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

I'm looking into a snow blower/thrower.  I live in upstate NY (near Albany) and would estimate we get about four to five storms a year with about 8".  There are the rare NorthEasters that may drop 15" every three or four years.

My driveway is on about a 3 degree grade, one car length in width for about thirty feet, then it opens up to about three car lengths wide (in an L shape) for about twenty feet.

Is a single stage thrower too small, or will it work but just take more time to clear the snow?

I see CR reviewed models recently and liked the single stage Toro CCR-2450 which I can get online (free shipping, no tax) for $537 at SpeedWaysales.com.

The two-stage model they liked was a Craftsman 88790, which Sears has on sale for $949.

I would love to hear what people think about the two-stage versus one-stage, especially if you live in the Northeast near Albany, and what models you think are the best.

Lastly, I HATE maintenance, and the Ariens web site scared the bejeesus out of me with their maintenance section (You must tighten the drive belt after 20 hours of usage.  Then in the drive belt section it says, "Be careful, if this is not done right you may be injured or killed").  

I tried to past some stuff from the old forum and it didn't post right here.

Nevermind anyway. Buy the Craftsman. It's what you want.
hickster

My advice would be to get someone else to clear your driveway.  You seem to have a fear of machines and if your not the type of person who can do minor repairs and make simple adjustments your probably getting in over your head with a snowthrower.
--plugger

Nice first post - though I would bet my house this is only your first post under that user name.

I've ripped trannies out of chevy's, old datsun's.  I know my way around any pre-pollution car, especially those with points (anyone remember messing with points?).

You bring nothing to this topic except for venom and spit.  Now go away.

glad to see chopper made it over.................

Marshall,

Sorry I didn't actually say I looked at the models.  I went to Home Depot and spent an 1/2 hour with a guy who said he owned the Ariens 8526.  I used my neighbors Craftsmen 88790 to clear my driveway a week ago.

AFTER looking at the models and using one of them, I came here.

I hope that clarifies everything.

Marshall wrote:
As stated in my previous post, Sears will cover the Snow Thrower for $150 for five years - in home service.  Simply go to their website and add any snow thrower to your cart.  Then you will be given the three or five year protection plans.

And you're completely missing my point.  I have no problem doing maintenance.  But the Ariens manual clearly, undisputably says, if you screw up the belt maintenance it can cause injury or death.  Doesn't that mean that the belt assembly, if it breaks will destroy the housing surrounding it and possibly kill the person using the machine!  That's the only reason the Ariens service worries me - poor housing surrounding their belt assembly.

But the Sears protection plan gives me piece of mind if the unit is not of "high quality".  What if it breaks down, as many hear feel MTD products are not up to Ariens quality - now, for the same price as the Ariens, the unit will be repaired or replaced for five years.

Marshall wrote:
This is exactly the attitude of people hear.  Knock on a product by implying one is NOT premium, but give zero evidence to back up the claim.  Is this site run by Ariens?  Funded by Ariens?  Can you back up your implication that the Craftsman is no of premium quality, or are you just full of hot air?

Plus, as mentioned in the post above, the Craftsman will give me 5 years in house warranty compared to the 3 of Ariens. 

Marshall wrote:
I'm not hear to back up CR's reporting.  But they've never lost a lawsuit - so putting Liar in their name is baseless.

But your post clarifies everything I've been saying about baseless, uninformed arguments.  Where are your facts!

Marshall wrote:
Sure, you could care less.  Just get on the phone and spend your time calling Sears for something you could care less about.  Even your lies are bad.

here's an idea..............

buy what you already talked yourself into.............

if it gives peace of mind to buy craftsman , then you'll love your machine.............

bill

Walt wrote:
Walt - good points.  The #1 rated blower was the Toro, but HD (at least the two in my area) don't stock it and can't order it for me.  The local dealers want $1,350 for it, and then add 8.25% sales tax = $1,461.

Now, speedwaysales.com has this unit for $1,294 with free shipping and no tax.  If I bought the Craftsman for $950 and added $150 for the 5 yr plan = $1,100 + 8.25% tax  =$1,190.  For $100 more I can get the top rated Snow Thrower instead of the 4th highest rated unit.

Now you've got me thinking...Toro might be the way to go.