Need a snowblower....recommendations? | GTAMotorcycle.com

Need a snowblower....recommendations?

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mimico_polak

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So I feel like a total ******* for leaving the wife back home and working away and the first snowfall comes the day I leave.

looking for a snowblower that’s:
- fairly light as she’s petite
- easy to start

we have a 9 car driveway at the new place and it’ll be tough for her to deal with the entire driveway but I told her to just do enough to get the car out.
Blower could be gas or electric but not sure if the electric ones are powerful enough to be used.

or recommendations for snow removal in Credit Woodlands if you have.
 
Single stage is light but mine had issues with very deep or heavy snow and the paddles would get chewed up regularly.

Got a dual stage now from Lowe's and it's great. It's big, heavy, takes up room in the garage but it just works well. It's self propelled so the size isn't an issue.

Whatever you get, get electric start. Nothing is more frustrating than pulling that stupid cord a thousand times expecting a different result when it's -20 outside.
 
I have a single stage Honda. It's great for snow <12" deep and not frozen solid. It weighs ~100 lbs so it's not light, but hundreds of pounds lighter than a two-stage. If you stay on top of the snow, a single stage is a great option. If you plan on having your wife leave part of the driveway for weeks until you get home, you would probably be better served with a two-stage.

If the plow comes by and that windrow freezes, a single stage is not a very good option for getting rid of it. On the rare occasion that I have a frozen windrow, either a neighbour takes it out for me with their two-stage or I borrow their two-stage and take it out.

Personally, I don't care about electric start. I buy equipment that I don't have to fight with. The 30+ year old honda starts first or second pull (3rd pull if it hasn't been started for months). I just changed out the paddle rubbers for the first time in its life (they should have been changed before but the previous owner wasn't big on maintenance).

What's your budget? Under $500 I wouldn't want to look at a two-stage as most suck. If you are $800+ you start getting into better equipment

Do the vehicles park in the driveway or garage? Snow service is great if you don't have vehicles in the driveway and you get a good contractor. If your vehicles are in the driveway, you still have a lot of manual labour to finish the job.
 
Get the smallest Honda with tracks it will have electric start and last forever. Model Hss622ctd1

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Scuba Steve said:
Get the smallest Honda with tracks it will have electric start and last forever. Model Hss622ctd1

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Why tracks? In theory they seem better, but they cause some issues (increased weight, hard/impossible to move when off), hard to get up a step etc). I haven't had traction issues with wheels. Ariens rapidtrack seems like a great hybrid approach, but the price is steep. I agree with Honda power equipment in general. You just want this thing to work and Honda has a history of providing that (although if parts are required, they become unavailable or prohibitively expensive after ~10 years. They wanted $80 a wheel and $150 for a plastic carb for a lawnmower so I retired it).
 
MTD dual stage. At least 8hp. My 29" 10.5hp is 20 years old, starts first pull or with electric start.
 
Briggs and Stratton 24" dual stage snowblower on sale at Lowes (ends tomorrow). Four stroke engine, electric start and self propelled. It is listed at $500 off getting the price down to $699.00.
 
GerryM said:
Briggs and Stratton 24" dual stage snowblower on sale at Lowes (ends tomorrow). Four stroke engine, electric start and self propelled. It is listed at $500 off getting the price down to $699.00.
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Aren't all two stages self-propelled? If not, holy crap, don't buy a two-stage that you have to push, that would be the worst.
 
you can buy two Lowes Briggs/Stratton for the price of a Honda, I'll agree the Honda is very nice, but my 20yr old MTD 5hp starts on the first yank, it may outlast me.
 
It's not tiny but it is easy to operate, there are a multitude of attachments available including a plow blade or blower (the blade is awesome), it is expensive unless you find an old used one and will likely outlive you. Gravely walk behind.
 
If you really want to make your wife love you, use some of your fly-in money and install pyrotenax (I think they are called electro-cables now). Driveway will be entirely clear of snow and ice just don't let her see an electric bill or she may kill you.
 
FullMotoJacket said:
Sunny? ;)
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Any Honda is good. Had the track driven 11hp 32inch model, the thing was a tank and so smoooooooooth Had hydrostatic transmission. Bought it used and sold it 5 years later for more than I paid for it and never had a single problem with it. (since upgraded to a tractor with blower, couldn't get a Honda engine in it sadly, but it has a fine Kawi motor which is still good

My 18 year old Honda trimmer, Honda lawnmower, and Honda powered pressure washer are still running strong. My newer Honda genny and water pump are too new to comment on but work great when needed.


Best on earth, thats all you need to know.
 
Do yourself a favour and get a Honda.The first one I had was an HS620 ( I think) single stage that I used on your basic subdivision type driveway.I worked the hell out of it and lent it to my neighbors every snowfall and still sold it for $500 when it was ten years old.It was light,easy to maneuver.Dont waste money on electric start. Honda’s usually start first or second pull.I wished I had kept it for doing quick cleanups at the place I have now.The only downside was it struggled with the wet heavy windrow left by the snowplough at the end of my driveway.The driveway I have now is over 300’ long and I’ve got the Honda 928 track drive.Its a beast. Yes, the Honda is more expensive but it will be the last snowblower you will ever have to buy.
 
Get an ATV and a plow. I have a Polaris Highlifter and a plow that laughs at snow :)

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