Snow Blower Recommendations

[PurpleCatMan]

I've got $600 to spend on a snowblower. What should I get?

I have a 40ft fairly flat driveway.

Open to used machines too.

[dfv87]

I bought mine 15 years ago... Snow King or something and a Tecumseh engine... been bullet proof. I was told to make sure it had 2 augers and it would not plug up then... I have only had it plug 1 time in 15 years and that was because I sheared a pin on soemthing and the one auger did not turn. Neighbor fixed it in 2 minutes... I am not a mechanical guy. Love my Tecumseh engine though.

[wanderlust]

buy a used honda. i have two. a single stage hs621 and two stage hs50 track

[Pat K]

Can't go wrong with an Ariens or Honda. Older Toro's seem to be tougher than the new ones. I had a lot of problems with a Husquevarna I bought 10 years ago. Poulan is just a cheaper version of the Husquevarna.

[Whoaru99]

I have a Toro 824. No problems with it other than I've had to clean the carb once or twice from improper storage.

The thing I like about it is the feed auger is sized so you can't really kill the engine, unless maybe you ran it into a bank of pure slush. It will feed only as much as the impeller can discharge. I've ran it though snow banks where only the handles and the dischage spout were above the snow level and it just kept blowing on through. Working very hard against the governor, yes, but I didn't have to be concerned at all with powering out.

[Eric Wettschreck]

I have a 5hp Yard Man I got from Menards a long time ago. Way too small.

[eyeguy 54]

bought my john deere 724D about 10 years ago. still starts first pull, every time. I put stabil in the gas and every time I am done using it I turn the gas off and let it run till it stops. not sure if deere still makes them.

[Moose]

I bought a used Toro CCR Lite 10 years ago off C L put about 50.00 worth the paddles and scraper into it and it works like a charm. Small enough to store in a corner and light enough to hang on the wall if need be. My boy does the entire neighborhood with it now and still runs great. Gotta love simple single stage.

[Northlander]

I was looking for a new blower last winter and wound up with a Ariens. I got it because there was more metal parts and it just was better made than others I looked at. I almost got a Toro but the Ariens was more machine for the money.

Glad I got the Ariens because its easy to operate, goes through a ton of snow and I can fill my neighbors yards with snow no matter where Im taking it from mine.

[laportian]

Got me an Ariens Deluxe 30. Buy a used Honda, Ariens, or Toro. C list usually has a ton of em. Look it over good, you can probably get a sweet deal on a next to new blower. But stick with the high end brands. I went with Ariens because they are the best and if I ever have a problem getting parts or service is a breeze.

[cavalierowner]

I bought an Ariens last year after the gearbox that turns the front auger on my Snapper went bad after about 12 years. From the research I did, the Ariens was one of the best out there, but what really clinched the deal for me is that it was American made. I've only used it for one season so I can't comment on longevity, but it sure is a better machine in every respect than the Snapper I had.

[woodsmanmn]

Look for one with tracks vs wheels. The ones with tracks blow the driveway by them selves, you just need to steer.

[hamms-scooter]

Mine is an older Noma snow king 10 hp 29". My neighbors have 8 hp 24 and 26" I would not go smaller then an 8hp. All are Tecumseh engines they run forever...

[hamms-scooter]

You could always hire the kid next door and buy more fishing stuff instead...

[The_King48]

I just happen to have a Ariens 9 hp 27" snow blower for sale. I bought a plow for my atv this summer. Let me know if your interested.

[LindellProStaf]

I have an 8 hp 26" cut for sale. I bought it new and haven't used it for 10 years since I use the Atv with plow and tractor now. It is just like new with Tecumseh. Could probably use a carb cleaning.

[PurpleCatMan]

I went with an ariens with a Briggs motor. thanks for the help guys.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

I went with an ariens with a Briggs motor. thanks for the help guys.

Perfect. Bought mine in 1976(!) and still kicking out the drifts. Do your yearly maintenance and will last a very long time.

[Down Deep]

With $600 you will be in the used market if you want 8 to 10 hp made by the brand name companies. For the last two winters I've been helping by neighbor out by keeping his snow cleared. He has 10 year old 8 hp Yard Man that I've been using and it does a great job. We live in Duluth an clear a lot of snow. His driveway is about 14 feet wide and 70 feet long and expands to a double wide pad near his garage.

You can also visit the garden centers and small engine shops and see what used models they have.