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

First Post for me ( so be kind):

I would love to have a 2 stage snowblower.  However for both space and financial reasons, I want to know what is the most powerful used single stage snowblower on the market?

Here are my requirements:

A) Must be able to clear up to 12" of wet or dry snow.  We usually get in the 6-8" range of dry snow here in Michigan.

B) Paved drive.  I ruled out 2 stage also because they don't clear all the way down to the pavement.

C) Must be able to make a good dent in the end of the drive snowplow buildup.

I considered a Toro CCR 3000 (5 HP Suzuki engine - model year '97 - '99),  a Toro 3650 (6.5 HP - R Tek Lawn Boy engine - model yr 2000 - 2007), an Ariens 722EC (7 HP),  or a Honda.  I found it interesting that when I talked to my local Toro dealer, he told me that the Toro CCR 3000 was actually stronger than the R tek  Lawn Boy engine in the 3650. He said it  was an underated Commercial engine that would be less prone to "bog down" in the deep stuff. When I called Toro about it, they told me that the 121cc Suzuki engine makes the same 6 ft/lbs of torque as the Larger 141cc Lawn Boy Duraforce engine in the Toro 3650. They also told me that the Suzuki engine had a Net HP of 5 and the Toro 3650 only had a net HP of 4 .  (6.5 HP Gross).

Anyone with first hand experience or knowledge here, please weigh in.

borat wrote:
Jeez dude get a hold of yourself I was only asking why you think one specific brand is so bad, no needs to get all up in arms about it. Sheesh!

Gelid wrote:

OK.  I have a hold of myself.  Now what?  I don't own a Honda sooooo........no funny stuff.  Know what I mean? 

gaken wrote:

krislu wrote:

Thanks everyone for your response.

Krislu,

I don't think my reasons are flawed, also when I say space is a consideration, weight goes along with it.  I am used to lifting a snowblower or mower and putting it in the back of my car (for service or to clear a relative's driveway.  Not so easy to do so by yourself with  2 stage snowblowers (find a pickup truck, ramps,  second person......)   If you can benchpress 80 lbs, you are golden for "tossing " a single stage in a typical car trunk.  I like that superior power to weight ratio of  2 cycle engines.

If I am out of town when a snow storm hits, my wife will start up a single stage and clear "some" of my driveway (enough to get out).  With a 2 stage, forget about it, I better hurry home.  Maybe your wife is different.  Get my "drift"?

"Borat- I personally don't think Honda is all that either and I do find if anyone critcises honda they are open to alot of flack but I thought your post was a pretty general statement. It's ok to post that but then you should provide some proof like a link to a site where you read that. No funny stuff intended. Keep on posting."

I'll have my legal team peruse future posts to ensure I comply with your criteria. 

gaken wrote:

You should have said this in your post. Anyway good luck in whatever you decide to do. - Kris

borat wrote:

Borat- Don't get all upset now.            - Kris

I was in a similar situation as you back in November 2007.  I wanted a snowblower, but a 2-stage just doesn't work for me.  Expensive, big, and probably overkill.  I posted here in mid-November and you can look up that post for more info.  Here's the summary:

Toro:  I wanted a 4-stroke and really liked the new chute control mechanism.  However, the dealer wanted full MSRP at $760 and wouldn't budge.  Didn't seem to know a whole lot about the product -- probably spends more time learning about the 2-stagers and the myriad Stihl products he sells.

Honda:  Have had good experience with Honda engines/products in the past.  Have read lots of good reviews on the internet.  Lists for $650, but widely available at local dealers for $600.

Ariens:  Highest hp rating at 7, but a 2-stroke engine.  Could not find any information about this blower on the internet.  Ariens makes great 2-stage units, but single-stage is a completely different beast.  The ariens dealer was across town from me and I got lazy.  Never checked it out.  Still have never seen any info on it.

For me, it came down to Toro vs. Honda.  I couldn't find a reason to spend $160 more on the Toro, so I went with the Honda.  I've now used it about 6 times and here are some brief thoughts:

1)  Easiest thing to start.  I just give a limp-wristed half-hearted pull and it fires right up

2)  Eats snow.  Have had mostly 3 - 5", and our latest was 8-10".  Some spots I was blowing were over 12" deep.  The snow isn't slushy wet, but wet enough that you could make snowballs and snowmen.  No problems at all.  I tend to keep the chute pointed down, but when wide open, I think it's throwing between 25 - 35' (I can throw snow across the street and from my driveway to my neighbor's driveway).

3)  Love the chute control design.  Before using it, I was a little concerned about the handle design, versus a crank design.  I now love the handle.  I can easily reach out and spin the chute.  Takes about 0.5 seconds.  The chute has never moved on its own.

4)  My neighbor got a new CCR3650, 2-str.  Much louder and has more of a surging sound to it.  Watching him use the hand crank also makes me glad I don't have one.  With that said, his blows the snow just as well as mine does.  Performance-wise, they appear to do the same job with the same quality.

5)  Fully self-propelled.  When those augers hit the pavement, look out.  I'm 5'11" and 175 lbs and this thing will take me for a ride if I'm not careful. I ended up buying some stabilicers (metal cleats -- like Yak Trax on steroids) to keep the snowblower from dragging me around my driveway.

I am so glad now not to have a 2-stage blower.  The Honda 1-stage works so well, is easy to use, and the lawn-mower size fits my garage perfectly.  Good luck.

I just repaired my 1994 Toro CCR2000 and I am glad it's back in action.

The 1.5"x1.5"  magneto module was bad.  The guys at this site and lawnsite.com helped diagnose.

I was able to order an aftermarket module for $18.00 vs $110.00.

I have been very happy with this toro.  I used it in Burlington VT for the last 12 years on a paved driveway about 70' long 15' wide.

I recently moved to Saratoga NY and have a similar driveway. 

It gets down to pavement no problem.  The only service I had to do during it's lifetime , besides the above, was replacing the rubber augers once, and the plastic skid plate on the bottom.

I have the suzuki 141cc engine and this thing is bulletproof.

Add another vote for a single-stage...I actually sold my 2yr old 2-stage 7.5hp Craftsman earlier this season so that I could buy another single-stage, as I already owned a S-200 that is old but works great...it just does not have the power I need.  I prefer the single for pretty much all of the reasons listed above and found a used Snow Commander for a reasonable price and am very happy with it so far.