gaken

I own a Suzuki powered CCR3000 that is 5 HP.  I bought it 3 years ago, for only $40, in like new condition, from a church (who decided to use a contractor instead).  I can't answer your question about the differences (since I never owned a CCR2000).  I can vouch for how stout the CCR3000 is. I have handled snow up to 13", here in Michigan with ease. It also goes through the end of drive build up that with a little effort.

When I saw how well the CCR3000 worked, I sold both my single stage snapper snowblower and my Gravely with the "snow cannon" attachment.  One was too light duty, one was overkill and too heavy.  Now my wife can clear the driveway and hang the CCR3000 on the storage hook. Keep you eyes out for craigslist and ebay.  Spring and summer are the best times to look (when no one is thinking snowblowers - and folks tend to move and sell their mowers and snowblowers).

In December,  I posed the question: What is the most powerful single stage snowblower that money can buy?

Thanks for everyone's replys.

Update:

I since, was able to buy a 5 HP Toro CCR 3000 for the small sum of $75. This was a '98 model with the Suzuki engine which had been kept in storage all of its life (no dings, no scratches, no paint missing in the auger area).  After looking at its condition, and the fact that I bought it from a church  (fundraiser), my wife tells me that I am going to hell, since I did not pay them enough for it!  Well, I guess I will have to put some extra $$$ in the church offering plate on Sundays.  I have since cleared 9 - 10"  of wet  Michigan snow on two occasions.  I have been able to blow it across a two lane street without any difficulty. It did bog down some on the end of drive plow build up, but never stalled. Since I can transport it in my car trunk, I am happy, since I could not do that with my old two stage.  I can't imagine any single or two stage up to 9 HP doing much better.  ( Honda snowblower owners, time to chime in).  I have had a 3 HP, Tecumseh powered, single stage Snapper snowblower  in the past, and this one is easily twice as strong.  I also used to have a  7 HP, Kohler powered, Gravely, 2 wheel tractor with a MA210 "snow cannon", nicknamed "the beast".   This one could throw snow almost to the telephone lines.  I sold that one for safety reasons last year.  I thought "the beast" might eat one of my kids alive, since they always played so close to its menacing looking augers.

My tip for any of you two cycle users:

Autozone sells some Mobil 1 Racing 2T.  It is a 2 cycle oil designed for European Grand Prix motorcycles.  It has been discontinued, but you should still be able to find some left on the shelf.  I use it on my two cycle mowers (Lawn Boy 6 1/2 HP Duraforce and Toro with a Suzuki engine).  If you like zero smoke and next to zero odors in your clothes when you come in the house, this oil is the ticket.  I stocked up.  I got no smoke from the CCR 3000 with it either.  ExxonMobil discontinuing this product was the dumbest thing they could do.  I understand that landscapers and arborists with two cycle equipment have been complaining as well.  So don't say I didn't  tell you so.

My Question this time:

I have seen a lot of rusted out old snowblowers a lot of folks have. Will spraying silicon spray or 3 in 1 type oil prevent rust around the auger area, prior to exposing it to snow and salt?

Second Post for me (not as controversial):

I was looking on the Ariens web site at their most powerful Single Stage Snowblower. It is the Ariens 722 EC.  (Model number 938018 ?).  Anyway, it is listed as a 7 HP model with a Tecumseh engine (they also have the more common 5 HP).

I could not get any information out of Ariens, as to how this engine differs from their 5 HP.  (They both are 139 cc , Tecumseh Snow Kings).  When I call Tecumseh, they tell me that they never made a 2 cycle Snowblower engine over 5 HP!   They don't know what I am talking about.

Someone explain to me how this can be? Inflated HP ratings? Marketing? Small horsepower ponies?  (As you would expect, the 7 HP Ariens lists for more $$$$$  than the 5 HP - about  $80) .  What are the torque figures on these engines? On paper, shouldn't this be a stronger single stage engine than the common Toro 3650 with its R Tek (Lawn Boy Duraforce) 6 1/2 HP engine that all the landscapers and contractors use - and even the Honda 4 stroke?

krislu wrote:

Thanks everyone for your response.

Krislu,

I don't think my reasons are flawed, also when I say space is a consideration, weight goes along with it.  I am used to lifting a snowblower or mower and putting it in the back of my car (for service or to clear a relative's driveway.  Not so easy to do so by yourself with  2 stage snowblowers (find a pickup truck, ramps,  second person......)   If you can benchpress 80 lbs, you are golden for "tossing " a single stage in a typical car trunk.  I like that superior power to weight ratio of  2 cycle engines.

If I am out of town when a snow storm hits, my wife will start up a single stage and clear "some" of my driveway (enough to get out).  With a 2 stage, forget about it, I better hurry home.  Maybe your wife is different.  Get my "drift"?

First Post for me ( so be kind):

I would love to have a 2 stage snowblower.  However for both space and financial reasons, I want to know what is the most powerful used single stage snowblower on the market?

Here are my requirements:

A) Must be able to clear up to 12" of wet or dry snow.  We usually get in the 6-8" range of dry snow here in Michigan.

B) Paved drive.  I ruled out 2 stage also because they don't clear all the way down to the pavement.

C) Must be able to make a good dent in the end of the drive snowplow buildup.

I considered a Toro CCR 3000 (5 HP Suzuki engine - model year '97 - '99),  a Toro 3650 (6.5 HP - R Tek Lawn Boy engine - model yr 2000 - 2007), an Ariens 722EC (7 HP),  or a Honda.  I found it interesting that when I talked to my local Toro dealer, he told me that the Toro CCR 3000 was actually stronger than the R tek  Lawn Boy engine in the 3650. He said it  was an underated Commercial engine that would be less prone to "bog down" in the deep stuff. When I called Toro about it, they told me that the 121cc Suzuki engine makes the same 6 ft/lbs of torque as the Larger 141cc Lawn Boy Duraforce engine in the Toro 3650. They also told me that the Suzuki engine had a Net HP of 5 and the Toro 3650 only had a net HP of 4 .  (6.5 HP Gross).

Anyone with first hand experience or knowledge here, please weigh in.