What to get? I live in Phx, totally clueless. Guy that sits next to me at work needs one for his place in Idaho where they get real snow. Any brand known to be avoided?

If Ariens makes 'em as complicated as they build their mower drives, I'd run away. Too many components, which once they start to wear, become a tinkerin' man's headache. ;)

I bought a ariens 926le three yrs ago and last yr we had a record for snow and this month we had a record snowfall already. I love it, its was worth the $975 and better built then the comparible priced craftsman, troybuilt, john deere, and the other in that price range. Plus it also has the longest warrent, 3yrs.

Try and find one that turns easy. I sold a troy built 10hp that I bought new ten years ago, never even put a belt or spark plug in it, it started vibrating so I just sold it.

Patience here i'm getting to the point.

So this September I buy a new 8hp toro on sale, around $1200. He delivers it ready to go, so I grab a hold of the handle bars and go to turn it on the concrete and it didn't move so I muscled it and turned it.

I never really thought about it until we got the first snow, and I need to do quite a bit of turning when snowblowing. I went in the house and told the bride the toro isn't very user friendly, I weight 185 lbs so it shouldn't be a problem. But with the differential setup on these they are a bear to turn, it will beat you up if you have to make very many turns.

The troy built I had turned easy.

So I called the toro guy and he said the 10hp has an unlocking differntial lever on the handle bars, so we worked a deal and I bought the 10hp.

The 10 hp is a pleasure to use, free wheeling it around on the turns, I really like it.

So whatever one he picks out, give it a dry test on concrete and see how easy you can pull down on the handle bars and turn it, if it turns hard at all I would pass.

Thats my story Tom.:)

Rob

Pheonix AZ and you need a snowblower?? You cant get to much snow there!! Anyway, get one based on how much snow you get there first. You dont need one of those big augar feed types if you only get less than say 7 inches powdery snow at a time. I'm guessing you only need a paddle throw type. Those new are around $800. Probably get good deals now and in the next couple months. If you get big snowfalls or heavy wet snowfalls, you'll be better off with an augar feed type that are self propelled. Go to Toro's website. They have a chart that helps you pick a snowblower.
Toro is a good one too. I purchased a used Toro (smaller paddle type) about 18 years ago and basically all I do it put gas in it and go. Its sometimes undersized for some of the snowfall we get here in Detroit, Michigan area, but most snowfalls its good.
We just had an about 8 inch snowfall (above average)here a couple weeks ago. We had some drifts that ended up over a foot on my drive. My snowblower did the job but with those deep drifts, I had to work my ass off. My neighbor with HER self propelled,electric start, 8 hp, augar type just walked thru that stuff like a hot knife thru butter, just to give you and example. I came real close to buying one of those too.
A snowblower is definitely a LIFESAVER so its a GREAT idea to have one. Even if you got one, when you go outside in the cold, let your body adjust to the cold for 10 minutes of so before exerting yourself!! If your not in excellent shape, the combo of the cold air on the respitory system and the heavy lifting can and does kill.

I also have a paddle type Nick, its pretty old, a 5 hp toro, still works, but cleaning out where the snowplow leaves a bank can be a little cumbersome.

Its old enough that it smokes more then a new one (two stroke).

Like your saying the auger type is the way to go.

I have a Troy Built 10hp 32inch snowblower. Has the diff for easy turning, handle bar warmers, and cab. This thing is great and on the wet heavy snow not a problem for it. I worked on my bosses MTD 8hp 28inch and that thing is a bear to turn, chute won't stay in the desired position, and controls not user friendly. I had to clear snow at my moms for Xmas with her Simplicity and that thing worked great 8hp 28inch. Real easy to use and did everything to perfection. My inlaws have an Ariens and 8hp 28 inch works great as well. I would go with the Simplicity or Ariens in a heart beat, the new Troybuilts are built by MTD so I don't know how they stack up.

Ya, I have to agree Rob. I would lean towards overkill when it comes to snowblowers. The paddle types are not very well suited for the heavy plowed stuff. I dont know what is is about that stuff, but it dont move at all!! Thats some more of the stuff where my 130 lb neighbor walked thru like nothing with her electric start, 8 hp, self propelled, auger type. Can you tell I want to get one of those?? :D I think for areas like we're in, its good to have both kinds of snowblowers! :yes:

I presume this if for a residential lane. If you get real snow, nothing les than a 10HP. Some new models have a plastic chute (suposed to be crack resistant). Never had one of those, but I am personally weary esp if you get real cold temps. Had great luck here with Tecumseh SnowKing engines.

I presume this if for a residential lane. If you get real snow, nothing les than a 10HP. Some new models have a plastic chute (suposed to be crack resistant). Never had one of those, but I am personally weary esp if you get real cold temps. Had great luck here with Tecumseh SnowKing engines.

I heard that Tecumseh went out of business? I heard that from the guy at Home Depot that almost sold me an Ariens with a Briggs and Stratton engine on it. That would be a shame if Tecumseh is out of business.

Most residential snowblowers are made with same technology, engines and parts.

For less then 1K, I would recommend at least 24 inch, 2 stage, serrated edges on auger, several forward speeds, a shoot that cranks well from side to side, and decent size tires.

Here in town, we had over 70 inches of snow in December alone. A record for town. Mountains measure in feet.

Snow blowers (if you can find them) are going for a premium price this year.

Generally snow blowers will last for many seasons if you use them right and do the maintenance on them.


PS, a trick I use is to spray PAM or WD40 on the chute. Snow slides off of it easier. Like the song says, don't 'blow snow' in the wind.. or was that something else???


Good luck.

I have a 9hp craftsman 26" with the tecumseh snow king engine. Also has Power steering and headlamp. Its a good machine. I have moved as much as a foot of snow off my almost 200 foot driveway without much problem. I think i paid around $900 The only thing i dont like is the plastic chute and the joystick like control. I see there is a bigger Craftsman with a metal chute. If i had to buy another I would look at a Husqvarna.
http://www.usa.husqvarna.com/products_snow_blowers.aspx?cid=c70

also is it a paved surface?The first year i got mine my drieway was gravel and it was very rough going.i had it blacktopped the followeing summer and now it works perfect.

Do not buy a single stage one. These are good for sidewalks, and very light snow. I have a 5hp 2 stage, and it does OK. Not great in the heavy, wet stuff, or the end of the driveway snowplow stuff, but it does the job. I really have no room for anything bigger, so this is what I use. I do 2 driveways, and the occasional neighbor, and it works out. In probably 7 years, I've replaced 1 belt, several spark plugs, and 2 shear bolts (damn rocks at the side of the house didn't go thru the blower :D), and I change the oil every spring.

Its a MTD yard machine with a Techumseh. Daren

I heard that Tecumseh went out of business? I heard that from the guy at Home Depot that almost sold me an Ariens with a Briggs and Stratton engine on it. That would be a shame if Tecumseh is out of business.

Didn't know about that. A shame for sure if true.

I bought a used MTD a few years ago, looked new, started right up, half the price of a new one. I think it's like 29", 9hp Tecumseh, handlegrip warmers, power chute rotator, a gimmick they call power steering, (has a lever on each handle that unlocks that wheel so it will turn) headlight, and electric start. I keep it in the garage and seldom use the electric start, it fires on the first or second pull anyway. The only thing I do is drain the gas every spring to keep it from going bad, and fog the cylinder a bit with my outboard spray. ( I put the plug back in and slowly pull it around to the compression stroke so that both valves are closed. I do this after it runs anyway to keep the cold air out of the cylinder)

I have had a John Deere 5hp 24" for about 10 years and it has worked great.

I have a 9hp craftsman 26" with the tecumseh snow king engine. Also has Power steering and headlamp. Its a good machine. I have moved as much as a foot of snow off my almost 200 foot driveway without much problem. I think i paid around $900 The only thing i dont like is the plastic chute and the joystick like control. I see there is a bigger Craftsman with a metal chute. If i had to buy another I would look at a Husqvarna.
http://www.usa.husqvarna.com/products_snow_blowers.aspx?cid=c70

also is it a paved surface?The first year i got mine my drieway was gravel and it was very rough going.i had it blacktopped the followeing summer and now it works perfect.

I have a Craftsman 9 HP 28", Headlight, Electric start (have never used it) and love it - It has the steering levers so it turns really easy. Only thing I don't like is the plastic chute but I have never had a problem.

LK

Just remember to spent the extra money and get an electric start model.i have a Toro

A blower for all your needs. :D

http://www.gizmag.com/pictures/4889_1120530757.jpg

A blower for all your needs. :D

http://www.gizmag.com/pictures/4889_1120530757.jpg

I saw that on T.V. He runs coolant through the handle to keep his hands warm!

Paul

I will probably get bashed for saying it but I bought a brand new Honda 12 years ago and have never ever had to do a thing to it.Not even a spark plug!!! It starts first pull EVERY time.This machine eats snow like nothing I have seen and here up North we get a LOT of it!!!!......Just a thought.

I will probably get bashed for saying it but I bought a brand new Honda 12 years ago and have never ever had to do a thing to it.Not even a spark plug!!! It starts first pull EVERY time.This machine eats snow like nothing I have seen and here up North we get a LOT of it!!!!......Just a thought.
He said in the thousand dollar range.;)

I was thinking USED!!!

Thanks guys for all the input. My co-worker was pleased that so much info was provided. He lives in Phx also and is not up on the latest sno-blo stuff. He owns a fishing/hunting/snowmobiling lodge in Idaho and taking care of the place long distance so all the info is very helpful.

See http://www.lazytroutlodge.com/

Wish I had the wherewithal to do something like this. I'm sure there's be all kinds of important tasks needing done right away in Idaho when it's 116° in Phx. :)

There was another lengthy snowblower thread a couple of months ago with a lot of good info.

Edit: Go here: http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=245171

Get a used John Deere, something from the 90's. As long as it hasnt been a comercial unit, it will last for ever. They are light, powerful, and will blow snow over a 3 car driveway if needed. And there are dealerships everywhere, if the need arises for replacement parts, and they can get the parts the next day. Try getting parts for a Craftsman in the same season.

Don't use it much, but I got a Craftsmen during their springtime clearance.

It is 8hp, 24 inch, electric start, 4-5 speeds forward 1 reverse. Easy to turn, Plastic chute easily cranks right or left. It is two stage, which is a neccessity. I start it a couple times a year and it runs fine.

I think it was around $600 new, in the springitme.

I wouldn't worry about brand. They all seem to work well. I prefer the Tecumseh Snow King engine if you can still get one. They will start and run no matter how cold it gets. Mine starts up instantly down to -40.
The blowers using Honda and Kawasaki engines often will start only if you live in a mild climate like Japan (where it doesn't snow).
I recommend a two stage blower, and about 8hp or larger. They won't bog down in even the heaviest and deepest snow. Do not consider anything without electric start. You want to blow snow, not pull on the rope.
I have an 11 year old MTD that has been working perfectly for those 11 years, through winters of very little snow, and winters with lots of snow. It has already moved over 45" of snow this winter.
I got mine with electric start, headlight (useless), and tire chains (you want them) for $800.

Gary S, I would say living where you do, you would be a great advisor on choosing a snowblower for extreem duty! :yes:

What to get? I live in Phx, totally clueless. Guy that sits next to me at work needs one for his place in Idaho where they get real snow. Any brand known to be avoided?

If Ariens makes 'em as complicated as they build their mower drives, I'd run away. Too many components, which once they start to wear, become a tinkerin' man's headache. ;)

Get a used John Deere, something from the 90's. As long as it hasnt been a comercial unit, it will last for ever. They are light, powerful, and will blow snow over a 3 car driveway if needed. And there are dealerships everywhere, if the need arises for replacement parts, and they can get the parts the next day. Try getting parts for a Craftsman in the same season.
Far as I know, Ariens is the company that makes the John Deere blowers. The JDs are painted green, and get different decals. My next-door-neighbor has a JD, it's exactly the same machine as I have--other than the color.

The Ariens units are the ONLY ones I'd buy. I looked for a snow blower about three years ago; and there was a clear division: Ariens, and "everything else". The auger gearcase on the Ariens is a heavy casting; makes the others look sickly and anemic. The less-expensive blowers have a PLASTIC chute; guess how long that's going to last in sub-zero weather. The only problem is that you're not going to make your ~$1K goal. I paid ~$1200 three years ago; although that's retail, includes tax, chains, and delivery to my home. Maybe you can find a discount dealer.

You MUST have the chute direction control, AND the chute "altitude deflector" control ON THE "DASHBOARD". You do NOT want to have to lean over the unit to control where the snow is blowing to. Given a choice you want BOTH a "choke" AND a PRIMER BULB. Choke alone won't get the engine running when it's truly cold out. And a machine with TALL TIRES is recommended. Make sure the auger safety control locks down (engaged) if you hold the motion-control safety lever down--that way you have a free hand to move the chute controls.


I recommend a two stage blower, and about 8hp or larger. They won't bog down in even the heaviest and deepest snow. Do not consider anything without electric start. You want to blow snow, not pull on the rope.
I agree with everything except the need for an 8-horse engine--my previous MTD had a 5-horse engine, 24" width, and worked very acceptably. It was also older than dirt and made from metal; unlike their current products.
My Ariens (8.5 horse Tecumsah engine, 26" cut--model number 8526) will blow snow OVER my neighbor's house. I swear it'll throw it 30 feet "up" in the air, and as far down-wind as you could want. The snow coming out of the discharge chute looks like the St. Louis Arch. The Ariens has a four-blade second stage impeller; and it's a lot larger diameter than the 3-bladed competition. I think the current model is the 926--9 horsepower instead of 8.5.

I have an 11 year old MTD that has been working perfectly for those 11 years, through winters of very little snow, and winters with lots of snow. It has already moved over 45" of snow this winter.
I got mine with electric start, headlight (useless), and tire chains (you want them) for $800.
Also--mostly--agreed. My Ariens replaced a used MTD. My MTD worked well--but not like the Ariens. I have a friend that swears MTD stands for "Made To Die" and has had really bad luck with them--including buying a "garden tractor" thingie with a snow blower attachment--and then finding out that although MTD sold the snow blower attachment, the engine wasn't rated for use in cold weather and promptly expired.
I don't use my electric start--but--my wife would if she ever got stuck blowing snow. Chains are manditory. Headlight is a waste of time, money, effort, and enthusiasm.

I looked at Craftsman (one display model had controls so stiff that they wouldn't move the chute in the showroom--think about how well they'd work in the cold! I looked at Toro, MTD, Honda, Husquavarna (spelling?) and of all of them, the Ariens ROCKED; but the Husquavarna would have been my second choice.

The TWO complaints I have with the Ariens:
1. Like ALL modern snow blowers, the chute does not rotate far enough to either side. I believe this must be regulated by the Government; they're ALL that way, and it's crazy. I carved extra "gear teeth" in the rotator mechanism of my MTD, but the Ariens is built differently.

2. The Ariens has like 6 speeds forward and two in reverse and the fastest speed in both directions is TOO DAMN SLOW. My MTD would go half-again as fast; and that's really nice for getting back to the garage when the blowin' is done.

One other comment: E-V-E-R-Y snow blower I've seen has a first-stage auger that rotates "down" in the front. Every one. And I think that's backwards, if the auger were to rotate "up" in front, (but still push the snow to the center) the auger wouldn't lift the snow blower in heavy snow, and it'd clear the concrete better. But what the hell do I know?

I know he wants to keep it around a $1000, but the bigger the better on these blowers, especially if they have a differential release.

The bigger the blower the less time out in the cold.