colorspr

I checked out the Honda this evening and it certainly is nice.  However, steering (on dry pavement) is quite a chore since there is no power steering assistance and it was a little short for my 6' body.  Can anyone with a track blower speak to the difference in turning on snow vs. turning on dry pavement?

I'm trying to get over my resistance here, because this machine has been barely used, well cared for, and seems like a solid machine, but if it is anywhere near as difficult to turn on snow, then I think I may be in for a lot of backaches and frustration...

I live outside of Colorado Springs and have a gravel driveway.  It's a flat and mostly straight 20' x 60' from the basement garage to the road plus a 20' x 200'  arc-shaped drive going to the 1st floor front door that goes up what's probably a  20-30% grade.  The driveway going to the garage has a 6' retaining wall on one side and an 18" retaining wall on the other so I think maneuverability will be important.  I also have a separate driveway 10' x 400' that goes to a shed that I may or may not try to keep clear.  Eventually I'll probably get a tractor with a blower or a skid steer, but the budget doesn't allow for that for a few years.

I can pick up a used Honda HS1128 for $1500 but I also looked at the Craftsman 881060 with the Briggs OHV engine that is just like the Husqvarna for around $1200.  I like the idea of getting a Honda because I would imagine I could get most of my money out of it if I sell it in a few years, and the track drive seems like a real benefit in getting up that hill.  But I'm concerned about maneuverability with the track drive and I've read a couple of reviews saying the 1128 is pretty slow.  The Craftsman seems like a good buy but I wonder if a wheelie will get me up the hill (especially since it is gravel and I won't be able to scrape it completely clear). 

I've never used a snow blower before so any advice would be appreciated!

PS - Locally, the other options are Toros, and Husqvarnas.  The only Ariens are at Home Depot and a dealer in Denver carries Simplicity and Frontier, but I'm not really interested in going 70 miles to get it or to get parts or service.