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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. :vg: 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

Replies: 140 - 149 of 170Next page of topicsPreviousNextNext page of topicsAllView as Outline
drifter


Joined: Oct 13, 2010
Points: 115

Re: Snow thrower noob, Need advice please.
Reply #140   Oct 22, 2010 4:30 pm
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.
giocam


Joined: Sep 18, 2010
Points: 74

Re: Snow thrower noob, Need advice please.
Reply #141   Oct 22, 2010 5:07 pm
Go to a krown dealer and buy a can of the stuff and spray the metal down with that before the season, and you can re-coat it during the season as well. Then after the season clean the machine up and krown it again and throw a cover over it, this will keep the rust as bay for sure. My brother's 6 year old Honda literally looks brand new doing this. You could also use rust check which you can buy from crappy tire but krown is supposed to be better.
This message was modified Oct 22, 2010 by giocam
drifter


Joined: Oct 13, 2010
Points: 115

Re: Snow thrower noob, Need advice please.
Reply #142   Oct 22, 2010 5:21 pm
Thanks GIOCAM, there's a Canadian-Tire here in town. I'll look for that spray, and they may also sell covers. I'm sure I also have some tarps somewhere in the house.
giocam


Joined: Sep 18, 2010
Points: 74

Re: Snow thrower noob, Need advice please.
Reply #143   Oct 22, 2010 5:24 pm
Rust check is good but if you can get krown go for that. There are dealers everywhere in Canada so there should be one near you.

http://www.krown.com/#products/aerosol/
drifter


Joined: Oct 13, 2010
Points: 115

Re: Snow thrower noob, Need advice please.
Reply #144   Oct 23, 2010 9:41 am
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.
This message was modified Oct 23, 2010 by drifter
FrankMA


Location: Merrimack Valley/Northeastern Mass
Joined: Jul 1, 2010
Points: 587

Re: Snow thrower noob, Need advice please.
Reply #145   Oct 23, 2010 9:57 am
drifter wrote:
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
drifter


Joined: Oct 13, 2010
Points: 115

Re: Snow thrower noob, Need advice please.
Reply #146   Oct 23, 2010 10:49 am
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.
FrankMA


Location: Merrimack Valley/Northeastern Mass
Joined: Jul 1, 2010
Points: 587

Re: Snow thrower noob, Need advice please.
Reply #147   Oct 23, 2010 11:09 am
drifter wrote:
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

Snowblower Cover

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
drifter


Joined: Oct 13, 2010
Points: 115

Re: Snow thrower noob, Need advice please.
Reply #148   Oct 23, 2010 11:43 am
Yeah, I agree that you usually get what you pay for. Buy once, cry once.

I was just looking at that very site you linked me too. Basic price looks pretty good, but they want $25.99 to ship it here. I'm not sure why, because I'm closer to them than many of the lower 48 states. Hmmmm. It sure would be nice to see one in-the-flesh before ordering.
drifter


Joined: Oct 13, 2010
Points: 115

Re: Snow thrower noob, Need advice please.
Reply #149   Oct 28, 2010 11:03 pm
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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