I need a snowblower

[mindless1]

Thanks for the suggestions. Am I crazy to be concerned about keeping a gas snowblower in the house with little ones? Not that I'd let them anywhere near it, but still. Garage is one car and fitting one of these next to car would probably be tough.

The nice thing about the smaller ones is they don't need a lot of room to get in and out, and the weight is low enough any average able-bodied person can tip the front end up and wheel it around manually instead of having to start it in the garage to use powered drive.

I park a 24" next to a car in the garage and there's a piece of masking tape on the floor. If the car's wheel is past the tape there is enough room to get the blower out without moving the car. It's been there for years but if it ever wears off I might just paint a dot or something instead of more tape.

I don't recall for certain but some probably have a safety key that when removed, will keep it from starting.

 

[shortylickens]

Im gonna get a low-end Snow Joe soon.


http://www.snowjoe.com/

 

[KaRLiToS]

Don't worry my friend, it is now yours. I have already made my choice.

If you can find an Ariens SHO with Briggs and Stratton engine, it's gonna be an awsome machine.

 

[KaRLiToS]

Im gonna get a low-end Snow Joe soon.


http://www.snowjoe.com/

Snow Joe is considered to be really bad. Cheap chinese product.

 

[cytoSiN]

Don't worry my friend, it is now yours. I have already made my choice.

If you can find an Ariens SHO with Briggs and Stratton engine, it's gonna be an awsome machine.

Thanks! I'm not looking to spend more than $500. Less if I can help it. Homedepot has some Ariens models for around that price, but it's hard to tell if any are good. For example: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ariens-P...Single-Stage-Gas-Snow-Blower-938030/204330496

 

[seepy83]

Thanks! I'm not looking to spend more than $500. Less if I can help it. Homedepot has some Ariens models for around that price, but it's hard to tell if any are good. For example: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ariens-P...Single-Stage-Gas-Snow-Blower-938030/204330496

Forget that for the amount of space that you need to clear. You definitely need a Two-Stage blower.
Edit: I guess it also depends on how much snow you get...but I would think anywhere in NY would regularly get large enough snowfall that you wouldn't want a single-stage.

 

[mindless1]

^^ I'd not even consider that for $400 vs the two stage Craftsman for $500. The wheels are flimsy, handlebar flimsy too and quite un-ergonomic, and it won't handle snow as deep or throw as far, especially with packed/wet snow, and you have to stop and walk in front every time you readjust the shoot direction. Further the blade will pull it along some but it's not self propelled either.

Basically I'm saying it just cuts too many corners in basic design to be user friendly, not that it's a bad product per se. There is a little bit cheaper ~$440 or so 22" two stage Craftsman, but that one is only single speed and has poor handlebars. It's easily worth $60 more to go with the first one I linked.
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-22inc...p-07188199000P

 

[cytoSiN]

^^ I'd not even consider that for $400 vs the two stage Craftsman for $500. The wheels are flimsy, handlebar flimsy too and quite un-ergonomic, and it won't handle snow as deep or throw as far, especially with packed/wet snow, and you have to stop and walk in front every time you readjust the shoot direction.

Basically I'm saying it just cuts too many corners in basic design to be user friendly, not that it's a bad product per se.

Delivery is $70 (and it's not even available for delivery right now) and it's not available for pickup within 50 miles of my zip

 

[shortylickens]

Snow Joe is considered to be really bad. Cheap chinese product.

Neighbor has one. Does just fine in our little townhomes. Nobody has a driveway bigger than 12 feet by 8 feet.

 

[mindless1]

Delivery is $70 (and it's not even available for delivery right now) and it's not available for pickup within 50 miles of my zip

It's made by MTD and something slightly cosmetically different but mostly the same might be found under that brand, Yard Machines, Troy-Built and a few others.

Sometimes places like Home Depot have lightly used (almost new customer returns) equipment that is deeply discounted, or otherwise I'd look for 3rd party used in that price range. Local stores might have more stock later into the season, call them and ask if they expect any stock soon.

Here's the Troy-Built version for $600. If you can find a 10% off Lowes coupon that would take it down to $540 and maybe lower still by using gift cards... or work a similar deal at Home Depot.
http://www.lowes.com/pd_189194-270-31AS62N2711_0__?productId=3255746
lol, their pics make it look larger than it really is, though it still won't fit in a car trunk or anything.

 

[shabby]

Im gonna get a low-end Snow Joe soon.


http://www.snowjoe.com/

Like a boss!

 

[KaRLiToS]

Neighbor has one. Does just fine in our little townhomes. Nobody has a driveway bigger than 12 feet by 8 feet.

In that case I guess it's pretty fine then.

But like mindless1 mentionned, I would opt for a two stages snow blower, I guess the 500$ Craftsman can be good for a good run. Maybe not 20 years but should be fine especially at that price.

 

[cytoSiN]

It's made by MTD and something slightly cosmetically different but mostly the same might be found under that brand, Yard Machines, Troy-Built and a few others.

Sometimes places like Home Depot have lightly used (almost new customer returns) equipment that is deeply discounted, or otherwise I'd look for 3rd party used in that price range. Local stores might have more stock later into the season, call them and ask if they expect any stock soon.

Here's the Troy-Built version for $600. If you can find a 10% off Lowes coupon that would take it down to $540 and maybe lower still by using gift cards... or work a similar deal at Home Depot.
http://www.lowes.com/pd_189194-270-31AS62N2711_0__?productId=3255746
lol, their pics make it look larger than it really is, though it still won't fit in a car trunk or anything.

Was just looking at that one, but it's over my budget. Might drag my father-in-law down to Lowe's this week and see if he feels like chipping in!

 

[Gillbot]

Snow Joe is considered to be really bad. Cheap chinese product.

I have one, I like it. It's 19" wide, 9" high single stage and has cleared all 120' of my 2 car drive for several years. For the $79 or whatever the sale was, I'm extremely happy with it. Only had to replace the main pulley once when the wife used it, aside from that, never an issue with anything I've thrown at it. I've even used it to clear deep 20"+ snow falls and the heavy wet slush stuff. As long as you use common sense and don't overload it, it does just fine.

 

[mindless1]

In that case I guess it's pretty fine then.

But like mindless1 mentionned, I would opt for a two stages snow blower, I guess the 500$ Craftsman can be good for a good run. Maybe not 20 years but should be fine especially at that price.

It wouldn't surprise me at all if it lasts 20 years, providing you rebuild the carb after a decade, use fuel stabilizer, oil it every now and then including blades and all sheet metal.

Then again I'm referring to my location not Canada. I don't get more than a few inches of snow at a time (6"+ is unusual), a half dozen times each winter. I only have a blower because my longish sloped driveway is difficult for 2WD vehicles with snow on it.

 

[mindless1]

Was just looking at that one, but it's over my budget. Might drag my father-in-law down to Lowe's this week and see if he feels like chipping in!

If you have neighbors nearby, ask if any want to chip in and share ownership, or blow a few of their driveways this winter to make $$$.

 

[Zivic]

Been using my HS1132 honda. I have a 100' x 46' ice rink on my back field. already had to clear it a couple times along with my driveway (~70' x 30'). IMHO you can never have too much blower

 

[Murdoc]

The nice thing about the smaller ones is they don't need a lot of room to get in and out, and the weight is low enough any average able-bodied person can tip the front end up and wheel it around manually instead of having to start it in the garage to use powered drive.

This is the reason I just bought an Ariens Compact 22. It was the smallest two stage blower that the dealer had. I could have gotten a 28" blower for a few hundred more, but I have a single car detached garage to store it in (don't have a shed) and space is a premium. I haven't used it yet in the snow, but I think it will be very maneuverable and get the job done just fine.

 

[KaRLiToS]

We are suppose to get around 10-15cm of snow Monday, I just hope it will happen finally.

 

[cytoSiN]

We are suppose to get around 10-15cm of snow Monday, I just hope it will happen finally.

You realize that we're expecting photos, right?

 

[KaRLiToS]

You realize that we're expecting photos, right?

It will be videos.

 

[cytoSiN]

My main concern with putting it in the house is that the snow will melt all the time so it will probably rust faster. There may also be residual fumes from having operating it but probably not enough to be a concern. Just take the key out so it can't accidentally be started.

I would build a small enclosure outside to put it in though, just because of the rust issue. It's like if you put your car in the heated garage all the time, the snow melts, and salt starts to work and it will rust much faster.

My garage isn't heated, but it's also not as cold as being outside by virtue of being attached to the house and shielded from the wind/snow. Hopefully whatever I buy will fit in the garage. Going to Lowe's tomorrow to look around a bit.

 

[cytoSiN]

So I think I settled on the Troy-Bilt Storm 2410, but Lowe's wants $599 for it, plus tax, plus $85 to deliver it from the store, and tax on that too. It can't be shipped, and it weighs 215 pounds and comes in a huge, semi-open box/crate, so I can't pick it up myself either. Tried to find a local dealer, but there's only local service...only Lowe's sells locally. Might end up looking for another model now. There's a local Ariens dealer, but the comparable model is at least $800 (it's worth it for the better quality, but it's huge overkill for me).

 

[seepy83]

So I think I settled on the Troy-Bilt Storm 2410, but Lowe's wants $599 for it, plus tax, plus $85 to deliver it from the store, and tax on that too. It can't be shipped, and it weighs 215 pounds and comes in a huge, semi-open box/crate, so I can't pick it up myself either. Tried to find a local dealer, but there's only local service...only Lowe's sells locally. Might end up looking for another model now. There's a local Ariens dealer, but the comparable model is at least $800 (it's worth it for the better quality, but it's huge overkill for me).

My best advice, seeing as we're already into December, is if you need one then buy one. In a month, you probably won't be able to get anything. Everyone's budgets and household income is different, so I don't want to make any assumptions, but try to think about where you could save some money to make up for the extra you might spend on a good snow thrower.

 

[cytoSiN]

My best advice, seeing as we're already into December, is if you need one then buy one. In a month, you probably won't be able to get anything. Everyone's budgets and household income is different, so I don't want to make any assumptions, but try to think about where you could save some money to make up for the extra you might spend on a good snow thrower.

Good points. To be fair/honest, the extra hundred or two doesn't matter for me right now, but it's the principle of the thing...I want good value...don't want to be ripped off by Lowe's, who won't even come to service the damn thing. But you're probably right, and I probably don't have another choice.