[joe moving]

If I got a pretty nice snowblower, am I going to be frustrated with it's performance on a ~100 foot (it might be 125') FLAT driveway?



I'm thinking of something like this:
Ariens 921032 Images @ Snow Blowers Direct - View Ariens 921032 Pictures and Videos

I imagine it will cost me about as much as a plower will cost me for 1 season so it's a pretty quick pay back if I ignore my time to operate it (gas , I would think, is nominal).

[harry chickpea]

Be sure to check the thickness of the metal on the blades and shrouds. Thin metal is common now, some of the older snowblowers were built like tanks.

(You also don't mention - gravel drive? paved drive? Natural snowdrifts?)

[joe moving]

It's hard packed gravel. I don't think there's a lot of drifts but I'm not sure yet.

[harry chickpea]

Even with gravel being hard packed, at least a few stones will get tossed around. You can set the skates a little higher, but you risk creating a nice coating of ice under certain conditions. The same can happen with a guy with a truck but at least you would have someone to yell at.

The reason I asked about drifts is that some drives work fine with blower cleaning and some are better with a truck where the snow is deposited across the road so that the mounds don't act as snow fences.

[GeoffD]

My experience is with a big Toro but you shouldn't have any problems clearing a 100' driveway with a big Ariens. Only you can place the value on your time and discomfort doing your own driveway. Getting up in the dark an hour early to deal with your driveway and then again when you get home from work gets old after a while.

[tkln]

I might consider paying someone to do it the first year, just to get an idea of cost, and gauging how you would feel actually doing it. Our driveway is much longer, but my SO was considering buying an attachment for the tractor. When the plow truck comes at 5am when it's -20 out, I can say with certainty I'm glad to be paying him instead of my SO going out to plow lol.

[chris410]

I have the same snowblower, my driveway is about 185 feet long, and 2-3 cars wide for more then half of it. Hasnt given me any trouble in the last 4 years. I will say, the 30" wide is probably only more effective when there is 3-4" anything more then that and you need to go slow so that the snowblower has time to clear what it scoups up.

[Ted Bear]

You are on the right track. 24" Ariens. Buy it from a local dealer; NOT a big box store. Do not fiddle around with all the other brands...Toro, John Deere, Craftsman, etc. Get the right stuff and do it once.

My Ariens is 13 years old, and kept us cleared in the snowiest city in the US. You won't experience anything in Vermont like I am used to. Machine never missed a beat. One sheer pin in the auger. Regular lubrication maintenance. New spark plug each spring when putting it away. Add Stabil in the gas tank when storing. Starts on the first pull in the autumn....has electric start (plug in) but never need it.
If it is windy where you are, get the shield which attaches to the handles so you don't look like frosty when u are done.

[domc]

After the last two years of snow, I gave in and bought a plow. One less engine to take care of. Drifting snow is a ***** with a snowblower.
I'll be done plowing my 200 foot driveway in a quarter of the time and be nice and warm.

[Cambium]

If you have a riding lawn mower it might be worth the $$ to invest in a mini plow for it.. Imagine that, mow grass with it in the summer and plow with it in the winter. Win Win. Says its good for gravel surfaces too.

Then you can spend the time saved into taking pictures and video and enjoying the snowfall and scenery.

Nordic Lawn Mower Snow Plow, Authorized Dealer & Free Shipping on Nordic Riding Lawn Mower Plows