Snowthrower Recomendations

[bighammer]

I'm thinking about replacing my old (30-35 years) Ford 6 hp 24" snowblower. I've looked at a few different brands. Hondas look good but pricey. Home Depot has some that are a lot more resonable, as well as Sam's Club. Looks like Brigs & Strap-on powered is a rare beast anymore--They all seem to be Tecumseh engines.



Anyway, I'm curioous what you have and like, or wish you had never bought.



Thanks guys

 

[LSMITH]

I have an MTD, one of the cheaper ones from sams ect, and can tell you there is good reason they are cheaper. THEY SUCK!!!!!!! Several MTDs around here an no one likes them. I have a Toro that ROCKS!!!! It is a 5 HP single stage and will move more snow than any of the 2 stages under 10HP, even slush 6" deep don't bother it at all.



For a big 2 stage look for Honda and Yamaha engines, prefference for the honda IMO.



Spend some money or you will regret it.

 

[Shovelhead]

I've got a 24" 8hp Troy-Built.

Runs like my Cummins (and cost about the same too )

Tecumseh engine, this things built like a tank.

 

[TboneMan]

I've got a Cub Cadet 33" (11hp). A Very sturdy (read heavy) rig. It cuts through the worst mother nature and Lake Ontario can dish out. Plan on reaching deep into the pocket though ($1800).

 

[jeepit]

I have 245 hp, Cummins pushing a 7. 5 ft Western plow. It goes thru anything!

 

[Shovelhead]

Originally posted by jeepit

I have 245 hp, Cummins pushing a 7. 5 ft Western plow. It goes thru anything!

I'll bet it does.



But it would be kinda tough on the lawn to plow a 4 foot wide sidewalk with a 7 foot plow.

 

[benhall]

Sears sells snowblowers that are made with the Briggs engine, if I remember right.



Ben

 

[BNH4221]

I have a 10 year old Toro #824 2 stage. Runs like a champ with just regular maintenance. Replaced carb float and belts this year for the first time. Goes through anything.

Most people recommend at least 8 hp. Have not heard any good things about those blowers that run on tracks. I prefer the wheels.



Helpful hint #12: Hose the inside of the auger area with silicone spray at the beginning of the season. Helps keep the snow from sticking. Especially the slushy stuff.



Steve

98 QC 12V 4x4

126,000 happy miles

 

[Shovelhead]

I use WD-40 on mine before each use, and I've heard that some use PAM (that baking spray stuff) with good results.

 

[Gray Ghost]

What is snow? All I ever see is rain and it runs off by it's self.

 

[klenger]

I moved from MI to Colorado, and now in Tucson. Problem fixed.

 

[Camara]

I have a 1028 Ariens. It's about 15 years old. Give the chute and such a gooe waxing in the begining of the year and paint it at the end of the year. I squirt down the engine after each use with WD40 to displace any moisture and to help push off the salt that they use on the street. It still starts on the first pull.

 

[Will24]

We have a 30" 8hp honda track type two stage that is probably over 20 years old, runs great except for...



I broke the throttle lever once

I broke the recoil rope once

We have a large stock of shearpins because once every two or three uses those pins do indeed SHEAR

 

[QRTRHRS]

Something I learned from an older Simplicity I had bought used. Eight horse, 28" job. I unloaded it, used it five minutes and it quit. I walked around the front and see the gear case split in two. The tines had rusted fast to the shaft. Lesson learned, pull the tine assembly off once a year and grease it up. Or, better yet, add fittings if it does not have any.

 

[FFutch]

We have a Honda track here at work. It does a good job. Like Will said it breaks shear pins pretty regular. Other than that no problems... Doug

 

[QRTRHRS]

Shear pins.

In a pinch, I used some aluminum gutter spikes I just happened to have laying around. I cut them in half, stick about 3/4" in the vise and make a 90 degree bend. When one breaks, I line it up, pop out the broken piece, push in the longer part of the "L" then bend the end over. The half with the head does not need to the extra bend of course.



They held up pretty good too. Since they were so much cheaper than pins, I just kept using them.

 

[QRTRHRS]

No affiliation with this.

Hey will24, here's one for you.



http://www.lancclassified.com/templates/farmingres. asp?Section=13&now=1041566420278&DisplayRangeBegin=1&DisplayRangeEnd=10&StartDate=12/27/2002&EndDate=1/2/2003&ClassNumber=2100&KeyWords=Morman-Herrington

 

[Will24]

Hell Yeah!

 

[bighammer]

We've hardly had any snow this year. Maybe I'll wait. Mine still works, so I won't have to rush into something. Maybe the end of season sales would be the time?



Thanks everybody.

 

[Will24]

We've probably seen around 20" so far this winter in SE PA