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Opinion of snowblowers to purchase-3 questions
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Posted by quickrick East coast USA (My Page) on Tue, Feb 9, 10 at 10:38
| Guys and girls,
I have been borrowing my friend's snowblowers in the neighborhood. I am beginning to feel like a mooch even though I earn my keep by repairing them!
We got pounded by over 2 feet of snow this weekend and before that a 16 inch snow on the week prior to Christmas.
I used my buddy's 3 hp John Deere and while small it chugged away and was a godsend! This snow I got to borrow an electric start MTD YardMachine with 8 hp. The MTD was a real brute, and had enough power to run into snow 2 feet deep in 2nd speed many times, it was quite good.
Both of these guys take no care of their equipment and so I change oil, rod out jets and add Stabil. Then there are the broken shear pins and bent tines. I still think that I'll wait for some person to get rid of a used one or even wait until the clearance sales come; which brings me to my question.
What would you buy if you were in the mood to spend $500-800 on equipment brand-wise, size/HP wise and feature wise?
I'm starting to see the engine sizes become blurred by torque and cc sizing instead of HP, it has become a shell game. I'd appreciate your help sorting out this aspect as well. I have had good luck with Tecumsehs and Briggs motors and have no real fear of any of them. Tell me what you love or hate and what you'd avoid.
Thanks,
QuickRick |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Opinion of snowblowers to purchase-3 questions
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- Posted by ericwi Dane County WI (My Page) on
Tue, Feb 9, 10 at 10:52
| We have an Ariens 624, 6 hp, 24" wide. It has electric start, but no battery, you have to plug it in to power the starter motor. I have never used this feature, because it always starts on the first pull. Our Ariens has a Tecumseh engine, but its one of the last units manufactured with that engine. I have not heard of any complaints with newer Ariens snowblowers, so I guess the new engines are OK. I don't think you are being a mooch, however. Snowblowers require considerable maintenance, and they are difficult to transport, so having someone in the neighborhood who can tune up the engine, clean out the carburetor, and lube the augur sounds like a good deal to me. |
RE: Opinion of snowblowers to purchase-3 questions
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| Thanks Eric, I have been reading nice things of Ariens blowers. They seem to be well engineered. QuickRick |
RE: Opinion of snowblowers to purchase-3 questions
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| before you put it to use I would go over it, checking bolts, belt alignment and fluids. Buy some spare shear bolts in case you inhale a Sunday paper or some other debris. Good luck. |
RE: Opinion of snowblowers to purchase-3 questions
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| Quickrick: From what the experts on the forum advise . Ariens and Toro are still the poor mans best bet. If you have Mucho Grande Peso's Honda or Yamaha are Top Shelf Units. Yours Truly is pretty well set to pick up a New Ariens or Simplicity next Yr , I might even run down to T.O or Southern Michigan for a Great Deal ! |
RE: Opinion of snowblowers to purchase-3 questions
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| Ariens, Ariens, Ariens, Did I make myself clear? |
RE: Opinion of snowblowers to purchase-3 questions
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My snow blower has been sitting since 2003 with little use, but well maintained.
This snow fall last week proved to me you need snow chains when there is ice below. You must keep extra shear pins.
My 5hp Yardman walked through the snow here in Maryland.
The people with single stage units had problems. The people with out snow chains had problems.
Remember, I am not moving snow for a business, just for the home and a few neighbors.
As for the electric start, My Tecumseh starts the first time. It has electric start, but I never used it except to see if it works.
Sure, a larger unit will do more work, but for a homeowner it is not necessary for me. Besides, I have plenty of toys and not enough room.
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RE: Opinion of snowblowers to purchase-3 questions
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| Zoulas: Just hecking did you say ARIENS ! Roflmbo ! I'am with ya Dude ! |
RE: Opinion of snowblowers to purchase-3 questions
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| Okay the latest-- Home Depot no longer has any more of the Ariens Deluxe 27 inch that I wanted. The local yokel can't answer my eamils. Should I wait until Summer or pay the $200 extra and order it from 800 miles away? I think I'll wait it out now until it isn't such a hot comodity. QuickRick |
Here is a link that might be useful: SnowBlowersD
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