Worthy Snowblower

[closetoreality]

In the market for a snowblower. I have began looking at both new and used around my area.

What should I stay away from, and I guess what are some models of the totem pole that are a good value.

Thanks in advance.

 

[toolmiser]

I think you need to post a little more info, such as where you live, how much snow you get, how much driveway/sidewalk do you need to clear? If you are a younger person, go big, if you are old, I wouldn't go real big-even if it's self propelled and electric start a large one will wear you down, quick.

 

[m.breen]

If you can, stay away from the big box stores. If you buy from somewhere that can service it you will be better off. Finding parts for the big box store buys can sometimes be difficult. I'm thinking Toro.

 

[Kaizen]

Hands down ariens. I got my first one in 2001 from hd. No issues besides normal wear items. Was having carb issues last year and about to get a three foot storm. With my garage roofless and knowing they would sell out I got another one. 24inch. 900 I think. Sooo much lighter then my older one. I don't even know if the electric start works because it started on the second pull all winter. Has some turning thing where you start turning it and it assists. Only dislike on it is the turret turn handle is in front of the panel and I turn it a lot so would have rather had one behind where they used to be.

24 inch is perfect imo for driveways. 36 is ridiculous. Even long ones. One other thing. Saw a cheaper brand advertising no need for shear pins due to their hardened crankcase. Yet looked like had shear pins in it. Strange.


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[Kaizen]

Oh whatever you get go order/buy four or five sets of shear pins. After a few storms they typically sell out


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[Jazz1]

I've had a Sears 30" 11hp for 15 years and no issues other than maintenance. Changed belts and auger bushings last year. Stay away from any machine with plastic chutes. Ice busts them apart.

 

[closetoreality]

Sorry, should have included a little more to my post.

I live in the northeast, and I would say most storms are 12" and under with maybe one or two bigger storms into the teens for amounts that seem to always hit.

I live in N.H to be exact. Driveway is about 30 feet long and two cars wide (parked comfortably side by side with adequate space).

I was thinking a 2X 26" would be adequate?

Thanks.

 

[Spdfreak91]

Ariens 28 SHO, 306 cc and a 14.5? inch impeller propels snow across whatever i throw at it in western Ma.

 

[Strouty]

I have had lots of cheaper ones, I bought a Honda last year, will never go back. I live in Maine and get similar snow falls. The Ariens kept getting cheaper and cheaper quality wise, I don't feel like anything is going to break on the Honda, I broke two things the first year on a brand new top of the line ariens, fixed them both and they just broke again.

 

[CJM8515]

honda, ariens or toro pro imho. The bigger the better with such a large driveway. All bought at a dealer, not the home store.

 

[dwall174]

Hands down ariens.

Ariens 28 SHO, 306 cc and a 14.5? inch impeller propels snow across whatever i throw at it in western Ma.

I agree with getting a Ariens!

Got a 11-1/2hp 28" Two stage Ariens about 8 years ago & never had any problems with it.

Don't have any good pics of it, But here's a couple from last year after making room for it & my truck in the garage.

Doug

 

[thool]

I'd look for an MTD branded unit, from the mid 1970s to 80s. The parts are readily available, and the metal is usually thicker than that found in models from recent years. I have a 1977 Yard Man Snowbird 8hp 26" that is an amazing machine: the Tecumseh Sno King engine is a workhorse. If you're handy at all, these are good deals that can easily last another 40 years.

 

[LawnBoy-5247]

If you are looking for a single stage, Toro's are excellent. If you can find a older 2 stroke CCR model I would not hesitate to buy it.

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[upgrading]

I have had lots of cheaper ones, I bought a Honda last year, will never go back. I live in Maine and get similar snow falls. The Ariens kept getting cheaper and cheaper quality wise, I don't feel like anything is going to break on the Honda, I broke two things the first year on a brand new top of the line ariens, fixed them both and they just broke again.

I wish they kept manual chute control on the Honda.
I would be worried about that breaking.

 

[dsimatt]

Arians bought at a actual dealer, will cost more but worth it in the long run and around here I'd say 75% of what you see out there after a snow storm.

 

[Strouty]

I wish they kept manual chute control on the Honda.
I would be worried about that breaking.

I was concerned, but the salesman said the new controls have been in use on the $8000 commercial unit for a few years and they get great feedback. I was going to buy a used one, but the going price for used was about 20% less, except they were usually 10 years old. I must have spent a month chasing used ones, then I gave up and bought a new one. If you have never operated one that is hydrostatic versus the slipper wheel thingy, it is a bit of a shock, I will probably have a bit of a learning curve again this year.

 

[m32825]

I don't know anything about snow blowers (see location) but this was pretty funny...

https://www.craigslist.org/about/best/isp/5309538248.html?lang=en&cc=us

 

[Skin]

I wish they kept manual chute control on the Honda.
I would be worried about that breaking.

Its a Honda window motor so hopefully its sealed well. But I agree, the ones on other brands are garbage. The seals all seem to fail within a few years.

 

[jd_1138]

I have a Honda which has stood up well in Michigan winters. It's just a single stage although will get the job done. BTW, it's a 1990 model and other than (1) set of paddles, a spark plug or two and yearly oil changes, it's doing fine. We get typical 5-9" snowfalls w/ an occasional 10-12" in which I take 2/3 cuts to get the job done. Personally I'd rather have maneuverability than brute force. My neighbor has a large two stage, in a typical 7" snowfall, I'm done in 1/3 less time. That's for a double wide, 70' driveway.
Motoretro

I had a Toro single stage. It was OK. I paid all of $30 for it at the town auction for old equipment used by the town. 2 stroke. Never had a problem starting it.

Though I think a 2 stage is nicer especially the self-propelled.

Local ATV dealer (Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha, Suzuki) gives away a free plow blade with the purchase of a new ATV. I was thinking of buying a basic quad to do the task. I'd leave it backed into the garage and just drive it out to move snow.

 

[Showkey]

Ariens in the two stage sells

Classic $699
Compact. $899
Deluxe. $1099
Platinum. $1799
Professional. $2799
Track. $2099 to $3099


So saying Areins is the best they sell in every category at every price point .........obviously $699 and the $2700 are not the same machine but might be the same or similar size so buyer beware ?

Honda 7 hp hydro drive is unstoppable and gave my 30year old Honda HS50 to my son.
The Honda will NOT be cheap but it WILL BE QUIET.

 

[jd_1138]

Ariens sells

Classic $699
Compact. $899
Deluxe. $1099
Platinum. $1799
Professional. $2799
Track. $2099 to $3099


So saying Areins is the best they sell in every category at every price point .........obviously $699 and the $2700 are not the same machine but might be the same or similar size so buyer beware ?

Honda 7 hp hydro drive is unstoppable and gave my 30year old Honda HS50 to my son.

Wow, I had never seen one of those Hondas. They have tracks like a tank. That's cool as hell. And those Honda engines are easy to work on and last forever.

 

[Strouty]

I will be buying a tracked one for my shop, the terrain is not as nice as my house and I think it will help. Drive way at the house is short and lots of turns, so I felt the wheels would be easier to maneuver.

 

[L.Cheapo]

If you can, stay away from the big box stores. If you buy from somewhere that can service it you will be better off. Finding parts for the big box store buys can sometimes be difficult. I'm thinking Toro.

I'll agree with this. If you ever do have a problem, your local dealer will likely help you out when he has a 6 week wait because no one tried out their snow thrower before the flakes fell. Happens every year. I actually got a better price than the big box stores, they put it together, filled it with gas and oil, and delivered it to my house. Ariens, Toro, and Honda make good machines. I'd stay away from the lower ends of the spectrum if you have any serious amount of snow to remove. And in the bigger machines, power steering is a nice feature.

24 inch is perfect imo for driveways. 36 is ridiculous. Even long ones. One other thing. Saw a cheaper brand advertising no need for shear pins due to their hardened crankcase. Yet looked like had shear pins in it. Strange.


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Toro does not use shear pins in the augers of their Heavy Duty line. I bought one a couple years ago, and the gearbox is so huge compared to pretty much any other machine, its comical. They use hardened bolts instead of shear pins.

Toro is the Chevy pickup of the outdoor power equipment world. Parts are cheap and everywhere, and everyone knows how to work on them. The single joystick chute control is awesome. Ariens makes nice machines too, but parts are a little harder to come by, and not every OPE dealer sells them. Same for Honda.

Honda makes a nice machine, but you will pay dearly for it. IMO, dollar for dollar, the Toro heavy duty line was the best overall value.

Larger Ariens machines have a self steering feature that got some really bad reviews when used in tight spaces on slippery surfaces near expensive objects like cars.

You really can't go wrong with any of the three mentioned.

 

[valentine]

You have to decide whether you want a single or two,stage blower. Single stage wont handle snow as deep as a two stage machine but the single stage cleans right down to the bare pavement like you swept it with a broom. Two stage machines will throw deeper, heavier snow and throw it higher and farther but two stage machines are bigger, weigh more and are hard to pick up by yourself and throw in the back of your truck. Single stage machine is compact and light enough that you can throw it in the back of a hatchback. I have both single and two stage machines. Overall, I'd say I use the single stage the most. Its just easier for me to hump around and use. Every once in a while, I encounter snow so heavy and deep that only the two stage machine can get it done. If I had to pick only one snowthrower, it would be the largest single stage machine Toro makes. Cheers!

 

[Yankee]

Sorry, should have included a little more to my post.

I live in the northeast, and I would say most storms are 12" and under with maybe one or two bigger storms into the teens for amounts that seem to always hit.

I live in N.H to be exact. Driveway is about 30 feet long and two cars wide (parked comfortably side by side with adequate space).

I was thinking a 2X 26" would be adequate?

Thanks.

For me the important thing is Horsepower. You can’t go just by bucket width. I have an Ariens 24 inch but a strong 8hp motor purchased in 2001.

I’ve seen thier newest models in the big box sores and can tell they are cutting corners to keep a specific price point.

If something happens to my current snowblower, I’ll be looking hard at Honda....

 

[mray312]

From my experience, if you can afford it, get a Honda. You won't regret it. I live in western New York and have a 16 year old Honda 724 track drive. We get some serious lake effect snow storms - so it has been tested. It's always started on the first or second pull, has plenty of power and the 24" cut works for my driveway - 20'W x 45'L.

 

[dwall174]

Saw a cheaper brand advertising no need for shear pins due to their hardened crankcase.

I would not trust a bigger snow thrower with-out shear pins.
I accidentally picked up some plastic lawn edging with my Ariens & with-out shear pins, Something major would have broak.

Oh whatever you get go order/buy four or five sets of shear pins. After a few storms they typically sell out

Yeah & it always seems as if the pins break after the parts dealer is closed.

Doug

 

[Skiff Builder]

Simplicity.

I'm running a 1995 Simplicity, 8HP Tecumseh Snow King engine,2 stg 28".
Higher elevation NW N.J. = wet heavy snow up to 36".
Powers through any drift.
Not one repair needed in 22 years. I like the machine.
I removed the screen from the chute, spray with silicone after every use, no clogs.
Never use elec start as it starts in one pull from ice cold.
Runs fine on E-10 gas (Keeping it Simple Bill)
Couple of dealers in N.H.

Back in 95 I paid $950. Took it to a new home development in a 2+' snow the first year and paid for the machine in one long day.

I hope you end up buying a good machine- it's almost a guarantee you'll have a low snow Winter!

 

[Yankee]

Simplicity.

I'm running a 1995 Simplicity, 8HP Tecumseh Snow King engine,2 stg 28".
Higher elevation NW N.J. = wet heavy snow up to 36".
Powers through any drift.
Not one repair needed in 22 years. I like the machine.
I removed the screen from the chute, spray with silicone after every use, no clogs.
Never use elec start as it starts in one pull from ice cold.
Runs fine on E-10 gas (Keeping it Simple Bill)
Couple of dealers in N.H.

Back in 95 I paid $950. Took it to a new home development in a 2+' snow the first year and paid for the machine in one long day.

I hope you end up buying a good machine- it's almost a guarantee you'll have a low snow Winter!

Simplicity is a quality brand but Simplicity was sold a couple years ago to Briggs and Straton so you need to look close to see if the quality is the same.

 

[jonesg]

Paid $100 for used 1985 simplicity 860 24"
2 stage, built like a brick *********.
Installed an 8hp Honda clone engine.
Starts first pull every time.
Pimped it out with LED FLOODLIGHT.
I notice all the go cart racers are using
this same engine from harbor, they disable the
governor.

The original engine was Briggs so Honda copied that and the HF clone fits the same bolt holes, took one hr to swap out. Total cost $350 .
Way up in northern maine.

The older throwers are very heavy for sure.
If you go light gauge try chains

 

[jd_1138]

Simplicity is a quality brand but Simplicity was sold a couple years ago to Briggs and Straton so you need to look close to see if the quality is the same.

Well it's not listed as a model made by MTD, so that's a plus. I wonder how their dealer and parts network is.

There's a local Toro dealership 3 miles away that also carries Honda and Stihl with a complete parts counter and service. If I were in the market for a snowblower, I'd buy a Toro or Honda due to being close to that 40 year old power equipment dealer.

 

[jonesg]

A good resource for service manuals and help.
http://www.snowblowerforum.com/forum/ajax.php?do=mddSwitch&link=full#/

These guys know snowblower.

 

[jonesg]

Wondering what you guys who recommend dealer servicing of snowblower do in your garages.
Isn't the whole of buying tools to use them?
Snowblower are silly simple to wrench on.

 

[jonesg]

Www.partstree.com
For exploded views part numbers and parts.
Then search eBay with part number, that's one of the cheapest routes for hard to source parts when NLA.

 

[dwall174]

Simplicity.

Never owned one, But my brother has one that he has had for years. From what I've heard the quality is up there with Ariens & the bigger Hondas.

I hope you end up buying a good machine- it's almost a guarantee you'll have a low snow Winter!

I know that feeling! The first year with my Ariens I was hoping for a big snow-fall & it never happened that year. My neighbor said it was the best insurance policy he's seen in years.

Doug

 

[jd_1138]

Wondering what you guys who recommend dealer servicing of snowblower do in your garages.
Isn't the whole of buying tools to use them?
Snowblower are silly simple to wrench on.

I wrench on my own stuff. Good to have a local dealer for parts, though. And I prefer to initially buy stuff locally from local dealer.

 

[L.Cheapo]

Wondering what you guys who recommend dealer servicing of snowblower do in your garages.
Isn't the whole of buying tools to use them?
Snowblower are silly simple to wrench on.

Not everyone has the knowledge or physical ability.

Warranty work.

And parts have to come from somewhere.

 

[Joebklyn]

You want a 2 stage at least 8hp. I've had great luck with Kohler Snow King engines.

 

[Kaizen]

I would not trust a bigger snow thrower with-out shear pins.

I accidentally picked up some plastic lawn edging with my Ariens & with-out shear pins, Something major would have broak.



Yeah & it always seems as if the pins break after the parts dealer is closed.



Doug

Had a big storm and street side pile was 3ft deep. Ariens was chomping through the ice like a snow cone maker. Till I ran into a tricycle. Damn neighbors kid left it out and must have blew into the street. Ate a quarter of it before pins broke. Good safety mechanism even if they say not needed


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[closetoreality]

Thanks for the replies. My father is in the market as well so I’m going to play the old “what if I buy two” line at my local shop. Going to avoid box stores.