Snow Blower

**dukeebear** · 12-14-2010, 09:44 PM

Ok I was an idiot last year and sold my snow blower to a friend. Loved it, John Deere didn't use it much, so I decided to get rid of it. Well worst winter EVER plus I moved to a new house with much more shoveling area= pain in the ***.

Please let me know if you have any recommendations. Why?

I do know that I want a two stage and at least 26 inches.

**VTXCyRyD** · 12-14-2010, 09:46 PM

Never sell man toys unless you have a replacement!

**herbicide** · 12-14-2010, 09:50 PM

Depends on your budget, I can tell you though the more $ brands are a bit better than the cheaper ones, and they will outperform and outlast them; even in the same hp and size classes. I would highly recommend the ones with joystick or other quick and easy method of aiming the chute.

Anymore, the engines are all the same make, unless you go with a cheapie. I would recommend getting out and shopping around with different models to see what you like best. Personally I like the Snapper/Simplicity models. I think Toro's are considered the Cadillac, but I've never used one so I can't comment.

**CYdTracked** · 12-14-2010, 09:58 PM

I shopped around for deals and bought mine from Northern Tool in Des Moines many years ago. Not sure if they have the same deal I got but if you signed up for a store card you got interest free for 12 months plus 10% off your purchase

**Bobber** · 12-14-2010, 10:04 PM

Sears Craftsman Two Stage. Have had zero problems and works great.

**VTXCyRyD** · 12-14-2010, 10:07 PM

I've got a 6.5 horse 2 stage Husky. It would be considered an off brand. I've had it for 10 years and it works as good as the day I bought it. I think you could save some money and not buy the name brand stuff. More than likely its made by MTD anyway.

**NebrClone** · 12-14-2010, 10:16 PM

Originally Posted by dukeebear

Ok I was an idiot last year and sold my snow blower to a friend. Loved it, John Deere didn't use it much, so I decided to get rid of it. Well worst winter EVER plus I moved to a new house with much more shoveling area= pain in the ***.

Please let me know if you have any recommendations. Why?

I do know that I want a two stage and at least 26 inches.

20 year old John Deere 8 horsepower two stage, I don't care how deep, how wet or how much ice the snow plow piled up, it just chugs through everything. In fact last year it chewed up 4 of my landscaping lights with no problem and threw the pieces all over the yard.

**dukeebear** · 12-14-2010, 10:21 PM

Price isn't really a big problem... I don't want to spend $2000 but I want something that will last. That last John Deere I had for about 7 years and it was great.... They don't make the current ones as good, so I have heard.

**joefrog** · 12-14-2010, 10:23 PM

I have this one:

Snow Blower - Deluxe 30

and I absolutely love it. Proudly American made. Works like a charm, starts first pull, chews up and spits out anything you throw at it. Can throw snow on my neighbors driveway, the one on the other side of the street. I can block traffic with it if I choose to.

Bought mine at a Van Wall outfit, and they delivered it too. They hold onto their value quite well, and my neighbor has a ten year old one that still works like new.

Worth a look.

**dukeebear** · 12-14-2010, 10:36 PM

You had me at American made[

QUOTE=joefrog;2053354]I have this one:

Snow Blower - Deluxe 30

and I absolutely love it. Proudly American made. Works like a charm, starts first pull, chews up and spits out anything you throw at it. Can throw snow on my neighbors driveway, the one on the other side of the street. I can block traffic with it if I choose to.

Bought mine at a Van Wall outfit, and they delivered it too. They hold onto their value quite well, and my neighbor has a ten year old one that still works like new.

Worth a look.[/QUOTE]

**VTXCyRyD** · 12-14-2010, 10:39 PM

Ariens is a good name brand, and I think you can buy them at Thiesens

**CYdTracked** · 12-14-2010, 10:47 PM

Originally Posted by dukeebear

Price isn't really a big problem... I don't want to spend $2000 but I want something that will last. That last John Deere I had for about 7 years and it was great.... They don't make the current ones as good, so I have heard.

Again, Northern Tool usually has some good prices on 2 stage snow blowers. Mine is about 6 years old now and never had 1 problem with it. Cut threw last winter's worst snow like butter. I think John Deere makes a great product but you can get the same quality for nearly half the price if you shop around

**BoxsterCy** · 12-14-2010, 11:01 PM

Originally Posted by joefrog

I have this one:

Snow Blower - Deluxe 30

and I absolutely love it. Proudly American made. Works like a charm, starts first pull, chews up and spits out anything you throw at it. Can throw snow on my neighbors driveway, the one on the other side of the street. I can block traffic with it if I choose to.

Bought mine at a Van Wall outfit, and they delivered it too. They hold onto their value quite well, and my neighbor has a ten year old one that still works like new.

Worth a look.

Do you need a chauffeur’s license to operate that thing? Might want to have a spotter for safe operations so you don’t go all Fargo woodchipper on someone!

**SplitIdentity** · 12-14-2010, 11:13 PM

Ariens definitely is the way to go. I worked on them from high school through Freshman year of college at my dad's shop. He sells them. Pretty much anybody who has bought one has never had a complaint, the warranty is excellent, and if you take care of them they last forever.

Just a reminder - if you buy at a place like Sears, Home Depot, Lowes, etc..., service on the machine is a *****. Most family-owned stores put the machines they sold in the front of the service line.