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

Most sub $1000 snowblowers have 12" augers, usually with 12" impellers. Ariens has 14" augers and impellers on their Deluxe, Platinum, and Professional lines; Simplicity/Deere/Snapper have 14" augers on their large frame and professional models with 12" impellers, Toro has 14" augers with 12" impellers on their PowerMax series. Honda uses 14" augers on its larger models. MTD's Cub Cadet and Sears Professional lines have 16" augers and impellers.  However the Husqvarna Crown has 12" augers of a different design.

What is the advantage of a larger auger?

Bigger or smaller is irrelevant.  Why don't you spend some time reviewing the requirements list that you posted and see how many of those requirements can be met with one machine?  I bet you there isn't one.  No one makes a snowblower just for YOU!

Well, what are you going to do next?  It's called compromise and balance.  Narrow down to 2 or 3 machines with the features/performance that mostly fits your requirements, or your spouse.  Discuss it with your spouse, present the costs to your spouse, and don't discuss issues.  You're the problem solver and she expect you already taken care of issues and not waste her time.  And finally, pick one that you both agree on.

Hypothetically, if she says there's no way she's going use a 2 stage and it's too expensive, maybe you should start your research on a single stage.  Go to the "other" forum and ask questions.  They are a fun bunch of folks, lots of Honda, Ariens, Yamaha, and Toro members.  They are very helpful, direct to the point, and sometimes provides a few laughs.  There are some of those members in this forum too.   :)

Not saying that you should go there just yet.  Adjust your attitude, relax, don't call people Democrats or Republicans, avoid religious remarks, respect the elders, and you fit just right in.  Political affiliations have not been proven to correlate with snowblower brand purchase, so don't mention it, you'll look like a clown with an opinion.  Like I say, they are a fun bunch of folks, but have little tolerance for idiots, and will make mincemeat out of stupidity. 

I know what davids problem is.He's using the wrong formula.If he would just realize that a squared +b squared truly =c squared,he would know what snowblower to buy........

I'm down to two snowblowers, and the auger, both design and size, is a significant difference. There are others--handlebars are slightly different, chute direction/deflection controls, price, differential, and one has hydrostatic drive--but the auger could be the deciding factor if one had a decisive advantage or disadvantage.

mikiewest wrote:

Easy as pie.

I think I would build my own at this point with the welder... Mine would have 2 impellers, both with rubber kits on them, --and lasers... Friiy

Judging from the responses, no one has any insight into impeller size?

Is that going to be a 2 stage water pump?

DavidNJ wrote:

Someone among us do know but he's not giving away the secret sauce for free.

Steve_Cebu wrote:

I once did live in NJ and got along fine with a Toro single stage 2 stroke. They're great on wet slush, NJ gets lots of that.

As for the original question "How Big Should an Auger Be?" I strongly recommend, based on many years of experience, that it be almost as long as the bucket is wide, but not longer than the width of the bucket.

Bill_H wrote:

Can't believe you gave away that trade secret for nothing.  I'd hold out for at least a quarter.

Amen, it is what it is.  Pass me the beer nuts.

On a side note, a little birdie to me that DavidNJ is now a reluctant owner of  bare bones Sno-Tek 28" snowblower.  He's having meaningful discussions with the folks on the "other forum" about shovels, Husqvarna business strategy, and the future of snowblowers.