Snow Blower

**only4cy** · 11-18-2007, 11:04 AM

I think you know who I'm referring to ....

**only4cy** · 11-18-2007, 11:11 AM

But the brand TB prefers will probably take longer, since it runs slower.

**herbicide** · 11-18-2007, 11:20 AM

Originally Posted by cmoneyr

Personally I wouldn't consider a 2-cycle, 4-cycle is so much easier and less hassle without having to mis oil and gas. I personally just bought a Troybilt from Lowes, I have a large driveway so I went with the 2-stage, and it wasn't must more than a 1-stage honestly. Mine is very similar to Dmclone's, 5.5hp, 24" path, electric start, no opinion on how it works since I just bought it, but everything I've read about it is good.

I like 2-cycles better for the fact that you don't have any messy oil changes. I don't think its a big deal to put a can of oil into your gas tank before filling it up at the station. Anyway, to each their own.

I have used both, I bought a 2-stage from a coworker last year. Here are my observations:

-The lighter single stages are much easier to maneuver, and in lighter snows work faster than the heavier 2 stage ones.

-The 2 stage is absolutely great for the end of the driveway after the snow plow goes by. Single stages will get it done, but there is a lot more effort and time required.

The best brands (last the longest) to look at are Toro, Ariens, Simplicity, and Honda.

**dmclone** · 11-18-2007, 11:21 AM

Originally Posted by ce1

I'll disagree with the two-stage opinion. Unless you're a professional, or have a really, really, large area that requires snow to be blown a long distance, a two-stage blower is probably a waste of money (although it will work fantastically).

Single stage systems will work fine up to 12" of snow. If it snows more than that, you'll want to blow more than once anyway.

I completely disagree with this. My neighbor has a single stage and it takes him as least three times as long and it looks like he's going to kill himself. With the dual stage I can do it before work in about 10-15 minutes and it's easier than mowing the lawn.

**dmclone** · 11-18-2007, 11:23 AM

I have a Toro lawnmower that is nice but with snowblowers keep in mind that most either use the Briggs or Tecumseh engine so it's not always about buying the brand name.

**herbicide** · 11-18-2007, 11:29 AM

Originally Posted by dmclone

I have a Toro lawnmower that is nice but with snowblowers keep in mind that most either use the Briggs or Tecumseh engine so it's not always about buying the brand name.

Its not always about the engine, there is factors about the auger, transmission, etc.

Personally I do not like Tecumseh engines, I had to replace the carburetor on mine (4-5 years old with maybe 10 hours of use) If I were buying a new one I'd look heavily into ones with Briggs. Honda's are mightily pricey.

**Cyclones_R_GR8** · 11-18-2007, 11:45 AM

I have a 9 year old MTD and have never had a problem. 8.5 hp 2 stage. You feel kind of dumb pulling it out when there is only 2-3 inches but when the big snows come with the 2-3 foot drifts, it cuts through where single stages can't do it.
I live on a corner lot and can do the side walks in a less than 10 minutes on 6 inches and below. It takes forever with a shovel.

**wiscocyclone** · 11-18-2007, 12:53 PM

I would go with an Ariens. They are reliable and priced fairly.

**Cypwr** · 11-18-2007, 01:44 PM

I use to work for a snow removal company, we did some sidewalks with snowblowers. The company had 3 or 4 different brand blowers, and everybody would fight over who gets to use the Toro's. We had both single stage and 2 stage models and both worked well. Avoid John Deere we had nothing but problems and they were very hard to start.

**jumbopackage** · 11-18-2007, 01:52 PM

Honda and Toro are pretty much it IMO. Ariens also makes decent stuff. My brother-in-law works for Toro and got me a great deal last year on a 1028 (I think is what I have). I'm absolutely in love with it. I blew my driveway, and both of my neighbor's in no time. The guy across the street has an older John Deere, and my Toro was throwing snow literally twice as far. I even got a thumbs up from the city road crew who were driving by when I was blowing. That made my pants fit a bit snugger.

Single stages are nice for some things (sidewalks, walkways etc), but a decent snowfall with a bit of drifting will do them in. Also, if you live in the city, the stuff at the end of the driveway the snowplow turns over is REALLY hard to blow with a single stage, and that stuff weighs a TON. My toro blows right through it like butter.

Toros aren't cheap, that's for sure, but they do hold their value REALLY well, and will last you a lifetime.