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

I asked this question as part of another post but thought that it would get a better response if I posted it as a stand alone thread.  I am considering a snow cab for my snow thrower.  First do you think that they are a good investment or is a snow thrower better without one?  Second, if you do have one and think that they are worth the effort to buy and install, which one would you recomend?  Borat, gave me a nice link in the other thread and there is a how to install video that I found interesting here: http://www.classicaccessories.com/instructions/.

How important is it to have one that has the easy on, easy off feature.  It was toughted as good for storage.  Thanks for the input,

Rick

borat wrote:

I wear glasses so stopping every few minutes to wipe off the wet snow has become a real pain.  I was constantly adjusting the chute direction and deflector angle to minimize the snow blowing back in my face.  I thought about using ski goggles over my glasses but I read on the forum that some people have problem with the goggles fogging up.  Also, even with the goggles, my face is not completely protected from the blowing snow.  I decided to get the snow cab and give it a try.  I have to admit that after seeing on youtube.com a guy using a snowblower with a snow cab and it did look goofy.  From the side, it looked like a John Deere tractor but instead of the two large tires in the rear, there are these two small legs moving in the back.  :)  I did have a good laugh or two watching that video.

I was able to find the Classic Accessories Deluxe Snow Cab at Blain's Farm and Fleet for $94.  Everywhere else online was charging $129.  Stock status was getting depleted at most online places and I didn't want to wait for shipping when the Midwest is about to be pummeled with snow for the next two weeks.  Anyways, if you go online to Farm and Fleet website, you can check stock status of a local store.  I found a store nearby that had it in stock, and immediately called the store to verify stock status placed it on hold until I can pick it up later in the evening.

I installed the snow cab and the process took around 2.5 hours.  I was done in 1.5 hours but took another hour to tweak and fine tune the fit to my liking.  Got out my carpenter's level and make sure everything was level and plumb.  I also adjusted the height so that it's not too high and unstable in the wind, but not too low that the canopy would come down and wack me in the head when the snowblower decided to climb a snow bank.  It was all good to my satisfaction.

Tried it out the next evening.  Wow!  What a difference it made when its 0 degrees outside with 15 mph head wind.   I was well protected from the blasting wind and snow.  I actually felt a lot warmer tucked behind the cab.  I can blow the snow higher and further without worrying about it flying back at my face.  I was a self conscious about the neighbors watching and thinking how goofy or silly I look in the snow cab.  But that didn't matter for long, I was protected and enjoying snowblowing. 

This is the only negatives I have of the snow cab.  They are minor but I will mention them.  I did try removing the canopy top and putting back on.  Removing it was easy, pull two pins and lift the canopy straight up.  Putting it back on was not so easy unless you had someone holding the other side for you.  Also, it was a little work trying to get the four holes on each side of the pipes to line up so I can reinsert the pins.  I don't think I will be taking off the canopy very often so this is not an issue.  Also, the pins do vibrate and make a noise like something on the a snowblower was coming apart under the vibration of the engine.  However, I just rotate the pin until the vibration stopped. 

Well, that's my story and I'm glad I bought the snow cab. 

My garage has an 11 or 12 foot ceiling.  I put a small pulley in the bottom of one of the trusses and run a piece of 1/4" rope through it.  I replaced the center bolt on the roof of the  snow cab with an eye bolt protruding through top.  I melted a hole through the center of the roof with a hot nail of appropriate size,  put a dab of silicone and a couple of nylon washers around the eye bolt  to minimize leaks and possible tearing.   Now I just roll the snow thrower under the pulley/rope device, pull the pins, loosen the cab and hoist it up to the ceiling.  Very easy to put on & take off as well as an excellent place to store the unit during off season.     

Get a snow suit.  About the same money and you can get more than one use out of it.  Also you don't have to stop and wipe the snow off the window to see where you're going.

Hi all and Merry Christmas from the Abby's team, In my case I blow the snow on the east side of my driveway and the wind comes from the west at 95% of the time, I guess I don't really need this cab but for those who have to blow the snow on each side it's a must :)) I've been told that a good quality is important, some cheap just crush in the big wind.

nhmatt wrote:

I own both a snow suit and a snow cab.  They each have their purpose.  The problem with a snow suit is that it doesn't offer the face/eye protection that a cab does.  If you get a face mask, goggles etc., they fog up and inhibit vision considerably.  That in itself can be a real annoyance.  Another down side to the snow suit is the time it takes to gear up and gear down.  Especially if you have to take a leak.  Know what I mean?   Then there's the necessity to get the snow off of yourself before you go in the house. 

The cab seldom has to have the window cleared off because the machine's vibrations pretty much shakes everything off.  If snow does manage to stick to the window, a tap from the inside takes care of that.  Believe me, it's a much better experience clearing the driveway on a windy day inside a well built snow cab. 

borat wrote:
You got me thinking, I wonder if Armor-All would make that vinyl slick enough that the snow would fall off by itself? or Rain-X?


I think you guys have convinced me to get one of these. The  wind always seems to blow in opposite directions at the top and bottom of my driveway - about 100' separated by heavy woods. I always wear a cowboy hat when blowing as I can tilt my head and the large brim will catch it before it gets on my glasses, but I'm not always fast enough.

Bill_H wrote:

On my snow cab, I believe the vinyl windows are already coated to prevent fogging and sticking of snow.    There's no need to put anything else on it.

Hi Clay:
I'am running an Ariens 927LE and purchased an Ariens Sno Cab for it (paid a premium price) and look upon it as one of the best investments I ever made. When in use, it's like using the Snow Blower in the garage. No wind, no snow all over you and seems like 15 degrees warmer than outside. As far as removal of the cab goes, it's not worth taking the time to do. I will take it apart in Spring for Summer storage and also make it easier to do my maintenace work if any. Then come Fall, back it goes and gets attached to the machine. There are some aftermarket Cabs out there and they are probably OK, but I love my orange Ariens Cab with the heavy duty material.
So the short answer is: Yes, a Snow Cab is definitely work investing in.  

The one thing that is important about having a removeable cab is if you transport your machine on a trailer or in the back of a pick up.  The wind at hwy speeds would not be good for the cab.  Being able to take it off and put it back on would be the only way to go in that situation.  I totally agree about it being warmer inside of the cab.  It's actually pleasant.  Like one of the previous posters I wish that it had 4 sides instead of 3.  I wouldn't mind bending down and coming up into the unit from the bottom.  Once in a while I get some snow blow back on the back of my neck, but it is 100% better than not having a cab.  Like I said, I'm surprised that I never had one on the old thrower.

Rick

Wouldn't take too much to put a piece of tarp on the back and allow it to hang down or put simple fasteners at the bottome to keep it from flapping in the wind. 

The Ariens cab looks similar to the Classic Deluxe albeit two and a half times the price.