I'm going to buy one but I don't know what to get, what not to get. Driveway is around 60'. I've been told I need a 2 stage. But what size motor ? Any brands to stay away from ?

 

toro.......

 

I bought a Craftsman two stage last winter. It's a 24 inch path, I think it's 5.5 horse, 5 forward speeds, 2 reverse. It works really well. We got dumped on last March and April twice in a couple of weeks, 30-some inches the first time, and about a foot the next, pretty wet heavy snow, and it handled it just fine. It really depends on how much snow you normally get and how fast you want to clear it. Mine will go through almost 2 feet deep snow, but you have to take it slow. That said, anything's better than a shovel!

 

larger driveways use at least 8 horses

 

2 stage definitely. Single stage is good if you want something light you can haul up and down the steps. And they have rubber blades that can scrape right down to the surface.

But they're nowhere near big enough for a driveway. For that you want a two stage. They move more snow and are self-propelled. Single stage would wear you out pushing it up and down the driveway.

Engines are usually sized to match the size of the auger. I think a 27" wide blower would be enough. If you have a driveway that goes around the side of the house with nowhere to shoot the snow, you might want a bigger machine, just because you'll be shooting most of the snow twice.

For a good brand go to Sears and buy a Craftsman. They have Briggs and Stratton engines. We bought a snowblower from there years ago, never let me down.

You don't really need a bigger machine if you're patient enough to let it work at the speed it wants to go. Really the worst thing you can do is push them to churn more snow than the auger can handle. That'll cause the drivebelt to slip and it will wear out, and it'll just make a lot of noise and jam when you're trying to use it.

If you're in a hurry, they have some commercial walk behinds are four feet across. Just make sure you have room to turn, and place in your garage to store it.

 

What does 2 stage mean ? How can you tell them apart ? I don't really know anything about them, yet.

 

2 stage is the big **** ones,the ones that is meant for a decent size driveway, 25-30 inches of snow.

one stage is the smaller ones,that you can pick up and move them up and down steps etc......i cant give you the mechanical definition of 2 stage,except that its bigger,meaner,meant for chucking snow and lots of it

 

most everything is built by multinational conglomerate MTD, regardless of what color it is painted (I think even Ariens sold out). two stage is the way to go, and while our grandparents cleared runways in 12 feet of snow with 5hp, it aint manly today. 8-12hp and one of those headlights and shields!

 

the single stage have 1 mechanical device to pickup and throw snow (usually a rubber paddle)
here's a single stage
TORO S-200 PULL START SNOWBLOWER

the 2 stage have 2 devices, usually a slower moving auger pickes it up, while a faster moving one shoots it out.

here's a 2 stage
John Deere Snow Blower - 1989- TRS26



I'd not buy a new one, but buy a used one off CL. I've got a couple of old toro's and while they dont have all the bells and whistles (lights, pistol grip chute control) they only cost a 1/4 of the price. Last year we got a TON of snow and I think I only used the thing for less than 10 hrs

 

Two stage has metal blades in the front that chop up all the ice and snow, and an auger behind it to blow the snow out the chute.

Single stage uses a round cylinder, with little rubber flaps on it. As the cylinder spins, it sweeps up th snow and out of the chute. They're not very good in a heavy snow. And nowhere big enough to handle a driveway. But they're light enough you can haul one up the steps if you need something to clean the porch. And the rubber flaps can clean all the way down to the surface.

When I did snow removal we used both. A big two-stage for the driveways we couldn't hit with the plow truck. And a single-stage to clean the walkway.

 

i say, get the biggest one you can get...


even better... you probablly have a riding mower... to cut along the side of your 60 foot drive way right? get a snow blower that attaches to your rider... and uses the pulley that normally powers your cutting deck... no walking at all...

 

i had a big driveway in mass when i lived there "a small airstrip" was its nickname. but for 6 inches or less, i always shoveled.loved it,great exercise a couple of rewarding hours of work. anything more than that,i fired bid red up

 

the single stage have 1 mechanical device to pickup and throw snow (usually a rubber paddle)
here's a single stage
TORO S-200 PULL START SNOWBLOWER

the 2 stage have 2 devices, usually a slower moving auger pickes it up, while a faster moving one shoots it out.

here's a 2 stage
John Deere Snow Blower - 1989- TRS26



I'd not buy a new one, but buy a used one off CL. I've got a couple of old toro's and while they dont have all the bells and whistles (lights, pistol grip chute control) they only cost a 1/4 of the price. Last year we got a TON of snow and I think I only used the thing for less than 10 hrs

 

Thanks for the replies, I've got a better handle on it now. If a used one comes up though, is there any brand to stay away from ?

 

I think everything is at least decent.