Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

My driveway is about 25'x40', with a 60'x5' sidewalk, all pavement.  I live in Metro Detroit, so most of our snowfalls are in the 6"-and-under range.  But once or twice a year, we get hit with 10" or so, and that's when my single stage just ain't cutting it.  I currently have a 6HP Toro that really gives me a workout when the snow gets deep and/or wet.  Plus, it is pretty much useless for any substantial EOD. 

Medical reasons now require me to get a machine that will require less physical straining in the deeper snows, so I'm looking at a 2-stage.  I'm really leaning toward the Ariens 7254E.  I have no doubt this will have enough power, but my primary concern is whether or not it can clear right down to the surface on a paved driveway.  I've never used a 2-stage, so I'm relying on the advice of others here.  Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

A 2 stage can be adjusted pretty low so that it can scrape a good amount of snow off the surface, but it may leave a miniscule amount. The single stage machines with rubber augers come in complete contact & get it all. Maybe keep both? Use the 2 stage for the big snows & then clean up the residue with the single stage? Just a thought.

Marty

Majorxlr8n wrote:

True. If you really, really need it to scrape bare pavement, you can have it ride on the steel scraper bar.

But it will wear out faster, and can catch any cracks or bumps in the drive, causing a sudden stop or the machine to jump. Ive caught sidewalk edges with my machine, and it does jolt you.

Or, you can use the Big machine to do the heavy work, and then touch up with the Toro. Little extra work, but will save the machine.

True !  I wouldn't do it though.  - Kris

krislu wrote:

Why not?

-- Rob

Majorxlr8n wrote:

I'd probably just clean up the residue with a shovel rather than use a second machine.

-- Rob

Bimbert84- Because no driveway/walkway is smooth there are always bumps and obsticles, curbs etc and you will ware down the scraper bar faster and the machine has more of a chance to hit something and get stuck and the shock on the machine if you do hit something . it also picks up stones and twiggs that you really don't want to go thru the machine and get thrown. That's why. - Kris

krislu wrote:

So how far up do you position the scraper for a typical, suburban, paved driveway?  1mm?  1/8"?  1/4"?  1/2"?  1"?

-- Rob

1/2" to an inch is fine.  - Kris

bimbert84 wrote:
I just ordered a 7524 and the dealer said he would set it up at about 1/8" for a paved driveway.

I, too, am coming from a single stage Toro that wiped the pavement clean. I can't imagine leaving 1/2"-1" of snow unless you have a gravel driveway.

I adjust the skids by placing paint stirrers under the machine, making sure they are in contact with the scaper bar. Then I adjust the skids so that the scraper bar just rests on the paint sticks. This provides about 1/8" clearance, which usually keeps the scraper bar high enough from bottoming out but providing a pretty good cleanup of snow.

Marty

Majorxlr8n wrote:

So do you have to clean it up with a shovel, or do you just leave it?  Do you have problems with the leftover 1/8" freezing over?

-- Rob

I adjusted the scraper bar/ skids on my Ariens so that they allow the scraper bar to clean the driveway as much as it can.  I found that leaving 1/8" or 1/4" of snow just caused me more problems with icing after I snowblowed.  I wasn't going to go out and try and shovel the remaining 1/8" of packed snow off after snowblowing. 

I haven't really noticed a downside, although I do have to be careful at the driveway/ road transition, as the lip is about 1/2" high. 

The scraper bar has lasted three years so far, with minimal wear.  I think it cost about $20 for a new scraper bar.  Well worth the "clean driveway" factor. 

Good Luck,

Ralph

I don't fret about it too much as the wind is going to blow a film back on anyway. If not a drift.