Snow Blowers Snow Throwers

[Cam]

Speaking of snow, northern lights etc. what snow blowers are my fellow loonie spenders using? Any folks from other snowy countries, your thoughts as well are appreciated.
I just shoveled a bunch of snow as well as roof raked the eaves snow hence the question. I'm wondering if I should buy one or stay "green".

[Pete Galati]

I'd like to try a flame thrower myself. I'm not sure if it'd work though.

[superlightweigh]

I finally got one a couple years ago, and couldn't believe I waited so long to get one. I'll never go without again.

Mine is an Ariens with a Tecumseh engine. Never had the slightest problem with it.

Me, I'm more concerned about the state of my heart than the environment and frankly there are a lot of days the front walk just wouldn't get done if I had to shovel it.

[jimd]

I've got a 2-stage MTD with an 8-HP Tecumseh engine. The engine starts on one pull everytime. I'd definitely get the 2-stage variety. If you got alot of space to clear it is the way to go.

[SMPTE]

10 HP MTD with electric start, blows up those cotter pins like cheetos though.

[Oxford]

I have the Ariens with the 8 hpTecumseh engine. It has 110V starter motor too! Arr Arr Arr!

Told the Wife I need the cab for it so I don't look like Frosty the snowman after using it.

[casterway]

Check this puppy out, The 'Wovel'. wheel/shovel. Filed under "why didn't I think of that".

http://www.wovel.com/Tour/How-Wovel-Works.aspx

[red57strat]

Originally Posted by jimd

I've got a 2-stage MTD with an 8-HP Tecumseh engine. The engine starts on one pull everytime. I'd definitely get the 2-stage variety. If you got alot of space to clear it is the way to go.

That's what I have. I think it's is 22" wide.
I just pulled it out of the shed and maintained it for the winter this afternoon.
Mine has electric start but it pull starts so easily that I never bother with it.

I actually enjoy using it.

[studio1087]

48" shaft driven 2 stage John Deere blower attached to a 22 HSP John Deere Diesel Tractor.

The chute discharge and blower elevation are hydrostatic.

(We live in the sticks and we have a long driveway).

[WisconsinStrings]

Husqvarna here. What an incredibly built piece of machinery.

[martyb1]

You need one like this

[Zebulon Bluze]

I had a 5hp John Deere that I bought new in 1984. That thing would never start, even with the electric start. It had a Briggs & Stratton engine. I never had any luck with those B & S's. My advice is always buy Tecumsah, those babies always start and run well.

My wife and I bought Toro electric snow thrower this week. $300, 24 lbs, worked well, might last a few years.

I'd gladly pay a kid to shovel, but the kids around here are lazy and spoiled rotten. I used to charge a buck or two to shovel a walk back in the 60's and always came home with $40-50 bucks in my pocket. Now I can hardly get out of the recliner.

[1293]

Ariens 1128 DLE Pro. It's a beast, but I have to clear over 30,000 sq-ft.

[Alamo]

why not just push the snow away? :P

[jimd]

My tecumseh engine has electric start, you plug it in to a wall outlet. But it starts so easy, there's no point. I've also got a tecumseh engine on my leaf blower. That thing was a bear to start and I cursed ever buying it. Then one day I figured out the trick. You just had to prime the bejeezus out of it. Once I figured that out, it starts on one pull too. Tecumseh engines rule.

[jumpnblues]

I live in the country so I have both a John Deere (garden) tractor with a hydraulic blade and a 7.5 horse dual stage snow blower (Techumseh electric start). I much prefer the tractor. It's a lot more fun. However, I know that's overkill for a lot of people but I would strongly recommend if you need a snow blower that you get a dual stage. They are less likely to plug up with heavy, wet snow. Some people just have a short stretch of sidewalk, in which case a motorized "snow broom" would work. In either case resist the temptation to reach inside the auger to unplug it with the engine running, lest you will be playing guitar with your toes thence forth.

Tom PhD.(snowremovology)

[Pesty]

At the museum where my Dad volunteers, they are currently rebuilding one of these. FWD WW2 Airport Snowblower



They are rated for up to 4'-6" Snow and will throw it a clear 30' The entire back half there, is a diesel engine powering the snowblower.

[straightface]

I have an Ariens 9hp with a Tecumseh engine. I'll never go back to shoveling.

[photoweborama]

I had an 8hp MTD. It worked really well. They say the best ones are Honda with track drive.. but they cost a mint and a half!

[chet]

It's only snowed enough to think about using a snow blower a handful of times since I moved here.

Tried to help an elderly couple about ten years ago and wished I had one that time though.

[John Backlund]

Screw 'green' when it comes to shoveling snow! I'll shoot the SOB who tries to take my blower away.

I just have a little Murray single-stage two-stroke blower, but it's worth it's weight in heart attacks.

I use it maybe ten times a year where I live, though we usually only get our snow in 3-6 inch doses, I don't hesitate to fire it up. My dad died in 1977 while shoveling snow, he was 57, and I'm 56 now. I might 'push' a little snow with a shovel, but I won't lift the crap, that's what God made snow-blowers for, and it's probably THE best use of non-renewable, fossil-fuel resources ever devised by man.

[chet]

I notice a lot of the posters here are over 40- 50 years old. Maybe some need to do running and weightlifting more even if they use a snowblower.
Just a thought.

[photoweborama]

Shoveling is really rough on the body when there is a lot to do. No matter what age you are. I was just 40 when we had ours. I used to shovel before that, but I'd always get so tired out that it would lower my resistance and I'd end up catching the flu and being off work for a week.

Also, at times you could clear the driveway off in the morning, and by 2:00 pm it was totally covered in another 6-12 inches of snow. Literally impossible to shovel that much snow twice in one day.