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 #89 Oct 19, 2010 9:40 am |
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I'm having trouble relating to the "difficult to handle" argument. I have no trouble throwing these machines around on a dry concrete floor, and I'd imagine it's even easier on snow,,, especially when the machine is in motion. The only thing I didn't care for on the Yamaha YS928J was the track lock-pins. They're difficult to re-insert. There's probably a simple trick to it. Aside from that, I love this machine. The 6.7 liter gas-tank can have you running a long time between refills, and the fuel gauge tells you at a glance, how much fuel you have. The reduced noise-level allows me to use the machine even late at night, without fear of disturbing the neighbours. That's a big plus if I come home late, and my driveway entrance is plowed in. I can't park on the road. The Honda HS1132TC is much noisier, but more powerful, and almost 100 lbs lighter. Either way, I'll probably have occasions where I'll say to myself, "I wish I had bought the other machine". These are both wonderful machines. The Yamaha is the Lexus of snowblowers, and the Honda is the Hummer. All I have left to do today is, confirm that the Honda dealer will give me the same discount on the HS1132TC, or the TCS. If he says no, I think I'm going with the Yamaha. Either way, I'm buying a snowblower TODAY.  |
giocam
Joined: Sep 18, 2010
Points: 74
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Re: Snow thrower noob, Need advice please.
Reply #90 Oct 19, 2010 11:13 am |
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Can't go wrong with either machine. Here is a video of the yamaha at work: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6CaB4npNug Not much snow in the video so you can't really see what it can do though. Here is the Honda http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XE4Ke2OFg3E
This message was modified Oct 19, 2010 by giocam
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aa335
 
Joined: Nov 29, 2008
Points: 2434
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Re: Snow thrower noob, Need advice please.
Reply #92 Oct 19, 2010 11:46 am |
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I'm having trouble relating to the "difficult to handle" argument. I have no trouble throwing these machines around on a dry concrete floor, and I'd imagine it's even easier on snow,,, especially when the machine is in motion.
It is possible the tracks on the showroom were greased with silicone. They slide around easier and does not leave rubber marks on the floor. Outside of the showroom and on the driveway, especially on slippery surface such as compacted snow or ice, your footing determines whether you have enough traction to turn it. In addition, when you're close to sides of the house or cars, you are closer to the snowblower, which gives you less leverage. 130 lbs additional over the HS928 is significant, I don't know what secret sauce Yamaha have to make that thing easier to turn. But unless I can see how, I'd go with my gut feel on this one. One other thing to consider is the bucket width, the best setup is to have the bucket /skid shoes just as wide as the outside of the tracks or wheels. When the bucket is wider, when the skid shoes catch on a surface irregularities, it will want to turn the snowblower off course. Unfortunately, that means only the 24" bucket is as wide as the side of the tires. For these reasons, I don't like snowblowers that are larger than 30", it wanders around a lot more and takes more effort to counter act it. At the showroom, the Honda HS1132 is significantly more impressive, macho looking compared to the HS928. It comes with a price, it takes more manhandling to operate it. Hope I've given you enough to consider before dropping $4K.
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drifter
Joined: Oct 13, 2010
Points: 115
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Re: Snow thrower noob, Need advice please.
Reply #95 Oct 19, 2010 12:18 pm |
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That video does not do justice to the caliber of that Yamaha. Not enough snow, operator does not have good control of speed, direction, and chute. That's the wrong video. That video is the 6hp Yamaha, not the YS928J. Here's the only video I could find on the YS928J, and for some reason, part of the video has been blacked out, so you don't see it in action. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xf7wbGr2Wt8&feature=related
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