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.

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.

In December,  I posed the question: What is the most powerful single stage snowblower that money can buy?

Thanks for everyone's replys.

Update:

I since, was able to buy a 5 HP Toro CCR 3000 for the small sum of $75. This was a '98 model with the Suzuki engine which had been kept in storage all of its life (no dings, no scratches, no paint missing in the auger area).  After looking at its condition, and the fact that I bought it from a church  (fundraiser), my wife tells me that I am going to hell, since I did not pay them enough for it!  Well, I guess I will have to put some extra $$$ in the church offering plate on Sundays.  I have since cleared 9 - 10"  of wet  Michigan snow on two occasions.  I have been able to blow it across a two lane street without any difficulty. It did bog down some on the end of drive plow build up, but never stalled. Since I can transport it in my car trunk, I am happy, since I could not do that with my old two stage.  I can't imagine any single or two stage up to 9 HP doing much better.  ( Honda snowblower owners, time to chime in).  I have had a 3 HP, Tecumseh powered, single stage Snapper snowblower  in the past, and this one is easily twice as strong.  I also used to have a  7 HP, Kohler powered, Gravely, 2 wheel tractor with a MA210 "snow cannon", nicknamed "the beast".   This one could throw snow almost to the telephone lines.  I sold that one for safety reasons last year.  I thought "the beast" might eat one of my kids alive, since they always played so close to its menacing looking augers.

My tip for any of you two cycle users:

Autozone sells some Mobil 1 Racing 2T.  It is a 2 cycle oil designed for European Grand Prix motorcycles.  It has been discontinued, but you should still be able to find some left on the shelf.  I use it on my two cycle mowers (Lawn Boy 6 1/2 HP Duraforce and Toro with a Suzuki engine).  If you like zero smoke and next to zero odors in your clothes when you come in the house, this oil is the ticket.  I stocked up.  I got no smoke from the CCR 3000 with it either.  ExxonMobil discontinuing this product was the dumbest thing they could do.  I understand that landscapers and arborists with two cycle equipment have been complaining as well.  So don't say I didn't  tell you so.

My Question this time:

I have seen a lot of rusted out old snowblowers a lot of folks have. Will spraying silicon spray or 3 in 1 type oil prevent rust around the auger area, prior to exposing it to snow and salt?

thought i would revive this old thread as i have a question along the same lines.  how do the old suzuki engines that came in the ccr 2000/3000 compare to the newer r-tek engines that came in the powerlite, 2450's etc.  in terms of apples to apples power/hp.