Snow Blower Feedback Needed!

[BleedingBlue]

I am looking to buy a single stage snowblower (primarily to save space and I only have a basic 2 car driveway) and I am considering the Cub Cadet 208cc in the link below. Costco has it for $599.

Does anyone have any experience with it or would recommend a different single stage?

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Cub-Cade...ow-Blower-with-Headlight-1X-221-LHP/206291900

Thanks!


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[AldeanFan]

My neighbour had a similar machine made by toro.
In my opinion it wasn't worth having. If the snow was wet and heavy or deep it was useless. Any snow it was capable of moving was not enough for me to bother getting out a machine and I'd just do it with a shovel


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[aar_man]

Never owned one but our neighbor had one. Seemed good for sidewalks or if the snow was light it could take on a driveway. The driveway was cut into halves and cleared to each side. Problem came when the snows were heavier. That's when we went over to help with our Ariens 2-stage.
Not sure how tight you are for space but that single is a 21" cut. You could step up to a 24" 2-stage that wouldn't be that larger. The advantage the 2-stage has is in heaver snows or if you want to start on one side of the drive and blow the whole way across.
Good luck with your search.

 

[Lt1cobra]

I'm with the other guys. Two stage, Ariens or Toro. How much snow do you get? And is it wet/heavy?

I bought a used Honda HS970, and it's mean!... nowadays the local farmer takes care of my driveway, Honda is just sittning :-/

 

[BleedingBlue]

I live in Indianapolis, so we typically get several big snow falls a year. I buy Honda for all my other items, but didn't want to spend that much on a snow blower.

What about Troy Bilt? You can get a 208cc for $599. Doesn't have all the bells and whistles, but I don't need that


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[Showkey]

Think the Honda version is far superior........

$669. http://www.snowblowersdirect.com/Images/Honda-HS720AA-Snow-Thrower/i61751.html

 

[m.breen]

I would buy from somewhere that can service it. Knock Home Depot off that list.

 

[BleedingBlue]

You guys have talked me into a 2 stage. I actually went to Home Depot and the single stage really aren't that make smaller in depth and width.

What kind of places sell and service? I would do all the basic maintenance myself.




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[James-W]

My neighbor had a similar machine made by Toro.
In my opinion it wasn't worth having. If the snow was wet and heavy or deep it was useless. Any snow it was capable of moving was not enough for me to bother getting out a machine and I'd just do it with a shovel


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I agree with you about the single stage snow blowers not being real good for heavy snow. But it isn't because it was a Toro that it didn't work very good, no single stage snow blower that I am aware of works really well in heavy wet snow. Even the best two-stage snow blowers can get plugged up when the snow is really wet and heavy.

 

[LB-1911]

You guys have talked me into a 2 stage. I actually went to Home Depot and the single stage really aren't that make smaller in depth and width.

What kind of places sell and service? I would do all the basic maintenance myself.

There should be a Simplicity dealer in your area.

https://www.simplicitymfg.com/na/en_us/products/snow-blowers.html

 

[BleedingBlue]

Are Craftsman snowblowers good quality? Seems like all their stuff is hit/miss these days.

Looking at this one: http://www.sears.com/craftsman-24in...sellerId=SEARS&prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1


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[theoldwizard1]

Toro for single stage.

If you can find a couple year old 2 cycle model, they weight less. CCR 2450, CCR 2500 or CCR 3650. As long as you use good 2 cycle oil and change the wear bar annually and the paddles every couple of years, they will last for ever ! (Hint: Replace all fasteners with stainless steel ones !)

 

[theoldwizard1]

Are Craftsman snowblowers good quality? Seems like all their stuff is hit/miss these days.

Like almost everything Craftsman, the older 2 stage ones were better !

If you are buying new 2 stage, Toro, Ariens or Honda.

 

[theoldwizard1]

You guys have talked me into a 2 stage.

If you can find a used Toro CCR 3650 single stage (2 stroke, 6.5 hp) it is a beast ! It will handle drifts higher than the front.

It will also clan down to the pavement, something no 2 stage can do.

 

[SweetD]

I would say that no, the new Craftsman blowers are not good quality. My neighbor has a fairly large one and I borrowed it couple of years back, and it really struggled with about 18" of wet packed snow at the end of our driveway.

Any local outdoor equipment company near you will sell and service decent models. There are virtually no snowblowers completely Made in USA anymore. I now have a 1998 Toro model 622 which is a perfect "smaller" 2 stage blower. Any chance you are handy enough to find a nice used USA-Made one locally, and fix it up?

A great resource online is http://www.snowblowerforum.com/forum/

Dave

 

[jetrep]

I wonder how many of the single-stage bashers have actually used one. I live further north and most definitely get more snow than Indy. The single stage has served me well. Is it perfect for deep, heavy snow? no. If we are getting a straight up blizzard I'll go clear the drive half way through. it is not the ideal machine for a huge driveway but for my driveway (fits four cars) it works just fine. It's smaller and easier to wing around than a two stage. Nothing wrong with two stage but not everyone needs one. I recently replaced my 20 year old two-stroke Toro single stage with a new Toro single stage four-stroke. It is heavier but has more power.

The single stage can clear the snow off right down to the pavement which is nice.

This is the one I bought: http://www.snowblowersdirect.com/Toro-38743-Snow-Thrower/p14112.html

I bought at the end of the season so I've only used it once so far. I'm happy with the purchase.

It's easy to pull so e-start is a waste of money.

 

[aar_man]

Basher...really? The same snow hit my neighbors drive as it did ours. I saw what his machine could and couldn't do and I was behind our Ariens.
To the original poster, it sounds like price is a big concern. A suggestion, look for a used 78-79 ariens. White/orange machine before they went black/orange. Well built, last you a long time or catch a pre-season deal on a new unit. I would avoid craftsman..but I am an Ariens guy.

 

[bwringer]

I also live in Indy and have a similar size driveway. We've been perfectly fine with a single stage snow thrower for several years.

I used to live in Lafayette, about 65 miles northwest, and there's significantly less snow on average here in Indy. Snowfalls over 6 inches are rare, maybe one per winter if that. If you need to get through a drift with a single-stage, just take smaller bites. Easy-peasy.

We used to have a two stage snow thrower, and ended up selling it -- it was overkill, big time, and took up a lot of space.

We have had a 2-cycle Toro CCR Powerlite for several years. It's lightweight, portable, and effective but it's also noisy as the very hammers of hell, it's stinky, and the unholy vibration and racket makes it difficult to use for very long (we often clear a few of our older neighbor's driveways while we're at it).


This is GJ, so remember that the standard advice is always going to be maximum overkill. If you mention towing anything at all, then you have to buy an $80,000 diesel duallie or your gonads will shrivel. If you mention the need to remove a nut from a bolt, then you're worthless and weak without $30,000 worth of lovingly polished Snap-On tools stored in a color-coded computer-indexed $12,000 cabinet.

 

[theoldwizard1]

The single stage has served me well. Is it perfect for deep, heavy snow? no. If we are getting a straight up blizzard I'll go clear the drive half way through. it is not the ideal machine for a huge driveway but for my driveway (fits four cars) it works just fine. It's smaller and easier to wing around than a two stage.

I concur !

Nothing wrong with two stage but not everyone needs one. I recently replaced my 20 year old two-stroke Toro single stage with a new Toro single stage four-stroke. It is heavier but has more power.

Like I said before. Find a CCR 3650. 6.5 hp.

 

[BleedingBlue]

Haha now I am back at square one and can't decide a one stage vs two! I wouldn't say budget is a huge concern, but I don't want to spend a ton of money for something I may only use 2-3x a year. With that said, I don't want to waste money on anything either.

Thank you all for the insight thus far!


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[vartz04]

I have a early 90/ 26" two stage with a HF engine on it. I swapped the engine and did the rubber flap mod. Thing will throw snow into the next county but it's a heavy machine that is overkill for 80% of the snowfall I get here in IL. I'm gonna sell it at some point this winter and buy the Honda single stage

 

[LS6 Tommy]

If you are buying new 2 stage, Toro, Ariens or Honda.

If money is no object, I'd just reverse the above order. If they were still selling the "old" design, I'd toss Snapper in too. We've moved from Toro to Ariens at work. Less expensive, somewhat better built and more importantly, more reliable.

Honda's are great if you're rich. Track drive isn't for everyone. It has problems with curbs and rolling it around or taking it in and out of storage when not in use is a pain. Although it's not common, if the hydrostatic drive ever goes, it's usually 2/3 the cost of a new unit.


Two "Must Do" upgrades for any 2 stage are the Impeller Mod (you can DIY this one. The link is just to show you what I'm talking about) and switching to Armorskids.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SNOW-BLOWER...649749?hash=item43c833d855:g:mooAAOSw7aBVJnNS


http://snowblowerskids.com/

Tommy

 

[James-W]

Apparently some people have mistaken "telling it like it is" for bashing.

 

[Jazz1]

My experience with snow is 8hp minimum or you be cussing for cheaping out
I have had this craftsman 15 years. It's excellent. I did replace auger bushings and sandblasted and repainted most of it last fall. Stay away from models with plastic chutes. Ice chunks break plastic chutes

 

[BleedingBlue]

I have only seen "cc" as the motor size. What is the minimum cc you guys recommended?

I see many single stage that are the same size motor as a dual stage


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[LS6 Tommy]

I have only seen "cc" as the motor size. What is the minimum cc you guys recommended?

I see many single stage that are the same size motor as a dual stage


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With the old 4 stroke L valve engines, you could get a rough horsepower number by dividing CC by 30 . IDK if that still holds true for the newer OHV engines. You could probably divide by a lower number like 28 to fudge for the higher efficiency of the newer engines.

Tommy

 

[ssdave]

I had a huge Husqvarna one, I think they're less than $800. It was incredibly good at eating up huge snowfall, would throw the snow easily 50 feet. But, it was a real beast to handle. The equivalent size Hondas were immensely nicer to run. I borrowed one a time or two. But, at nearly $3000, they were a bit too much for me.

Luckily for me, I've since left the heavy snow area, and traded it off for a 45 acp pistol before I left.

 

[Jack D]

I have a single stage Toro and it is entering it's 21st season. I originally bought the single stage because it was lighter and I could lift it by myself onto the bed of my pickup so I could get to my mothers home and do her driveway and walkway.

Yes, heavy wet snow is/or could be a problem but you need to understand what you are buying and how you will use it. I live in the northeast and we have our share of 10 to 15 inch snows. Some reach 20 to 30 inches and you can't do big storms with one pass. You need to do them multiple times to get the job done. My Toro can handle pretty much any 10 inch snow. The problem I have is not the current snow but what is left on the ground from the last snow. Over the last couple of years we have had multiple snows that pile up. I try to clear my pavement everytime I run the snow thrower. My driveway is about 30 feet wide and 30 feet long bordered by on one side by a 6 foot high cedar fence and a 18 inch stacked stone wall on the other. I can pile snow 6 feet high on the sides of the road and on top of the wall and I have to be inventive in clearing the snow so I can push it that high. Once it gets to 6 feet high I start loosing driveway. Hence the reason I try to keep the pavement clear as long as I can. I have neighbors that have two-stage snow machines and their driveways are clear also, just like mine.

I think the biggest advantage that the single stage has is that it is simple. I run it dry of gas in the spring, change the rubber blades when they are worn, and I have a spare spark plug.

My suggestion would be to spend enough money on a show thrower to get a model with electric start. Single stage, two-stage is immaterial to me. Secondary consideration would be where I am going to store it and how much space it takes in the garage or shed. After that I would consider how much it will cost you to prep it for the season next year. If you get mostly 20+ inch snows multiple times a year I would spend more to get something that can handle (any Nor'easter) nature will throw at me.

When I replace mine it will be a single stage with electric start.... Plug it in in the garage, open the door, press the button and listen to it come alive. Smile knowing that I just saved myself $50 the the plow guys charge every storm.

I included a few pics to show you what a single stage can do..

 

[nickelmore]

Toro for single stage.

If you can find a couple year old 2 cycle model, they weight less. CCR 2450, CCR 2500 or CCR 3650. As long as you use good 2 cycle oil and change the wear bar annually and the paddles every couple of years, they will last for ever ! (Hint: Replace all fasteners with stainless steel ones !)

Good fuel and easy to work on. Goes through Chicago snow with no problems.

 

[PT Doc]

Think the Honda version is far superior........

$669. http://www.snowblowersdirect.com/Images/Honda-HS720AA-Snow-Thrower/i61751.html

I bought this from Home Depot last season. Great little machine!

 

[cbogg]

Toro 928HD. Buy once cry once. Got one last year, and I have no doubts it will last forever. More power than 9 hp would seem, nicely put together, well balanced, and less than 1500$ to my door. Will take anything I throw at it.

 

[theoldwizard1]

My experience with snow is 8hp minimum or you be cussing for cheating out

For a 2 stage, self propelled, +1 !

 

[theoldwizard1]

I think the biggest advantage that the single stage has is that it is simple. I run it dry of gas in the spring, change the rubber blades when they are worn, and I have a spare spark plug.

All Toro single stage snow throwers have a wear/scraper bar that probably should be replaced every 1 to 2 years. $10-$15, and about 15 minutes worth of time.

I have not replaced a spark plug in over 10 years.

My suggestion would be to spend enough money on a show thrower to get a model with electric start.

I have to disagree with that ! Mine starts on the second or third pull every time and the 2 stroke engine take less effort to pull.

 

[Back fist]

I have two Honda snowblowers in a Denver suburb...

The HS621 single-stage handles everything up to 12"...takes snow down to the pavement.

Over that amount and the HS724 two-stage gets the nod.

Excepting springtime we do not usually end up with the heavy wet snow. Ours is usually the light and fluffy type.

If your snow is typically the heavy stuff with slush on the bottom...get the two-stage with decent hp.

They have newer (and pricier) models out now but the quality is so good on the previous generation that you probably won't need to replace them.

Both of mine are over ten years old. They look and run very very well. Maintain them and they run for years and years...

Every once in a while a pre-owned one will show up for sale on Craigslist. They go fast!!

Buy once...cry once...

 

[CJM8515]

You arent clearing heavy snow with a single stage unless its a honda Ive found, waste of money. Even an old pos 2 stage is better. Truthfully after doing it professionally for awhile I want a machine with at least 8+hp and a joystick. Anything else makes it a real pita to operate.

 

[Matt M PA]

I'll add my voice to the two stage crowd. My former neighbor had a single stage and unless it was very powdery (if that's a word) it was a frustratin thing to deal with. It was similar to the Toro shown on this thread, which meant it wasn't self propelled.

I have an Ariens with at Tecumseh Snow King engine. I guess we've had it close to ten years and it's be great. It's a 2 stage and self propelled which means I;m not having shove it into the snow like a shovel. It plows through.

IMHO, this is one area where buying better up front is a good move. When I use ours, I'm always glad we got it, instead of a single stage.

 

[Kaizen]

You guys have talked me into a 2 stage. I actually went to Home Depot and the single stage really aren't that make smaller in depth and width.

What kind of places sell and service? I would do all the basic maintenance myself.

I bought my ariens from the big box store. did my own light maintenance on it for 8 years. when it needed a new belt I did that too.

From my experience buying a single machine from a dealer that does maintenance does not get you anything special. As a matter of fact when I tried to change my drive wheel and it wasn't working right I stuck it on my truck, brought it up and said listen I have it all apart can you take a quick look? slipped the guy a 20 when he pointed out my error.
I spent 20 percent more buying my husqurevana chain saw at a dealer. expected preferential treatment when it died after I notched a 24inch pine. I literally had to start screaming for them to put it on the bench right then and there.

 

[maxpower_hd]

Basher...really? The same snow hit my neighbors drive as it did ours. I saw what his machine could and couldn't do and I was behind our Ariens.
To the original poster, it sounds like price is a big concern. A suggestion, look for a used 78-79 ariens. White/orange machine before they went black/orange. Well built, last you a long time or catch a pre-season deal on a new unit. I would avoid craftsman..but I am an Ariens guy.

I agree here. You can go older too as long as it runs good. Mine is an early 1960's model with the original engine. It is starting to leak oil but my plan is to let it blow up then I will just put a new engine on it. Probably a Snow King replacement. That machine is an animal. It has what I call "reverse safety features" on it. It will run down the driveway and blow snow all by itself if you let it. It only has one hand lever and that is to stop the drive and auger. It has a lever on the side that has to be engaged to operate the auger AND the drive at the same time. I love that thing. Just keep your kids and pets away when using it.

 

[garrett1812]

I was in the same delima last year. Didn't want to spend a fortune and wanted to minimize storage space for the 355 days it isn't used. I went with a Troy Bilt Squall 2100. There are plenty of better ones out there, but if you watch the sales you can get it under $400. I live in NW Indiana and get a lot of lake effect snow. It has cut through everything, except where the plow truck packs it at the end of the driveway, sometimes that is okay but slower, sometimes I jut use a shovel for the end. I would not discount a single stage.

 

[Streetbu]

Contact your local Ariens dealer. I would bet they run across used blowers. A good condition, newer, used 2 stage goes for around $500-$600. That would be your best bet.