Picking out a new Snow Blower
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 678
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From: Central, MA
Picking out a new Snow Blower
Man, about 8-years ago I bought this Craftsman Snow Blower. It has been very dependable. All I’ve done is the usual maintenance and replace the clutch cable. But looking back, I should have spent the extra $200 and bought a Toro or an Ariens.
I got a discount and paid about $700 for this machine. It has the 7 3/4hp Briggs OHV Snow-Tech engine and it’s like a 26-inch width cut.
What I find bad is that the handle bars and the chute direction control extend wider than the width of the front bucket. This makes cutting an edge of a tall snow banking or cutting close to a vehicle a pain in the ****! None of the Toro or an Ariens I’ve seen are designed like this!
Anyone else have any pet peeves or good advice when it comes to picking out a Snow Blower?
I got a discount and paid about $700 for this machine. It has the 7 3/4hp Briggs OHV Snow-Tech engine and it’s like a 26-inch width cut.
What I find bad is that the handle bars and the chute direction control extend wider than the width of the front bucket. This makes cutting an edge of a tall snow banking or cutting close to a vehicle a pain in the ****! None of the Toro or an Ariens I’ve seen are designed like this!
Anyone else have any pet peeves or good advice when it comes to picking out a Snow Blower?
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,476
Likes: 224
From: Frequently frozen MN
I have a Craftsman that's ok except for the safety features. I have to hold two levers down for the blower and the drive. Not only that, they are not particularly comfortable to hold(press down on top of the handlebars). Someday, I'll probably get off of my dead a** and do something about them.
I think that I read that Honda made one with easy hold handles, but I've never checked.
I think that I read that Honda made one with easy hold handles, but I've never checked.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,004
Likes: 1
From: North of Boston MA
Or the largest one you need. I almost bought a 10 HP/30" machine but opted for an 8 HP/26" instead. I've had it for 15 years and it has been enough machine for every storm since then. Only once or twice did I wish I had more machine. The bigger machines are more work to handle and complete overkill for most of the storms we get here.
I have been very impressed with the Tecumseh Snow-King motor in my Noma machine.
One thing I have noticed with the machines they sell at the big box stores is that they don't list HP ratings anymore - only engine displacement. WTF?
I have been very impressed with the Tecumseh Snow-King motor in my Noma machine.
One thing I have noticed with the machines they sell at the big box stores is that they don't list HP ratings anymore - only engine displacement. WTF?
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 678
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From: Central, MA
What the heck is with that?
Don't tell me that the engine manufacturers think they have to play the hide the horsepower game.
Remember what the American car manufacturers did 40-years ago to try and keep the insurance rates lower on the high performance cars?
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Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,004
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From: North of Boston MA
My theory is that the big-box stores get a cheaper version of the same brand (Ariens, Toro, whatever) with a cheaper version of the same motor to sell for less money. I noticed that although the motors look like a Briggs or a Tecumseh, they aren't branded on the motor. Same size motor but less performance maybe?
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Central, MA
Did you buy American? Were there any rebates?
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Central, MA
Ever see the difference between an Ariens bought at an Ariens dealer compared to the versions the like Home Depot sell? You often get a different version of an motor and the controls might be different too.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,409
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My best advice would to be to buy one from a dealer, not a big box store. A dealer will be able to do all repairs right there, and can suggest the best machine to suit your needs. I have a 10HP Toro and it has never let me down. Great machine with a lot of guts!
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,550
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From: Lancaster County PA
I have one, an old Simplicity, but the plow is easier. The geography of my driveway/barn/neighbors lane is such that I really don't have any place to blow the snow. But i can easily push it across the neighbors lane and over the hill.
But man, if you wake up to 1 foot + of snow on the ground, a blower is the way to go!
I agree with the biggest brand name from a dealer philosophy.
But man, if you wake up to 1 foot + of snow on the ground, a blower is the way to go!
I agree with the biggest brand name from a dealer philosophy.
