Small driveway and path, really want to put less miles on my back this year.

Any suggestions for a smaller and inexpensive snow blower? Figure one and a half cars as I just go in in 4WD

Lots on craigslist. I got an older Ariens 24" repowered with a 7hp Tecumseh. Fresh fuel and oil change just done. I am happy I got one with electric start. My back thanks me every storm. You should be able to find the same for $300-450. Or make Mr Moriarty an offer he can't refuse.... he has two!

You'll regret smaller! Look for the best deal you can find on a 2-stage, 24" at least 8Hp IMO.

get 2 stage and electric start.... you want a blower that can throw heavy wet snow without getting clogged in the chute....spray the chute with PAM anti stick cooking spray for heavy wet snow

You'll never regret it, once you got it, even the dogs what paths now.

DEAR JOHN R

PLEASE purchase the BIGGEST Narliest
roughest most heavy duty wicked MOTHER
of all snowblowers ever created so it won't even snow....:uhuh:

DEAR JOHN R

PLEASE purchase the BIGGEST Narliest
roughest most heavy duty wicked MOTHER
of all snowblowers ever created so it won't even snow....:uhuh:

Sunday

John, you've seen my driveways. I'm guessing roughly the same size as yours? I have a Toro 826 Power Max for close to 10 years now. Never any problems and it just chugs right on through stuff that's deeper than the bucket. 8hp, 26" two stage with electric start.
I went to a power equipment dealer that sells most of the major brands. They had Toro, Ariens, Husqvarna, Troy Built. They all have comparable models in both size and price. So, I asked the guy, "all things being equal in size and price, which do you choose?" He told me Toro. They have a 2 year warranty vs 1 year for the others. A more rugged gear box and they see fewer Toros returned for problems than the others.
So, I bought the Toro and have been happy with it. Honestly, I think they're all okay and you can't go wrong with any. Unless you're buying a machine with an OHV twin motor, they all use the same motors.

Sunday

How much Professor of meteorology? :huh:

How much Professor of meteorology? :huh:

.IT PROBABLY WILL AT LEAST BE COLD
ENOUGH FOR PERIODS OF SNOW/ICE ACROSS THE INTERIOR, NEED MORE RUNS ANOTHER 96 HOURS.

Don't think small. For years I had an old 8 hp toro. Well year before last if STB. Bought a like new Ariens 5.5 following summer and it wasn't big enough. So I sold it last April for the same price I paid.

In June I bought a used 9hp Ariens with very low hours for 500. (not sure it was ever used. (it's 2 years old)

Bigger is better when it comes to snow throwers.

JR< something like this:

YouTube - V8 Snowblower (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1iqeEg7ufw&feature=related)

I have had good luck with my 2 year old Craftsman, 26" 8 HP

Guys,
I prefer the polaris 500 with a plow....

Toro ST724

get a small frame machine john. It will be more than enough to do it. Won't kill your back because it's lighter. Stay away from big box stuff though. Cheaper stuff inside. Plastic vs cast gears.

The Model I use is a Sean 1.0....runs rough when I have to start it early in the Morning, But it is pretty dependable :hee:

I understand you have a Liam 1.0.....good solid Model too.:hihi:

I have a Thomas 1.0 and Jeremy 2.0 and I find they make alot of whining noises, also both tend to start the job and never finish so DAD has to finish. Very unreliable and they're both out of warranty :rotf2:

Anyone got a fix for the whining? :grins:

The Model I use is a Sean 1.0....runs rough when I have to start it early in the Morning, But it is pretty dependable :hee:

I understand you have a Liam 1.0.....good solid Model too.:hihi:

I DON'T LIFT SNOW ANYMORE.....i JUST PUSH IT AROUND

AND THAT is the strategy

I am like totally Psyched because the Toro Snow Blower SALTY sold me
just started with ONE pull

and is out there idling right now....

i was dismayed because i had left some gas in the TANK
and was thinking Oh "F" :point: carb rebuild , but the gas additive i used
worked like a charm... so now , i can work on other stuff instead.

Lots of good suggestions.
I've had a lot of luck with an equipment/lawn mower dealer in my area.
Bought an old Bolens snowblower for cheap. Electric starts the way to go. Its a beast. Does the job.
Over the years I've picked up a chipper and one of those large walk behind leaf blowers. This thing is the shiz.
I guess the guy takes these things in on trades, works them and sells them.

I looked at some recently in Hommies and was suprised how cheap they were when you consider what it cost to have your driveway plowed and the time it saves. The payback periods prob. about 2 winters. I wish I had room in the garage for one.

I've had an Ariens for 10 yrs. Starts the first pull every time, even after sitting idle all summer. I think it has an electric start but I never bothered.
Its probabaly a small to mid size model and does the trick. I think I paid $900. Worth every penney.

One of the very few things I enjoy about winter is using the snowblower to clear the driveway

Ever think about putting a plow on your truck John?

I DON'T LIFT SNOW ANYMORE.....i JUST PUSH IT AROUND

AND THAT is the strategy

I am like totally Psyched because the Toro Snow Blower SALTY sold me
just started with ONE pull

and is out there idling right now....

i was dismayed because i had left some gas in the TANK
and was thinking Oh "F" :point: carb rebuild , but the gas additive i use
worked like a charm... so now , i can work on other stuff instead.

Like rain ponchos for the outside for this weekend. glad you bought the snowblower that steered the storms south for the WINTER

That was the best damn snowblower I ever owned. One pull. Tecumseh motor. None of this sissy 5w30 oil bs. Real man's oil

Raven have you kept good care of my baby? That thing got me through many many storms in Central Ma.

roflmao

So John you want used or new?

That was the best damn snowblower I ever owned. One pull. Tecumseh motor. None of this sissy 5w30 oil bs. Real man's oil

Raven have you kept good care of my baby? That thing got me through many many storms in Central Ma.

roflmao



YES SIR ! Mr Bugger SIR ! :grins:

Next , i'll spray her done with some NANO wax and give her a massage

Ever think about putting a plow on your truck John?


Briefly, but much rather do the snow blower. Don't want to mess up a fish truck with a plow ;)

I've got an 826 toro that i bought for the company for doing the walk way and hydrogen dock 16 winters ago... I fired it up just before Thanks giving and it came to life with one pull...... It's big enough to hangle a 50' walk way , but small enough to get it in and out of the main building to clear the dock and entrance ways...just run stabilezer in what ever you buy all the time and you will never have an issue with sour fuel...

are great to plow with anyways

because they aren't as wide
and when you have your blade at an angle
you can plow between parked cars
without scraping them.... and that's a PLUS
when cleaning out parking lots for some extra cash

the next time i "lift" snow
will be with a KUBOTA tractor bucket
or something similar :uhuh:

Plows cost at least three times as much as a snowblower, and they won't do your walkways or sidewalks. i bought an 8 horse 28 inch Ariens last year. Takes the pain out of snow. Now, bring on the ice!

My Bolens about 20 years old. My family still has an Ariens that has to be close to 45 years old.

I have a Thomas 1.0 and Jeremy 2.0 and I find they make alot of whining noises, also both tend to start the job and never finish so DAD has to finish. Very unreliable and they're both out of warranty :rotf2:

Anyone got a fix for the whining? :grins:

shoe leather (yours) applied directly to their "stern"

Old School remedy, time tested, proven positive results...


however, in this day & age of "lightweight" oil..
it is not "PC" anymore, hence, the increased tolerance for whining and coddling, and "lightweight" oil....

I have a Thomas 1.0 and Jeremy 2.0 and I find they make alot of whining noises, also both tend to start the job and never finish so DAD has to finish. Very unreliable and they're both out of warranty :rotf2:

Anyone got a fix for the whining? :grins:

Just don't let your wife Fire them up......they usually have a tendency to gum up the Fuel Line w/ cookies and hot cocoa. Then blame you when they stall....

grab an old ariens- real workhorses, mines 20 yrs old and does a great job.

Just don't let your wife Fire them up......they usually have a tendency to gum up the Fuel Line w/ cookies and hot cocoa. Then blame you when they stall....


you have to feed them CARBS for a good steady BURN

I DON'T [COLOR="Blue"]

i was dismayed because i had left some gas in the TANK
and was thinking Oh "F" :point: carb rebuild , but the gas additive i used
worked like a charm... so now , i can work on other stuff instead.


Key is to use a gas additive , Sta bil etc., all year long, and in all small engines
ONLY use supreme gas.
Ethanol kills small engines.

When storing, run engine dry with a small amount of carbmaster then if
it's a metal tank fill to the top with a with the gas mix, prevents rust, with a plastic tank drain it completely.

Something like this, and take it to a shop to get the once over initial tune up.

Ariens snow blower (http://boston.craigslist.org/sob/grd/2106935234.html)

John, have you done anything yet? You might, just might need it for Monday morning.... Just wondering.

Also, if you are cruising CL, you want to look through farm and garden section, as well as tools section.

I like the older models with the chain drive. I think you have to spend over $800 to get a new chain driven model now. Anything below that is belt driven. If anyone knows of a brand that makes a chain driven model for less please let me know. Thx:jump1:

John buy a Toro paddle blower, these things kick other blowers arse. I have one for everyone of my plow crews. They are so light weight easy one guy in and out of the trucks. Easy pull start and cannot be stopped. In slush it takes it deep snow it takes it. People dont believe me when I say what these things are capable of doing, but me and my guys will take those paddle blowers over those big heavy metal blowers any day.

Ross is Right

1 foot of snow coming John

guess you'll be lifting it

a little birdy told me
John found a machine

it's no wonder :point: a foot of snow approaches :wall:

Guys,
I prefer the polaris 500 with a plow....

Nope, not heavy enough, I like the 2-stroke better to tow the pto mower attachment

I perfer a V snow plow for my chevy 2500hd hahaha

These are the ones that throw over the house, great deal for someone handy

Free snoblower (http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/zip/2128906159.html)

So how did everyone make out with their machines of choice? Much of the area I had to clear was hardpacked by the wind. It was also higher than the top of the machine's opening. I would plow into it, let the augers undermine it, pull back and hit it again. Often had to knock it down though.
After 3-4 hours, the machine started to stall when the impeller must have been overloaded. At least I that
s what I think. If I disengaged the auger/impeller when it began to struggle, it would return to normal. Also started to hear a clunk when engaging.....I will explore that today. Any thoughts on that?

So how did everyone make out with their machines of choice? Much of the area I had to clear was hardpacked by the wind. It was also higher than the top of the machine's opening. I would plow into it, let the augers undermine it, pull back and hit it again. Often had to knock it down though.
After 3-4 hours, the machine started to stall when the impeller must have been overloaded. At least I that
s what I think. If I disengaged the auger/impeller when it began to struggle, it would return to normal. Also started to hear a clunk when engaging.....I will explore that today. Any thoughts on that?

Same thing for me yesterday. Tighten the idler, by moving it over 1 position towards the belt. That should fix it. Also get a spare belt as that is the only adjustment you can do for the attachment belt.

my old Ariens ate it no problem. Glad I have chains on the tires though as it was tough getting thru the slush at bottom, traction wise. The chain drive wheels are really hard to stop but the slush would build up on them. Only real problem I had was i ran over a brick around the wood pile and stalled out the machine. Had to break up brick with hammer as it was stuck in the good. Started right up after that and I continued.

It would appear that I was not paying attention to my fuel level:smash:.... and that the pick up must not like it being at 1/4 or less as the machine gets moved up and down... Keeping it topped off had it eating snow, and snowbanks for another four hours today. Glad it was operator error...

The Sean 1.0 fired up flawlessly.....fired it up at about 7:30 and was on my way to work by 8. :hee:

It would appear that I was not paying attention to my fuel level:smash:.... and that the pick up must not like it being at 1/4 or less as the machine gets moved up and down... Keeping it topped off had it eating snow, and snowbanks for another four hours today. Glad it was operator error...

That sux. I had that happen too. 1/4 sounds like a boat pickup :biglaugh:

So how did everyone make out with their machines of choice? Much of the area I had to clear was hardpacked by the wind. It was also higher than the top of the machine's opening. I would plow into it, let the augers undermine it, pull back and hit it again. Often had to knock it down though.
After 3-4 hours, the machine started to stall when the impeller must have been overloaded. At least I that
s what I think. If I disengaged the auger/impeller when it began to struggle, it would return to normal. Also started to hear a clunk when engaging.....I will explore that today. Any thoughts on that?

Tighten the cable running from the handle, should be a double threaded screw in line? Topping off the gas helps too, as you found out, as you tilt the machine to eat through high banks.

My Craftsman ran flawlessly, used it for 5 hours straight
only used 1 tank of gas

My driveway is 3 cars long by 2 cars wide, plus I did my 1 other driveway across the street (same size)

Key is to use a gas additive , Sta bil etc., all year long, and in all small engines
ONLY use supreme gas.
Ethanol kills small engines.

When storing, run engine dry with a small amount of carbmaster then if
it's a metal tank fill to the top with a with the gas mix, prevents rust, with a plastic tank drain it completely.

My snowblower/lawn repairman is recommending a higher than 87 octane also on all lawn and outdoor equipment. Apparently most of the companies have recommended the change due to the changes in gas lately. Something to do with the lack of lubricants (in the 87 test gas ) affecting the plastic and rubber parts in these engines.

I have a 9hp Craftsman with a 28" cutting path. it did just fine, till it ate an old grill grate I forgot to toss, 2 minutes and a new shear bolt and back in business.

i waited til it was dark to start....

the driveway is around one hundred feet long and i did four passes
and did the back yard too for the dog area....as the snow drifts made traveling for her very difficult

thankfully my neighbor had pushed the snow plow barrier
off to the side
with his plow which made the job that much easier...

my ski goggles kept fogging up.... :wall:

my ski goggles kept fogging up..

Now that would have been a sight to see.

So how did everyone make out with their machines of choice? Much of the area I had to clear was hardpacked by the wind. It was also higher than the top of the machine's opening. I would plow into it, let the augers undermine it, pull back and hit it again. Often had to knock it down though.
After 3-4 hours, the machine started to stall when the impeller must have been overloaded. At least I that
s what I think. If I disengaged the auger/impeller when it began to struggle, it would return to normal. Also started to hear a clunk when engaging.....I will explore that today. Any thoughts on that?


I made out well. I live in the merrimack valley around 495 and only got about 6". Had a couple drifts to around 8" but nothing near what the map said. That has happened to me before. Everyone around seems to have a foot to 18" and I get a lot less. I am thinking I live in some type of hole that misses the big bands of snow. Not complaining :)

I really splurged this year and got an Ariens pro 28. I actually have about half a dozen snowblowers in my collection of stuff. None of them are perfect but then again they were all free. Something always needs tinkering and I just wanted something that I could fire up and go. It did a fantastic job of clearing the driveway. Looking forward to using it again.

Enough toys in that one picture to keep anyone happy.

So JohnR....what did you get?????

Just in from topping off fuel and spraying PAM through the chute and auger. Chains are on and electric start plugged in. It's supposed to be heavy wet snow here on the coast. Using the snowblower is the only thing I enjoy about a big snowstorm anymore, besides being among the first vehicles not plowing out on the road for a tour....

So JohnR....what did you get?????

Just in from topping off fuel and spraying PAM through the chute and auger. Chains are on and electric start plugged in. It's supposed to be heavy wet snow here on the coast. Using the snowblower is the only thing I enjoy about a big snowstorm anymore, besides being among the first vehicles not plowing out on the road for a tour....

Hey, hey, down here in Mansfield that sound like lunch at the local pizza place tomorrow!

PIZZA party !

PIZZA party !

Cousins, 1330

:wall::fury::deadhorse::mad::cens::af::splat:

Blew the friggan tranny.... i am so F'd

:wall::fury::deadhorse::mad::cens::af::splat:

Blew the friggan tranny.... i am so F'd

Shouldn't be popping wheelies with your blower!

Next storm is not until Tuesday (according to SM36) so plenty of time to get fixed!:)

Shouldn't be popping wheelies with your blower!

Next storm is not until Tuesday (according to SM36) so plenty of time to get fixed!:)

confidence is low on that at this time

you MURDERER

You killed my favorite snowblower

oh well you got some good life out of that. I'd replace the part and keep going.

:wall::fury::deadhorse::mad::cens::af::splat:

Blew the friggan tranny.... i am so F'd