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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drifter
Joined: Oct 13, 2010
Points: 115
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Re: Snow thrower noob, Need advice please.
Reply #140 Oct 22, 2010 4:30 pm |
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FrankMA,
I'm probably going to store it outside, next to my back door, at least for a little while. My garage is crammed FULL with woodworking machinery, and I'd have trouble squeezing another drill-bit in there. I also find that snow is less prone to stick to metal, if the blower is the same temperature as the outside air. I'm probably going to build a storage shed for it, as well as my other OPE, patio stuff, tires, etc. I've been procrastinating too long about that already.
If I don't build the shed this Fall, I'll probably park the snow-thrower on a wood pallet, to keep the machine off the ground slightly, and promote air-circulation, while avoiding water accumulation / puddles, etc. I'll keep looking for a cover. My dealer wants $115. plus tax for one, yet I've seen the Honda covers on eBay for $61.99 and shipping. Problem is, they advertise shipping only in the lower 48 states, and I'm in Quebec. I'll contact them to see if they'll consider shipping here. In the meantime, I'll find something to shelter it from the elements. A generic cover should do for a while.
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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 #145 Oct 23, 2010 9:57 am |
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I think I'm going to assemble a parts and service kit, so it's handy if I ever need it. The previous owner gave me two shear-pins, and I'll get some oil, transmission fluid, and was thinking of getting some lubricant for the cables. The chute-deflector cable is a bit "stiff". The previous owner says "don't lube the cable, because you need a certain amount of resistance when the snow hits the deflector" He said the force of ejection would tend to lift the deflector. Hmmmm. I bought a bottle of Honda Hydro Fluid when I purchased my HS624 tens years ago and I never opened it because I never needed to top off my resevoir. It took me a little while to figure out that the temperature can alter the level you see in the resevoir cup but once it gets warmed up it's right where it should be. I would recommend that you keep about a dozen shear pins on-hand so you don't have to go back and forth to the dealer. You may not use any in a given year and you may use several but it's good to know you have them if you need them. The EOD can produce some ususal foreign objects that will create this situation. I have one impeller shear pin that I bought but have never had to replace that one.
I don't know if I just got lucky but I never had any issues with mine. It always fired right up and performed as it was designed - very reliable and consistent. I hope my new to me HS928TA is as good to me as my old 624 had been.
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 #146 Oct 23, 2010 10:49 am |
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Thanks FrankMA,
Frank, have you got a Honda cover for your machine? Have you ever actually seen one, or inspected one? Knowing Honda, it's probably really well made and durable. I bought a generic cover for my motorcycle, and it fell apart at the seams,,,, literally.
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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 #147 Oct 23, 2010 11:09 am |
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Thanks FrankMA,
Frank, have you got a Honda cover for your machine? Have you ever actually seen one, or inspected one? Knowing Honda, it's probably really well made and durable. I bought a generic cover for my motorcycle, and it fell apart at the seams,,,, literally. I store my machine in my unheated garage. I've only seen the Honda cover on-line but I would also assume it's a well constructed and designed cover. I'm a believer in the old adage, "you get what you pay for".
Here's one at jackssmallengines.com Part# 06928768020AH Our Price: $61.19
This message was modified Oct 23, 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
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drifter
Joined: Oct 13, 2010
Points: 115
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Re: Snow thrower noob, Need advice please.
Reply #149 Oct 28, 2010 11:03 pm |
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Cool idea. ;-)) I like that cart too. Thanks aa335 Oh yeah,,,,, I cheated, and scrolled down.
This message was modified Oct 28, 2010 by drifter
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