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 |
|
drifter
Joined: Oct 13, 2010
Points: 115
![]()
|
 |
Snow thrower noob, Need advice please.
Original Message Oct 13, 2010 12:06 pm |
|
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
|
drifter
Joined: Oct 13, 2010
Points: 115
![]()
|
 |
Re: Snow thrower noob, Need advice please.
Reply #107 Oct 20, 2010 1:07 pm |
|
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,,,,,,,,,
|
FrankMA
Location: Merrimack Valley/Northeastern Mass
Joined: Jul 1, 2010
Points: 587
![]()
|
|
|
Re: Snow thrower noob, Need advice please.
Reply #108 Oct 20, 2010 1:33 pm |
|
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,,,,,,,,,
Don't wait too long or someone else will scoop it up before you.....
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
|
drifter
Joined: Oct 13, 2010
Points: 115
![]()
|
|
|
Re: Snow thrower noob, Need advice please.
Reply #109 Oct 20, 2010 2:08 pm |
|
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 .  |
Steve_Cebu
Joined: Dec 17, 2009
Points: 888
![]()
|
|
|
Re: Snow thrower noob, Need advice please.
Reply #112 Oct 20, 2010 3:11 pm |
|
I just called a rental place. Ford Econoline, 1 day, 200 kilometers. $115. plus gas. Not bad. I've got another possibility that I'm working on. A friend has an F-150. He's a long-haul trucker. If he's home, I can get him to pick it up. Hard to get a hold of this guy at times.
If need be, I'd send the snow-thrower owner a deposit via InterAc, from my account to his. I have no idea if and how I'm protected though.
Cash on the barrelhead is the only way to go. Otherwise you might never see your money again. Also buying sight unseen is very unwise when it comes to used stuff. Best bet is to see if it's what you want in person, give a deposit and get a receipt and then make plans to drive back with it another time. Renting a truck to buy something you haven't seen and sending money to someone you haven't met in person is very risky. I wouldn't do it.
This message was modified Oct 20, 2010 by Steve_Cebu
"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."
|
drifter
Joined: Oct 13, 2010
Points: 115
![]()
|
|
|
Re: Snow thrower noob, Need advice please.
Reply #113 Oct 20, 2010 4:10 pm |
|
My bank says I'm unprotected. I could create a paper-trail by asking the vendor to email me the machines' serial number, along with details, and his account information. Still, I'd have to resort to the court if a problem arises. That's a no-go for me.
I'm still working on my friends' F-150 solution, but nobody's home.
If I get this machine, and it is as described by the owner. I'll pass on the snow-removal contract. As I said earlier, this would save me $1,234. compared to buying new from a Canadian dealer. Most of that is tax,,, over $600. worth. This changes the math considerably, as I should still easily get $2400. for the machine, 5-6 years from now, judging by the current "used" market..
|
drifter
Joined: Oct 13, 2010
Points: 115
![]()
|
|
|
Re: Snow thrower noob, Need advice please.
Reply #114 Oct 20, 2010 4:53 pm |
|
LMAO< this is getting comical. It seems he's sold all of his 1132's from that batch he had. He has his own 1132 at home, but it's a 2008. He has decided he's now going to keep the big 1336 ($8.300. machine) that he was going to sell, so now, he's willing to sell me his personal 2008 for $2700. He's says it's in mint condition, and has always been stored in his heated garage. We've come to an agreement about holding that machine for a few days. He has not advertised that machine. As soon as I can make transportation arrangements, it's mine. I'd be doing the transaction in person. My buddy with the Ford Ranger, is measuring his box as I type this. He has a Leer cap. My fingers are crossed. 
This message was modified Oct 20, 2010 by drifter
|
Steve_Cebu
Joined: Dec 17, 2009
Points: 888
![]()
|
|
|
Re: Snow thrower noob, Need advice please.
Reply #115 Oct 20, 2010 6:51 pm |
|
LMAO< this is getting comical. It seems he's sold all of his 1132's from that batch he had. He has his own 1132 at home, but it's a 2008. He has decided he's now going to keep the big 1336 ($8.300. machine) that he was going to sell, so now, he's willing to sell me his personal 2008 for $2700. He's says it's in mint condition, and has always been stored in his heated garage. We've come to an agreement about holding that machine for a few days. He has not advertised that machine. As soon as I can make transportation arrangements, it's mine. I'd be doing the transaction in person. My buddy with the Ford Ranger, is measuring his box as I type this. He has a Leer cap. My fingers are crossed. That smells fishy to me, he sold those all units mighty quickly. I just hope he's not trying a bait and switch like some people do. I had a Leer cap, chances are it's going to have to come off unless you lay the machine down on it's side. The handles are going to be too high I think.
This message was modified Oct 20, 2010 by Steve_Cebu
"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."
|
FrankMA
Location: Merrimack Valley/Northeastern Mass
Joined: Jul 1, 2010
Points: 587
![]()
|
|
|
Re: Snow thrower noob, Need advice please.
Reply #116 Oct 20, 2010 7:26 pm |
|
LMAO< this is getting comical. It seems he's sold all of his 1132's from that batch he had. He has his own 1132 at home, but it's a 2008. He has decided he's now going to keep the big 1336 ($8.300. machine) that he was going to sell, so now, he's willing to sell me his personal 2008 for $2700. He's says it's in mint condition, and has always been stored in his heated garage.
We've come to an agreement about holding that machine for a few days. He has not advertised that machine. As soon as I can make transportation arrangements, it's mine. I'd be doing the transaction in person. My buddy with the Ford Ranger, is measuring his box as I type this. He has a Leer cap. My fingers are crossed.
I don't know - this scenario sounds plausible to me. If I was able to sell a bunch of those 1132's and had the chance for a 1336 on the cheap, I'd probably go for it as well. If this guy likes OPE like the rest of us, he most likely did take good care of his 1132. Drifter will get a chance to check it out before he places his $$$ down so it'll be his call if he feels it's worth it or not.
If I had to pay 15% or so tax on every new purchase, I'd never buy new!
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
|
|
|
