Hard to believe that I am thinking of a new snowblower... Any advice? Currently I am looking at single stages mainly a toro and a cub cadet. I know toro is the most popular, has anyone had good luck with cub cadet?
snowblower advice
- Thread starter cyclonewoes
- Start date
This times 1000. Unless you only have a very small area to snowblow a 2 stage would be well worth it.
My Toro single stage has been worry-free since I got it in '04. My driveway is about 30' wide at the garage and about 60' long. That, along with all of the sidewalk, means that it gets a decent workout each snowfall.
Single stage snowblowers have come a long way in the last twenty years.
Single stage snowblowers have come a long way in the last twenty years.
I was told by a guy at an implement place that the two stage would be overkill for most people who simply have a driveway to clear. I don't have experience with either though. I am going to go pick up my dads this fall since he doesnt use it anymore, and its a two stage (what prompted the conversation with the guy) but more importantly, its free.
I have had a dual stage JD for many years. I would say they are good for deeper snows, but my neighbors all seem to get the job done with the single stage blowers. I have to put a little time and money into my larger one every year it seems like. I'm sure if it was newer, I wouldn't need to.
If you're gonna do it, just do it right the first time and get one of these. Im sure your neighbors won't mind..
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exBrz5aQ9Hg&feature=related]YouTube - 40,000 Thousand pound Snowblower extreme snow blowing[/ame]
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exBrz5aQ9Hg&feature=related]YouTube - 40,000 Thousand pound Snowblower extreme snow blowing[/ame]
Here's another thread from last year that has lots of opinions on snowblowers.
http://www.cyclonefanatic.com/forum/off-topic/76575-snowblowers.html
http://www.cyclonefanatic.com/forum/off-topic/76575-snowblowers.html
I love my Craftsman 2-stage. I got the previous year's model last year. It was sub-$700 I think. Two things I LOVE about it is the joystick control of snow-direction and the power-steering(brakes on both sides).
I agree... I watch my neighbors with their fancy 2 stage huge snowblowers shovel their driveways after they are done because it does clean all the snow off. Or I am nice and go over and let them use my single stage toro.
I have a 2 stage toro and I would not downgrade to a single stage.
Last years record snowfall and drifting sold me on it. Most snow events here are followed by at least some amount of wind that causes snow to drift in parts of my driveway. Not having to push the snowblower is great during these times I just put it in gear and away I go.
The 2 stage cost a bit more but IMO it is well worth it.
If you dont have issues with drifting you might be fine with a single stage.
Last years record snowfall and drifting sold me on it. Most snow events here are followed by at least some amount of wind that causes snow to drift in parts of my driveway. Not having to push the snowblower is great during these times I just put it in gear and away I go.
The 2 stage cost a bit more but IMO it is well worth it.
If you dont have issues with drifting you might be fine with a single stage.
My neighbor and I have similar areas. We both have corner lots with decent size driveways. He has a single stage. If the snow is light it takes about the same time. If the snow is thick it takes him a ton of time and I can see envy in his eyes 
On top of this, I get up early so I need something kind of quiet. His is VERY loud.
It really showed up last year in central iowa. He had to do a lot of shoveling just to make the single stage get through it. Even with my dual stage I sometimes wish I would have gotten something even bigger. In everything but the deepest snow I pretty much just leave it in top gear and fly through the snow.
On top of this, I get up early so I need something kind of quiet. His is VERY loud.It really showed up last year in central iowa. He had to do a lot of shoveling just to make the single stage get through it. Even with my dual stage I sometimes wish I would have gotten something even bigger. In everything but the deepest snow I pretty much just leave it in top gear and fly through the snow.
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CycloneErik
Well-Known Member
If you try that this year, make sure you get it on youtube, or at least here on CF. I want to see.
For my money, I'd buy the dual-stage. The extra power and blade would come in really handy.
CycloneErik
Well-Known Member
Most people can get by with a single stage, it is true. I had a John Deere single stage for 10 years and it mostly performed well. Where it lacked was heavy, wet snow and that giant pile left by the snowplow at the end of the driveway. It could not handle that stuff well at all and I burned a few belts off over the years.
Last year I got a Craftsman two stage and I have never regretted it. It cuts through light snow like butter and cuts through the heavy, wet stuff like, well...almost butter.
Reading the fine print of the owner's manual I found this Craftsman model was made by MTD, who also makes Cub Cadet, White, Yard Machines, etc. I think most MTD products are pretty solid so I would not think twice about a Cub Cadet if that's what you want.
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Buy the biggest single stage you can. I bought the biggest Toro about 3 years ago and love it. It cleans to the pavement so you don't get the layer of snow that melts and turns to ice if you don't scoop it that a 2 stage leaves. I've only ran into too much snow once and that was when we had 18+ once. It'll go through 12-15 pretty good. I fly by my neighbors with their huge 2 stage blowers.
I agree. I have a Toro Snow Commander and it works just as well as my neighbors 2 stage.
