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

I live in Calgary - we get a moderate amount of snow, rarely more than 8 to 10inches at a time, usually in the 2-4" range. The issue here is snow drifts.  I live in a north facing house at the south end of a cul de sac and get drifts all the time on the bottom half of driveway.  My driveway is for a 3car garage - not super long (probably 25ft, but easily 40 ft wide. I have been reading lots about single stage throwers - i like the fact they clean to the pavement, but am concerned if they can throw the snow far enough or can chew through a foot deep snow drifts a few times a year.  The other option of course is the 2 stage throwers - they seem a bit big and I've read they don't get down to the pavement. I am also not the  most mechanically inclined individual in the world...

Help?? Any thoughts on what my best bets would be?  I need something that my wife would be comfortalbe using as well. Any comments are appreciated...

I would accept a single stage blower if someone wants to give me one.

MN_Runner wrote:
I think you're trying to be slight.  :)  .  I own just 3 snowblowers.  I just don't get enough playtime with 3 single stage snowblowers.

Owning multiple snowblowers isnt portrayed in Arien's video.  Otherwise, a 24-28" snowblower would embarass the little 22" 2 stage in the wide open field and EOD.  And the little 21" Toro single would embarass that 22" 2 stage in tight quarters and 6 inch deep snow.  But thats apples to oranges comparison.

That 22" Ariens 2 stage was designed as an in-betweener.  For certain homeowners, this product is a perfect "compromise" to deal with EOD and deep snow.  However, if anyone have big areas to cover, a 22" is tiny and would take too long.  And if that EOD is packed and crusty, the 22" would barely do the job. 

I'm sure I can get a long fine with the 22" too.  It comes down to technique. 

MN_Runner wrote:
I'm thinking about letting go of the HS621, but I will have remorse if I do.  I have put in quite a bit of money and time into restoring it.  It's one of those things.

I have been thinking about buying a new Honda HS621 but the price is a bit too steep and will have to drive 6-7 hours to Winnepeg to get one.  So I am not sure if HS621 will perform that much better for additional $700.  A new HS520A is going for $550-600.

MN_Runner wrote:
It's not worth that price huge differential.  I can tell you that since I had both 621 and 520 last winter.  Also, the price of replaceable consumables like paddles and scraper blade is higher on the 621 too. 
But if you get a chance to see a brand new 621 in person, it's a beautiful machine and may close the deal right there. 

The 520 actually has longer throw distance most of the time.  The 621 is much better built, awesome engine, and a lot more gutsy dealing with EOD and heavy snow. 

Are there any differences between your HS621 and the current year model HS621?  I am assuming probably no or minimal differences just like HS520.

MN_Runner wrote:
I don't think there is are any differences, not that can see from comparing to the Canadian model.  The European models have additional muffler guard and chute guards, but the running mechanicals are the same. 

So what are differences between GC vs. GX?  Are they really worth that much more?

>>>2 Stage vs Single Stage Snow Blowers

There's no mention of an offical "test" valid for all conditions all homes & etc.  It's just A vs B in specific conditions.  It seemed pretty accurate for what I experience in the same conditions.  I have a new Toro 2450 which I've used in the past two storms and what was in the video looked pretty much the same as what I experienced.  The guy is going down a length of paved area that could have been a sidewalk, driveway or massive parking lot.  What difference did that make?  He's clearing 20 inches of snow someplace and where makes no difference. 

I had to struggle with the thing quite a bit by hard pushing in unpacked driveway snow, over the bucket, level with the bucket and below the bucket down to about 5-6 inches and even then it had to be assisted.  The snow was not wet or dry and pretty decent stuff for tossing.  When I used mine it was well below freezing and just as the snowfall was ending.  OK stuff to toss.

I've seen UTube videos of guys going along in full bucket snow and slightly higher with very little effort.  The snow seemed to be very light in that video.

I've had Toro Powerlites and Toro CR2000Es and it's the same for them.  They are nice for 1-5 inches or much higher if lighter snow which we don't get all that often in eastern MA.  The can travel alone under their own power in light not so high snow but anything worse requires assistance which goes up proportionally.  In the last storm there were some low spots of 6" which the thing could not clear and travel by itself. 

They require a very flat surface to work well, pull themselves along and not bounce around.  They are ok and I'm never without one and use one every storm and like them.  But even when the conditions are good enough for them they don't toss well to the sides.  They fall of rapidly after about 45 degrees of forward.

Over the last two storms I was pretty dissapointed with the 2450.  It was about the same as the CR2000's which I like a lot.  I was probably expecting too much from the 2450.  For general cleanup, watery sluch and low in snowfalls it would be great but not a big improvement over a Powerlite.

It could do the job with lots of assistance and would be a huge improvement versus shoveling but you still get quite a workout from pushing. 

Maybe in the next storm it will do better but the past storm in reasonable height snow it did not do well, could not pull itself along and reqired quite a bit of pushing.

 

Sounds like you have a reason to visit the cemetery again.