Snow blower ?
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From: Blue Hill Township
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I have had great luck with a 2 stage Toro. Never have had a problem, it has electric and pull start, and my dealer services it every 2 years prior to snow season. My only advice would be to buy it from a dealer who will service it. Buy from Home Depot, Lowe's, or any other " big box " stores, and you will have a problem getting service if you need it as they farm out all repairs. Buy from a local dealer and you will be very satisfied. You may pay a little more, but worth it in the long run. Nothing is as bad as having a snowblower in the shop as you look out the window and watch a heavy snow falling.....
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Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Wyoming
I've run a single stage MTD I got in '91. 2 stroke engine that always starts, handles everything except the big rift the snowplows deposit across the driveway. I had a bigger MTD (45") that I hooked up to the lawn tractor when I lived in the country, but I sold that with the house. Can't think of any brands to stay away from, since as aforementioned most of them are made by the same company, just rebranded.
Of course, if you buy a snowblower, you won't get to use it right away, since it won't snow. You'll have to wait a year. Murphy's Law.
Of course, if you buy a snowblower, you won't get to use it right away, since it won't snow. You'll have to wait a year. Murphy's Law.
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From: Edgerton, WI
Honda. A Honda will outwork and outlast any other snowblower on the market, not to metion that Honda is the only one who has track-drive (much better than tires).
Ive got a Craftsman 10 hp 2-stage right now and its a nice machine, but the overall level of build quality is poor. The only reason I bought it is because it was cheap ($600). If I could have afforded it, there would be a Honda in my garage instead, but at the time I could afford to paying $1,500-$2,000.
My only real complaint with Toro are their engines. They still use antiquated side-valve engines in all but 1 of their models (and for what that thing costs you might as well buy a Honda). Honda uses modern, overhead cam engines that sip fuel and are very quiet, not to mention that they almost always start on the first pull.
Go Honda, in the long run you will be glad you did.
Ive got a Craftsman 10 hp 2-stage right now and its a nice machine, but the overall level of build quality is poor. The only reason I bought it is because it was cheap ($600). If I could have afforded it, there would be a Honda in my garage instead, but at the time I could afford to paying $1,500-$2,000.
My only real complaint with Toro are their engines. They still use antiquated side-valve engines in all but 1 of their models (and for what that thing costs you might as well buy a Honda). Honda uses modern, overhead cam engines that sip fuel and are very quiet, not to mention that they almost always start on the first pull.
Go Honda, in the long run you will be glad you did.
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OK, #1 - A single stage does not mean it's rubber, or whatever else has been mentioned. It simply means that the auger in the front is the sole means for propelling the snow in, up, and through the chute. Where as a 2 stage means there is an impeller in the chute neck to propel the snow upward and outward. What these guys are referring to are commonly known as power-shovels, or, paperweights
Anyone that thinks a single stage won't handle real snow has never seen a Case snowcaster in action.
Now, with that said, I wouldn't give you $2 for a Craftsman or most other big-box store bought blowers. Stop into Sears, grab hold of the handles on any of their blowers, and shake back and forth. Feels like the handles are going to fold in half. Have fun chewing through a 6' ice/snowbank with that. Not gonna hold up, IMO.
If you want to buy one, and be done with it for a LONG time, look into the Simplicity commercial series. They aren't the cheapest, but they are one of the toughest, most durable, best built machines on the market. I've yet to find one built better.
Yeah, I live in upstate NY, snowblower education is mandatory, or a good chunk of your year is shot.
Anyone that thinks a single stage won't handle real snow has never seen a Case snowcaster in action.
Now, with that said, I wouldn't give you $2 for a Craftsman or most other big-box store bought blowers. Stop into Sears, grab hold of the handles on any of their blowers, and shake back and forth. Feels like the handles are going to fold in half. Have fun chewing through a 6' ice/snowbank with that. Not gonna hold up, IMO.
If you want to buy one, and be done with it for a LONG time, look into the Simplicity commercial series. They aren't the cheapest, but they are one of the toughest, most durable, best built machines on the market. I've yet to find one built better.
Yeah, I live in upstate NY, snowblower education is mandatory, or a good chunk of your year is shot.
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Mar 20, 2002 07:35 PM
