i would certainly like to have a HATS machine and will when funds allow for it.
in the mean time my old crafts will do the job well enough.
as far as the mtds of the world i hope folks keep using them.they do indeed fill a need.
there are a lot of them around and they do require a certain amount of repairs .
that being said i will point out a few things that i have learned over the years being fully involved with snowblowers for a very long time (seems like it anyway).
the folks that buy the HATS machines are either ex owners of lesser quality machines ,or they used a HATS machine for a while and wanted one themselves or they did some research and bought the best they could find.
the Hats owners having spent a bit more cash sometimes are a bit more carefull with proper care and service of there machine.this also increases the life of the product.
the mtders of the world seem to not be quite as fussy with maintenence and not so carefull in its use.
im trying not to cast a mold here but these are just some observations i have made.over the years.and i do live in an unusual place most of you arent even shure where i am .
so the mtders seem to suffer a bit more illuse than the HATS machine
all thats fine with me because without them i wouldnt have a job for very long.
now we all understand that illuse and abuse will destroy even the best machine in short order.
i have learned that a snowblower will not pile your firewood
it will not bring in your saturday paper.
it will not rearrange your paving stones.
it will not take out the trash .
it will however always find the chain that just fell off its own tire on the last pass.
it will peel the bumper cover off your neighbors car.
it will eat the hose on your barbecue.
it will find your door mat .
it will get your extension cord .
on and on.
also sometimes the mtders last a very long time.
so i wonder is it really the machine always ...nope
more often than not it is operator error.
later chris
craftsman 10/28 snowblower with tracks husky 372xpg chainsaw sachs dolmar bc212 bushsaw mondo trimmer monster tractor with trailer cheep wheelbarro and couple shovels and a partridge in a pear tree