Snow Blower

[KevDen2005]

Hey everyone,

I'm looking to possibly get a snow blower in the near future. This would be my first one. My previous driveway was very small but my new driveway is quite large and my one year old is having a hard time cleaning it.

I've looked online at reviews and products but I want opinions here. Also what to look for and issues.

Thanks

[TFOGGER]

I got my dad a 7 HP Craftsman(2 Stage) with electric start several years ago. He says it is the best present he ever received. His driveway is 18-25 feet wide, and 82 feet from the garage door to the front gate, with a steep hill in the middle.

[newracer]

Sams and Costco usually have good deals on them this time of the year.

[Great-Kazoo]

Ariens. OR Consider a riding mower with plow attachment. We're running a 24" Ariens walk behind and older craftsman mower with plow.

[rbeau30]

You could get a member to lend you one.

[Great-Kazoo]

You could get a member to lend you one.

He's moving snow, not cutting wood. A snow blower is harder to hide than the saw.

[BPTactical]

Stay away from single stage and electric models. Single stage will not clear more than 2 inches of dry fluff. Forget 6 inches of March slime.
Electrics- cord is a hassle and lack torque.
My folks gave me a couple and the small "electric broom" was the only semi useful one.
You want at least 5hp in a gas engine and two stage, meaning an auger to munch the snow and an impeller to throw it. You want a chute that articulates very well.
Stay away from Craftsman, once it hits about 4 years old parts get hard to find.
No need for 6 speeds, tracks, hand warmers etc. Keep it simple, tires and 3 speeds is fine. I have had a few of them, the neighbor gal gave me a Craftsman 7.5hp track machine that moved snow like a motherf~`€r (and rocks)but with the tracks it had a horrible turning radius and handling in general sucked. The ring gear in the auger gear box shredded a few teeth and a replacement part was no place to be found.
I ended up buying a year old 5hp YardMachines model with a "blown engine" off of Craigslist for $100.00. The clown selling it swore the engine was blown because it wouldn't run.
A $30.00 carb rebuild kit and new fuel hose rebuilt a "blown" engine
Sold the engine off the Craftsman for $125.00
Perfectly happy with the machine, it has handled any snow it has come up against. My only criticism is it is only 21" wide, the Craftsman was 30".
Wide is good.
Tire chains are a necessity.
Look for the Tecumseh Snow King engine. Always starts and most have an electric starter.

[rbeau30]

I am realizing that operating a shovel puts me in for days of pain afterwards, I think I may be getting .... old. I may be in the market for a machine this year, thanks for the helpful info.

[Wulf202]

What bp said.

I do snow removal on a large scale. I run ariens blowers. Polaris atv. Meyers plows. For shovels I use Bigfoot brand shovels but you need to think of it as a hand operated plow not a scoop shovel. It really saves the back.

[thedave1164]

I am realizing that operating a shovel puts me in for days of pain afterwards, I think I may be getting .... old. I may be in the market for a machine this year, thanks for the helpful info.

I end up in pain as well, just turned 50, anyway I have found 800mg of ibuprofen before shoveling along with lots of water will keep the pain away. YMMV