This ^
I hang up my electric in the garage when I don't use it or put it on a shelf in the shed.
This ^For that small of a driveway I think an electric should work fine. I've cleared out a driveway 3x that size before with an electric one that had over a foot of snowfall. It wasn't fun, but it was worlds better than shoveling.
Electric single stage blowers are light, easy to use, and require zero maintenance. You might have to make two passes (or keep up on a heavy snowfall throughout the day instead of waiting till it's done) with a single stage electric but for an area that small they work better than many people give them credit for.
And yes, I have a 26" dual stage beast sitting in my garage, but that's because I now have a driveway that's close to 3000 sq/ft.
Yeah, I'm also a little concerned about them having to store a huge 2-stage snowblower. I'm not sure they have room in their garage to store one, whereas with an electric only weighing 30 or 40 lbs, he could find room or even hang it from the garage ceiling.
Still mulling it over. I see the points about the 2 stage blowers but I'm concerned that's overkill for us and I've yet to find a NEW 2 stage blower between $400 and $500.
Ok, the wife and I are considering purchasing a belated Christmas gift for my father in-law -- a snowblower (we thought he had one). They live in the Ft. Wayne, Indiana area (about 125 miles northeast of Indy) and get a decent amount of snow ever year. Their driveway is extremely small (holds about 4 standard cars) but the FIL is 62 years-old and shovels it by hand, which worries both of us since he has a pacemaker and has had 2 heart attacks. He's the kind that would never buy a snowblower for himself.
For this kind of work, I don't think a 2 stage snowblower is necessary. An electric unit would probably work, but I don't think he'd like that. Any recommendations on a single-stage unit? Let's say we want to spend in the $400 to $500 range.
Make sure that it has electric start. As we get past 50, using the pull cord is stressful. After 60, it becomes work.
Damn you. I'm seriously considering one, and I don't need you locals convincing me to shell out $1000
My driveway is kind of steep and narrows toward the bottom, and slopes off from the left side. My garage faces the driveway head on, too, so it's really hard for the plow to do a great job. He basically has to push snow off the left slope or leave it on the turnaround, and the right side always has more for me to shovel - the side my wife parks on and the side where the walk up to our front door is. So I've really been considering a snow blower because I can do a better job.
You have about as much driveway to clear as I do, minus my slope. I'm considering an Arians 928LE, which is backordered right now. Think I could get away with something smaller, or is that about the size for that much driveway?
Damn you. I'm seriously considering one, and I don't need you locals convincing me to shell out $1000
My driveway is kind of steep and narrows toward the bottom, and slopes off from the left side. My garage faces the driveway head on, too, so it's really hard for the plow to do a great job. He basically has to push snow off the left slope or leave it on the turnaround, and the right side always has more for me to shovel - the side my wife parks on and the side where the walk up to our front door is. So I've really been considering a snow blower because I can do a better job.
You have about as much driveway to clear as I do, minus my slope. I'm considering an Arians 928LE, which is backordered right now. Think I could get away with something smaller, or is that about the size for that much driveway?
Holyfuck X 3!
don't mess with electric
they are weak, batteries go bad after awhile, etc...
Once again, without experience you can't make a recommendation on them. I have one, it works great and it doesn't even have a battery! Plugs right in to the wall!they are weak, batteries go bad after awhile, etc...
Yeah. I agree. Everyone tried to talk me into a 2 stage and for the price, it just wasn't worth it. $129 shipped vs. 500+? I really need a snow blower MAYBE 2-3 times a year and I live just south of Cleveland. Unless you get some REAL snow, a 2 stage gas really isn't needed.Batteries? Uh they plug in. No batteries required. As far as power, it's all about the right tool for the job. There's a LOT of people running around with dual stage blowers that have zero need for them but bought them anyway because some blowhard told them that's what they needed to buy.
If you live in a heavy snowfall area, sure dual stage makes sense. If you have an enormous amount of area to cover, dual stage makes sense...although I could argue that there are even better ways to do that.
But for lighter snowfall areas and for small drives an electric works fine and requires zero upkeep after you are done with it for the year.
Yet another post with ZERO info as to why they are a bad idea.... Have you ever tried to wrestle a heavy 2 stage gas up a few steps onto a walkway to clear it off? How about up a few steps onto a deck or patio? My electric sure clears them off without problem and it's light as can be. I can carry it up onto my deck one handed!!Don't get electric. They suck. The driveway is not the only thing that needs shoveling. You also have walkways and etc.
Yet another post with ZERO info as to why they are a bad idea.... Have you ever tried to wrestle a heavy 2 stage gas up a few steps onto a walkway to clear it off? How about up a few steps onto a deck or patio? My electric sure clears them off without problem and it's light as can be. I can carry it up onto my deck one handed!!
exactly. my 2 stage is great. but it is a pain in the ass to use. no way would i try to get it up steps to the porch area. i have a shovel for that.
Don't get electric. They suck. The driveway is not the only thing that needs shoveling. You also have walkways and etc.
I get that a 2 stage is "better", but it's not always better for everyone. I have enough driveway that a 2 stage gas would be nice so I don't have to fight with 150' of extension cord BUT the extra cost to me isn't worth it. My neighbor has a 2 stage gas and he maybe uses it once a year. The rest of the time, it's too much hassle to get it out, get it started and wrestle it around. Then he can only do his driveway and he borrows my electric to do his back deck and walk ways.
He said if he could do it again, he'd go electric like I did so he could handle it easier and do his walkways. Plus he would have saved like $1000. D:
Did you miss the post where I talked about my electric snowblower and clearing a driveway (3 car garage and probably 60 ft long) with an electric with no issues? And my patio? And my walkways?
2 stage self propelled == good for those nice long country driveways with turnarounds that are as wide as a 2 lane road when you live off one of the snowbelts in the great lakes regions and often wake up to a fresh "dusting" of 6" of heavy, wet lake effect snow every morning that would give a healthy teenager a heart attack to shovel. The kind I grew up on.
Electric is perfect for those small 1 car-length single car or two car wide urban/suburban driveways in the land of townhouses and condos that get maybe an inch or two of that light dry fluffy snow overnight every few days in the colder climates during the winter.
Then there's the somewhere in between, where you simply use your better judgement.
Pick the right tool for the right job.
exactly. my 2 stage is self propelled. though i wish i spent the extra $300 for self turning (and heated hand grips!).
but i had already spent$1200 i think.
THAT is the main reason alone I didn't go with gas. A "good" one was going to run me 10x the cost of my electric!