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

Do you buy snowblowers early in the season in preparation for a big snowy winter?  If you are, you're a planner.

Do you hold off buying snowblowers until after a big snowstorm to make your purchase?  If you are, you're a procastinator.

aa335 wrote:

So that is what I have. Planner on the two stage and first single stage. SSSAS on the rest. At least I know something will start when needed.

Ahhh, let's see - I have one 2 stage and four SS stage machines at the moment and I too am looking for a 7HP Ariens SS. I guess I qualify for benefits under the definition of SSSAS.....

aa335 wrote:
Good name for it. Though I'm not sure this qualifies as a support group; this may, instead, be encouraging the behavior "Everyone else is buying more machines / SS's!" I know I would have fewer machines around were it not for reading here. Not knowing about boratification would have reduced the count by one, anyways

I prefer to plan. But I also always want to have a machine to fall back to. I won't sell all my current one before finding the kind of replacement I'm looking for (on CL). I could get caught with nothing, that way. I try to get the new one first, then sell the old machine.

RedOctobyr wrote:
You're at SSSAS 1, simply means you have one more SS than you really need.  Your condition is benign, very good chance to easily downgrade to SSSAS 0.  However, if you feel you need to advance to SSAS 2, you have my support. 

Ha, I like it, also assigning ratings. So I'm at SSSAS 1 and 2SSAS 1. If we'd ever get some snow, to stimulate some interest, I could hopefully return to 0's.... And then perhaps not feel as bad about keeping an eye out for *another* upgrade over what I have

Honestly, I do kind of enjoy working on OPE, it can be gratifying to get them running, or running better, etc. And buying something that doesn't work, getting it running, and perhaps selling it, then parlaying that into a better machine, or one more suited to what you need, is something that has worked out nicely for me a few times. I am not compelled to amass a fleet (what are a herd of snowblowers called? a roar of snowblowers?) . I want a good, reliable machine that does what I need, for the different categories (tractor, mower, chainsaw, snowblower, etc).

Red: "What did you settle on for a 2-stage, if you have a favorite?"

   Tough one.  It's looking like a Honda 928 would be a perfect fit here either track or wheeled.   I've been looking for one for about a year.  The place holders until I find one are Honda 828 track, Yamaha 828 track and Yamaha 624 wheeled.  All three got worked on and waiting for snow for testing.   The Honda 828 got a better bucket, the Yamaha drive and governor re-worked and the 624 got a rebuilt engine.  I don't want to part with them until I get a chance to use them so frustrated with the no snow this year. 

RedOctobyr wrote:
Same here.  It's pretty relaxing to work on them.  I just got my Powerlite cleaned up, put in new paddles and scraper bar.  It should be running in top form now.  Just waiting for some serious snow to see how this little puppy performs.  It's my little Mazda Miata of snowblowers.  Cheap, light, and fun.