Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

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.

Good thing it's not snowing yet.  You got some time consider the purchase.

That snow removal price quote is quite attractive actually, provided he's consistent and timely.

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.

drifter wrote:

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.

drifter wrote:

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.

Steve_Cebu wrote:

Before I bought my own home, my wife and I rented a house from a very nice couple for a few years. They had a plow guy come every storm and plow our (their) driveway. I never realized how much damage a plow does to your driveway and surrounding areas until after the snow melted away that season. These guys can't remember the layout of every home and the landscaping took a beating.

Long story short... this aspect and the one Steve_Cebu layed out would easily justify the purchase - that and not being reliant on someone else to clear you out. I've got 150' just to get to the EOD and then deal with whatever the town plow guy left behind. If I ever shoveled it once because I had to, I'd make sure I'd never have to shovel it again! Plus I have a bunch of walkways/runways leading to the back of my property, woodpiles, sheds, etc... that represents about 1/2 the amount of area I need to keep clear.

It's definitely your call to hire someone or do it yourself - I'm sure you'll make the right decision when it's all said and done.

This contractor used to do my driveway for the previous owner of the house. He did so for 17 years, so he knows the property well. He's always been very prompt, back-drags where it's required, and has that monster blower, which doesn't leave me with huge snowbanks. I was always 100% satisfied with this guy. He's also just down the road from me, about 1 1/2 mi away. This guy used to do my driveway for the first few years I lived here, so I know him well.

When the other guy who gave me the freebies came with the huge highway plow, he had only the bucket (no blower), and that created a big problem insofar as snowbanks limiting  visibility when trying to exit my driveway. He did eventually push back those banks a few times, but the corners of the huge bucket on his machine often dug out huge chunks of turf, even though it was frozen. He also left deep ruts from the tread-marks of his tires. It was so bad that I had to ask him to do only the mouth of the driveway, and I would do the rest by shovel.

This saga is still not over though, until his wife hands me the final figure. If she gets greedy, I'm going ahead with the purchase of the snow-thrower. If gas prices rise again when the economy starts to turn around, those snow removal contracts will follow suit.

That said, I also went to the local drivers' liscence bureau today, and started the process that will give me the necessary paperwork to cross the US border. Plattsburgh New York is less than 2 hours away. It'll probably take a few weeks to complete because I need a new birth certificate, but I should have it well before the snow flies. I'd save at least $500. on a new Honda HS1132

In the meantime, I'm still looking for a nearly-new still warranteed snow-thrower, and some of the dealers I spoke with are calling me. This thing ain't over 'til the fat lady sings.

Update;

The contractors' wife hasn't shown up yet to measure my driveway and finalize the price.

Still searching used machines. I've found a 2007 Honda HS1132TC  for $2450. and a 2004 for $2300 Also, I just found a still warranteed 2009 HS 1132.TC for $3100. This is a private sale, so no tax. This would save me $1234. compared to buying new. VERY attractive.

Tic toc tic toc,,,,,,,,,

drifter wrote:

Don't wait too long or someone else will scoop it up before you.....

I have no choice until I get the final price from my snow-removal contractor. The news should come this afternoon/evening.

Turns out that the owner of the 2009 Honda 1132 has a bunch of them. Apparently, they were originally bought for the Vancouver Olympic games, and were never used. This guy bought them all, and shipped them here to Quebec. He even has the big HS1236. I asked if these machines were originally purchased as "commercial use", which would mean the warranty is now expired. He said they were purchased as "private", with a 2 year warranty, and the warranty is valid for one more year. Hmmmm.

Slight complication, The snow thrower is roughly 70 miles away. I have a very good 4x8 utility trailer. I sold the car that had the trailer hitch, and have to get a new hitch installed on my new car. The trailer hitch is a special order item, and the dealer says it will take 1 1/2 to 2 weeks to arrive. The snow thrower guy says he'll wait, if I give him a deposit. This bothers me a bit, since I'm not certain I'm protected. Man, these things can get complicated .