NFT: NFT: Snowblower Recommendation

Thank me later.

the same. It's the width thats important and then if any bells and whistle you like. But you definitely should install a snowblower impeller kit or make one yourself which I did. It'll make your snowblower as if it's on steroids and your blower won't bottledown from the slush.

paid less than $500 12 years ago still runs great. Interesting about the impeller kit however. My biggest problem has been slush clogging the chute. I going to get one installed before the season hits. Also whatever you get make sure you get a supply of shear pins as well.

That replaced a piece of shit craftsmen. My Ariens is 8 years old and it has in my opinion the #1 quality you want in a snow blower. Reliability. Nothing worse than a snow blower that doesn’t work when you need it.

In comment 14170522 pjcas18 said:

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That replaced a piece of shit craftsmen. My Ariens is 8 years old and it has in my opinion the #1 quality you want in a snow blower. Reliability. Nothing worse than a snow blower that doesn’t work when you need it.

Ariens is the most popular snow blower in Canada for a reason.

great. Sold it to a neighbor 4 years ago when I moved south and it's still going strong.

Wow. I have one that was given to me when I purchased my house. Its a 2001. Last year was the first year it couldn't handle anything anymore.

I was going to get another one (4 cycle) but looks like maybe I should do some research first. 4 years is a joke.

And good value because they will last a long, long time IF PROPERLY CARED FOR.

Ariens invented the consumer snow thrower so they have been doing it longer than anybody. And like Ariens, Toro and Simplicity are also made by companies located in serious snow country, are generally well-engineered machines, and are built with quality materials. (Ariens and Simplicity in Wisconsin, Toro in Minnesota.)

Simplicity is only available through servicing dealers, which is where you want to buy outdoor power equipment. Avoid big box stores like the plague for anything like this.

definitely the best way to go (no knock on Toro, they make a great product, but two stage is much more effective in areas of heavy snow fall). I live in Michigan and have an Arien Sno-Trek that I have been using for the last 8 seasons and it works like a champ. So far, other than standard maintenance, the only thing I have changed is a cotter pin. We average about 50" of snow per year.

They are available at home Depot. Had it 5 years it's been great.

I bought a Simplicity last season. It replaced a Toro that I had for 25+ years.It a sweet machine easy to handle and has a power boost which helps with slushy snow. Pretty easy to service also. Pricey but well worth it.
I received over 6" of snow last night, guess it's time to take the golf clubs out of the truck.

[quote]My biggest problem has been slush clogging the chute. I going to get one installed before the season hits. Also whatever you get make sure you get a supply of shear pins as well.[quote]This has become an increasing problem with the wetter snows and warmer temps. What I make sure to do, every time I go out, even when it's good and cold, is spray ample coatings of Pam (the cooking oil spray) all up and down the chute, on the rotors, and the intake bin. It retards adhering of snow/ice/slush to the metal surfaces. Depending on the depth of snow and time to clear, you may have to re-apply after jarring the slush loose from surfaces. But Pam is quite effective.

Hondas are a sure bet. Have to look into this impeller idea.

On my second one....... My first was a 60's model I bought used and used for 15 years.

In between I owed a couple of MTD's that lasted about 5 years and were fussy and kinda flimsy.

Present one is rugged, all steel and reliable. Has an electric start I never use. starts on the first pull even below zero.

Shear pins and maybe a spare drive belt are a good idea. Set the shoes high early in the season when the ground is still soft.

did a ton of research when I bought mine two years ago and Ariens was at or near the top of every list

And make sure you get electric starter.

I represented Ariens in multiple product liability lawsuits over the years. In every case they were sued because the snowblower allegedly didn't have the most modern safety devices ... but I won every lawsuit because the reason the snowblower in question didn't have the most recent safety device is because the snowblower was 50 years old. The point is - they last forever.

this will be the 9th with my Ariens I will say I do have two problems.

One is my model has plastic key that needs to be in the ignition for the snow blower to work and the key now comes out with the vibration of the machine.

So I have the key duct taped in. Not a huge deal.

Also the chute direction moves as the machines is used so if I'm throwing snow to the left, gradually the chute moves to the front and eventually all the way right.

I bought my snow blower from a service place, not a box store and they said it can be fixed, but it's expensive, so I just hold it chute while snow blowing which is a pain in the ass, but not enough for me to get a new one.

Once I get 10 years out of it I'll replace it, or I'll see if I can fix those two on my own.

$50 and 10 minutes later it's clean as a whistle, and I'm inside sipping hot coffee.

In comment 14170788 Somnambulist said:

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$50 and 10 minutes later it's clean as a whistle, and I'm inside sipping hot coffee.

Most plow guys up here (in Mass) have many accounts, and try to wait until the snow is done before plowing, and then get to you when they get to you.

I have a backup because I travel for work sometimes, so I'll have someone plow if I'm away and there is plowable snow.

It's not a good option for many families (or as good as a now blower)

In comment 14170831 pjcas18 said:

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In comment 14170788 Somnambulist said: Quote: $50 and 10 minutes later it's clean as a whistle, and I'm inside sipping hot coffee. Most plow guys up here (in Mass) have many accounts, and try to wait until the snow is done before plowing, and then get to you when they get to you. I have a backup because I travel for work sometimes, so I'll have someone plow if I'm away and there is plowable snow. It's not a good option for many families (or as good as a now blower)

My guy's pretty reliable - he does my lawn and fall cleanup (1.5 acres) too, so I guess I'm a priority client. I hate the cold, it's worth every penny.

in fact, for you it's preferable, others do not like to be beholden or at the whim of others.

Everybody. Based on the feedback here Ariens seems to be the best option. Time to go spend some money tomorrow lol. I know if I don’t buy one we will get the highest snowfall we have ever seen here, always seems to work that way.

In comment 14170543 Gatorade Dunk said:

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I only opened this thread to see if this was posted. Success!

But now that I'm here - if you don't have a big driveway - electrics work great. A friend of mine has an Ego. I have a bunch of Ego products - they're impressive for electric. I'm going to pick up the snowblower this year.

In comment 14170556 Bill in Del said:

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They are available at home Depot. Had it 5 years it's been great.

I have the sno-tek as well, only problems i have are the choke being really temperamental and the movement of the chute. But runs great for cheaper than the full Ariens 26".

for a black friday sale