Abby’s Guide > Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) > Discussions > Two stage snowblower advice - Looking to buy
Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions |
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Summerwinds
Simplicity 924i, Toro 3650
Location: Northern Suburbs of Chicago, Illinois
Joined: Dec 3, 2008
Points: 43
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Re: Two stage snowblower advice - Looking to buy
Reply #18 Sep 29, 2011 9:13 pm |
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I always get something just a little bit more powerful or with more features than I think I need for the moment. It's cheaper to pay a little extra up front rather than to sell and upgrade later on. But that's my method. Before putting down any deposit or buying anything, try out in person all of the models you are interested in. You're the one standing behind those handlebars for years to come so make sure the controls make sense to you. Here are my personal opinions of some of the snowblowers I've had looked at. Ingest with a grain of salt: 1. Toro has the most user friendly design, despite what people say about their use of plastics. I find the Toro (for example 1028OXE) is the most maneuverable and controls are logical and easy to figure out. Front end is a little light so it may climb up on snow banks easier. If you want your girlfriend or wife to clear snow for you while you sip hot chocolate inside, this is the machine.  2. Simplicity has good construction, especially the one with the C-Channel handlebars. It's a little short and doesn't have enough leverage, so turning around feels heavy. Shifting gears between the gates are notchy and heavy. Mechanics of the snow moving parts are generally heavy duty. Red paint looks better than orange, IMO. Creeper gear is a sophisticated military technology and only Simplicity has it, "Creeper Gear" may be trademarked. The military never applied this technology to slow moving targets. Everybody else don't even bother making a big deal, they call it first gear. 3. Ariens, is like a Chevy Malibu, good and well built snowblower, everybody seems to own one, exudes excitement and love like a #2 philips screwdriver. It works when you need it, and you can count on next year's model will be essentially the same as the one you own the last 5 years. Although the model name might change, it's the same thing. Arien's marketing department has its customer into four specialized groups: cheapo penny pincher, extravagant luxury buyer, burly commercial snow removal specialists, and me-too track guys. Their product lines overlap. 4. Honda snowblowers are beautiful and expensive. Like a supermodel or a high end call girl, It likes to throw snow far and tight. Controls are logical, maneuverability is slow and heavy. Owners get flak all the time about how much they paid for it, while brand XYZ has hand warmers, lights, and traction control for $2000 less. Honda snowblowers don't need hand warmers, the operator has $200 ski gloves to operate it, and $500 night vision goggles. They never complain about how hard it is to turn with a locked axle because they do turns on the snow, not on dry pavement or showrooms. The handlebars are designed for shorter people, 5 foot 8 inches and under. So far, Honda is the only one that can sell a lawnmower, weedwacker, lawn mowers, and motorcycles from the same dealership. Talk about one stop shopping.
5. John Deere. I like green and yellow paint scheme. Makes me feel part of the team that has $100,000 farm tractors, or at least own in installments. Get them while you can because John Deere dealer will stop selling them, but carries Honda snowblowers and lawn mowers instead.6. MTD branded snowblowers are generally found at Lowe's or Home Depot. You get what you get and probably can squeeze a few hundred $ off the sale price or at the end of the season, if that's your thing. They do work, generally. If you don't look too closely, you'll be happier with your purchase.I agree with most of what aa335 said. Three years ago I spent hours researching the different brands of snowblowers and the guys on this web site were very helpful. The one brand name that was consistently recommended was Simplicity and I ended up purchasing the 924E as a result. My only regret is that I did not go bigger, such as a 28 or 30 inch bucket. The two most important features of the Simplicity to me were the all-steel construction and the awesome Briggs & Stratton motor. Last winter we experienced a 24 inch snowstorm in Chicago. I live on a busy street and the city snowplows did a magnificent job of dumping five feet of snow, ice and road salt at the end of my driveway. It took three hours of continuous use to finally clear my driveway and the Simplicity didn't even burp once. That snowstorm proved to me I made the right choice and I recommend Simplicity to everyone. John Deere makes Simplicity so the Deere should be equal in quality. Buy the biggest and most powerful snowblower you can afford...it's better to have too much snowblower than too little. Good luck!
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stresst
Location: The Village in the Middle of New York
Joined: Dec 11, 2010
Points: 213
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Re: Two stage snowblower advice - Looking to buy
Reply #19 Sep 29, 2011 9:35 pm |
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@ Summerwinds IMO dont go to wide if you live in an area that gets large snow falls. When battling the EOD mountains I am sure you know that you have to manhandle/rock the machine back and fourth to get through it, its something that your not gonna do with a 30 or 32" unit. IMHO I have a 26" and the only reason I am going with a 28 is cause its limited being a want a large engine. I guess to each his own and I am sure guys will argue the opposite of what I said but I am telling you from experience.
TORO 826OXE
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FrankMA
Location: Merrimack Valley/Northeastern Mass
Joined: Jul 1, 2010
Points: 587
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Re: Two stage snowblower advice - Looking to buy
Reply #20 Sep 30, 2011 8:44 am |
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If you amortize the cost over 10 - 12- 15 years (or more), the total dollars spent become less relevant. You're the guy that's going to be behind the dashpanel for many years of use during cold, snowblowing sessions so you may as well be happy and comfortable with your purchase. That said, I realize we all have budgets to stay within so you may want to consider a lightly used, higher end machine. Now is a good time to look on CL, etc... if you're comfortable going that route. I had a Honda HS624WA (6 HP, 24" Bucket) and now have a Honda HS928TA (9 HP, 28" Bucket). The HS624WA was nice because it was smaller and easier to maneuver and I had bought it second hand when I owned a much smaller property than I do now. I got my lightly used HS928TA last year and the difference between the 6 HP & 9 HP motor as well as the 24" & 28" bucket is very noticeable. Not sure I would go any larger on the bucket than 28" or maybe 30" as you begin to compromise maneuverability, especially if you have walkways or other areas where a larger bucket can become a detriment. Nice on the large driveway but a PITA on smaller areas that require a bit more finess. If you think about it, you might have to make one more pass with a 28" bucket as opposed to a 30" or 32" bucket on an average 10' wide driveway.
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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stresst
Location: The Village in the Middle of New York
Joined: Dec 11, 2010
Points: 213
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Re: Two stage snowblower advice - Looking to buy
Reply #21 Sep 30, 2011 9:57 pm |
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If you amortize the cost over 10 - 12- 15 years (or more), the total dollars spent become less relevant. You're the guy that's going to be behind the dashpanel for many years of use during cold, snowblowing sessions so you may as well be happy and comfortable with your purchase. That said, I realize we all have budgets to stay within so you may want to consider a lightly used, higher end machine. Now is a good time to look on CL, etc... if you're comfortable going that route. I had a Honda HS624WA (6 HP, 24" Bucket) and now have a Honda HS928TA (9 HP, 28" Bucket). The HS624WA was nice because it was smaller and easier to maneuver and I had bought it second hand when I owned a much smaller property than I do now. I got my lightly used HS928TA last year and the difference between the 6 HP & 9 HP motor as well as the 24" & 28" bucket is very noticeable. Not sure I would go any larger on the bucket than 28" or maybe 30" as you begin to compromise maneuverability, especially if you have walkways or other areas where a larger bucket can become a detriment. Nice on the large driveway but a PITA on smaller areas that require a bit more finess. If you think about it, you might have to make one more pass with a 28" bucket as opposed to a 30" or 32" bucket on an average 10' wide driveway. I couldnt agree anymore! Great post!
TORO 826OXE
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JoelKlein
I wonder how a 2021 snow blower will look like...
Joined: Sep 26, 2011
Points: 74
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Re: Two stage snowblower advice - Looking to buy
Reply #22 Oct 2, 2011 12:00 am |
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Hi every one! Thanks all for you input. here is what A dealer (Precision Mower & Power Equipment) explained me. Ariens lacking the quick turn on both sides. Toro Lacking the hand warmers. Simplicity, cub, and all others are MTD Junk I should stay away from it. The ones I "Should" look is the "Husqvarna", but NOT the cheeper models cus thats also not good, only the Husqvarna big models. so he showed me a Husqvarna 14527-XLS with all bells and whistles... 27" wide 305 B&S engine hydro drive hand warmers etc.. etc.. etc... for a price of only $1,400 I gave a $200 deposit. I went home and was surpriced that i could NOT find the 14527-XLS "ANY WERE", at the Husqvarna.com I saw the 14527E, but not the XLS. so folks, what do you say about Husqvarna? (I can still change my mind and ask for toro if u want) Thanks!
Toro 1028 OXE
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FrankMA
Location: Merrimack Valley/Northeastern Mass
Joined: Jul 1, 2010
Points: 587
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Re: Two stage snowblower advice - Looking to buy
Reply #25 Oct 2, 2011 12:41 pm |
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Hi every one! Thanks all for you input. here is what A dealer (Precision Mower & Power Equipment) explained me. Ariens lacking the quick turn on both sides. Toro Lacking the hand warmers. Simplicity, cub, and all others are MTD Junk I should stay away from it. The ones I "Should" look is the "Husqvarna", but NOT the cheeper models cus thats also not good, only the Husqvarna big models. so he showed me a Husqvarna 14527-XLS with all bells and whistles... 27" wide 305 B&S engine hydro drive hand warmers etc.. etc.. etc... for a price of only $1,400 I gave a $200 deposit. I went home and was surpriced that i could NOT find the 14527-XLS "ANY WERE", at the Husqvarna.com I saw the 14527E, but not the XLS. so folks, what do you say about Husqvarna? (I can still change my mind and ask for toro if u want) Thanks! I'm not 100% sure but I think the 14527-XLS is last years' model....??? The only ones listed this year that sound similar to the 14527-XLS are the 1827EXLT & the 1830EXLT.
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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Intruder
Joined: Sep 29, 2011
Points: 11
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Re: Two stage snowblower advice - Looking to buy
Reply #27 Oct 2, 2011 5:49 pm |
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Hand Warmers, I just don't know.... Have a great pair of ski gloves. Anyone tried with or without hand warmers and found any real difference?
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