Snowblowers? * edited w/ more info*

[Soapy Bones]

My dad is pretty much set on getting one this year and I want to help him find something that will fit for what we need. He is pretty set on having to spend close to $1000 but what names and features should one look for in one of these things.

*EDIT*
We life in NW Ohio so the winters are VERY variable. He pretty much decided an electric start was necessary after he strained himself starting a chainsaw this summer. Snow can be anywhere from 2" to as much as a foot at a time so that is of course a consideration. We have a relatively smooth, sloping, stone driveway. The neighbors have a Simplicity, but its a smaller sized one and my dad used it a couple of times last year. Its a manual start and I believe is just a single stage. They also have a concrete driveway. So that should help out.

 

[BSEagle1]

I have an awesome snowblower. It's the 'Snow Shovel' model

Actually, we -do- have an engine powered blower sitting in our driveway. But that's about all it does, sit in the driveway; aside from not even being able to start, I wouldn't use it in the first place because I'd rather shovel. The people who sold us the house left it here, and it will likely still be here when we move in 8 months

Though I can see why your dad would want one if he's getting into his older years.

Don't they make some that are sort of like leaf blowers? I'd go for one of those. I dunno if the ones you have to push around have power to the wheels once they start or not, but from having to move it out of the driveway I will tell you now it's damn heavy and hella clumbsy.

 

[Soapy Bones]

Yeah the problem is that my dad already had a triple bypass and doesn't want to risk the heart attack thing for shoveling snow in the driveway. The ones that he has looked at (he tells me) are self propelled and would be relatively easy to use, I just don't want him to get something that is way overkill or even way underkill for what we need.

 

[jadinolf]

So Cal here
Bwuhahahahahahahaha

 

[Conky]

Make sure it has an electric starter. Take my word, next winter whatever you get is not gonna wanna start in the cold without a fight! :laugh:

 

[Tifababy]

electric start is nice, also make sure you get a 2 stage blower. A nice one will also have 2 controls, one for the auger speed and one for the wheel speed. The cheaper ones have rubber on the edge of the auger which pull the snow blower along. Any snow blower around $1000 will have all these features. After around the $600 mark all you're paying for is more horsepower. I just researched and bought a craftsman at sears for $599. I went for this one because it had all the features I wanted and we also have $300 in gift cards to sears.

 

[BSEagle1]

Originally posted by: lather164
Yeah the problem is that my dad already had a triple bypass and doesn't want to risk the heart attack thing for shoveling snow in the driveway. The ones that he has looked at (he tells me) are self propelled and would be relatively easy to use, I just don't want him to get something that is way overkill or even way underkill for what we need.

Ack! Ok yeah...definately shouldn't be shoveling snow o_o

How much snow does he get? I doubt you'd need much horsepower to push average amounts of snow. Maybe have him check with the local hardware store, or ask his neighbours what they use? I'd get you the name/model of mine but I dunno how much it costs, or even how well it would work.

 

[Looney]

Don't skimp on the HP, even if you think you have a small driveway. The problem isn't the size of are that you have to clear, but the amount of snow that's fallen. But if you're willing to spend $1k, that shouldn't be a problem.

 

[laurenlex]

I have a Toro dual stage. No electric start. I am suprised how easily it starts, even when VERY cold. The only time it has failed me is when the snow is very wet, almost slush. It clogged up instantly. Other than that, it works great on my driveway.

It does not get the last 1/16 inch of snow, but the sun melts that.

 

[tyler811]

Originally posted by: jadinolf
So Cal here
Bwuhahahahahahahaha

 

[preCRT]

Where does your dad live? The amount of snow you get makes a huge diffference on the size of snowblower he'll need.

After a triple bypass he should NOT be shoveling. He'll need at least a two stage gas snowblower with an electric start with a minimum of 5 hp, maybe even an 8 or 10 hp [depends on his location]. If the winters are semi-mild, don't overbuy with a 10 hp, they are much heavier than 5hp blowers.

I'm in MA and have a 2 stage, 5hp MTD blower (but without the electric starter, wish it did). It does sometimes get jammed with slushy warm snow in March, but handles December-February fine.

If he's willing to spend more, I'd recommend Ariens blowers, from what I've heard, they handle the slushy/mushy stuff quite well.

 

[AdamSnow]

I need to find me a snow-blower... if you catch my drift ...

 

[tm37]

Originally posted by: jadinolf
So Cal here
Bwuhahahahahahahaha

I filled up for $2.09/gal today

Bwuhahahahahahahahaha

 

[LeadMagnet]

in the north east and northern midwest - where 2+ foot snow storms happen several times a year - you need a real snowblower. A Minimum of 8HP, dual stage, and electric starter are a must. I like Ariens, Toro, and Honda the most, American Electrolux makes most of the other brands (Sears, Poulin, WeedEater, Husqavana, ect.....)

I own a Toro 8HP right now and it can barely handle my 2500sqft of driveway in Massachusetts. If I was to buy one today I would get the Ariens 11528LE Deluxe The can be got for just over $1100 on sale

 

[Slew Foot]

Originally posted by: tm37

Originally posted by: jadinolf
So Cal here
Bwuhahahahahahahaha

I filled up for $2.09/gal today

Bwuhahahahahahahahaha

I filled up for 2.50 today, and I dont have to buy a $1000 snow blower.

ALthough back when I was in MIlwaukee I remember my Dad had a snow blower. I have no idea what type it was, it was over 20 years ago. Man, Im so glad I dont have to do that.

 

[Zenmervolt]

About $700 for a two-stage Toro with electric start (plug it into an outlet in the garage, hit the button, it starts, nice and easy) with self-propulsion.

If you get any decent amount of snow, you're much better off with a two-stage snow-thrower that has a 4-cycle engine. The little tiny single-stage two-cycle snow-blowers aren't worth much if you get heavy or wet snow.

ZV

 

[OdiN]

Tell him to pour water on the snow to melt it....nice hot water.



*runs*

 

[Ornery]

Ariens and Snapper have similar construction and you can buy replacement parts for units that are 30 years old. That means something to me... (I have a 20+ year old Ariens.)

 

[Zim Hosein]

I clicked this thread thinking it was about cocaine!

 

[Kelemvor]

You can get them for closer to $500. No need for some gigantic one if there's no guarantee that you'll haev a blizzard. Just make sure it has the corkscrew type feeder in the front. A shoot that you can aim different directions. And the motor needs to eb stronger to shoot the snow faster.

Check everywhere from Sears, Sams, Home Depot, etc.

 

[Captante]

I live in Connecticut & have an 8hp John Deer track-drive model (built by Ariens) & if I had it to do over again I'd buy the same thing except I think I'd go with wheels & just get some tire-chains for the rare times traction is a problem because the tracks make for extra maintenance and slower top speed in more common light snow.
Its handeled everything natures thrown at it including 2 feet of "wet cement" textured snow & has only clogged once in the 10 years I've owned it & used it to clear my 150 foot driveway... it was pricy (approx $1400) but is built like a tank, has electric start, dual stage & as I mentioned track drive... I'd suggest going with a similar Ariens model since the John Deer isn't sold anymore, also if you want your purchase to last a long time stay away from MTD & their many clones (Craftsman & models sold at Home depot etc)... theres a reason they cost half a much.

 

[preCRT]

Ok, based on his sloping stone driveway & living in the snowbelt, I'd recommend a two stage Ariens, preferably an 8.5 hp, or better a 10hp.

If/when I have to get a new one [hopefully not for another few years at least], I'm planning to get a larger model. I also have a very long, sloping stone driveway, and snow does not melt off it as easily as off blacktop. Your dad will just need to adjust the lifters a tiny bit so it won't scrape off the top layer of stone as he snowblows.

Headlights are great if you have to blow after dark.

 

[Muadib]

My gf got got this 9HP model from Sears last year. I only got to use it once last year, but boy was it fun.