Snowblower recommendations

joeobx · 12-19-2010, 06:59 AM

With the job I have now, when the weatherman says stay inside, don't go anywhere it's not fit for man or beast, I usually have to go to work. Last year I bought a used snowblower pretty cheap and worked on it for a few days to get it to run, but I'm thinking of selling it and put that money towards a new one. I know there are a lot of BOTL on here that Have a lot of time behind the controls.
I stopped by a dealer buy my house that sells Cub Cadet and Columbia and talked to one of the service guys and he recommended Simplicity. I'm looking for dependability and ease of use since my wife will be using it a lot of the times when I'm not here.

joeobx · 12-19-2010, 02:34 PM

Any opinions ?

Bill86 · 12-19-2010, 02:40 PM

When I lived in MI we had a smaller craftsman my mom could run. My dad used a gigantic maybe 15 year old snowblower forgot what it was but ....it had tracker type tires and had enough HP to do the street in 3 feet of snow. My advice pick up a used beast of a snowblower for yourself and maybe a nicer smaller one your wife can use. If we still had any snowblowers I'd shoot a quick picture. Sorry, It's been 5 years so my memories a bit bad.

EDIT the thing is the smaller snowblowers that are easier for women to use won't do the job in 3 feet + of snow, they'll stop every few feet and you'll have to back up and go at it again. So you almost kinda need two of them.

EDIT again, seems it was an 8HP Dual stage. Ariens, toro are good brands.

hotreds · 12-19-2010, 02:41 PM

Check this out- if you don't have too much to clean, a cheaper alternative.

http://www.amazon.com/Wovel-W0208-Wh...2794774&sr=8-1

E.J. · 12-19-2010, 02:48 PM

I am not sure it would be good for your average woman to throw around, but I could not be happier with my Toro 826LE.... It may be bigger than you are looking for?

When I was shopping, I was convinced I would be happier with too big, than too small. There are plenty of times a year that I am over snowblowing neighbors drives due to their machine having difficulty with amount and/or weight.

sobranie10 · 12-19-2010, 02:52 PM

One word starts max two pulls no effort (HONDA)

joeobx · 12-19-2010, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotreds

Check this out- if you don't have too much to clean, a cheaper alternative.

http://www.amazon.com/Wovel-W0208-Wh...2794774&sr=8-1

Yeah I can just see the reaction if I came home with that. I'm not too worried about it being to big, just don't need a lot of extras. I'm looking for durability. I would rather go a little overkill than get one thats to small. I have a 24" Cub Cadet thats about 15-20 yrs old that she has run.

MajorCaptSilly · 12-19-2010, 03:22 PM

I've had the older version of this Toro for 8 years:

http://www.toro.com/home/snowthrower...stage/180.html

I keep saying I will get a bigger Toro if mine will not start. Every winter, it starts like a champ.

MCS

T.G · 12-19-2010, 03:30 PM

Get an I-Shovel, because robots need love too...

http://www.i-shovel.com/index.html

Bill86 · 12-19-2010, 03:31 PM

That thing looks like a toy.....

Chainsaw13 · 12-19-2010, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill86

That thing looks like a toy.....

That must be one heavy battery to give it any traction. I could see it just sitting there, spinning the tires.

T.G · 12-19-2010, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill86

That thing looks like a toy.....

There's always this option then:

In Soviet Russia, snowblower melt you!

bobarian · 12-19-2010, 03:50 PM

Snow blows, move farther south.

RBOrrell · 12-21-2010, 07:35 AM

I've had a Sears Craftsman 2-stage that I share with an neighbour for over 10 years. New ones today have lots of toys - heated handgrips, lights, all controls on the handlebar area, etc.

Minimum requirements for me if I need to get another. 1. electric start(which current one has) 2. 2-stage 3. cental controls.

RBOrrell · 12-21-2010, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T.G

There's always this option then:

In Soviet Russia, snowblower melt you!

In Toronto we have "Metromelts" . They are huge beasts.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metromelt

T.G · 12-21-2010, 09:15 AM

Yeah, the metromelts are probably more effective, and and a whole lot safer, but nothing quite says "No, fcuk YOU snow & ice..." like a MiG-15 jet engine hastily welded to the front of a fuel truck...

mmblz · 12-21-2010, 12:03 PM

Have a 54" snow blower for my John Deere "garden tractor" (mower).
Seemed kind of like overkill for the 1" of snow I tried it on so far.
Think it should work well though

mosesbotbol · 12-21-2010, 12:29 PM

Can't go wrong with Honda or Toro when it comes to any small engine equipment.

357 · 12-21-2010, 12:29 PM

This is my rig for my 800-900 ft gravel driveway:

22hp garden tractor with 46" x 22" two-stage blower

Edited to say: Yes those are my new cornhole boards in the backround. See the 2nd annual "Where the hell is Metamora?" Herf in summer of 2011 for more details.

chachee52 · 12-21-2010, 06:54 PM

My dad had a Toro 524 that we bought in 1986 (I remember because he bought it at the end of the worst snow fall in years and I had to shovel the entire winter). this is still running so I went and bought the Toro 526. Works great!! One pull start also has the electric start if you want to use it, but I've never needed to on either machine.
I looked at the Simplicity when I was looking. Basically if you are doing a TON of snow removal they said that that was the machine to get, it was also a little more expensive than the Toro. If I were to get another, I'd opt for the next bigger Toro because I redid my driveway and have retaining walls around it and it's three plus cars wide. The 5 series doesn't throw as far as I'd like, but it does a great job with heavy and wet snow!!!!

12-19-2010, 06:59 AM	#1
joeobx just playing in the storm Join Date: Oct 2009 First Name: Joe Location: Fredericksburg. VA VCM Country Posts: 1,117 Trading: (4)	Snowblower recommendations With the job I have now, when the weatherman says stay inside, don't go anywhere it's not fit for man or beast, I usually have to go to work. Last year I bought a used snowblower pretty cheap and worked on it for a few days to get it to run, but I'm thinking of selling it and put that money towards a new one. I know there are a lot of BOTL on here that Have a lot of time behind the controls. I stopped by a dealer buy my house that sells Cub Cadet and Columbia and talked to one of the service guys and he recommended Simplicity. I'm looking for dependability and ease of use since my wife will be using it a lot of the times when I'm not here. __________________ it's all fun and games till the flying monkeys show up

12-19-2010, 02:34 PM	#2
joeobx just playing in the storm Join Date: Oct 2009 First Name: Joe Location: Fredericksburg. VA VCM Country Posts: 1,117 Trading: (4)	Re: Snowblower recommendations Any opinions ? __________________ it's all fun and games till the flying monkeys show up

12-19-2010, 02:40 PM	#3
Bill86 Snob Join Date: Jul 2010 First Name: Bill Posts: 6,704 Trading: (67)	Re: Snowblower recommendations When I lived in MI we had a smaller craftsman my mom could run. My dad used a gigantic maybe 15 year old snowblower forgot what it was but ....it had tracker type tires and had enough HP to do the street in 3 feet of snow. My advice pick up a used beast of a snowblower for yourself and maybe a nicer smaller one your wife can use. If we still had any snowblowers I'd shoot a quick picture. Sorry, It's been 5 years so my memories a bit bad. EDIT the thing is the smaller snowblowers that are easier for women to use won't do the job in 3 feet + of snow, they'll stop every few feet and you'll have to back up and go at it again. So you almost kinda need two of them. EDIT again, seems it was an 8HP Dual stage. Ariens, toro are good brands. Last edited by Bill86; 12-19-2010 at 02:47 PM.

12-19-2010, 02:41 PM	#4
hotreds Ephesians 2:8 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 5 miles past "Resume Speed" Posts: 11,658 Trading: (63)	Re: Snowblower recommendations Check this out- if you don't have too much to clean, a cheaper alternative. http://www.amazon.com/Wovel-W0208-Wh...2794774&sr=8-1 __________________ God loves you so much, that he made you read this, just to let you know.

12-19-2010, 02:48 PM	#5
E.J. I'm nuts for the place Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 3,218 Trading: (21)	Re: Snowblower recommendations I am not sure it would be good for your average woman to throw around, but I could not be happier with my Toro 826LE.... It may be bigger than you are looking for? When I was shopping, I was convinced I would be happier with too big, than too small. There are plenty of times a year that I am over snowblowing neighbors drives due to their machine having difficulty with amount and/or weight.

12-19-2010, 02:52 PM	#6
sobranie10 Living the Dream Join Date: Feb 2010 First Name: ron Location: MI Posts: 221 Trading: (0)	Re: Snowblower recommendations One word starts max two pulls no effort (HONDA)

12-19-2010, 03:22 PM	#8
MajorCaptSilly Sklee Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Scott Location: Mishawaka, IN Posts: 2,523 Trading: (30)	Re: Snowblower recommendations I've had the older version of this Toro for 8 years: http://www.toro.com/home/snowthrower...stage/180.html I keep saying I will get a bigger Toro if mine will not start. Every winter, it starts like a champ. MCS __________________ Pillsbury, Minneapolis, Prince, Spoon Bridge and Cherry, coinkydink?

12-19-2010, 03:30 PM	#9
T.G Grrrrrr Join Date: Mar 2009 First Name: The Other Adam Posts: 15,543 Trading: (37)	Re: Snowblower recommendations Get an I-Shovel, because robots need love too... http://www.i-shovel.com/index.html

12-19-2010, 03:31 PM	#10
Bill86 Snob Join Date: Jul 2010 First Name: Bill Posts: 6,704 Trading: (67)	Re: Snowblower recommendations That thing looks like a toy.....

12-19-2010, 03:50 PM	#13
bobarian Cranky Habanophile Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Wine Country Posts: 8,869 Trading: (51)	Re: Snowblower recommendations Snow blows, move farther south.

12-21-2010, 07:35 AM	#14
RBOrrell Still Watching My Back Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Bruce Location: Aurora, Ontario, Canada Posts: 130 Trading: (6)	Re: Snowblower recommendations I've had a Sears Craftsman 2-stage that I share with an neighbour for over 10 years. New ones today have lots of toys - heated handgrips, lights, all controls on the handlebar area, etc. Minimum requirements for me if I need to get another. 1. electric start(which current one has) 2. 2-stage 3. cental controls. __________________ Bruce "Hurry Hardddddddd"

12-21-2010, 09:15 AM	#16
T.G Grrrrrr Join Date: Mar 2009 First Name: The Other Adam Posts: 15,543 Trading: (37)	Re: Snowblower recommendations Yeah, the metromelts are probably more effective, and and a whole lot safer, but nothing quite says "No, fcuk YOU snow & ice..." like a MiG-15 jet engine hastily welded to the front of a fuel truck... Last edited by T.G; 12-21-2010 at 09:21 AM.

12-21-2010, 12:03 PM	#17
mmblz .090909... Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: NH Posts: 4,031 Trading: (3)	Re: Snowblower recommendations Have a 54" snow blower for my John Deere "garden tractor" (mower). Seemed kind of like overkill for the 1" of snow I tried it on so far. Think it should work well though __________________ herf wear

12-21-2010, 12:29 PM	#18
mosesbotbol That's a Corgi Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Moses Location: Boston Posts: 6,171 Trading: (6)	Re: Snowblower recommendations Can't go wrong with Honda or Toro when it comes to any small engine equipment. __________________ Port Wine & Claret \| British Cars \| Welsh Corgi's

12-21-2010, 12:29 PM	#19
357 Will herf for food Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Mike Location: Home is where I park it Posts: 4,075 Trading: (9)	Re: Snowblower recommendations This is my rig for my 800-900 ft gravel driveway: 22hp garden tractor with 46" x 22" two-stage blower Edited to say: Yes those are my new cornhole boards in the backround. See the 2nd annual "Where the hell is Metamora?" Herf in summer of 2011 for more details. __________________ “Eating and sleeping are the only activities that should be allowed to interrupt a man's enjoyment of his cigar;” Mark Twain

12-21-2010, 06:54 PM	#20
chachee52 Adjusting to the Life Join Date: Dec 2009 First Name: Todd Location: Tyngsboro, MA Posts: 399 Trading: (2)	Re: Snowblower recommendations My dad had a Toro 524 that we bought in 1986 (I remember because he bought it at the end of the worst snow fall in years and I had to shovel the entire winter). this is still running so I went and bought the Toro 526. Works great!! One pull start also has the electric start if you want to use it, but I've never needed to on either machine. I looked at the Simplicity when I was looking. Basically if you are doing a TON of snow removal they said that that was the machine to get, it was also a little more expensive than the Toro. If I were to get another, I'd opt for the next bigger Toro because I redid my driveway and have retaining walls around it and it's three plus cars wide. The 5 series doesn't throw as far as I'd like, but it does a great job with heavy and wet snow!!!! __________________