Snow Blowers

Wayco Wayne_2 · December 2004

Those heated handles are an attractive option.:) WW

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Wayco Wayne · September 2003

My Court

wants to buy a community snow blower. There are 7 houses interested. Does anyone have any input or experience of what brands are good. What features to look for, (I have a Jamaican neighbor that wants heated handles, oh yah mon) HP were looking at 7 to 10 HP. We dont want to be cheap, we want good value and reliability. Any input is welcome. Thanks in advance. WW

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Dave Palmer_3 · September 2003

if you want to stay friends..........

don't do it,who keeps it,who buys gas,who digs out first.............Don't want to be a Grinch but..........

hot_rod · September 2003

Been awhile

since I lived in heavy snow country. I remember the snow removal pros raving about the track style. Hondas, I believe. Excellent traction and a very easy starting dependable engine. Fairly quiet, as I remember.

hot rod

joe_19 · September 2003

snow blower

I wouldn't do it. Look in newsady you can get a toro 6 hp used for about 400 bucks. New you are looking at a grand. The more people you get involved with it the more hassles.

Eric · September 2003

alaska advice

Honda is very nice unit.
The MTD "Made to Die" are ok but tend to vibrate alot, One lungs (single cylinders).

Must be 2 stage. Tracks are nice and electric start (with extension cord a plus when cold). They are heavy beasts. you dont just turn them around like a lawn mower. Start in middle and work out in a cirular pattern.

Bryan_5 · September 2003

Wayne,
Hondas are the best no doubt about it. They also cost 2 times the price of the other premium brands. I bought a new Simplicity last year 8 hp 26" was about $1300. Airens is a very good choice. I liked the Simps because they were a little beffier. Make sure you get a 2 stage and get a light on it. It will probly be dark when you use it. Check out this site http://www.whatsthebestsnowblower.com/ Good luck
Bryan

Dan_8 · September 2003

Snow load calculations? ;')

Seriously though... how much space do you need to clear? Big blower for big spaces, little blower for little spaces.

I use a weird multipurpose DR beast (as seen on late night adds) that when configured as a 15HP, 30" single stage blower can clear my 450' driveway and 20x50 parking area of 18" of snow in about an hour and a half. I was really worried about the single vs. two stage blower thing but I've had no problems. It's only clogged twice in two years and last year I put a lot of snow through it.

BillW@honeywell · September 2003

Snow blowers

I have a Sears 5hp,two-stage, self propelled, with plug-in electric start.It works for the occasional blizzards we get here in NJ. Consumer Reports rated Honda as the best in a past issue. Most of the relatives up in the 'Dacks use Ariens, John Deere or Honda. The tracked Hondas are very heavy and hard to maneuver.

Al Letellier · September 2003

snow blowers

Wayne, I'm in Maine and my Ariens 6HP machine is 30 years old and outruns the largest 10HP on the block. One of the most reliable machines I own. Assuming they haven't gone the way of "cheaper is better for less money" it's an excellent choice. Most of my commercial customers up here use them, and it beats a Toro hands down...

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Mark Hunt · September 2003

How about

a couple of 14 year old kids with nothin better to do than play Nintendo?

Bet that would be the cheapest way out, plus you can teach them about running a company.

Just a thought.

Mark H

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Steve Ebels · September 2003

We service everything

In our family's hardware store. The two favorites are Husqvarna and Ariens. Hondas are good but we've found them to be a little less durable than the two mentioned above. Call them "touchy" or something if you want.

tgo_36 · September 2003

I have a

BCS - it is a power unit that takes different attachments. I convert it from a roto tiller to a snow blower depending in the season. It will also take a bunch of other attachments. It is a single stage which with a little help from the wind can throw dry snow over 100' (first time I used it had to reclean the neighbors freshly shoveled driveway) Don't think I would own a machine like that as a group. Too many problems.

Steve Eayrs · September 2003

I would go with Honda

They always start, and seem to outlast most. Had a 30" w/ tracks and loved it.....that is as much as you can love something like this. Would rather be on a snow machine.

I wouldn't buy something like this for a group. Every one will want ot use it at the same time, and then who fixes it, when someone else abuses it??

Money better spent, would to go together and hire someone to do this for you, as a group. Should be able to swing a better deal than by your self, and you could play in the snow instead of work.

Steve

D lux_2 · September 2003

I bought one in the spring for 1/2 price off a big box nolonger

around 9 hp 2 stage . 110 v elect start have not had any prob. yet MTD brand get extra sheer bolts and chains for wheels . I bought ramps at sams club and Iddle it in my van to do moms

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Wayco Wayne · September 2003

Thanks for the input guys

It's a very hard choice. I have been thinking about it all week and I'm going to have to make a move before everyone sells out. I like the idea of a Honda but they are way more expensive and some winters we dont even get snow. The simplicity has caught my eye. Especially the ones with the power boost system. The Troy Built Looks good, (and it has heated handles) I think it is the upgraded Ryobi from last year which no one can give away because there's no grease fittings on the auger. Duh! The Troy built does have them so you can maintain the auger. Your input concerning the neighbors has me reconsidering the set up. I love my neighbors and would rather just buy it myself and let them use it rather than drive a wedge between me and them. BTW, I like Mark's idea the best but have had little success in my motivational speeches to my teenagers.

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pfitter_16 · September 2003

Snowblowers

Last winter I was working on the heating system at a school that had several walk behind John Deere's. They got and took a lot of use and abuse. The maintenance mechanic was rebuilding one of them, turns out it was 10 years old, but due to good maintenance looked almost new. He swore by them and also liked the availability of parts.

Like the others I would be leery of the type of deal you make with the neighbors. Maybe you could rent or lease one so it could be returned in event that the neighborhood coalition fell apart. Or, buy it yourself and rent it per use to the neighbors. Help a kid (or retired person) buy it and do the whole neighborhood. Use your collective power to get a cut rate from someone in the snow removal business. Just some more options.

My self I have a 6' wide two stage john Deere on the back of a 40 horse 4 x 4 john Deere ag tractor. I use it when my F-250 can't get the job done. It surprised me how many times that happened last winter

Good luck!

p

heretic · September 2003

Toro

I have a 23-year-old Toro 11HP. Super powerful. Never given me a day of trouble. Just regular maintenance. Best gas-operated machine I have ever owned. Not sure if the new ones will last like this or not.

Jack_23 · September 2003

Just bought an 1124 pro Ariens yesterday

Have had a 12hp Ariens tractor with 36" blower which I love and my wife hates. Cold start problems with batteries.
Suggested features to look for. Cast iron gear box, not steel. Differential for easy turning. Otherwise you have to horse it around. Plug in start, eliminates cold battery problems. Unless you have major hills to deal with you don't need a track unit. Hondas have the best motor, I think, but because they separate the carb from the aircleaner they are more prone to carb ice (my dealer sells both and he says that is the weakest point on the Honda). I am sure the honda is a great piece but I don't think it is worth the extra money. Do the grease on the auger, change the oil and the Ariens will last a long time. Oh, and it comes with heated grips

Tommy Stojanov · September 2003

If only IH was still around...

The Cub Cadet was likely one of the best small garden tractors out there, and didn't work too bad for pushing snow around. Although, I doubt you folks would want something used. A nice cadet with wheel weights, new u- joints for the blower, fresh rebuilt 12 to 16hp Kohler, and a good clutch would probably last quite a while. Now, a 340AI Ford with the naturally aspirated diesel and the standard bucket would be nice...(c'mon mon, heated cab)

Caselli · October 2003

A tractor branded Cub Cadet...

is still around.
They are part of MTD now.
How they compare with the legendary IH units from olden days... I don't know..

Caselli · October 2003

A tractor branded Cub Cadet...

is still around.
They are part of MTD now.
How they compare with the legendary IH units from olden days... I don't know..

Unknown · October 2003

There is nothing so powerful as

an old Binder.

They built them too well to compete. I've had a few IHC trucks. A 8" tree fell across the bed of my '69 3/4 ton flatbed and ruined the tree. I drove out from under it. This was in the last ten years.

I sold that truck for what I bought it for, and I plowed with it for 5 years in between.

Noel

Mark Hunt · October 2003

Better idea!

> a couple of 14 year old kids with nothin better

> to do than play Nintendo?

>

> Bet that would be

> the cheapest way out, plus you can teach them

> about running a company.

>

> Just a

> thought.

>

> Mark H

>

> _A

> HREF="http://www.heatinghelp.com/getListed.cfm?id=

> 238&Step=30"_To Learn More About This Contractor,

> Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A

> Contractor"_/A_

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Mark Hunt · October 2003

Better idea!

Why not a communal SNOW MELT SYSTEM?!?!?!??!?!?!?!

Get a nice outdoor wood boiler, some pex, and a bunch of cable ties and have at it!

You mught even get one of the tubing manufacturers to donate some tube. DO NOT ask John Barba though, he still owes me 5000' of 1/2" HePex. (OH JOOOOOHN!)

Mark H

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Jon_2 · October 2003

Snow Blowers

I live in Northern NY, by the St. Law. River. I bought new in 1974 a Bobcat snowblower. I have used it for 26+ years. It finally got a new 8 HP Briggs & Stratton last year. The Bobcats were a unique machine nothing could stop them, for they would run through any type of snow without bogging down. The secondary (front) auger is like any other snowblower but the primary was a couple of 4" wide,1/2" thick paddles turning at a unreal speed. Whether the snow was wet or dry made no difference just slowed the speed at which it traveled. They were discontinued in the 80's because they were so expensive and were hard to sell to people who looked at price alone. Mine has been a real worksaver. Over the years I have replaced a few bearings and drive belts. I would like to know if anyone knows who handles belts for them for they are getting hard to find.

Wayco Wayne · October 2003

Yo Jon

I got family up North bu the St Lawrence River, in the Canton Potdam area. I even had an Aunt Marge Frary in Canton. Any chance you are distant family??? WW

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Jon_2 · October 2003

relatives

Yes, we are related. I guess it all started when two brothers settled in Deerfield, Mass.. I not to clear on all the particulars but somewhere I have a frary family book that list all Frarys up to around 1985, and there has been a couple of volumes revisions to that book. E-mail off this forum and we will get into this if you want. By the way where are you located? Jon

Uni R · October 2003

Snowblower

Honda makes a nice snowblower with an excellent engine. ARIENS makes an excellent snowblower with a nice engine. For my money the choice was obvious, get the ARIENS. The engine may not be as nice as the Honda but it'll last as long as the chassis and be far cheaper and easier to maintain.

Unless you never get deep snow go for something powerful relative to it's width. The 8/24 Classic or 1024/1124 Pro are excellent models. They both have heavy duty differentials that will let you easily manouvre it (and not just using one wheel drive like most cheap machines without a real differential) or quickly lock the axle when it's really slippery.

My only complaint with mine is that it blows the snow too far - but it has more than sufficent power to blow it far enough at less than full throttle so that my neighbors don't get all my snow.

The crank takes only 2 easy turns to go all the way from one side to the other. It's best usability feature. It can blow back each side on an angle which is very useful (220° I think). When you buy it, ask them to install tubes. Tubeless tires on slow moving winter vehicles are not as reliable as having tubes. One less worry when it gets older. My last machine had tracks - went straight better but was much harder to turn.

Also make sure it has a light. It helps you see and be seen when you are out clearing the edge of the road.

Hope that helps...

BTW, John Deere's snowblowers are or were often made by Ariens.

DaveGateway · December 2004

Belts for MTD Snowblower

Fenner Drives 800-243-3374 make sdjustable belt that might work for you. Their WEB site www.fennerindustrial.com

Mitch_4 · December 2004

In Canada..

1972 Chev silverado 4X4, 400 CI 4 barrel, short box, 8" lift kit and 42" monster off road tires, and 250# in weight...No snowblower needed yet!

" Dashing through the snow...in my V8 chevrolet.. where's the drive, don't know... but I'm laughing all the way..."

Snow? what snow?

Sorry can't help you, never use the things, that's why God made spring. If I can't get out, It isn't possible.

I pull tow truck on occasion.

Mitch

tom_11 · December 2004

Belts for bobcat

Allen Lawnmower in Agawam mass has all the parts for Bob Cats. 197 Main st , Agawam mass.tel 413 7868111

sootmonkey · December 2004

snow

40 horse power, John Deere, diesle, front bucket. 5 foot, 2 stage snow blower on rear off pto. I know for a fact that it will go through 3 ft of snow, although, I did burn some fuel.

BostonGC · December 2004

Gravely

I am amazed no one mentioned a Gravely machine. The best blower made. Period. Although a bit heavy to use, will last a lifetime. All gear drive, will throw snow, if desired, 75+ feet. No longer made although some dealers have new stock. Make Honda's look cheap, a gravely power unit(they run other attachments) and blower attachment is around 7500.00. You can find good used ones at bargain prices since they have been made for many years and are all over the place. An older Gravely with the Gravely motor(they now use Kohlers) is a real interesting contraption.

Ariens owns Gravely. Ariens are good, fine for homeowners, but many of you guys would really like the gravely concept, a lifetime buy.

Jon_2 · December 2004

Belts for Bobcat

Thanks Tom for the address,etc for Bobcat belts. There is one belt on that machine that there is no substitute for. It is a custom belt, metric belts are close but not close enough. It has a profile smaller than an A belt and a 3L type belt. I wish I knew where it was made. Jon

Robert O'Connor_7 · December 2004

Wayne....

Don't do the co-op blower. Its kinda like borrowing a tool, you break it (or in this case someone else breaks it) or it gets robbed, then ya know what? You now gotta get another one or fix a broken one and you STILL don't own it. Go buy a used/rebuilt one if $$'s tight, you'll be much happier you did...Robert O'Connor/NJ

tom_11 · December 2004

Belt for BobCat

The number i gave you in agawam will have the belt for you or they will get one for you.Do you have the model number of the machine, or the part number for the belt. I have a bobcat snowthrower, 8hp 24" , and anytime i need parts, they have them or they get them for me.

Snow Blowers

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