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

This is my first post, so hi to everyone.

We are preparing for winter (East Coast, Canada). Our driveway is around 1000 ft, plus a few areas around the house. Our snowplow-guy did not do a good job last year so we have to make changes.

If I buy a walk behind snowblower, an Ariens 32" or wider, will this machine do the job ? Does it take the full day to clear the 1000 ft (one lane) gravel road or is it not too bad.

Homedepot sells a 45 inch wide Cub Cadet walk-behind snowblower (made by MTD, Yardman ...) with the B&S 13 HP engine. Is this a good machine or should I go with Ariens or Simplicity ?

Or am I simply crazy to think I can do that with a walk-behind ? I never had a snowblower in my live.

I thought about an ATV with front mount snowblower (Kimpex ?), that has an engine on top. Is that a lot faster than a powerful walk behind ?

What do you suggest ?

Cheers, JJ

you are going to be sorry if you try to do a 1000 ft gravel driveway with any walk behind machine. your best bet is a small farm tractor with a blade, or a plow on a truck. either one all though costly would tackle the job 10x better than a walk behind sno thrower. if you got alot of snow you could never keep up to cleaning the driveway without a piece of equipment that can keep up to the task. i have a 125 ft. long paved driveway and use an ariens 824 and it sometimes isn't big enough for our wis winter snows. you'll be in for a big disapointment to try and use a walk behind blower,no matter how large. just my 2 cents. mkd

Hi, JJ.  Welcome to the forum.  I'm new myself, posting twice in a week.  I'm a school custodian, and at my school we have a very long asphalt path (500 feet?) leading north of the school to a housing area.  I'd hate to have to use a snow blower to do that pathway.  Thankfully, we have a modestly-sized John Deere tractor with a plow blade mounted in front.  A plow and a blower have their proper places, but I think your driveway is definitely a good candidate for the plow.  Of course, a good snowblower (Ariens!!) probably can find a place in your immediate house area.  I hope this helps you out.

i would suggest a lawn tractor attachment snowblower or a 3 pt hitch snowblower for that big ROAD of a driveway