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

I live in Southwest Ohio where some winters there is hardly any snow and others you receive a foot at a time (I used to live in western Michigan...no doubts of snow there). This is the third winter in my home. I have a 175 foot driveway that faces west...nothing but farmland in front of me. As a result, I can get some pretty tall drifts even with the lightest snows. Since there may be years I do not even need a heavy blower, I hate spending lots of money on something that may sit for a couple of years.



The first year I tried just my tractor blade and small 22" blower that I had. It worked but the little blower took forever on the drifts. The blade is great and quick for snows up to about 6 inches.




The second year, I picked up a John Deere 100 with a 32" blower...it did great for the smaller snows but could not handle the drifts and real wet stuff. It was fun working on it but I needed more.



This year, I sold the Deere and the 22" blower and for the cash I picked up a Craftsman 30" two stage blower...the one made by Husqvarna.





I have followed Snowmachines's and other peoples uses for this machine. I ended up cleaning it up and painting it some, replaced the belts and shoes, and added a cab. I also picked up an extra pulley, belts, and shear bolts. It looks like new and I am hopeful this will do it for now. Of course, I really want another tractor with a blower but I just cannot justify spending that much right now.

Looking good. It may be a few months before mine gets some use. I'm curious to see how my impeller pulley upgrade works throughout the winter.

http://picasaweb.google.com/audreyappliance/2008Craftsman145TorqueRatingSnowThrower?feat=directlink

I followed your impeller upgrade and would be interested in hearing how it works. Funny thing...I had already covered my cables in the same method as yours before I saw your upgrades.

Did you purchase the deflector or weight bar? My cab has a sandbag that has about 15 pounds in it.

MacGarage wrote:

I only got to try it out once since we had such a dismal winter last year in the Pacific Northwest. I think we are going to have a good one this year with La Nina back. In my single test last year at about 35 degrees I was tossing about 38-42 feet. I haven't put the Clarence kit on there yet so that would probably get me to 50 feet easily. I don't have a weight bar on mine but with I did pick up the rubber chute deflector. Easy install with a few rivets and holes were already pre-drilled. It really is a Husky with a red paint job.

Luckily, I do not need to have to throw the snow as far as you do. If this blows as well as my little 22" one, it should do the trick. I am really looking forward to giving the cab a try. The west winds off the farm field can be brutal and with the first cut having to go into the wind, I normally was covered with snow within a minute or two.

I could tell a difference with the sandbag on the front of the blower...I will have to see how it is when having to back up. I am also wondering how long it will take me to clear the driveway with a walk-behind. I have been looking at larger tractors and with a decent two-stage blower, I am easily looking at $1000+ for a dedicated unit. If I still live in West Michigan, it would be worth it but in SW Ohio, the thing my sit for a year without being used.

Yes, these are made by Husqvarna and noticed they are still being sold. Too bad it looks like Sears is mostly selling MTDs.

I was happy this blower has a Briggs on it. I do not believe Sears is currently selling any units with B&S engines.