snowblower
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Elder User
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snowblower
Anyone know anything about snowblowers? I'm experiencing my first winter in MN and well, snow blows, period (I'm a texan). I was fortunate enough to have a neighbor who has one and helped me out, but I can't handle being a freeloader much longer.
Other than the biggest engine and two stage, anyone have any tips?
Other than the biggest engine and two stage, anyone have any tips?
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 376
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From: Marsville Canada
I know enough to store it properly. I also have it ready to go in Oct. b-4 the first snow fly's.
I also carry a spare shear pin incase I jam up the nieghbours cat and break the pin. lol
Make sure you blow the snow with the wind. lol
Depending on hard it is to start on how cold it is, there is a heater you place in the dip stick tube to warm oil for easy starts.
What else do you need to know?
Cheers enjoy the winter
I also carry a spare shear pin incase I jam up the nieghbours cat and break the pin. lol
Make sure you blow the snow with the wind. lol
Depending on hard it is to start on how cold it is, there is a heater you place in the dip stick tube to warm oil for easy starts.
What else do you need to know?
Cheers enjoy the winter
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 800
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From: Ontario, canada
Electric start.
power controls to move the discharge are nice, but not really necessary.
IMO, tracks are not necessary because your clearing the path infront of them. Just get one with tires. The new ones are designed just for snowblowers and don't need chains.
Tecumseh is pretty much the industry standard for snowblower motors. They'll last forever with a minimal amount of maintenance.
If your one of the masses who absolutely must have everything powered by Honda, then buy a Honda.
Wider is better, unless you have a tight walkway or limited space to store the thing.
Generally, the same rules as choosing a size of power mower apply.
I have a 10.5 HP 29" wide MTD blower. It's an average size thats good for a normal sized suburban or small rural property.
0-w-40 synthetic oil really makes a difference in how easy it is to start.
Make sure you get one with electric start anyway.
power controls to move the discharge are nice, but not really necessary.
IMO, tracks are not necessary because your clearing the path infront of them. Just get one with tires. The new ones are designed just for snowblowers and don't need chains.
Tecumseh is pretty much the industry standard for snowblower motors. They'll last forever with a minimal amount of maintenance.
If your one of the masses who absolutely must have everything powered by Honda, then buy a Honda.
Wider is better, unless you have a tight walkway or limited space to store the thing.
Generally, the same rules as choosing a size of power mower apply.
I have a 10.5 HP 29" wide MTD blower. It's an average size thats good for a normal sized suburban or small rural property.
0-w-40 synthetic oil really makes a difference in how easy it is to start.
Make sure you get one with electric start anyway.
Last edited by Fordzlla; Jan 2, 2007 at 12:15 PM.
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Maine
I'm not sure of the actual name, but get one that's got little individual wheel clutch/brake controls on the handlebars. I believe they're installed on most new machines, but check and make sure. Turning a decent sized blower without them is a real chore.
Also, it is possible to get a blower that is too big, and that can be nearly as bad as one that is too small. If all you're clearing is a big, straight driveway, then bigger is better, but if you've got a curving sidewalk and front walk to do, too, one that is easy to turn around might be well worth having to make an extra pass to clear the driveway.
I believe (though I'm not sure) that blowers with plug-in electric start cannot be fitted with a headlamp, without also adding a battery- something to keep in mind if you want a headlamp.
Also, it is possible to get a blower that is too big, and that can be nearly as bad as one that is too small. If all you're clearing is a big, straight driveway, then bigger is better, but if you've got a curving sidewalk and front walk to do, too, one that is easy to turn around might be well worth having to make an extra pass to clear the driveway.
I believe (though I'm not sure) that blowers with plug-in electric start cannot be fitted with a headlamp, without also adding a battery- something to keep in mind if you want a headlamp.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Ontario, canada
Originally Posted by john112deere
I believe (though I'm not sure) that blowers with plug-in electric start cannot be fitted with a headlamp, without also adding a battery- something to keep in mind if you want a headlamp.
A battery is something you really don't want on a snowblower.
Last edited by Fordzlla; Jan 2, 2007 at 01:01 PM.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Where's my map???
I have one of those canopies on mine. It seems every time I want to blow the snow in a certain direction. Old man winter has other ideas. As far as size goes. Bigger is not better. When you have real wet snow on the ground it pulls in so much snow it just binds up in the chute. You dont need to spend more money on a self turning one if you can't afford it. Get one were one wheel unlocks from the axle. It will turn just fine.
I did spend the extra money for heated handles tho. Money well spent.
I did spend the extra money for heated handles tho. Money well spent.
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Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
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Get a two stage snow blower. Has an auger to chew up the snow and a seperate fan to blow it. Single stage blowers are only good on garden tractors. And I've only seen one I like. More on that later...
I have a 5 hp tecumseh model (Yardman I think). Very happy with it. It's the smallest I'd go but very well match to homeowner needs.
The dryer the snow the better it blows. If the snow is slushy, it's going to plug the chute very easily. Some people use pam/crisco to grease the chute and help this. I never have.
If you have the $$$ I'd recommend a good garden tractor and snow blower. Like this:
(Actually, this is the ONLY one I'd recommend)
They come up on ebay in your area a lot. Now sold under the name Ingersoll new.
I have a 5 hp tecumseh model (Yardman I think). Very happy with it. It's the smallest I'd go but very well match to homeowner needs.
The dryer the snow the better it blows. If the snow is slushy, it's going to plug the chute very easily. Some people use pam/crisco to grease the chute and help this. I never have.
If you have the $$$ I'd recommend a good garden tractor and snow blower. Like this:
(Actually, this is the ONLY one I'd recommend)
They come up on ebay in your area a lot. Now sold under the name Ingersoll new.
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Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 12,679
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From: BC, Canada
I say definately go for remote chute angle control. My snowblower, and I assume most others, blows better one direction than the other and you'll want to aim the height of the discharge accordingly.
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I appreciate all the input. I guess I was hoping for more "user reviews" on different models.
The one that I was fortunate enough to use was a 9hp John Deere. Did a very good job.
I have learned through research that Tecumseh seems to own the blower engine market, which makes me shudder. My last pushmower had a 6hp tecumseh which I took meticulus care of (read oil changes on schedule and 2 air cleaners a year). It died after 5 years. On the flip side, never had a Briggs & Stratton that I could kill
One last question...what do you guys think of the following brands:
Husquarvarna,
MTD
Cub Cadet
John Deere
Airens
These seem to be the brands I can find the easiest.
Thanks,
The one that I was fortunate enough to use was a 9hp John Deere. Did a very good job.
I have learned through research that Tecumseh seems to own the blower engine market, which makes me shudder. My last pushmower had a 6hp tecumseh which I took meticulus care of (read oil changes on schedule and 2 air cleaners a year). It died after 5 years. On the flip side, never had a Briggs & Stratton that I could kill
One last question...what do you guys think of the following brands:
Husquarvarna,
MTD
Cub Cadet
John Deere
Airens
These seem to be the brands I can find the easiest.
Thanks,
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 12,679
Likes: 15
From: BC, Canada
My lawnmower and snowblower are both White brand, made by MTD. Both of them have Tecumsehs and I've had no problems with either.
A neighbor has a Husqvarna and he swears by it. Maybe that's just because he paid so much for it though
It also has a Tecumseh so I've got to wonder if paying that much more is really worth it.
A neighbor has a Husqvarna and he swears by it. Maybe that's just because he paid so much for it though
It also has a Tecumseh so I've got to wonder if paying that much more is really worth it.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,495
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From: Not as far west as I want
Tecumseh is a good engine in the cold. For my customers sidewalks I use a single stage and for most snow storms does just fine. I do have a backup dual stage, but for loading and unloading my single stage is easy and fast. A good Toro single stage runs about $400. About half the price of a dual stage.
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 13,589
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From: NW burbs of chicago
I;ve had a few old toro's
simmiliar to this http://www.2109stafford.com/IMG_5001.JPG
They run forever. Still using my grandpa's that he bought new in the 70's
simmiliar to this http://www.2109stafford.com/IMG_5001.JPG
They run forever. Still using my grandpa's that he bought new in the 70's
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Ontario, canada
Originally Posted by tkd
I appreciate all the input. I guess I was hoping for more "user reviews" on different models.
The one that I was fortunate enough to use was a 9hp John Deere. Did a very good job.
I have learned through research that Tecumseh seems to own the blower engine market, which makes me shudder. My last pushmower had a 6hp tecumseh which I took meticulus care of (read oil changes on schedule and 2 air cleaners a year). It died after 5 years. On the flip side, never had a Briggs & Stratton that I could kill
One last question...what do you guys think of the following brands:
Husquarvarna,
MTD
Cub Cadet
John Deere
Airens
These seem to be the brands I can find the easiest.
Thanks,
The one that I was fortunate enough to use was a 9hp John Deere. Did a very good job.
I have learned through research that Tecumseh seems to own the blower engine market, which makes me shudder. My last pushmower had a 6hp tecumseh which I took meticulus care of (read oil changes on schedule and 2 air cleaners a year). It died after 5 years. On the flip side, never had a Briggs & Stratton that I could kill
One last question...what do you guys think of the following brands:
Husquarvarna,
MTD
Cub Cadet
John Deere
Airens
These seem to be the brands I can find the easiest.
Thanks,
Those are all good brands.
If it were me, I'd be shopping for price and service and not really worry about the brand.
I bet that some of the brands you list are identical machines with different branding on them. Most machines are so similar that lots of parts will interchange between them anyway.
I had an old ariens blower (1973-ish) with a tecumseh engine.
It made a terrible noise and quit on me. I thought the motor was toast.
I pulled the head and found that the screw that held the choke butterfly had come loose, got sucked into the engine, rattled around a bit and then stuck between the exhaust valve and seat, holding the valve open.
Removed the screw, made a new choke butterfly out of a nickel, and ran it for 5 more years before I sold it. As far as i know, it's still going.
The only reason I sold it was to get a new one with better safety features so I could delegate snow removal duties to my teenage sons.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Where's my map???
[QUOTE=tkd]
One last question...what do you guys think of the following brands:
Husquarvarna,
MTD
Cub Cadet
John Deere
Airens
(These seem to be the brands I can find the easiest.)
I would like to say that all those brands are good. (BUT) If you are looking to buy one of those brands at your local big box store,They are not of the same quality as buying from a dealer. Be careful and ask questions.
One last question...what do you guys think of the following brands:
Husquarvarna,
MTD
Cub Cadet
John Deere
Airens
(These seem to be the brands I can find the easiest.)
I would like to say that all those brands are good. (BUT) If you are looking to buy one of those brands at your local big box store,They are not of the same quality as buying from a dealer. Be careful and ask questions.