| Author |
Message |
    
emmie
Citizen
Username: Emmie
Post Number: 181
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, December 6, 2003 - 9:29 am: |     |
Okay, after years and years of shoveling my 50 foot driveway with huge apron at the bottom, I am going to bite the bullet and buy a snowblower..today! I haven't a clue what kind to buy or even what features to look for. Also, will they work in very deep snow? You guys seem to know what you are talking about, any tips? Of course, my purchasing of a snowblower will guarantee that there will be no more storms this winter. |
wharfrat
Citizen
Username: Wharfrat
Post Number: 869
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, December 6, 2003 - 10:26 am: | |
Horsepower...lots of hp... |
AZ
Citizen
Username: Azaltsman
Post Number: 221
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, December 6, 2003 - 10:40 am: | |
I bought a Toro 2450 yesterday. There is so much propoganda around these devices. Even in the store, a cusomter who was there to get a part was telling me not to bother getting one unless the wheels are self powered. Yeah, like I'm going to shell out $1200 + just for that. The one I got was $550 at Boonton Power Mower. Man, that guy was BUSY!!! Anyway, I cleared my driveway and the front steps and it was awesome. I think my driveway is about 25-30'. It's all about how much $$$ you want to spend. One guy bought a $12K snow thrower yesterday. I suspect his property to be bigger then the Maplewood village.
Emmie - I basically went for the second from the low end side (I'm not counting the stupid Toro electric snow shovel, which I think is beyond absurd). It is self propelled but you still have to push it a little. All that is required is you mixing gas/oil but it's not a big deal. I just bought a separate container for the snow thrower. |
Jeff Markel
Citizen
Username: Jeffmarkel
Post Number: 81
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, December 6, 2003 - 1:27 pm: | |
I have a John Deere which, despite their reputation, has been a real pain in the ass - in the shop more times than I can count - so I'd stay away from them (I had similar problems with a Deere lawnmower). I've heard Honda makes good snowblowers (and lawnmowers) though they are pricey. |
tjohn
Citizen
Username: Tjohn
Post Number: 1933
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, December 6, 2003 - 2:17 pm: | |
$550 for a single-stage thrower sounds pricey. Earlier in the year 2-stage 5 horsepower Yard Machines models were available at Home Depot for about the same price. |
peteglider
Citizen
Username: Peteglider
Post Number: 382
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, December 6, 2003 - 2:48 pm: | |
I just bought a 2 stage 5 hp at Sears (and I thought that would assure NO snow!?!). Was $600 + tax & delivery (and waiting for a $30 rebate)
Works very nicely -- used it for the first time today, and got through the first round of snow.
But I'd have to say the 5 hp is just adequate. For instance, cutting through the snow banks made by the snow plow -- I had to go very slow or it would have stalled.
Might be very slow going for say 12 inches of snow all at once.
Works well and seems solid (includes electric start -- which is n i c e) so reasonable for the price .
Something tells me they'll be out tomorrow! (although with Sears you can order from their site to pick up at the store).
Pete |
emmie
Citizen
Username: Emmie
Post Number: 182
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, December 6, 2003 - 6:03 pm: | |
Well, thanks all. Unfortunately I never made it out of here today for obivious reasons. So one more time shoveling the "driveway from hell." But heres another question someone might be able to answer. I have a jeep but have never tried to negotiate up the driveway with as much snow as we have now. I wonder if it is possible without me killing myself. Then I would only have to shovel part of this mess. |
stefano
Citizen
Username: Stefano
Post Number: 389
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, December 6, 2003 - 6:12 pm: | |
Here's how we handle snow removal at Sbenois Industries. The boys just love making s'mores with it, too.
 |
Sylad
Citizen
Username: Sylad
Post Number: 75
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, December 6, 2003 - 6:28 pm: | |
Here is mine. http://www.ariens.com/products/sno/924118/
This is a once in a life-time purchase, if you buy something small you will be very sad, especially today. Never had a problem, starts on first pull or push, electric start is key. |
NRL
Citizen
Username: Nrl
Post Number: 361
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, December 6, 2003 - 6:35 pm: | |
First off, do not get electric unless you just want to do your front steps.. Go with gas powered. I recommend 6hp-10hp. Sears Craftsman are very well built, Toro, Yard Machines are also good. Be sure to get self powered as you will wrestle with the machine much less than a non self powered. Be sure to get a 2 stage thrower and make sure the height of the intake is higher than 12 inches. Electric start is nice but not necessary. This package should cost between 700-800. Although the prices are most likely higher these days if you can find one in stock.
I have a lot of experience with this kind of equipment. If you need further info or I missed anything just ask. |
tourne
Citizen
Username: Tourne
Post Number: 250
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, December 6, 2003 - 10:23 pm: | |
Despite all the people pushing big ugly two-stage snow throwers, the fact is that the small Toro gasoline single stage, rubber paddle throwers outperform much heavier models, are easy to use, and can handle anything NJ can throw at us! Its kind of analogous to all the cars on the road with 250 plus horsepower, nobody really needs them. I know contractors who use the medium size Toro single stage throwers. Toro does cost a bit more, but they work, even if they don't look like a 400 horsepower Mercedes SUV--oh, right,....snowblower. |
bobk
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 3999
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, December 7, 2003 - 6:13 am: | |
A neighbor had real problems getting through the snow with a single stage Toro yesterday. My son and I finished our drive and walks with shovels before he got through the pile at the end of the driveway. Also, the thing sounded like it was being tortured.
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NRL
Citizen
Username: Nrl
Post Number: 364
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, December 7, 2003 - 8:06 am: | |
Single stage is not the way to go, especially with the storms we have been having. You will find yourself wrestling with the machine more than anything else.
Tourne, if you have some data, comparison testing stats or otherwise to prove that your facts are not based on your own personal opinion regarding 2 stage. I would to like to see them. Please post the article or link here on MOL.
Stonger is better, especially when it comes to small equipment. Dont cheap out on a single stage non self powered etc just to save a few bucks. Snow throwers last for years and can be handed down numerous times as long as they are maintained properly and have what it takes to handle both light snow and heavy snow. |
us2innj
Citizen
Username: Us2innj
Post Number: 928
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, December 7, 2003 - 11:47 am: | |
The MTD (Yard Machine) we have is an 8 hp, electric start, self propelled, two stage snow thrower. It really kicks when the snow is this deep.
We were able to do our walks, and driveway, and the walks and drives of three of our neighbors in less than two hours.
This snow is quite powdery, but even last years dense, wet snow was handled well by this machine. The electric snow shovels, or the Toro rubber sweeper model just don't do that kind of job. |
tourne
Citizen
Username: Tourne
Post Number: 251
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, December 7, 2003 - 8:25 pm: | |
NRL:
Check out www.freep.com/money/business/guide26_20030126.htm and http://products.consumerguide.com/cp/family/background/index.cfm/id/11091 if you want to hear it from people who live in a much snowier place than NJ. Otherwise, I figure my opinion based on experience is just as good. |
tjohn
Citizen
Username: Tjohn
Post Number: 1940
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, December 7, 2003 - 8:56 pm: | |
The articles were good, but not definitive. In my case, I bought a two-stage for ten inch or more storms and for wet snow. Granted, we might go 2, 3 or 4 years without such a storm and then we might have a series of snowy winters.
If the most we ever received was 6 inches of powder, I wouldn't have bought a thrower of any sort.
It also seems that if your driveway has any slope to it, a self-propelled thrower is pretty helpful. |
TomR
Citizen
Username: Tomr
Post Number: 59
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, December 7, 2003 - 11:51 pm: | |
One man's opinion.
Spend the money. Get a quality name (self propeled, you'll need it one day) and maintain the machine as the manual says to maintain it. Follow the rules for taking care of a gasoline fired engine, and you'll still have it when you're old, fat, rich and lazy (or any given combination thereof).
I have a thirty year old Ariens; a thousand square feet of driveway and ~170 square feet of walkway to clear. I also do a bunch of neighbors' walks from time to time (whoever goes out first does three to five houses' front walks. I love my neighbors).
Run the machine at high throtle, but at low walk speed if the snow is deeper than 3-4 inches or if the snow is wet (fresh dry snow is easier to move than dense wet stuff. I did three passes over the weekend) and dont try to clear the full width of the blower with each pass (the first is unavoidable).
I got the Ariens DOA in '97 and after a carb and top end rebuild its been humming happily along. Change the engine oil at least every year, and if applicable, the transfer case oil as necessary. Plugs and wires are cheap. Change them when they need it, not when the machine dies.
If you can't do the periodic carb rebuild every five to eight years depending upon abuse level (thank the powers-that-be that my donor couldn't) turn in your MAN card. Isn't internal combustion engine disassembly and rebuild genetic? :-)
Of course that's just one man's opinion.
"Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow..."
TomR.
La vie est simple!
Manger, dormir, faire du ski.
Pardon moi francais. |
Richard O'Connor
Citizen
Username: Roconn
Post Number: 23
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Monday, December 8, 2003 - 7:31 am: | |
My multiple cents also
There is a ton on this subject places like consumer reports but it boils down to a couple of bullet points (nothing like being middle management equipped but jobless)
If you have short drive and small frontage single stage is fine
If you have a long drive or slope 2 stage is better.
Based on the most recent snow we had unless you really don't have much you're likely to kill a single stage. (And the ones I have experience with take gas/oil mix which is simply a pain)
I got year before last an 8HP MTD (yard Machines) http://www.mtdproducts.com/ at the HD and have been EXCEPTIONALLY pleased. I have about 1170 sq ft of driveway plus the walks. This year I finally had to replace the skid shoes and scrape bar which I got online for about 30 bucks.
Now, I'm a little insane and like to play with my power equipment so if you add in the neighbors I clear also (I do most of my immediate neighbors drives also) I am clearing 10K sq. ft. per snow. (I use just over 1 tank of gas to do it each time).
Where single stage machines fail: Clearing the plowed up hill that the city leaves. My two stage just cuts it up and ejects it ... my neighbor's single stage stalls.
So .. being what its worth ...
I wouldn't be without electric start
I wouldn't be without 2 stage
and if I have to replace this ever sears has one I want which has cable controlled chute that you can raise/lower from the operators position.
richard |
growler
Citizen
Username: Growler
Post Number: 276
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Monday, December 8, 2003 - 3:20 pm: | |
My two cents also:
Lucky for me, my wife went out on Thursday afternoon to purchase our first blower. She picked up a Toro Single Stage 3650. 6.5 HP, 20" clearing and up to 30' throwing.
www.toro.com/home/snowthrowers/gassinglestage/ccr3650.html
Our driveway is approx 1500sf give or take and there was no way I was shoveling this off after the last big storm.
Never having owned one I will say that I am very impressed. It cut through all the show on the driveway and the mess that the trucks plowed in front of the apron. It never stalled, started up on the second pull all times I used it, was very easy to use and with a little tilt forward it propelled itself.
Mixing the oil with the gas was no big deal. Bought a 2 gallon container and poured the oil in, shook it up and presto, all done. I did go through 1 gallon with 5 outings. I can't seem to stop going out...
So far, for the money $586 I'd say the Toro is the way to go.
|
AZ
Citizen
Username: Azaltsman
Post Number: 223
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 10, 2003 - 12:05 am: | |
I've been pretty pleased with the perfmance of my 5 hp Toro 2450..though growler above got a great deal on that 3650! Yeah, it's single stage, and no it won't handle a foot of snow. But it doesn't cost $1200+. So far I've been impressed. |
barbara wilhelm
Citizen
Username: Bartist
Post Number: 71
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 10, 2003 - 11:35 am: | |
I bought a Craftsman 5 hp 2 stage blower. I would say that it did an adequate job. In hindsight I would have been happier with more hp. Home Depot had a 7hp yard man for $719 on sale at the beginning of the season. The 2 extra horses would have made a big difference in my opinion. I had a single stage 6hp Ariens that was stolen from my garage a year ago. That machine performed well on flat surfaces but had problems on the slightest incline of the driveway. I am glad that my Craftsman has 5 forward settings and 2 reverse. What would I look for? HP, 2 stages, electric start. |
kmk
Citizen
Username: Kmk
Post Number: 260
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 10, 2003 - 2:37 pm: | |
I miss the headlight on our old snowblower just as much as it's electric start.
A headlight is a must is you plow in predawn or postdusk hours. |
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