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
|
Steve_Cebu
Joined: Dec 17, 2009
Points: 888
![]()
|
 |
Re: Snow thrower noob, Need advice please.
Reply #128 Oct 21, 2010 2:56 pm |
|
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.
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?
"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 #129 Oct 21, 2010 4:13 pm |
|
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. |
drifter
Joined: Oct 13, 2010
Points: 115
![]()
|
|
|
Re: Snow thrower noob, Need advice please.
Reply #130 Oct 21, 2010 4:19 pm |
|
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.
|
Steve_Cebu
Joined: Dec 17, 2009
Points: 888
![]()
|
|
|
Re: Snow thrower noob, Need advice please.
Reply #131 Oct 21, 2010 4:37 pm |
|
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. 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.
"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 #134 Oct 22, 2010 12:34 am |
|
Well, its about time. For a few days, I thought you're going to contract out the snow removal.
Welcome to the H owner club. Once you get comfortable with that beautiful piece of machinery, I can introduce you to a turbo kit that will allow you to put your snow on your neighbor's driveway. :) LMAO AA335 , I can hardly wait to give it a whirl. Boy oh boy, it's been quite a ride since my first post here a few weeks ago. I learned a helluva lot about snow-throwers, in pretty short order, and in large part, I owe it to the great advice and guidance I got here, from peoplesuch as yourself. Thank you VERY MUCH for all your help. I still have some decisions to make, but I've satisfied my craving for a new toy, and at least, I'm now in the game at an affordable price. The previous owner in fact, was offered $100. more today. than what I paid him. He had given his word though, and I respect the fact that he honoured that commitment. If I had purchased this machine new here in Quebec, it would have cost me $4,370. after taxes. I saved $1670.. and in my books, that's not too shabby.
This message was modified Oct 22, 2010 by drifter
|
FrankMA
Location: Merrimack Valley/Northeastern Mass
Joined: Jul 1, 2010
Points: 587
![]()
|
|
|
Re: Snow thrower noob, Need advice please.
Reply #135 Oct 22, 2010 6:55 am |
|
Well, I am happy to report that I am now the proud owner of a 2008 Honda HS1132TC Thought you were going to go with the plow guy there for a while. Once you start using your new toy, you'll be praying to the Snow Gods for a good 12"+ of accumulation - Welcome to Club Honda!
This message was modified Oct 22, 2010 by FrankMA
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 #137 Oct 22, 2010 9:58 am |
|
Thanks FrankMA and Steve,
We just off-loaded the machine from the truck, and I'm going to get out there to polish it up a bit. It's been sitting in the guys' garage for almost two years, and it's a bit dusty. There a bit of rust on the augers and the impeller, and I'm not certain that it would be worth the effort to re-paint them. The paint would probably come off anyway, the first time I go through some EOD. The rest of the machine is pristine. The paint inside the chute, as well as in the bucket, is perfectly intact, with no scratches or exposed metal. There is one tiny dent on the top-rear of the bucket, and that's about it. The tracks look brand-new. The crank-handle "sleeve" for the chute is missing however. The crank itself is fine, it's just that black "sleeve" on the handle that's missing. It starts first pull, and runs smoothly.
I might add a few things to the machine, but I'll read the manual first. I was thinking of adding an oil drain-extension-tube, like the new Yamahas have, but I'll have to give that more thought before proceeding. An extension-tube might be vulnerable to damage.
I'm wondering if I should run any fuel addatives through it as a precaution. The guy says he stored the machine in his heated garage, and because of that, he felt that adding Stabil was unnecessary. He said he stored it with the fuel-tank full, then he shut-off the gas-line, and let the machine run until the carburetor was empty and the motor stalled.
I'm also thinking of buying a cover for this machine. Any recommendations on where and what to buy?
|
|
|
