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

FrankMA wrote:

Good advice FrankMA, the boards are pretty cheap and since these units have tracks he should have no problems using boards. He could probably get away with using 6 foor boards. One 12 foot cut in half. The Honda tracks climb with tenacity. Shorter boards and backing up to a hill should work. I'd be leary about the plywood even at 3/4" as it will bow if it's too long.

   How about transporting it in your car?     Blowers can fit sideways into many trunks.  They rest on the bottom of the trunk lid and "fall" into the trunk, actually lean to the rear of the trunk.  I've transported about 100 this way.  The biggest has been 28 inch.  I've hauled about 4 MTD 10hp track machines that way. 

   I use blankets between the machine and car and tie off the machine by the trunk supports.

If I'm lucky in about 10 minutes I'll be picking up a Honda 5.5hp track which should easily fit in the trunk. 

I don't know how the Hondas are put together, but the old Ariens only have 2 bolts holding the front and back halves together.  Ok, add 2 more bolts for the belt cover and a hair pin for the crank rod.

The drive section would probably easily fit in a truck and then the scoop in the back seat or in the trunk next to the tractor drive assembly.  Splitting it in half would also help with the lifting/loading.

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.

Ask the guy you are buying from if he has the means to deliver it...

drifter wrote:
You don't need anything fancy. Just go to Home Depot, Lowes or any lumber yard and get a couple of 2 x 10's or 2 x 12's. They even sell a little gizmo that screws onto the end of the board that will kind of clip the board onto the edge of the floorboards so they don't slide down.

drifter wrote:

If you go to HD and get a 2'x12' board and have them cut it in half at no cost you will have a 6' ramp that will work for anything except a Pickup truck.

Just curious as to how much they wanted to clear your property for a year? Did you ever get that estimate?

I just solved my transport issue. I went to the local U-Haul guy, and when I told him I only need the truck for 3 hours, he said; "I'll go pick up and deliver that snow-blower for you, and I'll do it for $100. Thank God for small towns.

I'm off to the bank to get a certified cheque.

Last detail; I'm wondering if I should just take the chance, and go with the transport guy in the morning. Otherwise, I'd have to go inspect the machine tonight, and that's a three hour or more project. Worst-case scenario, I don't want the snow-blower after inspection, and I'm out $100.

OK, snow removal contractor just called. $320. plus tax. Roughly $368. Payable in three installments, Nov, Jan, Feb. That sure is tempting too.

I might do both for this year. I could use the snow-blower to clear areas where the contractor can't go, or at least clear an area to get my car off the street if I come home during a storm, and the contractor hasn't shown up yet.

The way those Honda 1132's sell on the used market, I could resell it  in a year, and still be out only $100. or so.

drifter wrote:

Kinda weird to have an awesome snowblower and not use it. It's easy to clean the driveway. Save the money and do it yourself. Or just have the guy do it. I'd probably buy a single stage if I had someone clearing for me. But that didn't work out well for me so I do it myself now.