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?

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.

Yeah, DavidNJ is over at MTF. He won't last long there if he behaves the way he did here!

So far he's been a good boy scout, although mildly analytical.

aa335 wrote:

I had stated before that he was probably going to buy something cheap and I guess that's exactly what he did. I hope it works out for him. I'm very happy with my Toro which is now back at home after an overpriced annual dealer servicing.

Yes I saw that a mile away. Overly analytical tight wat with so much detail to evaluate without consideration to practical issues that really matters. In the end, he will buy the cheapest from a big box store after wasting people's time at the dealer.

Don't worry guys.  He is only keeping the Sno-Tek for a couple years until every snowblower has hydrostatic drive then he is going to sell it for $500 and get a hydro.

Also, now he is over analyzing his purchase and is afraid to unload the box from his SUV or open it.

Shryp wrote:

That's really pedantic of him. I mean once you've bought it then go for it and don't look back. Really the guy should have bought a Toro, it did everything he wanted it to and the cost was reasonable. Plus his wife could use it. I mean if my wife can use it then anyone who is 12 years old or older can use one, as my kids were my wifes size when they were 12, except my son he was that size when he was 8 or 9.

The cost was reasonable too. But this just shows how you can over-think something to your own detriment. Also I seriously doubt that all snowblowers will have a hydrostatic drive in 2-3 years. They cost more and are expensive to fix when they break. Nice to use tho.

DavidNJ,

Have you tried researching the used market yet? I did, and it was VERY revealing. Here in Quebec at least, you'll lose very little if you're selling a hi-quality machine like a Honda or Yamaha. I'm seeing older 8hp/28" Yamahas selling for as much as $2k. and from what I understand, Yamaha has been out of the North American market since 1995. I'm seeing used Hondas from 2002, 2003, going for $2300. and more.  Why not look for a well-maintained older machine, and you'll have everything you've been looking for (hydrostatic / hi-speed impeller / durability / reliability / performance / good re-sale value). Use it for a few years, then flip it if you want a newer machine. You'll get back most of what you paid, and all the while, you'll be working with a top-notch machine.

How tough can a New Jersey winter be on a hi-quality used machine? We get an average 10.5' of snow annually, and those machines just keep on tickin'.