Trying to decide which of these two snow throwers would best suit me for my application. Average snow strom leaves 8-14", and infrequently (every 3 yrs or so) a storm leaves 18-24"; 100' x 30' concrete, flat, curved driveway; county plows leave a 3-4' EOD burm that I'm tired of shoveling; snow is generally light in density, but late season can be wet and heavy; price range $800-$1,400. Will be using either thrower on neighbors driveways which are similar to mine, and occassionally my father (78) and wife will be using, so ease of use and abiltity to turn is a factor I must consider. Currently I have a single stage yardman (8 yrs old) and has performed flawlessly for snow up to 8-10", except for the EOD pile which the single stage can not handle. No issues with trowing snow on either side of these driveways. I thought perhpas a "track" drive model might serve me well after looking at them at various dealers, but after reading most the the track threads on this board, it seems the track drive modles are overkill for my application as my drive is relatively flat and will unlikely be used off payement. I have never used a two-stage blower before so I do not know the pros/cons b/w the modles as many of you on this site.
From what I can tell, both are very similar in construction and features (both made by MTD I beleive), with a few exceptions that I could tell from looking at both of them and on the web and at the dealers. The 528SWE has a 305cc compared to 250cc B&S engine, both are 28" width and 21" intake, 12" augars and impellers, headlight, joystick chute controls, electric/pull start, 6 frwd-2 rev speeds, all-wheel drive.
Features I "think" are nice between these two modles are
528SWE: 305cc B&S engine, stainless steel skid/scrape plates, "touch and turn" triggers, approx $200 more than the Storm 2840
Storm 2840: heated grips, but has the smaller 250cc B&S engine, less expensive than the 528SWE, no "tourch and turn"
So basically, I am trying to determine what features I would like and if the cost increase is worth the feature upgrad. I would like to know if the difference b/w the 250 and 305cc B&S engine will likely have any performace increase in dealing with the EOD mess or throwing late season wet snow further. How well does the "touch and turn" really work and will that allow me to move the thrower in the garage since it appears the wheels will disengage from "all wheel drive", I will be making frequent turns and each end of the driveway so the "touch and turn" may help for my dad and wife. Does the "touch and turn" mean more maintence and areas for failure. Seems the heated grip would be nice on very cold days (typicially I would be out there for 2-3 hours snow throwing neighbors driveways), but do they really make any difference with gloves on.
We do not have any local dealers or big box shops that sell Simplicity, Toro, Husqavarnia, Irens or Honda, at least they don't have any remaining units on the floor and will not be ordering any units until the fall of 2009, so not sure I should expand my unit selection to other brands.
Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
