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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trouts2
Location: Marlboro MA
Joined: Dec 8, 2007
Points: 1328
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Re: Snow thrower noob, Need advice please.
Reply #70 Oct 18, 2010 1:18 pm |
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I’ve had 4 YS624’s which I used and one YS828W (wheeled) that I did not get to use. A guy I had been corresponding with liked the Yamaha so much he drove from Boston to NY to pick one up. On the way back he stopped here and I got to throw beside it with 10 and 11.5 Ariens. The 828 kept up with the 10 and lost out to the 11.5. The Yamahas were all late 80’s and early 90’s machines. The US machines I tested with were all late 90’s to mid 2000’s. The 624’s are impressive and can clear and toss like a US 8. It seems like the newer Yamahas have a lot of newer components like hydro vs friction disk but the base components similar to the old machines i.e. housing, blower and dash arrangement. These machines all had remote hood control (that worked, never iced up). You mentioned 624’s but I’m not sure when Yamaha stopped selling in Canada. What year are those? A late 80’s early 90’s 624 goes for 4-500 US around Boston. I picked up all of mine for $100 to $200. I'm not sure were the Loonie is but if it's close to the buck then $999 is very steep compared to prices down here.
If you picked up a decent shape YS624 track you’d probably end up keeping it but it depends. You mentioned your street was a main street. If it’s wide and you get a big EOD buildup that has salt and driven over so wet and very compact then the 6 would struggle but get the job done. Most machines would have a tough time. The 624 does very well in wet tougher conditions though and to top it you’d have to make a decent side jump in hp on a machine that had good auger and impeller speeds. By the way, the Yamahas have developed a cult following and have their own web fan club at Nabble. After getting my first one I could see why and joined.
This message was modified Oct 18, 2010 by trouts2
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drifter
Joined: Oct 13, 2010
Points: 115
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Re: Snow thrower noob, Need advice please.
Reply #72 Oct 18, 2010 8:56 pm |
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Guys,,,, That's it..... I'm done shopping.  I'm making up my mind tonight, but it's down to two BRAND NEW machines. In the morning, I'm off to the bank. My local Honda dealer has offered me the HS928TC for $200. off,,, free delivery. http://hondacanada.ca/HPower/Models/ModelOverview?L=E&Type=SnowBlowers&Series=HS928&Model=HS928TC From there, I went to the Yamaha dealer in the next town, and he's agreed to take the same amount off the brand new Yamaha YS929J, and free delivery. http://www.yamaha-motor.ca/products/images/generators/2011_SB_YS928J_l.jpg http://www.yamaha-motor.ca/products/products.php?section=td&model=3537&addBrochure=td That's what I'm agonizing over tonight. The Honda HS928TC would be $3199. and tx. (roughly $3700. tax incl.) The Yamaha YS928J is $3799 after a $200 discount, plus $50 dealer transport. He'll deliver it free. $4344. tax incl. The Yamaha has all the bells and whistles, including electric 12vdc start (battery), the electronic chute-control, gas-assist auger-lift, dual-stage auger with "shock-protector" system, and electro-magnetic drive, and 6.7 litre gas-tank with fuel gauge. TCI ignition system (whatever that means) The Honda weighs 234 lbs,,,,,,, the Yammie weighs 373 lbs. What say you wise ones????? I suppose I should throw the Honda HS1132TC in that mix. It would be roughly in between the two I've mentioned $3599.+tax. $4100 Tax. Inc.
This message was modified Oct 18, 2010 by drifter
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Steve_Cebu
Joined: Dec 17, 2009
Points: 888
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Re: Snow thrower noob, Need advice please.
Reply #75 Oct 18, 2010 9:28 pm |
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aa335, I don't know if you saw my edit, which I did while you were replying to my post. I'm throwing the Honda HS1132TC in that mix. I'm presuming the dealer will give me the same $200 discount on that machine .
Honestly I'd go for the Yamaha at that close a price, it's a lifetime and will be worth nearly what you bought it for even years down the road.
That said the Hondas are great machines. I'd get whichever one I could steer the best and would do my driveway the easiest.
"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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