Gonna Buy a Snowblower

[Milkman]

Yes, I know that it is late June and the temp here will likely be in the upper 80's today, but I was going to start snowblower shopping today. Last winter took all of the fight out of me. Alas, I am getting too old to shovel.

I would like some suggestions as to which single stage snowblowers are better. (Toro, Honda, ???)

Thanks in advance.

 

[Mike_dup1]

Honda

 

[Quattro Pete]

I bought my single stage Honda HS520A last September and it did very well this past winter. You definitely don't want to wait until December to buy it because by then, they are usually sold out.

 

[VNTS]

Spend the coin get a two stage.

I would get an Areins or Simplicity, dont spare the HP either.

 

[eljefino]

What do you want from the single stage? Light weight? Low price? Maneuverability? +1 on the two stage. Something like a toro 724 (7 hp 24 in wide) is a good lighter weight entry level 2 stage. You have a summers' worth of yard sales of people moving to florida where you might get lucky; a used toro should have a tecumseh not a chonda, though the tec carbs are finicky.

Most of those single stages you have to reverse/forward bunches of times at the plow berm at the end of the drive. Break through then attack a couple inches wider each time.

 

[bepperb]

I'd poke around craigslist for a Toro or a Honda. I have an MTD single stage that is a piece of junk, but it's wildly better than shoveling and I got it for 100 bucks one year old. Two stage would be nice on the heavy days, but take up a third of your garage all year and cost significantly more, plus more things to go wrong. Biggest problem is people compare the best single stage (Honda/Toro) with piece of junk dead in two years two stages... they cost about the same... you'll be happier with a good brand.

 

[Jim_Beverlin]

I too would go for a 2 stage. Ariens, Toro, Husqavaran are good names. Poulan I would not recommend (own one and not pleased with it). Honda is probably ok but I had a big warranty issue with Honda years back on a pump and that soured me on the brand for life. If you are using the machine on gravel you may want to consider one on treads (I have a 22 year old Craftsman that has provided good service). Look for a locking nose (prevents the front from riding up on snowbanks).

 

[Trav]

Sadly the Craftsman and Husky large units appear to be made by the same company MTD.No where near the quality they were years ago.
I bought an Ariens 13 HP OHV 4 yrs ago and couldn't be happier with it,cast iron gear box,all steel including the chute with the slickest 2 lever short throw chute controls ever,heated grips and a good light.

 

[Jim_Beverlin]

Unfortunately that is the case in many instances. The old Craftsman I have was made in Canada and is very well made and designed. And, I can still buy repair parts from Sears to this day. The Poulan is junk and was a mistake to buy. Ariens are excellent units and I regret "buying on price" which is how I ended up with the Poulan.

 

[VNTS]

I have a 1994 Craftsman and has scene some serious use up here in Maine. Have had to put a few belts and a carb on it a couple years ago but it has been dependable. It is 32 inch wit h10 HP Tecumseh Snow king.

If I get a new one, I would pony up for the Ariens. It seems though snow blowers have become very expensive.

 

[JTK]

Milkman, you left out a key piece of information; How much do you want to spend? If money is no object, a Simplicity large frame would be my #1 pic, #2 would be Honda, #3 a dealer Toro, #4 Ariens. #5 would be any MTD and AYP. My new budget it typically MTD.

If you've never shopped for one before, #1 and 2 are pushing $2K, 3,4 about a grand, the rest ~$500. Regardless, you're not going to have the easiest time buying a dealer snowblower this time of year. Any popular models will have long been sold out and they're not going to haggle much on what left.

Joel

 

[Best F100]

Here is my BEST recommendation (if you don't mind buying used):

There is only one 2 stage, 2 cycle snowblower, that I am aware of. Look around for either a used Toro Powermax 6000 or Toro 826LE. No vices here - only virtues. You get the snowthrowing ability of a 2 stage, combined with the light weight of a 2 cycle engine. They both have R Tek, 2 cycle engines. No oil change maintenance to be concerned about, regarding the previous owner.

Toro stopped making them a couple of years ago. Since snowblowers usually don't get a lot of hours on them, you can find one in good condition on eBay or craigslist.

 

[JTK]

Now THAT is pretty cool! I never knew a 2-stroke, 2-stage conventional type snowblower ever existed!! I *assume* they're out of production?

Joel

 

[Johnny]

How large of an area do you need to clear? To me that determines if you need a single or a two stage blower. I've owned both and without a doubt the best blower that I have ever owned and currently own is my Honda single stage.

I get as much or more snow where I live than you do, and I clear around 60 feet of side walk and a double wide driveway that is 58 feet long from garage to the street. I've cleared everything from 18" of fine powered snow to 14" of wet heavy snow without any problems at all.

If you have a larger area than this to clear or you get Upper Michigan snow falls, then I would recommend a 2-stage blower in either a Toro or Ariens.

 

[Johnny]

Originally Posted By: JTK
Now THAT is pretty cool! I never knew a 2-stroke, 2-stage conventional type snowblower ever existed!! I *assume* they're out of production?

Joel


I think they are out of production now. I had one for two years and hated it.

 

[MNgopher]

Yep, need some details here. Single stages work great in the right applications. In my case based on size of job and distance to throw, I decided a two stage was my choice.

I have a couple year old Toro 826 something (Dont remember the letters - XLE?) and love it. Solidly built and throws snow a mile. Not event the wettest deepest snow has stopped it yet. The neighbors refer to it as the "snow beast". The R-Tek version went out of production a few years ago.

On Two stages, I'd suggest looking at either an Airens or Toro. Don't bother with the cheapies - you will regret it quickly.

 

[CSM746]

I purchased a John Deere 827 dual stage in early 2010. Equipped it with chains and it is a snow throwing beast. It is equipped with a Briggs engine which I have seen maligned on this site, but seems to run fine. I am now using Delo 400 synthetic 0W30 HDEO in both it and the John Deere lawn tractor with a blade. This oil states it is recommended for use in artic applications, but everyting starts fast with no consumption.

 

[Bror Jace]

Yes Milkman, please give the intended use ... the size of your driveway, parking lot(s) and sidewalks you want to clear. It's critical to picking the right machine.

"I am now using Delo 400 synthetic 0W30 HDEO in both it and the John Deere lawn tractor with a blade. This oil states it is recommended for use in arctic applications, but everything starts fast with no consumption."

OMG, I've always wanted to try this oil but could never find it. Sounds ideal for a snowblower started in frigid conditions.

 

[CSM746]

Bror Jace-I ended up getting on Chevron's site and looking for distributors here in Michigan...the second one I emailed looking for 0W30 offered to order a case for me. It ended up that one of the sales reps lived six miles from me and brought it home. But the business was 100 miles away. It was just under $100 for a case of 12 with tax so they did not give it away. But, my initial impressions are that comparing the specs to the performance I have seen, this is good stuff. The distibutor I got it from was Michigan Petroleum Technologies in Port Huron.

 

[Milkman]

Thanks for all the replies,

My driveway is about 80 feet long, single lane, with a 40 x 40 turnaround at the bottom. I really feel that a single stage would be the way to go as Mrs Milkman might want to do some snow removal in her spare time.

Is there a difference between Toro's bought from a "big box" as opposed to a "dealer" ?