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 #29 Oct 15, 2010 11:07 pm |
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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 #31 Oct 16, 2010 7:04 am |
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. I also learned some very neat tricks today, for turning the Honda track machines on a concrete floor, with almost no effort. One finger, and voila. Another cool thing was that the machine easily climbs stairs, in the event that you want to clear a walkway, or a deck. Kewel.  Edit; Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that the Yamaha dealer claimed that their 928 throws up to 75'. 
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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FrankMA
Location: Merrimack Valley/Northeastern Mass
Joined: Jul 1, 2010
Points: 587
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Re: Snow thrower noob, Need advice please.
Reply #33 Oct 16, 2010 7:26 am |
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I already have the furniture dolly so I hope that's not the solution.... Kind of hoping for some sort of revelation as far as moving my 928TA without the engine running.
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 #36 Oct 16, 2010 9:28 am |
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FrankMA,
I don't recall exactly which levers and handles the guy used, but basically aa335 covered it. Reaching down and sliding a lever at the back of the track-assembly, disengages the transmission, and the tracks roll freely. That was only a part of the salesmans' demo. He also "lifted the augers" somehow, then, by applying a small amount of lift under the handles, he's able to tilt the machine forward slightly. This puts all of the weight of the machine on the front-end of the tracks, and he was able to rotate the machine VERY EASILY. He said to me, "here, you try it,,,, using only 1 finger". I did, and it worked like a charm. This was on a smooth concrete floor in the showroom. I believe the transmission was engaged for that part of the demonstration, because the tracks weren't "free-rolling".
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drifter
Joined: Oct 13, 2010
Points: 115
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Re: Snow thrower noob, Need advice please.
Reply #37 Oct 16, 2010 9:44 am |
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I'd like to see this one. Yeah, me too. 75 feet is a longggg way. Maybe downhill, when the wind is "just right". like this guy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XE4Ke2OFg3E&feature=related or this guy; with his 928; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sc87ChvVF7A&feature=related
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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 #38 Oct 16, 2010 9:44 am |
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FrankMA,
I don't recall exactly which levers and handles the guy used, but basically aa335 covered it. Reaching down and sliding a lever at the back of the track-assembly, disengages the transmission, and the tracks roll freely. That was only a part of the salesmans' demo. He also "lifted the augers" somehow, then, by applying a small amount of lift under the handles, he's able to tilt the machine forward slightly. This puts all of the weight of the machine on the front-end of the tracks, and he was able to rotate the machine VERY EASILY. He said to me, "here, you try it,,,, using only 1 finger". I did, and it worked like a charm. This was on a smooth concrete floor in the showroom. I believe the transmission was engaged for that part of the demonstration, because the tracks weren't "free-rolling". Thanks drifter and aa335: I know about the tranny disengagement lever to "freewheel" the tranny but the using one finger to move it thing has me puzzled. I'm in pretty good shape and there's no way I could move my 928 with one finger - the machine weighs about 250 lbs. as it is. Just curious as to what he did to be able to accomplish this task. aa335, are you able to pull this off somehow with your machine?
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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