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

I was hoping to get some advice on snowblowers for a really steep paved driveway.  We just moved into a new home that has a 200' driveway that I anticipate will be a PITA to snowblow this winter.  The steepest part is at the top 1/4 and I have to use a walkbehind mower on the lawn because my Husqavarna lawn tractor can't make it up the incline.  Just walking up the driveway when completely dry is a chore.

My first thought was to buy a track-drive snowblower, but these seem to be a rarity in today's market for some reason.  It looks like Honda and Ariens make track-drive snowblowers, but they're really pricey (starts at $2k and up!).  Is it safe to use a wheel-drive snowblower on my steep driveway?  There are some wheel-drive models that have peaked my interest, but I'm worried the tires will slip.  My biggest fear is the wheels will slip and the snowblower will slide backward into me!  I suppose I could use tire chains, but won't that damage the pavement and negate any cost savings of a wheel-drive over a track-drive?

Thanks in advance

auto1stdown:

My driveway is fairly long but not as steep as yours but I found it much easier to take just 1/2 an intake mouth full of snow or less going up hill. I also threw a 20 pound bag of cat litter on top of the intake chute which helped traction when cutting through the packed 3 foot EOD from the city plow. It also helps keep the nose from climbing.

Crampons are used by people who have fun by climbing up walls of ice by sticking the toe picks in and  hiking around on glaciers that may be on 45° or greater slopes. Yes they are kind of expensive on a per kg ( lb) basis. On the basis of what happens if you fail they are real inexpensive. You can see the same type of difference in so called snap links at the corner variety and carabiners at a climbing store. The first is designed to hold keys the other will hold you and a full backpack.

Snowman mentioned in a previous thread that the new Ariens tracked units had a differential that was designed specifically for the tracked units. I suspect that you need to have the engine going and the traction system engaged before you can judge how hard it is to turn. The idea of a dolley for non-powered movement is something I wish I had remembered.

Just to provide some closure to this thread I wanted to post that I purchased a 2007 model 9526DLE Pro yesterday at an Ariens dealer.  Here are the reasons why I choose the 9526DLE over the 9526DLET (Track version)

• $500 premium to get basically the same machine spec-wise.  The 9526DLET will undoubtably have more traction and be quieter (B&S Intek), but that's not worth it to me.  That's a pretty steep price increase considering Honda charges only $100 to get a track-drive over a wheel-drive.
• Dealer has not sold any yet.
• Dealer has not serviced one before.
• Track-drive seems more complicated and prone to more problems over the long haul.
• Brand-new track design will probably take a few years to get the bugs worked out.
• Difficult to turn.  There is no way my wife could operate a 9526DLET if I was out of town on business.

I am sure the 9526DLET is a fine machine, but it didn't seem like a good pick right now.  Thanks again guys for the help.