I bought a 10 hp Ariens that was used 1 season. I LOVE the thing. Our driveway isn't too long but it is really wide. Having the power to throw that snow is priceless.
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Snow Blower Recommendations
- Thread starter hammer
- Start date
I bought a 10 hp Ariens that was used 1 season. I LOVE the thing. Our driveway isn't too long but it is really wide. Having the power to throw that snow is priceless.
Hawkshot99
Active member
Unfortunately my neighbor across the street has there lawn plowed with the driveway. That way when it is cold the wife can park close to the door.:blink:
I mow their lawn and it gets very torn up every winter. Makes for good money for me though as I then make some good money repairing the lawn every year once the snow is gone!:-D
4aprice
Well-known member
I've had a Craftman 5.0 electric start for almost 10 years now and had great luck with it. I have a fairly wide driveway and blow all the snow on to a lawn opposite the house (lawn is on a low angle hill). My son then will go out and build a little park for himself. To him its like having a quasi snow making system. When packed down its amazing how long it lasts.
Alex
Lake Hopatcong, NJ
Alex
Lake Hopatcong, NJ
Sky
Active member
I bought an Ariens in Dec 03....24" swath...11? hp Frickin monster.
I cleaned out the garage today...lawn mower away...snowblower out.
Primed it a couple of times and it started first pull. It has the electric start option, but I've never used it. No battery...just a plug and a converter/inverter built in.
It throws snow 40 - 50' or so. Bought it from a local dealer....getting it serviced by the same guy to start this season. Gas and oil (and a shear pin or two :> ) is all it's cost me in six years.
I cleaned out the garage today...lawn mower away...snowblower out.
Primed it a couple of times and it started first pull. It has the electric start option, but I've never used it. No battery...just a plug and a converter/inverter built in.
It throws snow 40 - 50' or so. Bought it from a local dealer....getting it serviced by the same guy to start this season. Gas and oil (and a shear pin or two :> ) is all it's cost me in six years.
Trekchick
Active member
I use my snowblower(s) for commercial sidewalk clearing in the winter.
I have a 5 hp 24" Ariens that is about 10 years old and still runs well but needs some care.
My favourite snowblower is my 8 hp 24" Simplicity. Same cut as the 5 hp but a lot more power.
What I like about the 8hp is that it doesn't slow down when I get into heavy sticky snow, and it has less issues with left over leaves in the crooks and crannies.
What I don't like about the 8 hp...
It takes a couple pulls to start, where the 5 hp took less out of my shoulder.
I would buy either of these machines again, and that says a lot because I walk a lot of miles behind them.
I have a 5 hp 24" Ariens that is about 10 years old and still runs well but needs some care.
My favourite snowblower is my 8 hp 24" Simplicity. Same cut as the 5 hp but a lot more power.
What I like about the 8hp is that it doesn't slow down when I get into heavy sticky snow, and it has less issues with left over leaves in the crooks and crannies.
What I don't like about the 8 hp...
It takes a couple pulls to start, where the 5 hp took less out of my shoulder.
I would buy either of these machines again, and that says a lot because I walk a lot of miles behind them.
hammer
Active member
Thanks for the input...I think I will go for the 27" Ariens, but I want to check a local dealer first to see if they can match the Home Despot price.
There's a dealer close to home that I think carries both Ariens and Simplicity, just need to get the time to check them out.
There's a dealer close to home that I think carries both Ariens and Simplicity, just need to get the time to check them out.
drjeff
Well-known member
That's the machine that I have for my driveway. This will be it's 8th winter of service for me. LOVE IT!!
The electric starter takes care of any possible shoulder issues for me!
BTW, am I the only one, who when using a snowblower, pretends sometimes that the snow being discharged out the chute is snow coming out of a snowgun??
:lol:
drjeff
Well-known member
The one thing that I love about Simplicity dealers is that they are all about the customer service both at the time of sale and in the following years of ownership - this is especially good for me as I'm not the most mechanically inclined when it comes to gas engines! :lol:
BTW, am I the only one, who when using a snowblower, pretends sometimes that the snow being discharged out the chute is snow coming out of a snowgun??
No...
drjeff
Well-known member
Phew!! Atleast I now know that if needed, I can schedule a group therapy session! :lol: :lol:
Trekchick
Active member
You get what you pay for.
The Big Box Store machines are disposable, while the implement store version is dependable. Don't be fooled into thinking that you're saving money on the purchase.
drjeff
Well-known member
Kind of like the Spyder ski wear you can get at say TJ Maxx or The Sports Authority vs. the Spyder ski wear sold only at "real" ski shops. Same brand label on the outside, most definately different on the inside
Trekchick
Active member
Did you catch the part where I said I use my snowblower(s) for commercial sidewalk clearing?That's the machine that I have for my driveway. This will be it's 8th winter of service for me. LOVE IT!!
The electric starter takes care of any possible shoulder issues for me!
I go out about 3 AM and snow blow/shovel sidewalks until about 8:30 AM. I unload and reload the snowblower(s) at least 5 times during that time(1 ton truck with lift gate) and have no place to plug them in to use the electric start.
If I use a battery start, the machines are too difficult to manage getting in and out of the truck, as well as loss of maneuverability in some of the tight spots I need to get into.
Mmmmm snow guns.......drooooool!BTW, am I the only one, who when using a snowblower, pretends sometimes that the snow being discharged out the chute is snow coming out of a snowgun??
4aprice
Well-known member
BTW, am I the only one, who when using a snowblower, pretends sometimes that the snow being discharged out the chute is snow coming out of a snowgun??
No like I said I blow all our snow all one direction on to the lawn beside my sloping driveway. By the time I'm done blowing a 6-inch storm there is 1 foot + on that lawn and my son will go out and pack it and sometimes build a jump and small starting ramp if theres enough snow. I'm constantly adjusting the chute angle to prevent snow being thrown into the woods. It also lit with a spot light on the house so he can play on it at night.
Alex
Lake Hopatcong, NJ
I pulled the plug and just bought the Ariens ST27LE too. Got it from a local dealer at the same price as HD and they delivered it this morning.
I checked out many other brands but for this price range none of them looked as rugged.
I hope I didn't just jinx our winter now? I live in southern CT so hopefully there will still be snow further north.
Hammer did you buy one yet?
I checked out many other brands but for this price range none of them looked as rugged.
I hope I didn't just jinx our winter now? I live in southern CT so hopefully there will still be snow further north.
Hammer did you buy one yet?
billski
Active member
You are going to be sooooo pissed if you don't get a lot of snow in your neighborhood...
billski
Active member
BTW, am I the only one, who when using a snowblower, pretends sometimes that the snow being discharged out the chute is snow coming out of a snowgun??
Do you make seeded bumps?
drjeff
Well-known member
I'm predicting the snowblowing equivalent of crop circles in mlcvt's yard this winter!
Just because there's a new toy to play with
hammer
Active member
Not yet...only day I've been able to get out is Sundays and the dealer's closed that day. I also need to figure out how to pick up the snowblower to avoid the shipping charges and sales tax.
I saw one in a local Hope Depot and it looks decent. I know the path is wider but it doesn't look all that big, which is a good thing.
I'm predicting the snowblowing equivalent of crop circles in mlcvt's yard this winter!
yup, I can't wait for snow now! I guess I'm a tool whore.. I do worry though that I'm accumulating too many tools and if and when I do move it will be a real bitch to move all these yard tools.
Earlier this year I also bought a Cyclone Rake to handle all my leaves - I love that thing. I cut my fall cleanup time in half and my lawn looks like it's vacuumed.
The funny thing is my wife pushed me to buy both of these cool tools- Isn't she great?
But she's a kitchen tool whore and I have no problem with that, so I guess we're both happy,
