http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Snow-Sad-day-now-Im-looking-foe-a-snow-bl-14992157 en Wed, 23 Mar 2022 15:06:54 EDT Wed, 23 Mar 2022 15:06:54 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Snow-Sad-day-now-Im-looking-foe-a-snow-blower-15076204 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Snow-Sad-day-now-Im-looking-foe-a-snow-blower-15076204 Wed, 21 Dec 2005 20:31:16 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Snow-Sad-day-now-Im-looking-foe-a-snow-blower-15068829 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Snow-Sad-day-now-Im-looking-foe-a-snow-blower-15068829 Tue, 20 Dec 2005 22:30:41 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Snow-Sad-day-now-Im-looking-foe-a-snow-bl-15067901 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Snow-Sad-day-now-Im-looking-foe-a-snow-bl-15067901 Tue, 20 Dec 2005 20:45:59 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Snow-Sad-day-now-Im-looking-foe-a-snow-bl-15037390
Wow

Bill
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Old dogs can learn new tricks!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Snow-Sad-day-now-Im-looking-foe-a-snow-bl-15037390 Fri, 16 Dec 2005 14:37:45 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Snow-Sad-day-now-Im-looking-foe-a-snow-blower-15037121

Side view
Front view
auger
side
Big Baby

]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Snow-Sad-day-now-Im-looking-foe-a-snow-blower-15037121 Fri, 16 Dec 2005 13:53:50 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Snow-Sad-day-now-Im-looking-foe-a-snow-bl-15036496
But, finally, a nice guy here in Bethel called and is willing to do the direway for just a bit more than the previous guy was doing it for but still a price I consider acceptable.

No "Big One" this year from shovelling Grumpy! :o

Thanks, all, for the good advice. I had settled on the Troy 8HP, 26" And was very close to ordering it. Luckily I can put that aside for this year.

Bill
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Old dogs can learn new tricks!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Snow-Sad-day-now-Im-looking-foe-a-snow-bl-15036496 Fri, 16 Dec 2005 12:27:18 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Snow-Sad-day-now-Im-looking-foe-a-snow-blower-15021941 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Snow-Sad-day-now-Im-looking-foe-a-snow-blower-15021941 Wed, 14 Dec 2005 16:34:50 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Snow-Sad-day-now-Im-looking-foe-a-snow-blower-15021850 said by harlenm:

The local stores will service them even if you don't buy it from them.
True, but some don't want to be bothered with ordering parts if it isn't their line. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Snow-Sad-day-now-Im-looking-foe-a-snow-blower-15021850 Wed, 14 Dec 2005 16:23:46 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Snow-Sad-day-now-Im-looking-foe-a-snow-blower-15021709 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Snow-Sad-day-now-Im-looking-foe-a-snow-blower-15021709 Wed, 14 Dec 2005 16:04:55 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Snow-Sad-day-now-Im-looking-foe-a-snow-bl-15020894
I'd still rather get a plow man to do the driveway but I can't get anyone, even the guy that I do business for the summer lawnmowing, etc. to call me back. Is it bad breath?

Bill
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Old dogs can learn new tricks!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Snow-Sad-day-now-Im-looking-foe-a-snow-bl-15020894 Wed, 14 Dec 2005 14:16:44 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Snow-Sad-day-now-Im-looking-foe-a-snow-blower-15018627 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Snow-Sad-day-now-Im-looking-foe-a-snow-blower-15018627 Wed, 14 Dec 2005 08:50:43 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Snow-Sad-day-now-Im-looking-foe-a-snow-blower-15018174
As was posted earlier, a set of chains and an enclosure wouldn't doesn't hurt either. A set of goggles helps too. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Snow-Sad-day-now-Im-looking-foe-a-snow-blower-15018174 Wed, 14 Dec 2005 06:27:12 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Snow-Sad-day-now-Im-looking-foe-a-snow-bl-15018152 www.smalltownlowdown.com ··· 1105.htm

]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Snow-Sad-day-now-Im-looking-foe-a-snow-bl-15018152 Wed, 14 Dec 2005 06:17:29 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Snow-Sad-day-now-Im-looking-foe-a-snow-bl-15012326 If you look at the low cost models they use a spring to turn the chute, it will break in no time. Many of them don't have powered wheels, boy is that a pain.
I don't like the plastic joystick on the Toros, let's see plastic, freezing cold and ice forms on it. Yep, it broke. Plus the cables get dirty and don't operate as well.
I suggest tire chains and a cab. Deflate ur tires a little, put the chains on and reinflate. Buy the little bungie cords from Homeless Depot and use 2 for each wheel and the chains won't flop or fall off when the tire pressure goes down.
Spray the insides with teflon or silicone spray, keep all joints lubed. No air cleaner to worry about. Pump the primer 5-6 times and you won't need the electric start but get it just in case.
Some of the new machines have a power control for each wheel, interesting idea but I don't know how well it works.
Snow drift cutters and handwarmers are a plus.
NEVER, NEVER stick ur hand in to clean the chute. All the machines I sold had a plastic tool for that.
Always walk through where ever you blow to look for stones or other objects the blower may pick up and throw through a window.
You will be surprised how many new friends/neighbors you will get. My concern is if something happens will they sue me?
Buy a good machine and have it a long time with a little maintenance.
I love my machine the most when it never comes out.
ps My buddy has one with tracks and it tends to climb up the wet snow so he has to do it twice? Chains will keep the nose down.
Good luck.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Snow-Sad-day-now-Im-looking-foe-a-snow-bl-15012326 Tue, 13 Dec 2005 13:51:40 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Snow-Sad-day-now-Im-looking-foe-a-snow-blower-15005647
- js.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Snow-Sad-day-now-Im-looking-foe-a-snow-blower-15005647 Mon, 12 Dec 2005 16:47:23 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Snow-Sad-day-now-Im-looking-foe-a-snow-bl-15005170
Bill
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Old dogs can learn new tricks!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Snow-Sad-day-now-Im-looking-foe-a-snow-bl-15005170 Mon, 12 Dec 2005 15:44:32 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Snow-Sad-day-now-Im-looking-foe-a-snow-blower-15003111
The plug in electric start is a nice feature to have if you don't feel like pull starting.
--
The BlueRibbon Coalition: Protecting the off-road community
www.northeastatvers.com
www.vwenthusiast.com]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Snow-Sad-day-now-Im-looking-foe-a-snow-blower-15003111 Mon, 12 Dec 2005 10:49:19 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Snow-Sad-day-now-Im-looking-foe-a-snow-bl-15002944 said by Icarus:

---

John Deere makes good product but I think youre paying more for the name than anything else.

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I concur.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Snow-Sad-day-now-Im-looking-foe-a-snow-bl-15002944 Mon, 12 Dec 2005 10:15:52 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Snow-Sad-day-now-Im-looking-foe-a-snow-bl-15001468 --
JOIN TEAM HELIX! HERES HOW!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Snow-Sad-day-now-Im-looking-foe-a-snow-bl-15001468 Mon, 12 Dec 2005 00:36:16 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Snow-Sad-day-now-Im-looking-foe-a-snow-bl-15001032
Bill
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Old dogs can learn new tricks!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Snow-Sad-day-now-Im-looking-foe-a-snow-bl-15001032 Sun, 11 Dec 2005 23:17:35 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Snow-Sad-day-now-Im-looking-foe-a-snow-bl-14996877 said by nmfire10:



4,000 tons of snow per hour with a 500hp turbo-diesel just for the blower.
Now that's my kind of snow blower]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Snow-Sad-day-now-Im-looking-foe-a-snow-bl-14996877 Sun, 11 Dec 2005 11:42:04 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Snow-Sad-day-now-Im-looking-foe-a-snow-bl-14996336

4,000 tons of snow per hour with a 500hp turbo-diesel just for the blower.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Snow-Sad-day-now-Im-looking-foe-a-snow-bl-14996336 Sun, 11 Dec 2005 09:53:07 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Snow-Sad-day-now-Im-looking-foe-a-snow-bl-14996196 I bought that one from Home Depot. In general I'm happy with it. But it did have a lot of problems with the really heavy wet slushy snow down here in Stratford on Friday. The discharge chute kept getting clogged doing the driveway. Luckily they give you a nice stick/shovel to clear out the chute. When I did the sidewalk in front of my house and my neighbors it did a very nice job as the snow wasn't as slushy as the driveway.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Snow-Sad-day-now-Im-looking-foe-a-snow-bl-14996196 Sun, 11 Dec 2005 09:19:50 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Snow-Sad-day-now-Im-looking-foe-a-snow-blower-14996155 --
revenge is a dish best served cold.....

]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Snow-Sad-day-now-Im-looking-foe-a-snow-blower-14996155 Sun, 11 Dec 2005 09:08:31 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Snow-Sad-day-now-Im-looking-foe-a-snow-blower-14995981
»www.ariens.com/snow_products/]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Snow-Sad-day-now-Im-looking-foe-a-snow-blower-14995981 Sun, 11 Dec 2005 08:05:48 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Snow-Sad-day-now-Im-looking-foe-a-snow-blower-14995759
I would suggest shopping around for another plow guy. Many plow guys are landscapers with a lot of downtime, twiddling their thumbs for half the Winter, and may actually return calls.

Life is too short to vapor-lock over a snow shovel]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Snow-Sad-day-now-Im-looking-foe-a-snow-blower-14995759 Sun, 11 Dec 2005 06:14:08 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Snow-Sad-day-now-Im-looking-foe-a-snow-bl-14994895 --
JOIN TEAM HELIX! HERES HOW!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Snow-Sad-day-now-Im-looking-foe-a-snow-bl-14994895 Sun, 11 Dec 2005 00:39:00 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Snow-Sad-day-now-Im-looking-foe-a-snow-bl-14994466 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Snow-Sad-day-now-Im-looking-foe-a-snow-bl-14994466 Sat, 10 Dec 2005 23:17:33 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Snow-Sad-day-now-Im-looking-foe-a-snow-bl-14994019
Edit Electric Start Also and looking To add a light on the front
--
I don't suffer from insanity-I enjoy it

]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Snow-Sad-day-now-Im-looking-foe-a-snow-bl-14994019 Sat, 10 Dec 2005 22:03:44 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Snow-Sad-day-now-Im-looking-foe-a-snow-blower-14993832 The two stage will get rid of it all. And possibly depending on the horsepower, will put it in your neighbors yard/driveway if needed.
All those two stage snow thrower 'features' i don't need. I just need it to get rid of the snow/slush as fast as possible. Those extra 'features' usually mean multiple speeds and it has steering. I just need one feature, good snow removal on a steep driveway.
If I were you, I would find the cheapest two-stage model you can (no fancy stuff).
Its amazing how much a Texan can learn about snow removal living in CT for a few years.

I trust Consumer Reports for most of my big ticket items.
»www.consumerreports.org/ ··· rden.htm

"What's available: Major brands include Ariens, Craftsman, Honda, John Deere, Simplicity, Toro, etc.
Two stage gas: Best for long, wide, or hilly driveways, with a typical snowfall over 8 inches. All offer electric starting and have driven wheels, an auger that gathers the snow, and an impeller to throw it.
Single stage gas: Best for flat, midsized paved driveways and walks, with typical snowfall less that 8 inches. All lack drive wheels.
Don't get hung up on power claims: You'll find two-stage snow throwers with engines that boast 11 hp or more. But higher power claims don't necessarily mean more performance; some less-powerful machines in our most recent tests cleared snow on a par with the highest hp models.
See full report in Oct 2004 issue page 36"
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4 out of 3 people have problems with fractions.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Snow-Sad-day-now-Im-looking-foe-a-snow-blower-14993832 Sat, 10 Dec 2005 21:36:58 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Snow-Sad-day-now-Im-looking-foe-a-snow-bl-14993567 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Snow-Sad-day-now-Im-looking-foe-a-snow-bl-14993567 Sat, 10 Dec 2005 20:57:40 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Snow-Sad-day-now-Im-looking-foe-a-snow-bl-14993022
What about single-stage or two-stage? If I go with gas then there is a wide range of prices and features. I big difference is whether it is one or two stage. The Toro's seem to be single-stage for the most part but there are mnay two-stage units on homedepot.com. I don't see any Ariens units on their web site, that is a name I recognize.

There is a Yard Machine that looks pretty nice.
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Old dogs can learn new tricks!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Snow-Sad-day-now-Im-looking-foe-a-snow-bl-14993022 Sat, 10 Dec 2005 19:38:26 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Snow-Sad-day-now-Im-looking-foe-a-snow-bl-14992800
Anything else is going to be gas. You can get the single stage 2-cycle units that have the auger/paddle design. They work really good as long as the snow isn't deeper than the front of the unit which is generally about a foot at the very most. If the snow is wet, they aren't too good. They are usually about 20-22" wide.


Or you can get the two stae 4-cycle models. Big ass auger an an impeller. Those things will eat whetever kind of snow you put in front of it and it usually won't be any deeper than it can handle around here. This is CT, not Buffalo. They are usuall up to 33" wide or so.
]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Snow-Sad-day-now-Im-looking-foe-a-snow-bl-14992800 Sat, 10 Dec 2005 19:02:06 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Snow-Sad-day-now-Im-looking-foe-a-snow-bl-14992743
I suggest a trip to Home Depot and a look at the Ariens line of snow blowers. A decent one will cost you around a grand.

Two things to look for. 1. Eletric start. You plug an extension cord into the machine, prime it a few times, and push a button and it starts. 2. A fuel shutoff valve. I'm assuming they all have it, but I'm not sure. This is how you turn the machine off. You let the carbs empty of fuel and it will turn off. This way you don't have to worry about cleaning the carbs out, and with fuel sitting in the carbs for too long.

I haven't used my snowblower for about 8 months. I turned on the fuel, primed it 3 times, turned on the choke, and pushed the button, and it started in 2 seconds. You won't be able to do that unless you have the fuel shutoff.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Snow-Sad-day-now-Im-looking-foe-a-snow-bl-14992743 Sat, 10 Dec 2005 18:54:29 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Snow-Sad-day-now-Im-looking-foe-a-snow-blower-14992157
Well, with the payments on the new truck and add the new plow he said he wouldn't make enough from plowing. So he's thinking of giving it up.

Now, we've had this guy for 25 years or so and he was charging $30 for the driveway. A price that's WAY below anyone else. And, from what I've heard, you can't even get anyone to call you back. But, to be honest, I haven't tried yet.

I thiught I'd look for a snow blower and, naturally, am coming here for help and advice.

The parking area at the top of the criveway is 35' by 25' and then it narrows to the driveway itself which is 50' or so I'd guess. It's moderately steep at the bottom and then flattens out in the parking area. Today, using a snow shovel, I was able to clear 3/4 of the parking area in the better part of two hours, I'm not a fast shoveller. Luckily the driveway had been cleared before the ploy guys truck broke so I didn't need to do that.

So, what do people have to say? I'm hoping that an electric is going to be sufficient because it's no-maintenance. If it's gotta be gas then I guess I'll deal with it.

Let the advice begin!

And, Thanks In Advance! :D

Bill W
Bethel
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Old dogs can learn new tricks!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Snow-Sad-day-now-Im-looking-foe-a-snow-blower-14992157 Sat, 10 Dec 2005 17:25:28 EDT