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

I would like to get some input on a new snowblower  for home use. I have a 20 x 50 ft drive with and 10 deg incline halfway up that goes level, and 100 ft of walk. Maneuverability is an issue, since I have to  blow snow between cars. I have limited storage space too.  My area gets about 25 inches of snow per year,  but sometimes we get a dump of a foot of wet snow.

The Ariens Compact 24  920014   and  Sno-tek 24 920402 are on my short list.  Others I should consider? Are the upgrades for the steel chute, cast iron gear box and Briggs Ariens orange models worth it in this price point? How about the Briggs 250 cc and dual belt auger  on the Ariens 24  921031 which is a step up in $$? LCT snow engine reliability and parts availability?

I am concerned about some of the  poor online reviews of the Ariens Compact 24  920014 that cite problems with Briggs engine, carb and friction disk.  It is surprising the Sno-tek reviews seem to  have much fewer problems.  As many of you may know , it is the similar to the Compact 24  with the LCT engine and without above upgrades..

I suggest a Toro 621 single-stage machine.  It'll handle snows up to 10" or so, cleans down to the pavement, and takes up less storage space than a two-stage.  If you get a monster snowfall or EOD ice that the SS can't handle, have one of these for a backup http://www.acecalumet.com/images/snow-scoop-400.jpg  You can get the scoop at your local Ace Hardware for around $40-$50 - I've got one and it will handle anything I can throw at it, and it won't hurt your back.  Hang it up in the garage when you're done with it.

I'd also lean toward a Toro 621.  Very capable machine.  Particularly in an area that gets so little snow.  However, if you get all 25" in one event, you might be out doing the driveway more than once as it's coming down.  Chances are you have a neighbour with a dual stage.  If you have an unusually large EOD, you can make a deal with a neighbour to use the dual stage for the EOD and you can take care of his driveway with the SS.  I find that with normal amounts of snowfall (3-10" of regular type snow) if I hustle with the SS machine, I can get the driveway done much easier and usually quicker than wrestling with a big two stage machine. 

I don't think that buying a single stage for 600, and borrowing a neighbors 2 stage when the going gets tough is a sensible idea at all! Especially when he can get a 2 stage Ariens or Toro for 6 to 8 hundred. What if neighbor is away? Or what if it's an emergency and you need to clear your driveway at 3 o'clock in the morning? To me, it doesn't make sense to buy a single stage where there is a real good probability that a 2 stage will be needed.

Edit to add:

This is the first time I have ever seen one of these!! Have any of you ever seen this??!!

http://www.homedepot.ca/product/arctic-wolf-wheeled-snow-shovel/807150

I also would have suggested a single stage machine but it sounds like the OP often gets a good dumping of heavy wet snow that may be a bit much for a SS machine, especially at the EOD area. It's a tough call whether a SS or 2 stage would be the better fit based on the small snowfall amounts but the heavy dumpings that happen from time to time. This is the classic "got to have one of each" to handle anything that may come your way....

FrankMA wrote:

Or..just one machine that can handle anything that may come your way! ;)
such as a small two-stage, like the two Ariens machines that Edge is considering..
IMO, one of those should work fine..
I wouldnt get a single-stage for this situation, because what if he does get that
rare "big snowstorm" that is too much for the single-stage to handle?
what is the sense in having a snowblower that you cant use when you need it the most? ;)

definately get the small 2-stage..

Scot

I see that you have somewhat of a dilema because you do have  limited storage space.  I have a similar driveway as yours that is shared with the house next door.  I have to be able to park behind my house or inside the garage in the winter months.  The first few years in the house I shoveled which became to labor intensive. I bought a used MTD and refurbished it. Had it 5 years but the 26 inch 8 hp setup was $#%*bersome to steer and the shute operation required extra labor. I bought the Ariens deluxe 28 inch with the USA made Briggs 250 cc motor.  This machine works well for me as I'm able to lay waste to heavy snow and send to another area. No one in my area has a blower that blows the snow as far as this machine.  There is a reason why Ariens has the patent on a two belt impeller drive. There is also a reason why Ariens uses a 14 inch impellar instead of a 12 inch. I paid $1050.00 for my machine which included delivery and setup. It has been worth every nickel.

edge10 wrote:
Last year, I got 19 inches of snow for the whole winter.  This was not a typical snowfall, but a low one.  My single stage Toro 421QE did all the work, the big 2 stage didn't even see any action.  No need to bring out the big gun when I can zip around with the Toro SS.  The most snowfall at one time was 8 inches, which I was able to handle with just the single stage and a shovel.

With a SS, one has to be diligent and go out and take care of the snow before it overwhelms the machine.  Pretty simple and not a bad practice.  My neighbor only has the Toro SS and he does fine with it.  We typically get 50 inches of snow per year.  One or two times, we get blizzard that dumps 12-20 inches.  He does what he can with his driveway and I come over and help dig out the EOD with my large 2 stage.

Sounds like a single stage would work for you.  25 inches isn't a whole lot of snow.  An occasional 1 footer isn't a strong reason to get a big machine.  You'd be surprised what a good SS and a shovel can handle, provided that you are physically fit.  Just break down the big pile into small pieces that the machine and you can handle. 

Now that's the practical advice.  I myself have 4 snowblowers, not that I need all four.  I'm just a gearhead, likes OPE and power, and I have room to store them.  :)  But my advice to you is still applies, in a pragmatic sense.  If you're an OPE fanatic, then I recommend the Ariens Pro 28.  No faults on that machine except the price of $2000. 

But let's not forget that 25 inches isn't a whole lot of snow.  No need to get an elephant rifle to hunt rabbits.

sscotsman wrote:
"just one machine" will get the budget passed by the CFO, but that won't last long...

That's what I started out with, a monster 32" wide 11 HP snowblower.   Then I got 3 more SS.  :)  Now I can handle anything, big and small. 

aa335 wrote:

But you shouldn't use a .410 on a moose either.

The point is, a single stage may do him MOST of the time but not all of the time. A 2 stage will do him ALL of the time. So for the difference in price, I think it's much more sensible to get the 2 stage. I certainly don't want to depend on my neighbor to clear the snow out of the end of my driveway because I bought a single stage.

GreatCanadian wrote:
You have a valid point.  There's nothing wrong with being self sufficient and equipping yourself with the right tools for the job. 

A good single stage isn't going be rendered useless for the original poster's area.

One thing to add is that a single stage is so so much easier, cheaper, and quicker to service and maintain.  I can replace all paddles, scraper bar, belt, lube and adjust cable tension, clean carburetor within two hours.  No special tools needed.  An assessment / troubleshooting of what needs to be done requires no more than 5 minutes.  Also, a $600 single stage is not the same as a $600 2 stage when it comes to cost of ownership.  With a 2 stage, there are friction disc, skids, scraper, belts, cables, shifter mechanism, auger shear pins, impeller pins.  Lots of things to keep an eye on to make sure they are in good shape and not let you down during a big storm.