Snow Blowers

[ISUCyclones2015]

Been looking at getting a snow blower for my stepmom for Christmas. She's been asking for one for a little while. She hates shoveling. I was thinking about getting this one off of Amazon because it is on sale today. It is an electric but she has issues pulling the chord for our lawn mower. Anyone use an electric one? Does it do a good job?

Thanks

 

[Clonehomer]

Only if she lives down South. Unfortunately to get a snow blower that's effective around here you have to spend some money on a two stage gas model. If pulling a starter is difficult then get one with an electric start.

 

[1100011CS]

A good single stage blower will work 95% of the time

 

[Wesley]

Singles are good for six inch storms. If you have more, she just needs to get out there during the storm. Electric? Not a chance.

 

[BoxsterCy]

A good single stage blower will work 95% of the time

This, seriously. I have a single stage Toro and an old two stage Toro. Some years i don't even fire the two-stage up at all.

And a big, heck no, on that electric thingy. Electric start, yes, electric motor, nope.

 

[NWICY]

Agree w/ everyone else gas w/ electric start. Ariens makes good snowblowers.

 

[ISUFan22]

You live in Iowa. Unless you have almost nothing to clear off - no way in hell would I recommend buying that thing. You get what you pay for.

Love my Ariens.

 

[ianoconnor]

Ariens has a value brand that are real solid, too. Sno Tek I think they're called.

 

[00clone]

Only if she lives down South. Unfortunately to get a snow blower that's effective around here you have to spend some money on a two stage gas model. If pulling a starter is difficult then get one with an electric start.

This is wrong, don't listen to him. Seriously, if it's for your stepmom, do not get a 2 stage. I laugh at the morons who need the biggest snowblower around, then are out there horsing it around fighting it with an inch of snow. I've had a single stage for about 6 years, and it's a cheap sumbitch I got used from my father in law when they moved to AZ, and other'n a tune up when I first got it, I've had no problems clearing my drive even up to an 18-24" drift. Even if it's over the top of the front of the machine, just eat away at it.

 

[dmclone]

I live on a corner lot so I have a lot of sidewalk. I have a two stage and at no point have I ever thought "I wish I would have gotten something smaller". I run it full boar in 4th gear and it takes no time to clear everything out. The neighbor across the street has a single stage and it takes him twice as long and it's twice as loud. If I was to buy another I'd get even bigger with more bells and whistles.


I've had this one for 8 years and there is no mixing, I change the oil once a year, the spark plug ever 2 years, and the sliders in the sides every 3 years. Starts on the first pull so I don't use the electrc start.

 

[ISUCyclones2015]

Alright thanks guys. She lives in Ohio. Gets 5x the snow there than here in Iowa it seems. I'll look elsewhere for the blower.

 

[00clone]

I live on a corner lot so I have a lot of sidewalk. I have a two stage and at no point have I ever thought "I wish I would have gotten something smaller". I run it full boar in 4th gear and it takes no time to clear everything out. The neighbor across the street has a single stage and it takes him twice as long and it's twice as loud. If I was to buy another I'd get even bigger with more bells and whistles.


I've had this one for 8 years and there is no mixing, I change the oil once a year, the spark plug ever 2 years, and the sliders in the sides every 3 years. Starts on the first pull so I don't use the electrc start.

Very short, or tiny weener...which is it?

 

[ISUCyclones2015]

Very short, or tiny weener...which is it?

 

[Clonehomer]

This is wrong, don't listen to him. Seriously, if it's for your stepmom, do not get a 2 stage. I laugh at the morons who need the biggest snowblower around, then are out there horsing it around fighting it with an inch of snow. I've had a single stage for about 6 years, and it's a cheap sumbitch I got used from my father in law when they moved to AZ, and other'n a tune up when I first got it, I've had no problems clearing my drive even up to an 18-24" drift. Even if it's over the top of the front of the machine, just eat away at it.

And we all laugh at you when you're out there fighting the single stage when we get 6" of snow. I had a single stage for 8 years and hated every time that we got more than two inches of snow. Last year I upgraded to the two stage and never regretted it once.

If his step mom struggles to pull start a lawnmower, having a self propelled snowblower that requires zero effort to move up and down the driveway seems like the obvious choice.

 

[MaccloNe]

Two stage Ariens, FTW!

 

[brianhos]

Only if she lives down South. Unfortunately to get a snow blower that's effective around here you have to spend some money on a two stage gas model. If pulling a starter is difficult then get one with an electric start.

Not true, a single stage is fine for all but 1 snow every few years. And then you just have to slow down and push it through some drifts. My single stage toro is great.

 

[00clone]

And we all laugh at you when you're out there fighting the single stage when we get 6" of snow. I had a single stage for 8 years and hated every time that we got more than two inches of snow. Last year I upgraded to the two stage and never regretted it once.

If his step mom struggles to pull start a lawnmower, having a self propelled snowblower that requires zero effort to move up and down the driveway seems like the obvious choice.

You had a ****ty single stage if it struggled with more than 2 inches. I can push mine into a full front height drift and it doesn't stall unless I get a running start. I do the ice chunk snowplow leftovers with no problem. And my dad had a self propelled 2 stage, there's no effing way a woman who struggles with a lawn mower will enjoy that over a light but powerful single stage. It became a running joke in my family that my dad had this goofy huge snowblower with a goofy canopy and everything. To justify it's purchase, he'd snowblow half of the lawn to 'make paths for the dog to run in'.

But, you're still wrong, since I don't struggle with 6" of snow...but how many times have we gotten more than 6" of accumulation of snow...maybe 3 times in the last decade? I'm not talking drifts, I'm talking 6" of accumulation...not very flipping often.

 

[cowgirl836]

I'll wait for the consensus/death match for what 2015 should get his mom, but what's the best time of year to buy one of these things?


I'm used to a skidloader for small snows and full on cab tractor for the big stuff. Going to be strange having a tiny little machine to handle the snow.

 

[Clonehomer]

You had a ****ty single stage if it struggled with more than 2 inches. I can push mine into a full front height drift and it doesn't stall unless I get a running start. I do the ice chunk snowplow leftovers with no problem. And my dad had a self propelled 2 stage, there's no effing way a woman who struggles with a lawn mower will enjoy that over a light but powerful single stage. It became a running joke in my family that my dad had this goofy huge snowblower with a goofy canopy and everything. To justify it's purchase, he'd snowblow half of the lawn to 'make paths for the dog to run in'.

But, you're still wrong, since I don't struggle with 6" of snow...but how many times have we gotten more than 6" of accumulation of snow...maybe 3 times in the last decade? I'm not talking drifts, I'm talking 6" of accumulation...not very flipping often.

Well, I guess you must have more luck than I. I'll stick with what I've found to work the best. My 115 lb wife operates our Ariens 24" with no problems so I guess it all depends on what you buy.

 

[cyrocksmypants]

I'll wait for the consensus/death match for what 2015 should get his mom, but what's the best time of year to buy one of these things?


I'm used to a skidloader for small snows and full on cab tractor for the big stuff. Going to be strange having a tiny little machine to handle the snow.

Just let your husband slam in to the drifts like he does everything else when it's snowing.