Advice About Snowblowers

[Glacialtill]

Okay. After last winter we've finally had it with the snow shovels. We're in Western Mass with a small town lot and a hundred foot driveway. Some seasons the big storms pass to the North or the South. Sometimes we get hit every time. Last winter for example.

So, time to get a snowblower and I'm asking here for advice. I've asked everyone I know who has one and done computer research. Checked out the hardware stores and Home Depot etc. Recommendations include get a two-stage with at least a 250cc engine. Online reviews say Craftsman and Ariens (Home Depot) are not built as well as they used to be. People have said a solid used snowblower may be better than a new one. The leaves are starting to fall and I know I need to get my act in gear soon.

I'd appreciate any advice/recommendations. Models that are good, models to avoid. Maintenance suggestions/etc. Last thing I want is to sink a decent bunch of cash into a machine that fails to start just when we get buried in a Nor'easter.

Thanks,
Paul--Northampton, MA

[Cabin Fever]

Most of the two-stage snowblowers I've seen have pretty much the same construction.I wouldn't be surprised if they were all made by the same company (MTD?).

My suggestion would be a 8 to 10 hp, two-stage model using an engine made for winter use. Electic start and heated hand grips are nice. Get tire chains to fit the snowblower too.

The only maintenance I do on my snowblowers is:
change the oil and lubricate at the end of the season
run the engine dry and fog the engine at the end of the season
use premium, non-oxygenated gasoline that has been treated with Stabil

[foxtrapper]

In your location, 2 stage is the only way to go. A single stage is good for a few inches of fluffy stuff, but not much more.

Agree with cabinfever, they are all pretty much the same. Differences are minor.

I've yet to feel I had too much power with any of them. More power and wider augers simply get the job done faster.

110 volt plug in electric start sure is nice. It'll spoil you rotten. I love it.

I don't like chains on a snowblower myself. I find the tires do just fine. Chains are great on ice, but I don't go snow blowing on ice very often. Perhaps if I was clearing a frozen lake for skating I'd feel differently.

Any of them will stand up to a single owner using it on their own driveway. You're not a commercial operator, you're not going to wear it out, not even a cheaply built one.

At the end of the season, drain the gas from the tank and run the carburetor dry. It'll then start up quite readily the next winter.

[geo in mi]

Regardless of make, you'll probably get a B&S engine, or a Honda--either of which will do fine with proper maintenance. Some kind of electric start would be on my list--and a windscreen. Heated handles???? Mine( Simplicity 8hp, Tecumpseh engine) is 27 years old and still going strong. Has an electric start, but I was too tight to get a windscreen, and heated handles must have replaced leather fur-lined gloves, huh?

It's easier to do your maintenance in the late Summer than in the frozen driveway under the floodlights.......................

geo

[arabian knight]

Mine is a Yard Machine by MTD, with a Tecumseh engine. Works great it is a 2 stage 10 HP. That is nice. Electric start so no pulling a rope to start.
The electric start is by 120v plug in cord.. Works Great. Had it now for over 12 years with the only maintenance on it was to replace belts. But a 2 Stage is the ONLY way to go.
Now all engines are rated in CC's so get a conversion chart to do a CC to hp rating on them. IMO you don't want Anything less then a 8 hp one.

Single stage work fine for normal snow. They get the cement somewhat cleaner than a two stage. Two cycle engines have more torque and are lighter than four cycle.

For heavy, wet, snow (the kind that gives hand shovelers heart attacks) you need a two stage. Also necessary for the ridge the snow plow throws up.

Electric start is great. As I get older I appreciate it more and more.

I have not researched snowblowers bur it seems many quality, USA made, brands have gone under or sold out to MTD. MTD makes many brands that are the same machines with different names and colors. I think Toro still makes their own but they are priced high.

The best bet is a used Ariens, Simplicity, or other American built before thay went under. I bought a late 1960s Simplicity two stage with electric start. It's built like a tank and does a great job.

You do have to expect that parts will be expensive. The electric start went out on mine. I took off the starter assembly comprised of the starter motor, the wire, and the recepticle and starter switch box. The switch tested good. The starter motor brushes were good. The starter motor windings were good. This left the bridge rectifier as the bad part. I called a Simplicity dealer who stated that they could not get just a rectifier and the whole assembly cost $200. I called an electrical component supplier who said that rectifier was no longer made but they had a direct replacement. For $15 I put in the new rectifier and it works perfectly.

[SparkyMaine]

One consideration about single stage vs. 2 stage - what type of driveway surface do you have? 2 stage can certainly throw more snow than a single stage of the same power. BUT... if you have lots of large gravel / rocks, a 2 stage is more prone to breaking shear pins, whereas a single stage will generally not have an issue.

I've got a single stage on my lawn tractor. Only a 14hp lawn tractor with a single stage, belt-driven, 38" blower, and that thing can handle some substantial snow. Lots of wet, heavy snow can be a PITA, but I can do a foot of 'normal' snow on my 125' drive and 800' road in just over an hour.

[willowworker]

Originally Posted by Cabin Fever

Most of the two-stage snowblowers I've seen have pretty much the same construction.I wouldn't be surprised if they were all made by the same company (MTD?).

My suggestion would be a 8 to 10 hp, two-stage model using an engine made for winter use. Electic start and heated hand grips are nice. Get tire chains to fit the snowblower too.

The only maintenance I do on my snowblowers is:
change the oil and lubricate at the end of the season
run the engine dry and fog the engine at the end of the season
use premium, non-oxygenated gasoline that has been treated with Stabil

Agree with above, although the only 2 snowblowers I have owned since 1977 are Ariens. 1st one was a smaller one, electric start, chains....never needed repair as long as I kept it oiled and lubricated. Sold that one to friend...it is still running great for them. Bought myself a larger Ariens in 1997...still running great.....just keep it lubed and oiled. Electric start is the only way to go.

[Harry Chickpea]

Here ya go:

[bluetick]

Won't give you a brand recommendation because I can't remember what kind I had, but...

I bought mine used from a family owned and operated store that sold small tractors, riding and walk-behind lawn mowers, weed whackers, etc. They also had a service side to their business. They had a good reputation locally. I bought a used walk-behind commercial type lawnmower, used walk behind weed whacker, and used snowblower from them and couldn't have been happier. These items still weren't cheap, but they worked very well with no problems. You might want to check out a place like that first.

[ET1 SS]

In Ct we had a Toro [MTD] single-stage [the biggest Toro carried in 2001]. Moved to Maine in 2005 and saw that it could not handle it at all here.

Now I have a two-stage PTO-driven front-mounted snow blower for my tractor. Much better