went down to my mom on Sunday, by the time we hit Anderson it started to thin out. When we got to Avon there weren't any snow on the ground. Sounded like the single stage one would be cheaper and sufficient right?

MikDee · Mar 11, 2008

Re: I'm getting a snow blower

Yes, unless you have a very large area, or where it snows alot, & deep, then you might want a 2 stage unit, but they are not as nimble. I picked up a Yard Man 20" 5hp 2cycle, electric start, single stage (made by MTD) from Home Depot the end of the season last yr. marked down to only $269. It's the 2nd one I've owned of this type, and I'm happy with it,,, just give it some break in time. The Toro units are very similar to this, but usually more expensive because of the name. Or for a few bucks more, Sears has a very similar machine with a 4cycle motor, and a nice hand crank for rotating the snow chute. The end of season markdown coming up is the time to look, good luck Mike

I'm getting a snow blower

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