Any experiance with snow blowers/ throwers?

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Any experiance with snow blowers/ throwers?

Posted: 10/23/2004 1:53:11 PM EDT

Getting close to "that" season up here in NE and I am looking for a machine that my 5'1", 90#, 50 something mother can use to move the snow at her house. Her house is half way down a hill on a main road so snow plows are constantly pushing the snow in front of the driveway and any melt and slush runs down and quickly turns anything light into a mush that is about five times heavier.

The local Home Depot has some Yard Machines and Airlens that are in my price range; anyone have any experience with these brands or any other in the $800- $900 range?

TIA

SDavid

Posted: 10/23/2004 7:12:52 PM EDT

[#1]

My uncle does snow removal for a living in Minnesota and swears by Toro.

Posted: 10/23/2004 7:16:38 PM EDT

[#2]

why dont you go do it for her? it's your mom man!

Posted: 10/23/2004 7:18:29 PM EDT

[#3]

Look at Honda, there is nothing better in my opinion.

www.hondapowerequipment.com/sno.htm

Posted: 10/23/2004 7:20:45 PM EDT

[#4]

Airiens makes a good ST. Well known up where I'm from. Dont chintz on HP but they can be a handful to operate. Find a local kid who has to shovel his own driveway and let use your Moms blower to do his driveway AND yours. Free! Thats what my Dad does.

Posted: 10/23/2004 7:23:47 PM EDT

[#5]

If you were a good son, you wouldn't be letting your "5'1", 90#, 50 something mother" pushing a snow blower. You'd be over there doing it for her.

Posted: 10/23/2004 7:24:57 PM EDT

[#6]

We used to have a little Snapper, and if it was 8 or less inches it worked great. More than that, time to call my friend with the plow lol...

Posted: 10/23/2004 7:27:52 PM EDT

[#7]

Quoted:
We used to have a little Snapper, and if it was 8 or less inches it worked great.

I knew a girl like that...

Posted: 10/23/2004 7:35:12 PM EDT

[#8]

Two stage , self propelled Yard Machine.
Starts easy and will carve through 10+ inches of heavy snow.
$600 at lowes 2 years ago, takes up some space in the garage is my only complaint.

Posted: 10/23/2004 7:39:54 PM EDT

[#9]

Living in Minnesota, I use a John Deere, but John Deere discontinued walk behinds a couple of years ago.

So all I can recommend now is a Toro

Posted: 10/23/2004 7:48:11 PM EDT

[#10]

Quoted:
Two stage , self propelled Yard Machine.
Starts easy and will carve through 10+ inches of heavy snow.
$600 at lowes 2 years ago, takes up some space in the garage is my only complaint.

Two stage blowers are great for dry snow. They are terrible for wet snow. The chute clogs then unless you have a heated storage place, it freezes solid. A bitch to clean out.

Posted: 10/23/2004 7:49:08 PM EDT

[#11]

I've had really good luck the last 5 years here in Nebraska with the Snapper 2 stage 5.5 horse 22" cut blower. It's relatively easy to handle, 4 speeds, great tires. I wouldn't recommend the non-2 stage models, especially for clearing the snow plow remnants from the front of the driveway.

However, I would also tell you to get up there and clear it for her!!!

'pez out.

Posted: 10/23/2004 9:25:56 PM EDT

[#12]

Thanks for the info. I would shovel for her (I have in the past), however, I plan on moving out of the area (outside of 50 miles) so traveling 100 miles just to clear snow is too cost prohibitive. Her tenant may do it if she provides the machine.

Two stage is the type that I am looking for, but it will have to be stored either outside or in the shed.

Again thanks.

Posted: 10/23/2004 11:16:02 PM EDT

[#13]

Quoted:
Look at Honda, there is nothing better in my opinion.

www.hondapowerequipment.com/sno.htm

Posted: 10/23/2004 11:22:46 PM EDT

[#14]

Flame thrower.

Posted: 10/23/2004 11:22:55 PM EDT

[#15]

How about one of these, so she can ride in comfort and keep warm?

I still do it the old fashioned way but quite a few of my neighbors use the yardman blowers and they seem to work ok.

NMSight

Posted: 10/23/2004 11:32:04 PM EDT

[#16]

My principal in eighth grade stuck his arm in his snow blower to clear out the slush and got his arm smashed. Nobody could belive he was smart enough to acutally run our school.

Did I mention I have been drinking heavily tonight. No? Well I have.

Thank you and I am signing off. Good Night!

Posted: 10/23/2004 11:32:19 PM EDT

[#17]

I saw an evaluation on snowblower in Consumer's Report. Check it out at you local library.

Posted: 10/23/2004 11:34:37 PM EDT

[#18]

I was afraid to open this thread.

I thought it was going to be about gay Alaskans.

Posted: 10/23/2004 11:44:04 PM EDT

[#19]

flamethrower?

Posted: 10/24/2004 3:12:04 AM EDT

[#20]

I've used a couple of those Toro snow throwers. The will do an adequate job but they are still work. If you settle for one of those be certain to get one that is electric start.

Posted: 10/24/2004 3:40:13 AM EDT

[#21]

The Yard Machines are typically the best buy for the money. The best, overall, is a Toro or a Honda. Be sure to get electric start.

Posted: 10/24/2004 4:04:43 AM EDT

[#22]

What's snow????

Now if you want to know about hurricanes.......

Posted: 10/24/2004 6:27:41 AM EDT

[#23]

I like mine. It's a Yard King. It has electric start, but I hardly use it cause I'M A MAN dammit

Anyway, it does sit in a heated garage but I agree with the comment about not letting shit freeze in the chute.

As far as models in that price range, yes Toro makes the cream of the crop. You're also paying for the brand name. Get an 8 HP, not a 5 HP, especially if you're blowing hard pack left by plows. The Tecumseh "Snow King" motors have always treated me well.

Pic:

I think I paid about 700 bux for it 3 years ago.

Posted: 10/24/2004 6:33:53 AM EDT

[#24]

No matter what you buy for her, GET SPARE SHEARPINS! They are impossible to find once the
season starts, as everyone breaks them and empties the store shelves a week later. Alot of the crud snowblowers
push into driveways contains rocks, and is much heavier, much more conducive to shearpins going.

I have an Ariens, so does my dad, his is almost 30 years old, and he never does any maintainence on it.

What I've found with snowblowers is if you survive a "first test", you're good for years, but
I remember another guy with an Ariens at Home Depot saying this was "Strike 3" for him if it didn't
work.

Posted: 10/24/2004 6:36:03 AM EDT

[#25]

Buck_Naked,

I love that picture, what state is that from?

Posted: 10/24/2004 6:39:44 AM EDT

[#26]

$20 and a local kid that is willing to do it.
quickest and easiest way I made money as a kid.

depending on the length of the walk/driveway. it could be a little more.

Chris

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Any experiance with snow blowers/ throwers?

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