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 #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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drifter
Joined: Oct 13, 2010
Points: 115
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Re: Snow thrower noob, Need advice please.
Reply #100 Oct 19, 2010 2:34 pm |
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OMG. I just heard from the guy that used to do my driveway. His price is lower than he used to charge in 2004. He's offered to do my driveway for $300./year, possibly $320.,,,,,, I'm crushed.  This guy has a HUGE fricken tractor, with a monster blower that has 3 rows of augers.as I recall. Takes him roughly 5 minutes to do the whole yard. I gotta confess, that after all this research, I have "new toy fever" and I'm chomping at the bit.  |
Steve_Cebu
Joined: Dec 17, 2009
Points: 888
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Re: Snow thrower noob, Need advice please.
Reply #103 Oct 19, 2010 8:07 pm |
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He's always been very prompt and efficient, so no problem there. Seems his business has grown considerably since we last worked together. He now has four of those huge tractors, and he's now into excavation and landscaping. I went to his house to give him a cheque this afternoon, but his wife now handles the contracts, and she has to come and measure my yard tomorrow. That estimate I had earlier, might change. Better not be too high, or there may be a new toy in my driveway after all. I should have the final price by tomorrow afternoon.
I had a guy who did my driveway, but he'd often be late, do it wrong, pile up the snow 12 feet high. It did not work out for us and because it's a plow his skid shoes are set roughly an inch high so that means we always had an inch of snow after he plowed. Plus all the snow got built up in 2 places because you can't move it to the sides with a plow and then I'd have to shovel out the driveway in front of the garage because he wouldn't backdrag. So that was 1.5 hours of shoveling after a bad storm to clear out the stuff he'd plow up to the door. He'd usually only plow once per storm unless it was really bad. Needless to say I'm done relying on other people to do my driveway. Oh and sometimes he'd come after we had to get to work and we had no way to get out.
So I'll gladly do it myself to avoid all that hassle. Hopefully the guy you are hiring will not be the same way. But as you have said you are retired, so plan on being done last. You might end up wishing you had gotten the snowblower.
"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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Steve_Cebu
Joined: Dec 17, 2009
Points: 888
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Re: Snow thrower noob, Need advice please.
Reply #104 Oct 19, 2010 8:07 pm |
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He's always been very prompt and efficient, so no problem there. Seems his business has grown considerably since we last worked together. He now has four of those huge tractors, and he's now into excavation and landscaping. I went to his house to give him a cheque this afternoon, but his wife now handles the contracts, and she has to come and measure my yard tomorrow. That estimate I had earlier, might change. Better not be too high, or there may be a new toy in my driveway after all. I should have the final price by tomorrow afternoon.
I had a guy who did my driveway, but he'd often be late, do it wrong, pile up the snow 12 feet high. It did not work out for us and because it's a plow his skid shoes are set roughly an inch high so that means we always had an inch of snow after he plowed. Plus all the snow got built up in 2 places because you can't move it to the sides with a plow and then I'd have to shovel out the driveway in front of the garage because he wouldn't backdrag. So that was 1.5 hours of shoveling after a bad storm to clear out the stuff he'd plow up to the door. He'd usually only plow once per storm unless it was really bad. Needless to say I'm done relying on other people to do my driveway. Oh and sometimes he'd come after we had to get to work and we had no way to get out.
So I'll gladly do it myself to avoid all that hassle. Hopefully the guy you are hiring will not be the same way. But as you have said you are retired, so plan on being done last. You might end up wishing you had gotten the snowblower.
"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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