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 #50 Oct 17, 2010 12:19 am |
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Guys, I'm starting to think there might be a "blue" snow thrower in my driveway shortly.
I dunno,,,, that Yamaha YS928J sure is starting to look VERY attractive to me. I really liked how quiet this machine was. It has 12vdc start (battery), the engine shroud which keeps noise levels down, serrated scraper-bar, teflon-lined chute and impeller housing, fuel gauge(need to verify), drift-cutter, auto-choke, and electronic chute control.
http://www.yamaha-motor.ca/products/products.php?model=3537§ion=td&group=G#contentTop
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Steve_Cebu
Joined: Dec 17, 2009
Points: 888
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Re: Snow thrower noob, Need advice please.
Reply #51 Oct 17, 2010 12:36 am |
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Guys, I'm starting to think there might be a "blue" snow thrower in my driveway shortly.
I dunno,,,, that Yamaha YS928J sure is starting to look VERY attractive to me. I really liked how quiet this machine was. It has 12vdc start (battery), the engine shroud which keeps noise levels down, serrated scraper-bar, teflon-lined chute and impeller housing, fuel gauge(need to verify), drift-cutter, auto-choke, and electronic chute control.
http://www.yamaha-motor.ca/products/products.php?model=3537§ion=td&group=G#contentTop Supposed to be a great machine but expensive. If you do buy one take pics of it. :)
"If you have more miles on your snow blower than your car, you live in New England." "If you can drive 75 mph through 2 feet of snow during a raging blizzard without flinching, you live in New England."
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FrankMA
Location: Merrimack Valley/Northeastern Mass
Joined: Jul 1, 2010
Points: 587
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Re: Snow thrower noob, Need advice please.
Reply #53 Oct 17, 2010 6:38 am |
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Guys, I'm starting to think there might be a "blue" snow thrower in my driveway shortly.
I dunno,,,, that Yamaha YS928J sure is starting to look VERY attractive to me. I really liked how quiet this machine was. It has 12vdc start (battery), the engine shroud which keeps noise levels down, serrated scraper-bar, teflon-lined chute and impeller housing, fuel gauge(need to verify), drift-cutter, auto-choke, and electronic chute control.
http://www.yamaha-motor.ca/products/products.php?model=3537§ion=td&group=G#contentTop drifter: That is one impressive machine! Looks very up to any snow clearing task you could possibly throiw at it - at 373 lbs. it's a real beast. Please keep us posted and don't forget pictures when (not if) you buy it and get it home.
Toro Wheel Horse 522xi GT, Honda HS928TA, Honda HS621AS, Honda HS520A, Toro CCR3000 (work in progress), Honda HS624WA (sold 08/23/2010), Stihl BR550 Backpack Blower, Stihl MS250, McCulloch MS1635, Honda EM6500SX Generator
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drifter
Joined: Oct 13, 2010
Points: 115
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Re: Snow thrower noob, Need advice please.
Reply #54 Oct 17, 2010 10:23 am |
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drifter: That is one impressive machine! Looks very up to any snow clearing task you could possibly throiw at it - at 373 lbs. it's a real beast. Please keep us posted and don't forget pictures when (not if) you buy it and get it home. Hehehehehe , I dunno there FrankMA. It's a tough call. The Hondas are lighter, but noisier. Yamaha has a 1 year commercial warranty, vs 3 months for the Honda, which doesn't really affect me, but may speak to the ruggedness of the Yamaha. Both have the same 2 year residential warranty. The Yamaha definitely has the advantage as far as noise levels are concerned. If I come home late at night, and the snow-plow has buried the end of my driveway, I can fire it up without disturbing the neighbor. I'm still uncertain as to the electronic chute controls on both machines. Strikes me as a possible failure-point. I wonder how reliable those things are, and what your options are in the event of failure. I also want to find out about back-up start, in case the battery dies on the electric-start models. The Honda has a manual back-up starter on the TCS models. Last but not least,,,, justifying spending that kind of money on a snow-thrower at my age. Mind you, the re-sale values are so good, that it probably wouldn't cost much in the long run, and I'd be working with a top-flight machine. The flip-side of that argument is, will I still want to be doing my own snow-removal after I completely retire (2 1/2 years at most).
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FrankMA
Location: Merrimack Valley/Northeastern Mass
Joined: Jul 1, 2010
Points: 587
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Re: Snow thrower noob, Need advice please.
Reply #55 Oct 17, 2010 1:09 pm |
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That is a lot of $$$. I bought both of my Hondas as used machines and saved a bunch a dough (I kind of stumbled upon both). The only suggestion I could make is to scour CL or other similar sites every day, many times/day and be prepared to jump on a new posting immediately. You could also try "searchtempest.com" which is a tool that allows you to search CL and E-Bay outside of your typical geographic area. I found my Garden Tractor employing this technique and it works - you just have to be very diligent. Have your $$$ ready and get as much info from the seller as possible or you might end up wasting a bunch of your time. Some people's idea of "excellent condition" or "like new" can vary widely.
Toro Wheel Horse 522xi GT, Honda HS928TA, Honda HS621AS, Honda HS520A, Toro CCR3000 (work in progress), Honda HS624WA (sold 08/23/2010), Stihl BR550 Backpack Blower, Stihl MS250, McCulloch MS1635, Honda EM6500SX Generator
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drifter
Joined: Oct 13, 2010
Points: 115
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Re: Snow thrower noob, Need advice please.
Reply #56 Oct 17, 2010 1:43 pm |
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I'm going to keep looking FrankMA. The snow is at least a month away in my area, perhaps longer. Hopefully , I'll get my hands on that nearly-new 1132 my dealer told me about. I should know by tomorrow, or in the next few days. Either way, I'm convinced tracks are the way to go for me. This guys' reaction says it all when it comes down to this class of machine. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHNLbAW6j7k&feature=related
This message was modified Oct 17, 2010 by drifter
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drifter
Joined: Oct 13, 2010
Points: 115
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Re: Snow thrower noob, Need advice please.
Reply #57 Oct 17, 2010 2:35 pm |
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Hmmmm, I hadn't searched for used Yamahas, but I just found a bunch of them, ranging from $999. for a freshly tuned-up 624, to $1995 for a similar-condition 828. Both are from the same dealer, so I presume they're trade-ins for the new models. Edit; Same dealer is selling the new YS928J for $200. under MSRP. Things are looking up.  Finding a bunch of Hondas today as well. $2100. for an HS828TCD in what appears to be mint condition.
This message was modified Oct 17, 2010 by drifter
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