SnowBlowers

[Bucky370]

I'm looking at new snowblowers and really don't know that much. When you go to a dealer that has 1 brand, they only talk that brand and can't give you an honest opinion of best bang for your buck. The power centers are too busy to sit and chat with yah. This is how I understand it so far.

 

Top Tier: Toro, Honda, Ariens, Simplicity

 

Middle Tier, Craftsman, Sno-tek, MTD

 

I'm not sure where Poulan or John Deere rate, but Poulan seems to be priced reasonable, that probably means middle tier.

 

I am already assuming I need a 2 stage, my driveway is 5 cars in length, 2 wide at the bottom and 3 at the top. I don't have a sidewalk to speak of. At the top I have to blow the snow west or north which is right into the wind usually and not to mention away from the house 30+ feet either direction at some spots. I wanted to stay under 1k, but it's looking like I will be over if I want the top names.

 

Any thoughts on the above?

[lodiness]

I've only used Toro,and have never had a problem with them. I only use single stage, and have a pretty big driveway and sidewalk, but would probably suggest going with a two stage. (My dad has a plow truck I can use if it gets really bad). The thing about spending the little bit extra on a top tier is that you'll probably be less likely to have problems with them, which will only cost you less money in the long run. Also, if you buy a middle tier and it breaks down in the middle of a snowstorm, how pissed will you be when you are shoveling? Just my opinion, hope it helps

[Nottso]

I have MTD snowblower and yard tractor. Both have served me well for many years. I would not hesitate to buy them again.

[Teatoe993]

I have an Ariens right now which believe is a mid-tier brand. It breaks down constantly and let me down again this morning. They're made in Wisconsin and I know a guy who worked for them. After some of the things he has told me I will never buy one again. This weekend I'll be out shopping for a top brand two-stage. From the research I've done, the best brands are Honda, John Deere & Simplicity. I'm fairly certain that Simplicity are built in Wisconsin so I'll probably be leaning towards them. Looks like you'll have to drop about a grand at least to get one of these top brands. But I am sick of throwing in a couple hundred into the Ariens every winter only to have it act up every third snowstorm.

I also would appreciate any advice in purchasing a new snow thrower.

[JimH5]

Years ago I bought and used an 8 HP Ariens, and it worked well.

 

Now I have a Troy-Bilt (10 HP?) that I bought at Lowe's in NJ. Also good. . .no complaints or unnecessary service calls on either.

 

I would definitely recommend a 2-stage snowthrower for the stuff that Wisconsin gives you.

[temke]

no comment on brands, but if you are looking for a place to buy, i highly recommend pethke service on howell ave (if you are in the area)

 

i took my blower in for service, they told me it would be done 12/9. knowing what was supposed to be coming, i was thrilled to get a call the afternoon of 12/8 that it was done. never mind that it sat in the garage all day since blowing slop is not easy.

 

good selection. friendly staff. more personal service than the hardware stores or bigger places. i didnt buy mine there, but i will buy my next one there for sure.

[fondybrewfan]

So if a decent snowblower costs about $500-600 now, how much will it cost next April and will it be worth it to suffer through another year with only a shovel? This is my question of the day

[JimH5]

The Troy-Bilt that I bought late in the winter of '05-'06 was originally just short of $900 and I got it for $650 in February.

 

New Jersey winters aren't as long as Wisconsin winters, so that February buy was pretty much at the end of the season for them, and they had a ton of them leftover on their lot. I mentioned earlier that I bought it at Lowe's.

 

If you wait until spring, and look at a Home Depot or Menards, or Lowe's, or any place that has a ton of them for sale, you should get some good deals.

[Teatoe993]

I kinda thought the same thing myself last year. When I went out shopping last spring, there wasn't anything in stock. Home Depot had a couple cheapies left but there was absolutely nothing else out there.

[MarquesJohnson2000]

Consumer Reports top ratings are for Troy-Bilt and Craftsman (and I think those are both manufactured by the same company); talked to Sears earlier this week and the model that CR rated has been discontinued. I'll be doing some shopping myself this weekend.

 

Bought my father a Toro last year and I think he's pretty happy with it.

[Patrick425]

I have had an MTD for over 10 years that has served me well. It struggles a bit with thick heavy stuff left at the end of the driveway by the plow, but it eventually gets through it.

[Bucky370]

Anybody own a Poulan? Any comments?

[TooLiveBrew]

So if a decent snowblower costs about $500-600 now, how much will it cost next April and will it be worth it to suffer through another year with only a shovel? This is my question of the day

 

I can't imagine that we'll see another snowfall like this recent one the rest of this winter, so you might do well to wait. But if you have back problems, it might make sense. For all that I strive to be eco-friendly, there is nothing better than a snowblower when the only other option is a shovel.

[colbyjack]

I bought a single-stage Toro before the snow hit last year. It has the little blue lever that makes it easy to switch the chute from one side to the other, which is a really nice feature, and I think it was around $600 (I think it was one of the cheaper ones in which you didn't have to mix the gas and oil together). My driveway is about 4 cars long by 2 across with a separate slab for another car, and before yesterday it has worked just fine. Yesterday's snow put it to the test however, as I had to break out the shovel for the end of the driveway thanks to the street plowing, but that was the first time I had to do that, which included last year's incredibly snowy December.

 

One nice thing about the single-stage is that they sweep the snow completely off of the pavement (and it helps propel the unit). IIRC, two-stage snowthrowers don't get the snow completely off of the surface. My single-stage also throws the snow farther than most, but of course not as far as a two stage. It hasn't been a problem for my driveway, but your driveway of course is a few cars longer and wider.

 

When I researched mine a year ago, everyone told me to get a Toro. Ariens was also suggested with the 2-stage units.

 

If money is an issue, many places such as Bill's Power Center on Capital Drive in Brookfield have used models you can buy, which may help keep you below $1,000 if you do go with a 2-stage. There's a smaller shop on Lisbon Road (Hwy K) just West of Calhoun and just East of Brookfield Rd. that sells both new and used and offer very good service.

[fondybrewfan]

What is the difference between a one stage and a two stage?

[DatHoser]

In a single stage thrower, the same auger picks up the snow and throws (or attempts to) the snow. A two stage uses a separate auger each for pickup and throwing.

[Invader3K]

I bought a single-stage Toro before the snow hit last year. It has the little blue lever that makes it easy to switch the chute from one side to the other, which is a really nice feature, and I think it was around $600 (I think it was one of the cheaper ones in which you didn't have to mix the gas and oil together).

 

I think I have a very similar Toro...mine was a bit more expensive, and you have to mix the oil and gas together. I really like mine though, even though it's just a single stage. That thing throws the snow pretty far, which is cool. It was able to cut through the thick snow yesterday, though I also had to break out the shovel at the end of the driveway. With most snowblowers you'd have to do that after the plows hit, around here, though.

[Chio151]

Don't focus too much on the brand name for the tires and metal. Look at the engine. I've got a Craftsman with a 250cc Briggs engine. I think I could use it on a pile of mud and rocks.

 

Seriously, I love the snow now. It's *fun* to use.

 

Two-stager, no shovel necessary.

 

http://www.sears.com/shc/...0153_12605_07188690000P?

[Houlie24x]

If money is an issue, many places such as Bill's Power Center on Capital Drive in Brookfield have used models you can buy, which may help keep you below $1,000 if you do go with a 2-stage. There's a smaller shop on Lisbon Road (Hwy K) just West of Calhoun and just East of Brookfield Rd. that sells both new and used and offer very good service.

Nelson Bros. Power Center is the place on Lisbon. It's on the corner of Lisbon and Marcy in Menomonee Falls. It's a good little place to go for a cheap snowblower or lawnmower ect. or repairs.

[honuswagner21]

I have a Honda single stage with 4 stroke engine. Bought it 2 years ago and the thing has bailed me out of so many tight spots. I was concerned getting the single stage because my neighborhood in Wauwatosa the houses are quite close together so I thought that I needed some power to shoot the snow to either end of my relatively long driveway and minimize what I had to dump next to my neighbor's house. But no problems. The Honda is great. I recommend the 4 stroke engine because I don't like the mixing of oil and gas. The Honda did an excellent job in the 18 inch storm we had last winter and also held up well in the slushy snow from this week.

[Teatoe993]

How much did you pay for your Honda? They look to be top notch but it looks like their cheapest 2-stage starts out over $2,000! I'd love to have one but I can't unload 2K for a snow thrower. The fiance already thinks I'm nuts looking at anything over a grand.

[mothershipconnection]

Anybody own a Poulan? Any comments?

 

I know zero about snowblowers, as I always lived in apartments when I was in WI (aside from 18 years with my parents, where I had to shovel). However, I've seen several Poulan chainsaws that their owners were unhappy with. The motors tended to fail or be ungodly hard to start.

 

Don't focus too much on the brand name for the tires and metal. Look at the engine.

 

I think this is generally excellent advice for equipment with small engines. I bought my lawnmower with a Honda motor at Wal-Mart and the thing is absolutely fantastic. Both Honda and Tecumseh small engines have always been incredibly reliable for me and my family. My grandpa got a lot of life out of his Tecumsehs, and I just bought my current mower 2 years ago on the advice of my honda small enging-loving dad after the Tecumseh motor in my thrice-handed-down mower literally never took more than 2 pulls to start, but the rest of the mower was falling apart due to my never having stored it in a shed.

[mattsr0625]

i got mine from home depot last year for 900 bucks and and its 13.5 hp 30in wide. i love it. i have not ran into any snow that it cant handle. home depot had a nice selection. plus they have no payments/interest for 6 months.

[honuswagner21]

How much did you pay for your Honda? They look to be top notch but it looks like their cheapest 2-stage starts out over $2,000! I'd love to have one but I can't unload 2K for a snow thrower. The fiance already thinks I'm nuts looking at anything over a grand.

$2k is a bit much for what you need to spend on a snowblower short of having an extensive driveway in the country somewhere. I believe mine was about $550 2 years ago. I could have ponied up another $50 to get the electric starter but I have no problem pulling the cord. Even still, the $550 was a little more than I wanted to spend but I wanted a highly rated machine and I haven't been disappointed. I haven't looked at the 2-stage models as my driveway is only one car wide so I can get through in 6 passes or so with the single stage

[bobbledude25]

I just bought a new John Deere snowblower with a Briggs engine for $450!