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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FrankMA
Location: Merrimack Valley/Northeastern Mass
Joined: Jul 1, 2010
Points: 587
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Re: Snow thrower noob, Need advice please.
Reply #116 Oct 20, 2010 7:26 pm |
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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 $$$ down so it'll be his call if he feels it's worth it or not.
If I had to pay 15% or so tax on every new purchase, I'd never buy new!
Toro Wheel Horse 522xi GT, Honda HS928TA, Honda HS621AS, Honda HS520A, Toro CCR3000 (work in progress), Honda HS624WA (sold 08/23/2010), Stihl BR550 Backpack Blower, Stihl MS250, McCulloch MS1635, Honda EM6500SX Generator
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Steve_Cebu
Joined: Dec 17, 2009
Points: 888
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Re: Snow thrower noob, Need advice please.
Reply #117 Oct 20, 2010 8:05 pm |
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I don't know - this scenario sounds plausible to me. If I was able to sell a bunch of those 1132's and had the chance for a 1336 on the cheap, I'd probably go for it as well. If this guy likes OPE like the rest of us, he most likely did take good care of his 1132. Drifter will get a chance to check it out before he places his $$$ 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!
Granted teh taxes are excessive but it just seems convinienet that the guy was all sold out so quickly. I'm sure drifter will check it out and make a good decision.
Caveat Emptor is all I'm saying.
"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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drifter
Joined: Oct 13, 2010
Points: 115
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Re: Snow thrower noob, Need advice please.
Reply #118 Oct 20, 2010 9:28 pm |
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Oh, you can be VERY sure I'll check it out thoroughly before plunking my money down. According to the website where he advertised these machines, his current ad first appeared 13 days ago. I don't know how many he had. I didn't ask.
My buddys' Ranger box has an opening of 36" high as I recall. According to Honda's website, that machines' overall height is 40 1/2". Something weird there. That might be shipping height (crate), because I'm quite certain the handles are not as high as a standard kitchen counter, which is 36".
I can rent an Econoline, but I don't have a ramp, and I'd need to find someone who can help me off-load it. At 270 lbs for that machine, and my bad back, this should be interesting to say the least. In the morning, I'll call around to see if I can find a cube-van with a ramp. My "trucker" buddy must be off on a trip. Nobody home, and I can't get him on his cell phone.
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drifter
Joined: Oct 13, 2010
Points: 115
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Re: Snow thrower noob, Need advice please.
Reply #119 Oct 20, 2010 11:59 pm |
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Well, looks like my trucker buddy is on a long-haul trip. He just called from Mississauga Ontario (near Toronto), and is on his way west to Thunder Bay Ontario. That's out. I have another guy to call in the morning, and if that doesn't work out, I'll rent a truck if I can find one. Small town here, so not much available I'm afraid.
I'm hoping to go see the machine tomorrow evening, or Friday morning.
Since this will be my first snow thrower, what do you recommend I look for when doing the inspection?
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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 #121 Oct 21, 2010 5:47 am |
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I can rent an Econoline, but I don't have a ramp, and I'd need to find someone who can help me off-load it. At 270 lbs for that machine, and my bad back, this should be interesting to say the least. In the morning, I'll call around to see if I can find a cube-van with a ramp. My "trucker" buddy must be off on a trip. Nobody home, and I can't get him on his cell phone. Get a couple of 2" x 10" x 8' boards that you can use as ramps. Even a piece of 3/4" plywood will work. I've used this method before and had no problems, especially if you back up to a small incline or little hill. Doing this reduces the angle substantially and makes loading/unloading a snap.
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 #125 Oct 21, 2010 12:25 pm |
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There's no way this snow-thrower will fit in my trunk. The trunk lid is wayyyy to short. (Acura RL 3.5) I'll most likely rent a truck.
As for a make-shift ramp, that shouldn't be a big deal. Boards can flex at different rates though, but I can always wedge something under the mid-point of the boards, to keep them from flexing excessively. A set of spare tires for example. I don't have any boards though, so I'd have to order some, and that takes time.
I'm working on yet another solution. I just called a guy who transports seasonal equipment (golf carts, etc). He's going to call me back with a price, later this afternoon.
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