Abby’s Guide > Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) > Discussions > How Much Power Do I need
Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions |
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SnowRemover
Toro 828LXE
Location: Near Albany, NY
Joined: Jan 12, 2005
Points: 139
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How Much Power Do I need
Original Message Jan 12, 2005 1:56 pm |
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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").
This message was modified Jan 12, 2005 by SnowRemover
 It is hard enough to remember my opinions, without also remembering my reasons for them! --Friedrich Nietzsche
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JohnEDavies
Joined: Sep 7, 2004
Points: 177
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Re: How Much Power Do I need
Reply #1 Jan 12, 2005 2:14 pm |
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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").
First of all, I think about an 8 bhp 2 stage is minimal to do a deep (15 inch) storm easily, but you can do it with a lesser engine - it will just take longer and you will have to take it slower. If there is an big EOD (drift) to contend with, get a bigger machine or you _will_ regret it.. I don't get all that much snow, but my EOD mountain would be a bugger to remove with a single stage thrower. As far as the 20 hr adjustment is concerned - think a minute. Five storms a year on your little driveway for maybe 30 minutes per storm is not that much run time. If you have to adjust the belt after 6 or 8 years, who cares? Have a shop do it. The actual adjustments aren't at all hard - the warning is just legal BS from their liability department. If you are careful and follow the manual you won't have any problems. I love my Ariens 926DLE and wouldn't want a lesser machine for what you described. John
This message was modified Jan 12, 2005 by JohnEDavies
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Jonathan
I am a marvelous housekeeper. Every time I leave a man I keep his house. -Zsa Zsa
Location: Near Albany NY
Joined: Sep 12, 2004
Points: 320
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Re: How Much Power Do I need
Reply #2 Jan 12, 2005 2:23 pm |
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I live in your neck of the woods (near West Sand Lake) and at least where we are, have had some heavy duty storms during the past few winters. This year has been odd to say the least. I would recommend that you get a 8 HP two-stage and based on what I have read in this forum go with an Ariens, Toro, or Simplicity.
2004 Ariens 11528LE, Troybilt Horse "Big Red" Tiller (original), Troybilt Tuffy Tiller (original), Sears LT1000 mower, Lawn Boy 7073 21" mower, Stihl FS55 RC trimmer, Poulan Countervibe 3400 chainsaw
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Cajunblu
Laissez les bon temps rouler!
Location: Revere MA.
Joined: Sep 25, 2003
Points: 464
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Re: How Much Power Do I need
Reply #3 Jan 12, 2005 2:44 pm |
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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.<br/><br/>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.<br/><br/>Is a single stage thrower too small, or will it work but just take more time to clear the snow?<br/><br/>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.<br/><br/>The two-stage model they liked was a Craftsman 88790, which Sears has on sale for $949.<br/><br/>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. <br/><br/>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"). <br type="_moz"/>
Check out HD they have ariens on sale.... Robert
Craftsman 888531 9/28 Easy Steer."My spelling is Wobbly. It's good spelling but it Wobbles,
and the letters get in the wrong places"
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SnowRemover
Toro 828LXE
Location: Near Albany, NY
Joined: Jan 12, 2005
Points: 139
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Re: How Much Power Do I need
Reply #4 Jan 12, 2005 2:53 pm |
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OK, For $1,300 I can get the top rated Toro 828LXE (free shipping/no tax). That said, for $40/storm, I can get a guy to come over and snow blow my driveway and walk. Now let's assume 5 storms a year (where a thrower is really needed - I can shovel 4" or less without a problem). That would be $200/year in having someone else do it. Add in costs for operating a snow thrower, and I would argue it would take seven years ($1,400) for the snow thrower to pay for itself. How long will a Toro last (it comes with a 3 year warranty)? According to the National Weather service, my area gets (on average) 15.7" snowfall in Jan, 13.2" Feb, 11.1" Mar & 13.4" Dec. Now most of our snowfall in a month should come in more than one storm, so on average I shouldn't see too many 8+" snow falls. I've seen other people say that a single stage is enough for less than 8", but I have a big driveway (even if John doesn't think so ) it's the biggest in a neighborhood of 120 homes.
It is hard enough to remember my opinions, without also remembering my reasons for them! --Friedrich Nietzsche
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SnowRemover
Toro 828LXE
Location: Near Albany, NY
Joined: Jan 12, 2005
Points: 139
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Re: How Much Power Do I need
Reply #6 Jan 12, 2005 3:38 pm |
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WHAT VALUE DO YOU PLACE ON BEING ABLE TO DO IT YOURSELF AT THE TIME YOU ACTUALLY NEED IT DONE WITHOUT WAITING FOR THE DUDE TO MAKE IT TO YOUR HOUSE. WHAT ABOUT EMERGENCIES THAT COULD COME UP BEFORE HE CAN GET THERE? I DON'T WHAT IT'S WORTH BUT I AM SURE IT'S WORTH SOMETHING TO YOU? IT WOULD BE WORTH A WHOLE LOT TO ME.
Sorry for the caps. That was kind of what I was asking you guys? Is it worth it? Is single stage Toro enough?
It is hard enough to remember my opinions, without also remembering my reasons for them! --Friedrich Nietzsche
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Dave___in___CT
Deliberate often...
...decide once...
Location: West-Central Connecticut
Joined: Sep 17, 2002
Points: 3159
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Re: How Much Power Do I need
Reply #7 Jan 12, 2005 3:46 pm |
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Hi... Go ahead and try a single stage and see how you like it... Ask local equipment dealers if they have a demo unit you can try... If not... buy one... You can always sell or keep it and get a 2-stage if needed... 1-stage will be good for the smaller storms at least... and it never hurts to have more than one machine ! Right tool for the job...  Dave...
Whether you think you can or you can't... you're right.Henry Ford  BCS Tractor & snowblower
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jubol
Location: Dover, De
Joined: Oct 3, 2003
Points: 1558
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Re: How Much Power Do I need
Reply #8 Jan 12, 2005 3:47 pm |
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SnowRemover, I would sooner buy the Craftsman 8HP, Murray built blower for $699.00 than buy a single stage blower. It has an 8Hp overhead valve engine, which folks tell me is equal to about 9.6 Hp in a flat head engine. It should handle any thing you get in your area!! Fred
This message was modified Jan 12, 2005 by jubol
Husqvarna STE927(11.5HP) snowblower, MTD Pro Series 18/42 Lawnmower, MTD 6.5 HP Self Prop Lawn Mower, Weedeater 1500 Blower, Web Gensis 2000
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ChrisS
Appreciate what you have already been blessed with.
Joined: Sep 16, 2002
Points: 2793
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Re: How Much Power Do I need
Reply #10 Jan 12, 2005 4:02 pm |
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Ok, I would highly encourage you to follow the advice given so far. This is not the piece of equipment that you should be looking to cut costs on. Where you live I guarantee you will regret your decision and eventually have to pay for the machine you should have bought in the first place. Now that will cost you. Yes Welcome! C
Honda 928TA, Ariens 924 STE, Toro single stage S-620, 95 Jeep Wrangler with a 6 foot Fisher Plow, many shovels, one 14 year old boy. Craftsman 01 1000 LTX pimp Gold LT 20hp Briggs OHV V-twin. Tough as it is ugly.
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