| Author |
Message |
    
peteglider
Citizen
Username: Peteglider
Post Number: 258
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 1, 2003 - 10:28 am: |     |
Ok -- so with the heat on in the house -- I know that snow is around the corner.
I glanced at snow throwers at HD and Sears -- there ate 5 and 6 hp models that are likely more than adequate. (right now I have a little electric one, from when I had only a 25' driveway -- now that's just not enough).
Any recommendations on models or places to buy?
I've also seen good buys on ebay -- a Yardman 5 hp for $439 -- but they are sent via "LTL" shipping -- in otherwords, a freight truck pulls up and I'd have to unload it myself. Although they say the shipping company (at extra charge) will unload it.
Anyone have experience with LTL shipping? From the web -- "Your product will be shipped via an LTL ("Less than Truckload") carrier. Many truck freight companies do not require their drivers to unload shipments."
Not sure the $$ savings are enough to warrant trying this!
thx
Pete |
bobk
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 3475
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, October 2, 2003 - 4:18 am: | |
I think that would depend if the delivery truck had a power lift gate or not, assuming you don't have a fork lift in your garage. 
I don't, luckily, have a ebay habit, so I don't know if the unit you are looking at is being sold by a company or an individual. However, assuming the seller is in the business. I would talke to them about this. There has to be some middle ground, possibly shipping via a different carrier. |
Michael K. Mc Kell
Citizen
Username: Greenerose
Post Number: 32
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, October 2, 2003 - 5:38 am: | |
MY experience with snow throwers is by a good one. We had a Yamaha 8 hp with treads vs wheels and it was excellent. Honda and John Deere make really good ones as well. Check the Yellow pages for John Deere dealers.
I no longer have it since I bought a plow for my truck.
Good luck. |
peteglider
Citizen
Username: Peteglider
Post Number: 261
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, October 2, 2003 - 11:26 am: | |
thx Bob & Mike -- the ebay price (from a lawn & garden wholesaler) is very good.
of course, the risk is that the thing won't work when i get it out of the box -- or worse yet, the first day of snow!
that's why i'd prefer a local place that services (so not HD!). I have a station wagon, but not a truck - so someone who picks up and delivers would be ideal.
is Sears an option? their prices are good, and they deliver -- but what about service?
nope -- forklift gone, neighbors complained ;-)
Pete |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 1734
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, October 2, 2003 - 11:43 am: | |
Pete- we bought ours from Sears. Went to Essex Green & threw it in the back of our small SUV.
P&P Lawnmower is an authorized dealer for several brands of outdoor equipment- we had our lawn mower serviced there. If the snowblower ever gets sick, we'll just take it there. |
Michael K. Mc Kell
Citizen
Username: Greenerose
Post Number: 33
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, October 2, 2003 - 3:26 pm: | |
Spend the extra money and go for the John Deere.
Sears is garbage. John Deere will deliver and perform a personal training / safety session with you. Best of all is that if it brakes they come out with a service truck and/or haul it away and return free that's right FREE. Under warranty of course. |
tjohn
Citizen
Username: Tjohn
Post Number: 1801
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, October 2, 2003 - 8:59 pm: | |
I have a Yard Machine 5 HP 2-stage from Home Depot. I purchased it just before the snowstorm at the end of 2000. Since then, it has seen action during every single significant snowstorm on my driveway and that of several neighbors. It has performed reliably with the exception of choking on a newspaper once.
The point of this story is that for non-commercial use, Sears and Home Depot models should be more than adequate. Properly maintained, they should last for many years. |
peteglider
Citizen
Username: Peteglider
Post Number: 265
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, October 2, 2003 - 9:20 pm: | |
I checked the John Deere web site -- very little info -- only model shown is a relatively lite weight, non propelled model.
I have my driveway to do (double car wide to the street, about 50 feet), and then the sidewalk (about 100 feet) and then there is a drive that goes around past the front door (another 70 feet or so) --
but considering that the past 2 years I did it all with an electric, corded Toro -- a self-propelled 5+ HP gas unit should be a huge improvement!
I'll check out P&P -- but the closest Deere dealer listed is in Clark! ANy others garden equipment dealers (Deere or otherwise) nearby?
Pete |
soresident
Citizen
Username: Soresident
Post Number: 73
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, October 2, 2003 - 9:52 pm: | |
Call or go talk to J&A Mower 1338 Stuyvesant Av Union 908 964 9199. Extremely helpful and nice people. Not sure the extent of what they sell - we have a huge Toro. |
vermontgolfer
Citizen
Username: Vermontgolfer
Post Number: 98
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, October 2, 2003 - 11:06 pm: | |
Pete,
P&P on Springfield in Maplewood is the place to go. Nice folks, good service. They are probably not the cheapest, but by far my service experience with them has been awesome. Bought a new blower from them last year and boy was I glad with the winter we had.
Good luck, buy a big one and maybe you'll chase the snow away this year.
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