I need a snowblower

[KaRLiToS]

I just installed my second set of skid shoes.

 

[cytoSiN]

Very nice! I found a local dealer that sells Ariens and Husqvarna. The Ariens Deluxe 24 has apparently been discontinued, so I'm loathe to spend $1000 on it. The Husqvarna ST 24 is comparable, has some newer features that the Ariens doesn't have (like plastic shoes and heated grips), and has nearly comparable power (208cc vs. 254cc). Anyone have thoughts on the Husqvarna?

 

[cabri]

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).

Rent a UHaul truck for $20 and take the unit home if you can not convince someone with a trailer and/or pickup with a 6 pack.

 

[cytoSiN]

Ended up with the Husqvarna, which will be delivered free. It's built like the Ariens, and it's all steel and more powerful than the Troy-bilt. If any issues with it, I'll swap it for the Ariens. Should be here later this week.

 

[KaRLiToS]

Ended up with the Husqvarna, which will be delivered free. It's built like the Ariens, and it's all steel and more powerful than the Troy-bilt. If any issues with it, I'll swap it for the Ariens. Should be here later this week.

I hope that when you receive it you won't have to wait very long to test it. I have that blower since two weeks in my shed and I only started it to move it.

No snow yet .

 

[waffleironhead]

I hope that when you receive it you won't have to wait very long to test it. I have that blower since two weeks in my shed and I only started it to move it.

No snow yet .

You guaranteed that there would be no snow. If you only had a shovel on hand, you would have 3 feet on the way.

 

[cytoSiN]

Just think though, how much would you pay to NOT have to deal with it for an entire winter?

 

[KaRLiToS]

By the way we had our first real snow of the year a week ago. 30cm of snow.

Was really fun, that snowblower is a tank, no effort going in the thoughest snow wall.

 

[OatisCampbell]

I thought I would chime in on all this:
My first snowblower was a 5.5hp Craftsman electric start that lasted me 17 years and is still working fine for my neighbors. We get a lot of snow, and it has had a lot of use.

That should pretty much tell you how much you need to spend extra on Honda, which does indeed make very nice equipment.

I replaced that with a 6.5hp Craftsman that Consumer Reports rated one of their best with one flaw: you need to replace the stock skids with the long skids. They cost $30, and I think the blower was around $670.. It is working very well also.

Don't usually "cheap out" but when Consumer Reports says "Cheap and high quality" I listen.

EDIT:
Here's the link to the Consumer Reports article:

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/...n-snow-blower-got-bent-out-of-shape/index.htm

 

[OatisCampbell]

The honda throw the snow 52feet away, I don't see a problem there.

And this is my parking lot.

It is a snowblower or a showvel. I opted for the snowblower, that will last me at least 20 years.

Where are you going to throw snow here?!

Over the roof? Into the neighbor's driveway?

Those are some tight quarters for snow blowing!

 

[KaRLiToS]

Where are you going to throw snow here?!

Over the roof? Into the neighbor's driveway?

Those are some tight quarters for snow blowing!

I'm throwing it on the front yard.

 

[cytoSiN]

Still hasn't snowed yet here. If I could keep it from snowing every year by buying a snowblower I'd do it.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Still hasn't snowed yet here. If I could keep it from snowing every year by buying a snowblower I'd do it.

It worked for me, for about a month. We got several feet of snow, I bought my snow blower, and it did not snow for almost a month after. We got a decent snow fall the other day though so I got to use it to it's fullest extent.

 

[DrPizza]

It worked for me, for about a month. We got several feet of snow, I bought my snow blower, and it did not snow for almost a month after. We got a decent snow fall the other day though so I got to use it to it's fullest extent.

We've only gotten snow once that was much more than a dusting. (Lake effect snow set up on us for a little while.) Later this afternoon, I'll probably finally get around to putting chains on my snow removal tool. Allis Chalmers D-15, with a 6' bucket in the front, and 6' blade in the rear. Even Buffalo's 7 foot snowfall would have been child's play with it.

Simple point though - for those looking at snowblowers, who have the space, an old tractor may be an affordable alternative, that can also provide a lot of other uses. I see tractors sell for $1000 to $3000 that would be perfect for snow removal in the winter.

 

[KaRLiToS]

15 cm coming tomorrow.

 

[shortylickens]

BUMP!



I went ahead and got the Husqvarna ST 151.

Works fine. I'll be ready for the weekend, no doubt.



(pics to follow)

 

[KaRLiToS]

Nice

 

[echo4747]

I just installed my second set of skid shoes.

Congrats on the purchase... I have the same machine for 5 yrs now. It has worked flawlessly the entire time. One thing, I go thru at least a few shear bolts each winter. Just a suggestion... you can buy these shear bolts on ebay for much less than the honda dealer. Its good to keep extras on hand you never know when you may hit a chunk or something buried in the snow.

** btw while you were shopping did you ever get the chance to check out/consider the Yamaha YS1028J. Its not really available here in the US but is in Canada
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqKBa3Oqto0

 

[cytoSiN]

BUMP!



I went ahead and got the Husqvarna ST 151.

Works fine. I'll be ready for the weekend, no doubt.



(pics to follow)

Nice. I ended up with the ST224 last year, and it served me very well during the 2-3 big snow storms we had. I just tuned it up this week to be ready for this weekend's storm. Expecting 8-12, but we'll probably get far less...it's sad when you're disappointed that it didn't snow because you wanted to use the snow blower more!

 

[mindless1]

I didn't notice it before, but the light on that is pretty low, partially blocked by the auger housing. Might help to get it a bit higher up and look into an LED lighting upgrade if you might use it after dark, if only for the fun factor...

If the light is incan, or even if LED, as a cost saving measure they often use AC or single-diode DC to power lighting from the AC alternator windings. A basic schottky bridge rectifier + capacitor prior to an LED light bar would allow for a large increase in lumens. Snow blowers with all but the tiniest engines tend to have a full throttle RPM that's artificially lower than the engine would have in other applications so with the corresponding reduction in alternator output (unless it's refitted with a more robust alternator, which I doubt would happen before other more substantial lighting improvements were designed in), squeezing another volt out of the bulb electrical system can mean a lot when you try to power a light bar meant for ~12VDC.

 

[shortylickens]

You fuckin like that shit??!?


TELL ME YOU FUCKIN LIKE IT!!

 

[shortylickens]

Nevermind.

Thing is junk. I should have got the metal one.
That plastic auger doesnt plow worth a damn. 600 bucks down the tubes.
I dont know how I'm gonna send it back to Amazon. Had to tear apart the shipping box.
Crap.

 

[boomerang]

Nevermind.

Thing is junk. I should have got the metal one.
That plastic auger doesnt plow worth a damn. 600 bucks down the tubes.
I dont know how I'm gonna send it back to Amazon. Had to tear apart the shipping box.
Crap.

How much snow are you trying to move?

I've got a similar Toro that handled 10" really well. That's the most it's ever had to deal with.

 

[KaRLiToS]

I didn't notice it before, but the light on that is pretty low, partially blocked by the auger housing. Might help to get it a bit higher up and look into an LED lighting upgrade if you might use it after dark, if only for the fun factor...

If the light is incan, or even if LED, as a cost saving measure they often use AC or single-diode DC to power lighting from the AC alternator windings. A basic schottky bridge rectifier + capacitor prior to an LED light bar would allow for a large increase in lumens. Snow blowers with all but the tiniest engines tend to have a full throttle RPM that's artificially lower than the engine would have in other applications so with the corresponding reduction in alternator output (unless it's refitted with a more robust alternator, which I doubt would happen before other more substantial lighting improvements were designed in), squeezing another volt out of the bulb electrical system can mean a lot when you try to power a light bar meant for ~12VDC.

You are right, it is not the brightess light and also when you raise the machine, the auger housing is blocking the light.

I have some good ideas to modify the light and extend the arm.

There are a lot of info on the link here http://www.snowblowerforum.com/foru...rading-your-snowblower-lights-led-lights.html

I want to the same same thing as this guy in the video, whatch it its worth it. https://youtu.be/0WEXZB4hkd0?t=23m55s

Congrats on the purchase... I have the same machine for 5 yrs now. It has worked flawlessly the entire time. One thing, I go thru at least a few shear bolts each winter. Just a suggestion... you can buy these shear bolts on ebay for much less than the honda dealer. Its good to keep extras on hand you never know when you may hit a chunk or something buried in the snow.

** btw while you were shopping did you ever get the chance to check out/consider the Yamaha YS1028J. Its not really available here in the US but is in Canada
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqKBa3Oqto0

Yes I considered both the Yamaha and Honda but decided to go with the Honda since the dealer is just around the corner.
I will also order some shear bolts on ebay as soon as I can but I don't need them much since the parking area and backyard are cleaned of any debris. I always inspect the ground before a snow in case there are some dead tree branches or any other debris.

Nevermind.

Thing is junk. I should have got the metal one.
That plastic auger doesnt plow worth a damn. 600 bucks down the tubes.
I dont know how I'm gonna send it back to Amazon. Had to tear apart the shipping box.
Crap.

Single stage blower are usually for light snow and light jobs. I prefer a shovel than a single stage snow blower.

 

[MustISO]

I've got a craftsman single stage that's probably 10 years old. Works great up to about 12"-15" and starts every time.

With the 28"-32" we just got it struggled to even get the snow up and over the wall of snow next to where i was plowing, just too much for a single stage. Needed to have gotten up at 2AM and started snowing before it got so deep.

Would like a 2-stage but seems like a waste given how infrequently we get this much snow. The last time was 6 years ago.