I have been doing some research on snowblowers, since I need one badly.
Anyone have any thoughts on the best bang for the buck on a two-stage thrower. I want something dependable that will last with minimal maintenance. It appears that there are quite a few choices out there.

 

My dad insists the only really good deal on a snowblower is a used one.
He has never bought a new one in the past 40 years.
Most last over 10 years.
If you know just a little about small engines and mechanics you can do very well.
I have gotten ones for free that "won't start".
I have cleaned them, started and sold for $$$.
That said, I currently have a Craftsman that I bought new on sale.

 

Ariens. Heavy duty unit.
(although I wish it came with my favorite small engine, Robin-Subaru OHC. Rather than the hard starting OHV Tecumseh. Thankfully it comes with an 110v electric starter.)
Like all of them, it is belt drive for both stages and I usually have to replace them every other year. They should really be chain drive IMO.

 

Ariens is probably the best.
My dad is currently using one.
They are a little more expensive (which also explains why he always buys used).

 

What's a snowblower?

 

I thought you learned this year.

 

I just saw this on another forum... latest from Consumer Reports

 

I got to say Honda all the way. A bit more money perhaps, but performance
is outstanding. Had it 10 years, normal maintenance only, no issues....

I have to laugh as I watch my neighbors go 3 ft, stop, clear the chute, go 3 ft, etc.
I have clogged the chute maybe 3 times total, and mostly from moving too slowly.

I used to do my brother's house before he moved upstate NY, where he bought
another brand, and is now kicking his butt for not going with the Honda. It's the easiest starting machine there is, sits all summer and fires up with just a couple of
pulls in winter............ great machine

 

Looks like I may have spoken too soon. Open mouth, insert foot.

 

Get a stolen one, there cheap and all you have to do is set it in the driveway and let the heat melt the snow..

 

I hate to say it but Honda makes the best small motors available. I have gas powered air compressors and generators for work and I won't but it unless it's a Honda. We work in -40 weather and they start up first pull.

 

Same with my Robin-Subaru OHC engines on my log splitter and my generator. First pull out of the crate - and even today. I'm amazed how nice they pull.
Pulling on a cold OHV engine stinks. They seem ok after they're warm but I'm glad many added 110v electric start.
I've never had Honda engines. And at their substantial over price I never will.

 

This also desribes my old Craftsman (now 8 years old).
This is a Horsepower issue, not a machine issue.
The only guys on my street that ever had this problem went out and got a bigger machine and the problem magically went away no matter what brand they chose.

 

Agreed. Unless the friction belts are wearing out.

And just like snowplowing, you have to stay up with it. I can blow a foot plus of powder, but if its more of a wet snow, a foot is about the max without having to slow it down to first gear so the hopper can keep up. If I know its wet, I'll blow at 6-8" rather than wait longer, and I can run it in 2nd or 3rd.

Course the driveway is easy since after the first pass you aren't cutting virgin trails, just 'mowing the grass' row after row. But I have to cut trails about a 100 yards down to the hay barn, the feed and water stations for the horses, and then some outbuildings; so there isn't this wide path like a driveway. I've learned that when the snow gets deeper than the muffler, I need to take about a quarter extra cut or the exhaust starts blowing snow from the walls - which ends up near the intake and chokes it down (no air cleaner).

Mine is 8.5 HP/318 cc with a 26" hopper. And with both the chute controls on the handlebars, its fun chasing the horses with the snow. hahaha.

 

Thanks for all the input. The Honda's are high priced, too high IMO, but anyone who
actually has one is telling me that is the way to go. I have decided to get the Honda HS724WA model. It has about 6.5 hp which seems low, with a 24" cut. They claim it will toss the snow 40' to 45' depending on the moisture content. I'm on a corner lot with an intersection, so the plows really pile it up at the end of my driveway, which can fit 4 cars accross easily. So blowing distance was a big factor in my decision.

 

:sigh: Another American loses their job.


Best of luck with your purchase.

 

I bought a Craftman blower about 5 years ago. I walked into a store and they had this blower on clearance, saleswoman comes over and says it is used once, and won't start. I asked about warranty and she said it was still under warranty. I noticed it was like $699.00 New and they were asking $279 for it used, returned and claimed it would not start. I asked if I could try and start it and she pushed it over to the garden center doors and I took it outside. I simply primed the fuel line, pushind the rubber button and switched the engine to start, not run. It turned over and end of story. I still have it and never missed a lick. And it has electric start too, never pulled the rope to turn it over.