I'm in the Chicago area, so maybe more snow than Indy. I have a Toro single stage and it hasn't met a snow yet (more than ten years old) that it didn't handle. I have use it on snow drifts that were higher than the impeller, and you just have to attack it slowly. My neighbors (several of them) have large two stage machines, but rarely is there enough snow to really warrant that size of a machine here.
Snow Blower Feedback Needed!
- Thread starter BleedingBlue
- Start date
crucible
Well-known member
I had a single stage a couple years ago (here in Virginia-yes Virginia), and it was frustrating in anything but the coldest and most powdery snow which is only some of the time here....the remainder are wet, heavy snows typically.
I suspect that some of the folks who use single stages that work well, use them in areas that are the coldest (Chicago, etc) where snow isn't likely to start congealing/melting making it heavy. That makes sense to me anyway.
I sold the single stage and bought a 24" (Ariens) Sno Tek 2-stage about four years ago or so after a monster storm of more than 36". This one was one of their first and has the metal chute and an older Ariens body/transmission, and has worked great in all snows (the Chonda has been trouble-free as well).
While we didn't need it for a couple years after I bought it (figures of course......it sat new in my garage unused!), we've gotten some good storms in the last couple years that I've used not only for my house, but helped out in the rest of the in the neighborhood as well. (Last winter a big storm closed our neighborhood for four days without any plowing, and I was able to make walking paths to the entrance of the neighborhood for folks and apparently at least one ambulance crew who used those paths for their gurney to help one man who needed dialysis).
I say all that not to toot my own horn, but to illustrate that I could have never helped that much with that single stage I had, or I suspect, any of them.
I suspect that some of the folks who use single stages that work well, use them in areas that are the coldest (Chicago, etc) where snow isn't likely to start congealing/melting making it heavy. That makes sense to me anyway.
I sold the single stage and bought a 24" (Ariens) Sno Tek 2-stage about four years ago or so after a monster storm of more than 36". This one was one of their first and has the metal chute and an older Ariens body/transmission, and has worked great in all snows (the Chonda has been trouble-free as well).
While we didn't need it for a couple years after I bought it (figures of course......it sat new in my garage unused!), we've gotten some good storms in the last couple years that I've used not only for my house, but helped out in the rest of the in the neighborhood as well. (Last winter a big storm closed our neighborhood for four days without any plowing, and I was able to make walking paths to the entrance of the neighborhood for folks and apparently at least one ambulance crew who used those paths for their gurney to help one man who needed dialysis).
I say all that not to toot my own horn, but to illustrate that I could have never helped that much with that single stage I had, or I suspect, any of them.
Jazz1
Well-known member
I bought my Craftsman snowblower because Sears had service dept. in store. I would not buy a snowblower from big box store just to avoid the aggravation if there were mechanical issues with the unit you are looking at shovelling snow for 6 to 8 weeks. Dealers are best choice IMO
kngelv
Well-known member
You are overthinking this big time. I live near Detroit and we get plenty of snow. Unless you have an extremely wide driveway or one that is very long including a longer sidewalk then a two stage is overkill. Some of the negatives with two stage include more to go wrong and a pain to move around in the garage. I have the previous model of the Honda single stage and it is bullet proof. You can also easily throw it in the back of a truck if you need to help out someone with snow removal. Go to a dealer. Stay away from the box stores. They will let you start them. I chose the Honda over Toro because it was much quieter and vibrated way less at idle.
James
James
OP
BleedingBlue
Well-known member
Overthinking is what I do haha. I procure things for a living, so I can't make a purchase without weeks of research. It's annoying at times
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
+1 for the Toro CCR series for a single stage. I've had a CCR2450 close to 20 years now. I picked up the CCR2000 and CCR3650 on craigslist for the cheap last year.
Parts are readily available for these machines. When the machine has trouble cleaning the street, its my queue to get a new scraper bar. When the machine has trouble throwing the snow, its usually time to replace the paddles. Fresh paddles are especially important when dealing with the wet stuff. Speaking of paddles, I really like the Kage paddles on these machines, they're a little pricier but they last longer.
Here in Maryland, there hasn't been a storm to stop my Toro. What I like about the Toro Single Stage is that it is fast. All of my neighbors have 2 Stage machines and most of the time my Toro is running circles around the other machines in the neighborhood. As for how it handles snow, if the snow is lower than the front opening I don't have an issue, of course my CCR3650 does it a little better than the 2450 and the 2000. If the snow is over the opening, I tend to just muscle a path through the snow, and then on the next pass, just clear off just enough snow for half of opening's width. It seems a little slower that way, but you'd be surprised how fast you're doing it when you're next to a person with a consumer grade 2 stage machine, or even worse a shovel.
I am however looking at the Toro Snowmaster. It has the paddles and cleaning abilities of a single stage but then it has the opening and the muscle of a true 2-Stage machine. They start off at around $650 so its not too expensive.
Parts are readily available for these machines. When the machine has trouble cleaning the street, its my queue to get a new scraper bar. When the machine has trouble throwing the snow, its usually time to replace the paddles. Fresh paddles are especially important when dealing with the wet stuff. Speaking of paddles, I really like the Kage paddles on these machines, they're a little pricier but they last longer.
Here in Maryland, there hasn't been a storm to stop my Toro. What I like about the Toro Single Stage is that it is fast. All of my neighbors have 2 Stage machines and most of the time my Toro is running circles around the other machines in the neighborhood. As for how it handles snow, if the snow is lower than the front opening I don't have an issue, of course my CCR3650 does it a little better than the 2450 and the 2000. If the snow is over the opening, I tend to just muscle a path through the snow, and then on the next pass, just clear off just enough snow for half of opening's width. It seems a little slower that way, but you'd be surprised how fast you're doing it when you're next to a person with a consumer grade 2 stage machine, or even worse a shovel.
I am however looking at the Toro Snowmaster. It has the paddles and cleaning abilities of a single stage but then it has the opening and the muscle of a true 2-Stage machine. They start off at around $650 so its not too expensive.
dodgejunkie
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 7, 2014
- Messages
- 198
I've had a 2 stage and used it for a 100' drive. Worked great! Sold it when we moved south.
Now back up north and I'm going to get a Honda single stage! Used my BIL's Honda last season on all kinds of Michigan snow lake effect, wet, heavy, etc. It never skipped a beat. I liked how it took it right down to the cement, and it was light and easy to maneuver!
Now back up north and I'm going to get a Honda single stage! Used my BIL's Honda last season on all kinds of Michigan snow lake effect, wet, heavy, etc. It never skipped a beat. I liked how it took it right down to the cement, and it was light and easy to maneuver!
OP
BleedingBlue
Well-known member
As of now I Am leaning towards the Honda single stage, but will prob read up for a few more days.
Do they ever go on sale at Home Depot?
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Do they ever go on sale at Home Depot?
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
I wonder if those with negative experiences with single stage were machines in a poor state of tune. A properly working single stage can throw plenty of snow...including the wet, heavy stuff. My previous unit was the highly praised Toro CCR. No, after twenty years of zero maintenance it was not throwing snow like it did when new.
It's worth mentioning single stage are essentially self propelled. You lift slightly on the handle and the rubber paddles grab the driveway and pull the unit forward.
It's worth mentioning single stage are essentially self propelled. You lift slightly on the handle and the rubber paddles grab the driveway and pull the unit forward.
PelicanPines
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I just ordered an MTD 2 stage with heated grips, etc etc. Got it from my local hardware store... still in the crate... a leftover from last year that never sold. Power steering, control to tilt and rotate the chute. Electric start too.
Can't shovel this year as a few know... open heart surgery 6 weeks ago...
It probably won't snow for three years.
Can't shovel this year as a few know... open heart surgery 6 weeks ago...
It probably won't snow for three years.
Single stages are toys. Around here it's either a good two stage or they have a plow guy.
My dad has an 8/22 (HP/width in inches) John Deere that is older than me (I'm 28) and we have another similar sized machine that we inherited after my mom's cousin passed. If it's too much for the tractor (heavy and 18"+) we can do about almost all of it in single pass throwing it once over a driveway 20'+ All of the snow removal equipment has paid for itself 10 times. There's no way a single stage powers through the end of the driveway once the town goes by.
I'm all aboard the buy once cry once train.
My dad has an 8/22 (HP/width in inches) John Deere that is older than me (I'm 28) and we have another similar sized machine that we inherited after my mom's cousin passed. If it's too much for the tractor (heavy and 18"+) we can do about almost all of it in single pass throwing it once over a driveway 20'+ All of the snow removal equipment has paid for itself 10 times. There's no way a single stage powers through the end of the driveway once the town goes by.
I'm all aboard the buy once cry once train.
garrett1812
Well-known member
I really wanted the Honda (but budget only allowed Troy Bilt) so I watched it at Home Depot. If I recall it went on sale twice last season, but the better buy would be to get it during Menards 11% rebate (Home Depot matches). Also you can buy gift cards for Home Depot usually 10% off or more. Combine them and it's a good way to go.
MagicMarker
Well-known member
I have a single stage Simplicity... works great every year and clears heavy, wet but is limited in height. The max I've ever done around 8" or so. I'm told that they are built in the same factory as Snapper. I just throw in stabilizer every summer and she still fires up after two pulls from being in storage for months.
https://www.simplicitymfg.com/na/en_us/product-catalog/snow-blowers/singlestage-snow-blowers.html
https://www.simplicitymfg.com/na/en_us/product-catalog/snow-blowers/singlestage-snow-blowers.html
bry@n
Well-known member
I'm thinking of getting a new two stage but going commercial as far as the snow blower goes. My driveway is 30 feet wide and 160 feel long. I usually plow it but I sold off everything.
I'm left to decide if I should buy a beater to just plow the driveway or get a better snow blower. Of course, what I'm looking at will be overkill but I'd prefer to be out in the snow for less time.
I'm left to decide if I should buy a beater to just plow the driveway or get a better snow blower. Of course, what I'm looking at will be overkill but I'd prefer to be out in the snow for less time.
Farmall450
Well-known member
We sell a lot of Cub Cadet 2 & 3 stage, however we don't even stock the Cub single stage. I'd steer clear; the briggs ones/hondas we do have a touted to be good but for not much more you can get a decent, self propelled 2 stage.
Streetbu
Well-known member
Single stage blowers are great for their intended purpose. Where I live, central NY, we frequently get heavy, wet lake effect snow which the single stage blowers cannot handle. When I say frequently, I mean often times every single day for weeks. You NEED a two stage for heavy wet snow in any amount over 4" or so. I don't know what kind of snow you get, you're the best one that knows that information.
j-guenth
Well-known member
Honda single stage!!!!
OP
BleedingBlue
Well-known member
What is the most you would pay for these used ones?
https://indianapolis.craigslist.org/for/5814328907.html
https://indianapolis.craigslist.org/grd/5818964330.html
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
https://indianapolis.craigslist.org/for/5814328907.html
https://indianapolis.craigslist.org/grd/5818964330.html
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Bluedodge
Well-known member
Indianapolis only averages 25.9" of snow ANNUALLY. January is the big month with 8.6" over 7 days. Why even bother with a snowblower?
Source: https://www.currentresults.com/Weat...nowfall-totals-snow-accumulation-averages.php
Source: https://www.currentresults.com/Weat...nowfall-totals-snow-accumulation-averages.php
OP
BleedingBlue
Well-known member
Because shoveling ***** and snow blowers are fun!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
skidozer670
Well-known member
I live in the Snowbelt south of Buffalo those single stage blowers are cute. I have a Honda HS35 shes old I love it, I use it to blow off my decks and sidewalk. Sometimes it works well to get to the bare blacktop when we have a lite snow but its usless with more than 8"
My first machine was a single stage over thirty years ago .... Never again. After that adventure I've acquired five two stage over the years & they all still run fine ..... while the single is long since shook apart & dead.
garrett1812
Well-known member
Maybe this is a good optio for you. Lowers is giving away the power base free with an accessory purchase. Since it's two pieces mane it will store better for you (and maybe not). $400 for a 2 stage is awful hard to beat.
I wish this was going on before. I bought a new lawn mower, pressure washer, and snow blower in the past year.
https://m.lowes.com/pd/Troy-Bilt-FLEX-Snow-Blower-Base-Attachment-Clearing-Width-26-in/50372824
I wish this was going on before. I bought a new lawn mower, pressure washer, and snow blower in the past year.
https://m.lowes.com/pd/Troy-Bilt-FLEX-Snow-Blower-Base-Attachment-Clearing-Width-26-in/50372824
LS6 Tommy
Well-known member
IMO that is not such a great design. Not the fact that it's modular, the snow blower attachment itself is iffy. Completely manual chute adjustments mean a sore back very quickly from leaning over to adjust the direction. As I see with a lot of the "big box store" machines, the auger gearbox is aluminum (or pot metal) instead of steel or cast iron, the auger blades themselves are stamped from light gauge steel and are not well braced or supported. Augers with a small diameter can be overwhelmed by deeper snow unless you reduce the drive wheel speed to let it "digest". It also means lots of lifting the front of the blower up to skim the top of drifts and then having to go back to make a second pass to clean up the leftover snow. The impeller is also stamped out of light gauge steel and only has 3 blades instead of four, which means each blade has to move more snow than an impeller with more blades, so it an be easily fed too much snow unless you run at a slower ground speed. It's much less substantial than impellers on better machines, too.
I see no grease fittings anywhere, either. Plan on a lot of wear items...
Tommy
Last edited:
I have a honda single stage (last gen), which works great on the heavy stuff up to 8" or so. It will still toss the snow 10 feet or more which is usually fine for small driveways. With powdery snow, it will launch it 30 feet or more and can work its way through a foot or more of snow. I've even chewed through 18" drifts. But as the depth of snow increases, the time spent increases as well. I will usually go out multiple times during a big snow and clear 6" at a time. 6-8" is its sweet spot where it can hog through the snow quickly. The house I originally bought this for had a driveway that could accommodate 4-6 cars with a front facing garage. I never wanted a larger blower.
I've added a large 2 stage ariens at the new house because I'm tired of going out mid storm during a nor'easter to keep up with the single stage. And after the big storms I want to be done in under an hour. This driveway (large enough to hold 8+ cars) also has a side entrance garage where I need to move the snow 20-30 ft in some sections. The single stage just can't throw it that far if it's wet. Last year I saw an 18" storm. I would have been out there 3 times, an hour each with the single stage. It was nice to sleep in, wait until the sun was shining, and in an hour finish the job. The plows also left 2ft high and 5 ft wide walls at the end of the driveway. The single stage wouldn't have touched that! Even the 2 stage machines in the neighborhood were having trouble.
That said, 90% of the time we get less than 8" and I use the single stage Honda. It's so easy to spin around and I can actually manage a faster ground speed than the big boy (which makes up for the smaller clearing width). Unless you have a disability, skip the electric start...a child could pull start the hondas. I would highly recommend the Honda single stage machines even at the same price as a 2 stage. But as you can see from my post, there are good reasons to opt for a 2 stage as well.
One more point, my driveway is flat which is ideal for a single stage. On a hill, I typically only run the single stage uphill or sideways. It's too hard to control going down the grade. This increases my time spent by 50% (I use the single stage on my neighbor's driveway which has a grade). If my primary use involved clearing on a grade, I would just get the 2 stage.
I've added a large 2 stage ariens at the new house because I'm tired of going out mid storm during a nor'easter to keep up with the single stage. And after the big storms I want to be done in under an hour. This driveway (large enough to hold 8+ cars) also has a side entrance garage where I need to move the snow 20-30 ft in some sections. The single stage just can't throw it that far if it's wet. Last year I saw an 18" storm. I would have been out there 3 times, an hour each with the single stage. It was nice to sleep in, wait until the sun was shining, and in an hour finish the job. The plows also left 2ft high and 5 ft wide walls at the end of the driveway. The single stage wouldn't have touched that! Even the 2 stage machines in the neighborhood were having trouble.
That said, 90% of the time we get less than 8" and I use the single stage Honda. It's so easy to spin around and I can actually manage a faster ground speed than the big boy (which makes up for the smaller clearing width). Unless you have a disability, skip the electric start...a child could pull start the hondas. I would highly recommend the Honda single stage machines even at the same price as a 2 stage. But as you can see from my post, there are good reasons to opt for a 2 stage as well.
One more point, my driveway is flat which is ideal for a single stage. On a hill, I typically only run the single stage uphill or sideways. It's too hard to control going down the grade. This increases my time spent by 50% (I use the single stage on my neighbor's driveway which has a grade). If my primary use involved clearing on a grade, I would just get the 2 stage.
bwringer
Well-known member
Yep, that's what I was trying to say earlier.
It really doesn't snow that much here on average and the OP has a small driveway and garage. You really don't need a two-stage machine around here and it's not worth the added garage space, expense, and complexity.
Yes, a single-stage machine will easily handle the piles the snow plows leave and the one or two snowfalls over six inches we might get. There are no bodies of water nearby, and like any urban area, there's a significant warming effect near and around the city.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urban_heat_island
OP
BleedingBlue
Well-known member
I'm going to look at a used Honda single stage this afternoon. Hopefully I can get it for around $100. I love new toys, but $100 seems like a good price
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
Does anyone have a Toro Snowmaster ? They came out last year and are sort of a cross between a traditional single stage and a 2 stage.
LS6 Tommy
Well-known member
They ARE single stage...
OP
BleedingBlue
Well-known member
I looked at that one and decided against it bc it is the size and almost at the price point of a 2 stage, but is a single.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
LS6 Tommy
Well-known member
Tommy
rlitman
Well-known member
A big one at that. There are some advantages to single stage. The auger for example with it's rubber edge is designed to touch the pavement. If you're only dealing with smooth surfaces and relatively light snowfalls, and want every last millimeter of snow thrown, that can be a plus.
LS6 Tommy
Well-known member
I've been kicking around the idea of trying to put a single stage style rubber edge on a two stage auger and lowering the skids...
Tommy
CarBikeGuy70
Well-known member
There is nothing like the performance of a two stage snowblower. I have an 8 HP 24" Toro machine that I purchased several years ago from a power equipment dealer. This machine is unstoppable for all practical purposes. It will clear 8" of wet snow in a heartbeat. We had a huge storm several years ago- city contractor plow disappeared never to be seen again. Drifted snow was 12- 30" deep in street. My wife has a video of me clearing street after 2 days of no plowing by city. Took a while for first pass then all I had to do was guide machine. No single stage would have done such a job so easily. Buy a two stage and never look back- they are designed to do the job. You will not be disappointed with a good quality machine- stay away from the big box stores, they DO NOT sell the same machine as the power equipment dealers.
rlitman
Well-known member
I've been kicking around the idea of trying to put a single stage style rubber edge on a two stage auger and lowering the skids...
Tommy
My guess is it would work as well as that Toro, though a 2-stage auger is much slower. The issue is that you'd catch every little crack in the pavement, and throw all sorts of stones. I've had enough trouble with my 2-stage going over a narrow brick path with the bkade catching a brick (the skids only hold the blade up when they're on the bricks, but if I wander a little...).
Now if you have an airport runway quality surface to work with, then this might work for you.
For me, I added pieces of tire sidewall to my 2-stage impeller. Man does that make a difference!
Firebrick43
Well-known member
I have two blowers, a gravely snow cannon at my house and a Honda single stage at my moms. The gravely is unstoppable and throws snow 60'. But it's slow. My drive is gravel so single stage is out and I live at the edge of the plain so wind blown drifts can get 3' or more
At my mothers in Lafayette IN I have the Honda. It's loads faster and handles heavy or light snow up to 8". No drifts to worry about in the subdivision, a few years ago we had 4" of sleet in a few hours. On my way home from work a midnight I blew it and it handled just fine. I stayed there till daylight to drive 45 min to my country home. In early morning it had snowed a few inches so I blew that and noticed my moms neighbors struggling with the sleet. I felt sorry so I was going to help them. Well the sleet had frozen together and killed the blower dead. So no go. When I got home I put the gravely to work and it did it but even it struggled as I was basically blowing ice. The front auger on the gravely is extremely agressive( aka "dog eater" moniker). The Honda can be difficult to blow snow at the end of the drive that had been plowed into it but I would have one at my house if I had a paved drive as its so much faster and cleans down to pavement. It's better for 95% of the snows here
At my mothers in Lafayette IN I have the Honda. It's loads faster and handles heavy or light snow up to 8". No drifts to worry about in the subdivision, a few years ago we had 4" of sleet in a few hours. On my way home from work a midnight I blew it and it handled just fine. I stayed there till daylight to drive 45 min to my country home. In early morning it had snowed a few inches so I blew that and noticed my moms neighbors struggling with the sleet. I felt sorry so I was going to help them. Well the sleet had frozen together and killed the blower dead. So no go. When I got home I put the gravely to work and it did it but even it struggled as I was basically blowing ice. The front auger on the gravely is extremely agressive( aka "dog eater" moniker). The Honda can be difficult to blow snow at the end of the drive that had been plowed into it but I would have one at my house if I had a paved drive as its so much faster and cleans down to pavement. It's better for 95% of the snows here
this one at lowe's is a best buy & is 15% off:
https://www.lowes.com/pl/15-off-troy-bilt-snow-throwers/4294633085
i bought it a few years ago & it cleared ~10' of the wettest/heaviest snow i've ever seen. like you, i have a relatively small driveway & didn't need a monster snowblower.
i jacked up my shoulder clearing a similar heavy snow & bought this snowblower afterwards. it's still a bit of a workout to move it around, but so much easier/faster to clear the driveway.
good luck!
https://www.lowes.com/pl/15-off-troy-bilt-snow-throwers/4294633085
i bought it a few years ago & it cleared ~10' of the wettest/heaviest snow i've ever seen. like you, i have a relatively small driveway & didn't need a monster snowblower.
i jacked up my shoulder clearing a similar heavy snow & bought this snowblower afterwards. it's still a bit of a workout to move it around, but so much easier/faster to clear the driveway.
good luck!
OP
BleedingBlue
Well-known member
Picked up a used single stage Honda HS520 for $120 today. It has some rust but it has brand new rubber on the auger.
Already changed the spark plug and oil. Also started tearing it down so I can paint the places with rust.
Figure for about $140 I will have a pretty solid single stage. Worst case I Hate it and throw it back on Craigslist for $100 and get a 2 stage.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Already changed the spark plug and oil. Also started tearing it down so I can paint the places with rust.
Figure for about $140 I will have a pretty solid single stage. Worst case I Hate it and throw it back on Craigslist for $100 and get a 2 stage.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Attachments
kngelv
Well-known member
That is a great price. I have the same one. Word of advice - cut about half the length off the chute handle and then weld in a piece to make it shorter. This way you will have no aiming issues when alongside a house or fence.
James
James
OP
BleedingBlue
Well-known member
I don't own a welder or know how, but luckily I shouldn't run into any issues with the way my driveway and sidewalk are setup. Thanks though!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk