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

To all,

I am a bit confused as to what size of snowblower I should be purchasing to meet my needs.  I'll start with a small description of requirements, I have a double lane driveway about 30+ feet in length, so I can have 4 full sized cars in the paved driveway.

I am located in eastern Canada but the snow over the last 7 years has been much less than I have been accustomed too, today on Feb 2nd we are getting thunder and lightning which I never remember getting in all my life this time of year.  When we get snow it's usually around 20 centimeters and often it's the good old heavy wet snow.  My driveway makes it's own little valley type so actual depth of snow is probably around two feet on a given dump of snow.

I am not too concerned if I clear the driveway in 10 minutes or 45 minutes, I just don't want to throw out my back shoveling anymore.  People tell me I should get a 10HP but others say an 8HP would be fine, I rather not spend the extra money if I don't need to and from what I can understand the power is all relative to the bucket size on the blower anyways.  I had my eye on a 26 inch/8HP tecumseh blower made by MTD for a reasonable price of 899 with 4 year limited warranty.  I checked out Ariens as I know that's the typically better brand but they were approximately 1,950 and I don't know if I can justify that expenditure.

Any thoughts if the 8HP dual stage would be enough or should I wait to find a 10 hp?

Thanks.

Your snow removal requirements are relatively light.  Eight horse power with 26" width would be more than sufficient.  You could probably get by with a five or six h.p.  MTD are pretty much entry level machines.  For the money you'll be spending, you should be able to buy an AYP (American Yard Products) machine which is generally a little better built.    Not that the MTD will not do the job, because it certainly will.  I just like to get the best value for the money I spend.  Look for build quality, thickness of steel, bearings instead of bushings, steel instead of plastic, sturdy chute and deflector controls, larger wheels, trigger controlled wheel lock, an overhead valve engine and a light if you'll be working at night.   I know a lot of people are down on Sears and rightfully so.  Their service can be dismal.  However, they do handle some decent quality machines for a reasonable price.  Many of the models they handle have over head valve engines.  Which to me is worth the gamble.   

Thanks for your reply, (AYP) is that sold under different names that would be seen in Canada?  Pretty much everything here I can find is either MTD or Murray re-brands, the majority with the Tecumseh Lhead.  Although sears seems to be coming out strong with the Briggs OHV lately.

I called the local service center for the MTD and they also sell Ariens, they said that if I wanted to wait til next fall I could get an entry level 9 HP Ariens for around 1250 + tax (16%) which puts it on par with the typical sears cost snowblower.  They are a fantastic service center with a great reputation so either way the service I will receive will be great.

I have a heated garage and tend to maintain my equipment quite well, if the MTD would last 10 years with proper care I would be satisfied.  They said the Ariens would probably last a good 20 for the extra 350$

srgallan wrote:
I don't really get it when some of these lawn and garden centers say they are "out", or that you have to wait for next year. Ariens is still building units and taking orders on many models. It's not like all the other mfg'ers where they build to a certain forecast volume then tear the assembly lines down in November for building summer products. Inexpensive large units that may still be available to order are 921001 (ST824) or 926007 (ST926LE Briggs). Selling prices in the US should hover around $1000 +/-.

PK

Its probably more a matter of the dealer wanting to clear out last year's inventory. If they can order at will then you'd think selling now would be better. The only other cost is shipping and one order of 40 units is generally "cheaper" than 40 orders of 1.

Given that it is a wide short driveway I'd suggest something that is easy to turn. That mean either a remote trigger wheel lock or a differential. If you can guarantee that most or all of the time you can start at the middle of the driveway then easy chute manipulation isn't as important. The OP said he typically get 24" of HEAVY ( I'm assuming wet) snow so I'm leaning toward the 10HP units although the whole debate about engine ratings does come to mind.

If you can do it I'd hold out for the Ariens unit, preferably with a differential.

I'm in Canada, Southern Ontario and this year purchased a Simplicity 1724E which is their intermediate blower. I have been dealing with the same dealer for many years and this was his recommendation. This is my third blower and have been very happy with it. 7.5 horsepower is lots of power for this 24 inch blower. The quality seems to be very good and the Brigs&Stratton engine runs like a charm. For the price of $1,100 it is worth taking a look at. I hope this helps.

Thanks all for your help, I am afraid although with my location in Canada my choices of resellers and supply of available snow blowers is very limited, I picked up that little MTD on the basis of a 30 day return policy  at home depot while a mull it over.  Snowblowers here have been sold out for a while and I think I got the last one in the city below 2K.

After reading this board I think I may take it back (Still is wrapped and sealed in plastic in heated garage) and wait for an Ariens next  year.  I can't justify spending a fortuned but I would rather spend a couple of bucks more with the certainty that I will have something that can do the job properly.

I appreciate all the feedback, this is a great forum.

Forgot to add that the MTD I picked up is Model E6FFF, a grey and red MTD pro which I guess from checking the web is their value series (bottom end).

Me again,

Well can't seem to find a Simplicy dealer in my location, still waiting from the manufacturer if there is one around here but so far no luck.  Got some idea of pricing on the Ariens, the 824E ran for $1223 (+16%)and 1027LE was going for $1547 (+16%).  So from the thoughts of the people here, would the cost over the 900$ MTD pro justify these Ariens blowers?

Checked the Toro's and the pricing was way too high, 2K+ for the 8HP here.

Toro charges a premium for their name.  Ariens isn't the machine it used to be.  If you're shelling out anywhere near the money to buy either of those two, get the Simplicity.  I found it to be the best value out there.    Check out Massey Ferguson tractor dealers.  That's where I found mine.  Also, chain saw sales outlets sell snow throwers.  If you can't find a Simplicity, look for a Snapper.  It's the same machine just a different colour. 

srgallan wrote:

Hi and welcome to the forum, I suggest Troy-Bilt 9hp at Canadiantire my neighbour just got one, a real cadillac, here's the link

troy-bilt at canadiantire

Good Luck

Not absolutely sure but isn't Troybilt  an MTD product? 

Thought I'd mention what I paid for my Craftsman 11.5 hp (Briggs & Stratton) machine for what it's worth as information on this forum.  I bought it in February 2006 during a rare, snowless winter in southern New England.  It was a time when snowblowers were being heavily discounted at Home Depot, Loews and Sears.  Home Depot, I understand, was especially agggressive in their discount pricing during this end-of-season period.  I bought this machine for $909.00.  It was the last of its size on the sales floor.  List price was $1,300.00.

Well checked out Snapper and a 9.5 starts at 1900$ here, so that would be out of the question.  I thank you all for your time, this is a great forum.  Special thanks to Borat who has been trying to provide assistance and great info.  For the price I may even give the MTD 8HP pro a shot, I can buy two for the majority of these.

You're welcome bud. 

The price quoted for the Snapper is m.s.r.p.  I was quoted the same when I was shopping for the Simplicity.  I ended up getting my 9528 for $1500.00.  Try throwing a low ball at the Snapper dealer.  You never know, he/she might just go for it.  However, if you're area is experiencing lots of snow, you might be out of luck if demand for snow throwers is high.  Good luck.

there can be some great used deals out there.,especially when the weather gets warmer.

I have not ruled out that possibility but I find they tend to be expensive, but perhaps my idea of pricing for a used blower is incorrect.  For example, a 1988 8HP Ariens, was just re-done to be snow ready going for 500.  3 year old 8 hp Ariens going for 1000.  10 HP MTD's that are 8 years old going for 600.  I just figured for that kind of coin I may as well get new, although in the month of April/May they may be further discounted as you suggested.

borat wrote: Yep Borat you are right, MTD bought a couple of company in the last 20 years, as far as I know, I owned an old VIking snowblower 1 stage with a 7hp tec and Eaton sold this line of MTD product.

  which direction does your driveway face???? which direction is the prevailing wind???  do you have fishing lakes nearby????     the best  snowblower to get is the one you can afford

Hay Denis I grew up in Montreal and we had a Viking single stage 5 horse blower from Eatons. It was a great machine.
I now have a Simplicity intermediate and I'm very happy with it.