Abby’s Guide > Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) > Discussions > Snow thrower noob, Need advice please.
Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions |
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drifter
Joined: Oct 13, 2010
Points: 115
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Snow thrower noob, Need advice please.
Original Message Oct 13, 2010 12:06 pm |
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Hi Everyone, snowblower noob here.
First off, GREAT forum.  I've spent the last few days researching here, and the amount and quality of information is superb.
I live in SouthWestern Quebec.(1 hour n/w of Montreal) Our annual snowfall averages around 7 feet. We rarely get storms that'll dump 1 foot of snow, but it does happen.
My driveway is roughly 135' long, double-width, and a "Y" that extends around the front of the house. Total sq. footage of paved surface is over 4000 sq.ft. My driveway has a sloped entry of approximately 15-20 degrees, and 50' long, and the mouth of the entrance is roughly 40' wide. That 40' mouth is a bear to shovel out after the friendly snow-plow dude buries me in.
About me, I'm 62, and just recovering from a back injury which has kept me off work for just over 4 months now. In the past, I've been shoveling the driveway with a snow-scraper. This year, I'm going to buy my first-ever snow-blower.
After reading through many threads here, I realize there are many Ariens fans here. Although I've looked at the Ariens machines in the past, I think I'm going to go with the heavy-duty Troy-Bilt 33" machine. I'm still flexible at this point, and I'm also considering the Ariens 30"/305cc machine, but I intend to purchase by next weekend. (Oct.17th) I'm interested in your comments and opinions.
The Troy-Bilt unit I'm presently looking at has a 357cc OHV PowerMore engine w/electric start, 16" impeller and augers, 16"x6.5" tires, halogen light/hand-warmers, remote chute direction-deflection, and a 4 year warranty, for $1899. CDN. At 379 lbs, it strikes me as being a much more robust machine than the smaller 30" Ariens unit that I'm also considering (305 cc/$1599./245 lbs). Financing for the Troy-Bilt is 0% interest, no payments, no fees, for 1 year. I'm looking for a unit that can throw at least 30', and preferably over 40'. While the Ariens "32" Pro" series looks interesting, it's also $800. more than the Troy-Bilt here in Quebec, with a shorter 3 year warranty.($2699.)
http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/2 ... ?locale=en
http://www.homedepot.ca/webapp/wcs/stor ... PartNumber
I have no intention to use this machine commercially btw, otherwise, I might consider the Ariens 32" Pro series. The smaller Ariens unit (30") has smaller tires than the Troy-Bilt(15"??), no hand-warmers, manual chute deflection, smaller motor, smaller frame, shorter warranty, smaller augers and impeller, but it's $300. less than the Troy-Bilt. Doesn't seem worthwhile. What do you guys think?
The Troy-Bilts' "PowerMore" 357cc engine is manufactured in China, by the same folks who manufacture Harley-Davidson engines. It has a cast-iron cylinder-sleeve, cast-iron cam-shaft, and forged-steel crank-shaft. I'm presently awaiting confirmation of the16" impeller rotation-speed from MTD..If it's the same as the 12" model, it should be 1123 rpm. That would put it at roughly the same tip-speed as a 14" impeller, turning at 1300 rpm. (roughly 53-54 mph.
Thanks in advance for your input.
Bob
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drifter
Joined: Oct 13, 2010
Points: 115
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Re: Snow thrower noob, Need advice please.
Reply #10 Oct 14, 2010 11:03 pm |
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Thanks GtWtNorth, and possibly fellow "hoser"  Hello from Lachute. Well, I went shopping again today. Looked at a Poulan Pro 27" at Costco, some Toro's, and Ariens Deluxe & Platinum series at Home Depot, and a couple of Ariens Pro's (28" & 32") at an OPE dealer. I'm trying to calm myself down here, cuz this is getting out of hand pricewise. I got offered a couple of good deals on the Ariens Pro's $2400.tx incl. on the 28", and $2900. tx incl. on the 32". Ariens is also offering a "win your Ariens snow-thrower" contest. Your name goes in a draw, and 2 lucky winners will have the price of their purchase refunded. There was more to the Pro series than I had originally realized; for example, the impeller/auger pullies (dual pulley drive). The gear hub for the auger is massive, with cast-iron gears. I was a bit surprised to see 14" impellers on these Pro Series throwers, since I thought I had read somewhere that the new-model Pro Series machines had 16" impellers this year. The ones I saw today had 16" augers, but 14" impellers. Hmmmm. I'm wondering if these were last years models, with new engines (Briggs & Stratton). Financing is available,,, at 0% for two years. Not bad. The dealer is expecting another shipment of Pro Series machines next week, and we're going to compare the impellers to his current floor models. As for tires, I was also a bit surprised to see 4" wide tires on the 28" Pro model. The 32" machine (and larger), gets 6.5" wide tires. This $3000. price-range is nudging me closer to a Honda 928 (uh oh). The HS928TC has tracks, and is $3399. No financing deals however, and the dealer is selling at full MSRP. Typical Canadian dealer I'm afraid. I can't seem to find any detailed specs on the Honda's. like impeller diameter, rotation-speed, etc. All I'm seeing is throughput in metric tons. As for promotions, Honda is offering a chance to win an all-terrain vehicle. My head hurts.  |
aa335
 
Joined: Nov 29, 2008
Points: 2434
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Re: Snow thrower noob, Need advice please.
Reply #11 Oct 14, 2010 11:16 pm |
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The pricing for those Honda is quite astronomical. I've heard that about Honda's in Canada, selling at full MSRP every year. This is both bad and good. MSRP = bad, but resale = good. However, as a HS1132TAS owner, I think the HS928TCD is the cat's meow. Just the perfect weight / width / power ratio for the average homeowner. The electric chute control and onboard battery start is great. Too bad this model is not available in the US. I wouldn't mind being in your shoes now. My head wouldn't be hurting, I'd get that HS928TCD parked in my garage ASAP.
This message was modified Oct 14, 2010 by aa335
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drifter
Joined: Oct 13, 2010
Points: 115
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Re: Snow thrower noob, Need advice please.
Reply #12 Oct 14, 2010 11:40 pm |
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DON'T tempt me,  Thank God my local dealer doesn't have one (HS928TCD) in stock. He has only one, and it's an HS724TCD. Why can't I find any detailed specs on these machines,,,, argh !!! The HS724TCD looks too small for my needs, but,,,, mebbe not.  |
aa335
Joined: Nov 29, 2008
Points: 2434
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Re: Snow thrower noob, Need advice please.
Reply #13 Oct 14, 2010 11:48 pm |
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Hehehe. It's not too hard to tempt anyone who has entered the Honda arena. Like you said, it's like a Swiss watch, i think it's more like a classic Leica camera.
The HS724TCD is a bit small and could use a bit more horsepower, IMO. However, if you don't have a huge area and not in a hurry, I think it would be a easy to handle machine. The HS724 has been criticized for being too small and weak for it's price. However, the HS928TCD really has no peers, there's only one like that with the tracks, features and performance. You can get an Ariens and Simplicity/Deere to equal in snowthrowing performance, but you can't get it in a tracked version.
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aa335
Joined: Nov 29, 2008
Points: 2434
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Re: Snow thrower noob, Need advice please.
Reply #15 Oct 15, 2010 12:13 am |
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aa335,
Any idea what the impeller and auger diameters are on these machines? I'm also wondering if the 928 is a 9 HP machine.
My quick and dirty measurement of the HS1132 came to 12' impeller and 14" auger. This is the same on the 928 and 1132, not sure on the 724 though, it may have a 10" impeller. When I was shopping for snowblowers, Honda impeller and auger sizes were fairly conservative, smaller, as compared to Ariens and Simplicity. I don't think they win any bragging rights for size, even the intake height was middle of the road. The 928 has a 9 hp engine. It maybe a rounded up number though. It's not the most powerful 28". I think Honda snowblowers are kinda like BMW cars. Conservatively rated, but well designed and makes efficient use of the power. Quirky and expensive, yes.
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drifter
Joined: Oct 13, 2010
Points: 115
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Re: Snow thrower noob, Need advice please.
Reply #16 Oct 15, 2010 12:49 am |
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Thanks aa335. On a side-note, I just found out that my annual average snowfall is not 7 feet. That number was for Montreal. I'm in the Laurentian foothills, close to the Ottawa River valley, and the annual average snowfall for Lachute is 10.5'. Geesh,,,,no wonder I'm tired of shoveling. |
aa335
Joined: Nov 29, 2008
Points: 2434
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Re: Snow thrower noob, Need advice please.
Reply #19 Oct 15, 2010 1:07 am |
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Thanks aa335. On a side-note, I just found out that my annual average snowfall is not 7 feet. That number was for Montreal. I'm in the Laurentian foothills, close to the Ottawa River valley, and the annual average snowfall for Lachute is 10.5'. Geesh,,,,no wonder I'm tired of shoveling. Geez, What are you complaining about? With that kind of snowfall per year, I'd be tempting you to get a Kubota tractor with a front mount snowblower. And that's with a heated cab and a rocking stereo system. I have a new found respect for you, to be able to shovel that much snow and still have energy to chase down the missus.
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