What's The Best 2-Cycle Snow Blower?

[Doc Tinker]

Since I can no longer use the old snow blower (flat shovel), I'm going to buy a small snow blower with electric start, for Mrs Doc to use.



I'm familiar with the blowers that Toro makes and I don't like any of them, although they are pretty simple and parts are easy to get.



Bolens made a blower a few years back that used an auger and chute. I liked the design, operation and weight of it, but Bolens discontinued the model and now you can't even buy a drive belt for the thing.



I see Costco has a Ryobi blower, made much like the old Bolens that I liked, but I don't know if it's junk or worth what they are asking.



If they made these little blowers in the $100 range, Id buy one every year and throw it away in the spring



Got any suggestions?



Doc

 

[Doc Tinker]

This John Deere snow blower looks exactly like the Bolens blower I mentioned in the above post.

 

[chuck3]

TORO TORO TORO.

 

[LSMITH]

I have a 4. 5 horse sigle stage Toro. It looks a lot like the one in the picture above. Zero maintenance and 4 years later it starts on the first pull and runs great. It will move more snow than anything else I have seen or used. The big 8 horse 2 stages are no match for it even in heavy slushy snow. I have several Ryobi gas powered tools. They are inexpensive and work fine, but they are NOT equal to a big name brand. If you only need a tool occaisionally get a Ryobi, otherwise spend the money and get a good tool. With all that said, Honda makes by far the best small engines on the planet. You can't go wrong with a Honda. Even with a small amount of care you will only buy a Honda once.



EDIT: I have a 3 horse MTD that you can have if you want it. Used it one winter. Starts on the first pull and runs fine, but does not move snow like a bigger one. My advise (plenty of experience too) is to get a 4-6 HP single stage of good quality. Get the biggest HP model you can in a brand you like.

 

[Iceman1]

I use a MTD 8 hp 2 stage electric start. City boys smile when they pile the snow in the drive as they go by and growl when I throw it partially back in the street. Used this unit two years and ready for this one. Only had to take the welder to it once so far... . Only ate or should say shortened one of HER electrical cords last year... You don't think that I would let a cord lay out only to get covered with new snow... , Do Ya... . Had to be HER... . Wonder what other objects have been run through these things.....

 

[CGoyette]

best snow blower

Doc the best place to buy the best snow blower is florida it has them on sale every day too!



Think south for the winter but leave that dang cat home ... ... or we might use it for target practice..... hate cats love dogs sorry

Curt

 

[Diesel Freak]

I recomend a Yamaha Banshee with a 510 stroker engine and 23" 12 paddle tauler haulers on the back... . then she could go the grocery store and get a sixer of Coors with it after she blows the snow off the driveway into the next neighborhood.

 

[swampfox]

snowblowers

Regardless of the brand get one with tracks instead of wheels.

mine will handle 6 ft. drifts and you don't have to fool with chains.

after owning a couple my advice is to get the most hp you can afford. FYI my driveway is 180' long and my snowblower gets a workout every winter

 

[Doc Tinker]

Thanks for your recommendations, guys. I don't need anything big, to clear my 55'x20' driveway that is partly taken up with the RV. Mrs Doc probably wouldn't like manhandling a two stage blower either.



I'm going to take a look at an Ariens, John Deere and a Honda single stage blowers. If the Honda isn't way more money, that's what I'll get.



Diesel Freak - That sure would be the ticket if we got lots of snow here. I'd throw the shovel and blower away and say screw it, let's go riding!



Doc

 

[Jeff H]

The farmer down the road uses a pretty good sized blower on his John Deer tractor. Has no problem cutting 4 feet of snow. Diesel powered too.

 

[Doc Tinker]

Mrs Doc and I have found the snow thrower that will fit our needs. It's rather pricy, but after looking at most of the other brands, I'm sure that the one we've chosen will last us many years and do a good job of clearing the snow, even the stuff that the county plow throws into the driveway.



It's a Snapper SX5200E- 6 hp 2-cycle and its mostly steel, not plastic like the rest of the throwers. One feature I like about it is the easy access panel to the carberator bowl. It will make cleaning or draining much better.



Mrs Doc thinks it will be easy for her to handle too

 

[chuck3]

Snapper

I did not know snapper made a snow blower or I would have said snapper,instead of Torro. I have a snapper mower and love it, the best mower I've ever owned.