purchasing a new snow blower

kissmybASS01 · #1 10-09-2011, 09:23 AM

For me up here in Winterpeg, I'm thinking about getting myself a new ~~bass~~ snowblower. No, we don't have any snow (yet

) but I know it's coming soon. My girlfriend's dad already put the winter tires on their van

My requirements:
I have a small, narrow curving walkway out front (maybe 18ft in total) and then behind my garage which opens onto a very rarely plowed back lane.

As for the actual snow, we can get a little to a "Holy Crap! Where did this all come from?!" Also, the snow ranges form the light and powdery to the wet and heavy (aka heart-attack snow), and snow with up to 1" thick of ice on top.

Currently I have an old 2-cycle Toro (which I got for free) that takes mixed gas and sounds like a badly tuned weed-whacker when it runs. It's one of those old "paddle-style" snow throwers that does an adequate job with really light, shallow "dry" snow.

Home Depot has this: SnoTek | SnoTek 20, 120v Electric Start, Single Speed, 20 Inch Clearing Width | Home Depot Canada on for $549.00CDN. The brand is SnoTek, which I understand has a chassis made by Ariens (good), with a cheaper Chinese LCT engine (good?bad?average?). I also read somewhere that those same LCT engines are actually re-badged Honda motors (good)

The fewer dollars that come out of pocket the better, but I don't want to cheap out too much. Yes, I'm also scanning the local classifieds and such, but sometimes you just NEED the new and shiny

(like my new Markbass LMK head Irecently bought

) Most of the snow blowers I've seen in the want ads are either way too big and bulky, or too expensive.

The SnoTek seems to have the features I'm looking for including electric start and 2-stage impeller, and a 2yr warranty.

Any thoughts from my snow shovellin' bretheren

MJ5150 · #2 10-09-2011, 09:30 AM

Great thread. I will be buying one next month myself. I never had to own one living in western Washington State, but I think I will in New Hampshire.

Overall, I am nervous about buying yard equipment from Home Depot. It seems much of what they sell is the low end or cheaper versions of certain machines. Not everything, but much of it seems that way to me. I've gone through a couple of their cultivators and trimmers already.

I'll start doing some research, but I hope Stihl makes one.

-Mike

kissmybASS01 · #3 10-09-2011, 11:02 AM

Hmmm...I've never had any problems with the tools and such from HD. I have a Rigid shop vac, reel mower, and recently a Toro leaf blower vac.

The SnoTek however, IS a lower end model from Ariens (hence the imported engine). It seems to be nearly identical to the Ariens branded machine.

Some of the other local retailers (Canadian Tire) has a cheaper Toro gas snow blower. But that one seems a lot lighter duty.

MN_Bass · #4 10-09-2011, 11:06 AM

I have a 1995-96 Craftsman 10hp blower, 24 In from Sears, still running strong and can really throw the snow

You pay a little more but well worth it.

Big_Daddy · #5 10-09-2011, 01:39 PM

I'm probably going to go for a Craftsman this year. I worked at Canadian Tire all throughout high school, and my advice is to avoid Yardworks. Like all products, you hear a lot of mixed reviews, but it seemed that they were mostly negative (excluding one that was about 1,000$).

So...Craftsman or something with a Briggs & Stratton engine.

Phalex · #6 10-09-2011, 02:01 PM

I have a teeny little Toro. I've had it since I bought my house (1998). It's a bit difficult to start the very first time every season (seems like I need to flood it with gas and then let it sit for a day or so.). But after that, it consistently starts by the second pull. I have never had it serviced, and changed the spark plug one time. I think it could use a new belt (I swear it used to throw snow a lot further.). But the thing runs like a champ! I highly recommend Toro based on my experience.

kissmybASS01 · #7 10-09-2011, 02:49 PM

Here's my little Toro alongside "plan B"

MTD YardMachines 179 cc / 21-in PowerMore™ OHV Snow Thrower | Canadian Tire is an alternative that fits my pricerange

The only Craftsmen that would work: CRAFTSMAN®/MD 22'' 205cc Single Stage Snow Blower - Sears | Sears Canada but it looks a little flimsy. It's the same price as the SnoTek and it has a Briggs motor.

Ziltoid · #8 10-09-2011, 03:12 PM

Honda's are crazy expensive but they are the best ones I've tried, by far.

crikker · #9 10-09-2011, 05:27 PM

i have an Ariens 926004 blower I bought in 2005. Hasn't failed to start yet and had no problems either. Paid for it but when I need to get out, I know I can. I didn't want to fool around with a snowblower that I was going to doubt if it was up to the task. I recommend Ariens.

T-Bird · #10 10-09-2011, 10:54 PM

Hi.

I have an ancient Simplicity "something" 8Hp IIRC, that got the thing done before I got my Nuffield 60/10 agricultural tractor.

Both may be "a tad" overkill in Your situation though

.

I'd choose Honda from the current offerings, everyone else seems to be stuck in a rut so to speak.

Regards
Sam

DRafalske · #11 10-10-2011, 06:46 AM

I don't believe I'd be happy with anything less than a Chevy big-block -

For the man with everything - the V8 snowblower

KJung · #12 10-10-2011, 06:56 AM

I had a relatively big 11 horse, self propelled John Deer two stage walk behind when I lived in Southern MN, and it was a beast. It went through pretty much anything.

The downside with these types of 'serious' snow blowers is that a) they will still leave a bit of snow on your drive, since you can't put the auger blade all the way down to the concrete b) they are heavy and you need a truck to get them in for servicing and c) they still can chew up your driver or whatever if you aren't careful.

When we moved to a smaller house in Detroit, I picked up the top of the line Toro 2 cycle with electric start and the soft 'paddle' sort of one stage design. I was AMAZED at how good this works, even in relatively wet, heavy snow. The soft paddle allows for total clearing down to the cement (and does not damage to anything), and the 7 horse two cycle moter easily went through up to about 8" of wet snow (when there is that much snow in one dump, even with the big iron, I would plow more than once anyway). It won't shoot the snow as far as the big two stage machines, but works fine for a typical residence in the city. Lightweight, only needs service every 5 years or so (and that is basicall only a new paddle and sparkplug.... GREAT machine.

If you are considering one of these, make sure to get one that allows you to change the chute direction from the handle. The smaller, lower line models don't have this, and that is key when you are doing a drive in a residential area. Electric start really isn't that important, since even the larger 6 or 7 hp 2 cycles start quite easily.

IMO, and a LOT of IME!