Snow Blowers
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 166
Likes: 0
From: Milltown, NJ USA
In '96 I bought a TORO 724 model. 7 hp 24 in wide path. I live on a county road that constantly is replowed during a substantial storm (8 - 12 inches of snow). The snow is pilled in my driveway up to 2 ft at times. Some of that snow gets partially frozen if I don't get at it soon enough. I have a four car driveway AND my sidewalk is a main school route for both grade/middle school kids.
I have had to replace the auger drive belt for the first timethis year. No chains, three speed /reverse trans. Motor cranks over on ONE pull. I recommend a TORO with similar hp/drive.
I have had to replace the auger drive belt for the first timethis year. No chains, three speed /reverse trans. Motor cranks over on ONE pull. I recommend a TORO with similar hp/drive.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 28,609
Likes: 18
From: Lake Tahoe, Nevada
I have an Ariens 8 hp 24" blower w/electric start. Live at 6500 ft in the Sierras. I have one long drive and a short one down below, 4 cars wide. The blower is just right for what I have to deal with. (And I recommend the electric start, having had surgery on both shoulders.)
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,045
Likes: 0
Do yourself a favor before buying any of the box-store brands, and look into Simplicity.
I've never seen a consumer review that didn't place them as the best. Deere is another excellent name.
I have soured on Ariens and others because it seems like every model year they find more and more parts to change to plastic, and ways to make a cheaper machine.
As said before, beware buying any off-brand, parts availability may become a bear.
Don't fall for the "Honda is God" marketing. Show me one "innovation" or real improvement they've ever made in small engines. Every "great feature" they've ever brought to market was introduced in Briggs & Stratton, Techumseh, or Kohler first. I've yet to have anyone show me PROOF that any small engine from Honda was any better than any other on the market.
I've never seen a consumer review that didn't place them as the best. Deere is another excellent name.
I have soured on Ariens and others because it seems like every model year they find more and more parts to change to plastic, and ways to make a cheaper machine.
As said before, beware buying any off-brand, parts availability may become a bear.
Don't fall for the "Honda is God" marketing. Show me one "innovation" or real improvement they've ever made in small engines. Every "great feature" they've ever brought to market was introduced in Briggs & Stratton, Techumseh, or Kohler first. I've yet to have anyone show me PROOF that any small engine from Honda was any better than any other on the market.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 4,821
Likes: 19
From: South Dakota
Guys, snow blowers are a lot like lawn mowers.
I.E. 80% of them are made by a handfull of companies (Murray, MTD, etc) and are just re-painted and accessorized differently (Toro Blowers and lawn mowers are now made by MTD).
Another thing to note is that the designs have changed very, very little in terms mechanical parts. Finding parts for any blower is not hard at all, and the big box store blowers are some of the easiest to find. (I used to repair snow blowers back in the day)
My 10 year old 10hp Husky (made by MTD for TSC stores) looks identical to anything that you would see at Menards, Walmart, Home Depot, Lowes, etc. It's takin a beating for 10 years of hard snows (with the exception of this year) on the family farm as it's the only blower we have. It's even used to dig round bales out of snow banks.
Go ahead and spend the big bucks if you so desire, but my MTD blower hasn't even had so much as a flat tire in 10 years of hard farm use.
I.E. 80% of them are made by a handfull of companies (Murray, MTD, etc) and are just re-painted and accessorized differently (Toro Blowers and lawn mowers are now made by MTD).
Another thing to note is that the designs have changed very, very little in terms mechanical parts. Finding parts for any blower is not hard at all, and the big box store blowers are some of the easiest to find. (I used to repair snow blowers back in the day)
My 10 year old 10hp Husky (made by MTD for TSC stores) looks identical to anything that you would see at Menards, Walmart, Home Depot, Lowes, etc. It's takin a beating for 10 years of hard snows (with the exception of this year) on the family farm as it's the only blower we have. It's even used to dig round bales out of snow banks.
Go ahead and spend the big bucks if you so desire, but my MTD blower hasn't even had so much as a flat tire in 10 years of hard farm use.
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