Snow Blower - Make, model, other info. (get an early start) (Watertown: Home Depot, to buy)

[tigerclaws]

Hi,

I need to get a snow blower this season and wanted to get an idea on which snow blower most of you guys use. I know it is early but I want to have a short list ready so that I can jump on deals when they come.

I would prefer some commentary on the
-make
-model
-place bought
- Single stage/two stage
- Engine (does it matter?)
- Price paid
- Extra warranty??
- Any other info. (like performance last year)

Your brief review.

Much appreciate in advance.

[MikePRU]

Wow! Where did the summer go.

[sm4269a]

I bought an 2-stage Ariens at Home Depot a couple years ago. It has an American made engine, I'm blanking on the brand though. Cost me ~$800, no extra warranty. Worked great in the blizzard last winter. This spring when I had my lawn mower tuned up at Farina's in Watertown the guy there told me the Honda engines [on Honda brand SB's] are the best but they cost something like $2,000.

[tigerclaws]

Originally Posted by MikePRU

Wow! Where did the summer go.

I have been asking the same question myself since the weather has been very fall like especially in the mornings.

[miu]

Unless it's a blizzard, I prefer to use a snow shovel to clear my driveway. And it's a pretty long one. Shrug.

[tigerclaws]

Originally Posted by miu

Unless it's a blizzard, I prefer to use a snow shovel to clear my driveway. And it's a pretty long one. Shrug.

If it's a blizzard, what do you do? Do you have your own snow blowing equipment or do you call a service guy.

[MikePRU]

I use a plow service, but I'm thinking of switching to a snow blower. I'm going to keep my eye on this thread.

[raveabouttoast]

I'll tell you what not to buy - any snow blower with a plastic body.

I bought one to save money. I hit a small piece of ice and it cracked. It was bad enough that most of the snow wasn't even going through the chute.

My parents have a decent sized 2 stage Ariens that's at least 16 or 17 years old. It runs like it's new.

[Beachcomber4]

My husband has an Ariens. I don't know the model but I do know it was pretty expensive with the extras like a snow shield canopy). He has had it for over 10 years and is like new. We used to live on a main road and during a particularly bad blizzard with heavy, wet snow, I remember looking out in my driveway to see a bunch of trucks and group of men gathered around my husband in the driveway. I thought something had happened to him but nope, they had all stopped to see what the snow blower was because theirs were not working in that snow. Between the snow canopy and heated handles he could go all day. Previously we had a small residential snow blower that was lousy in anything more than a few inches of wet snow.

This one or thr pro series are fairly close to what he has. Platinum Snow Blowers- Ariens

[tigerclaws]

I heard the same about Ariens. I am currently looking at the 22-24" Compact series cause I don't have a lot of space in my garage after my two cars are parked.

I would love to get the Honda but 2k is way over my budget.