So I will start out with I hurt my back a few years ago and if you have ever had back pain its no fun. Around winter is when I get the pain and sometimes I go so stiff I can't even move. Im thinking ahead this year and maybe saving my back some pain.

Tell me what I should know about snow blowers. With the last two years getting well over 30 inches maybe its time.

Im scared to buy something that wont work but there are tons on craigslist right now. I might be able to pick one up for cheap.

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we're in the market for one too, any knowledge imparted in this thread would be great.

Things i've been told:
1. Metal impeller thingy can damage blacktop
2. Get a brand name (Toro), better service (as long as u buy from an authorized dealer and not from HD) and easier parts to get to repair it

Feel free to debunk.

I've got a Honda HS 928 with the treads, not tires. It's a beast and can handle wet thick crap without a problem. Whatever you buy get some of the Ariens spray (or something similar), it makes a huge difference with the wet snow we get in the Northeast. Apply it the night before a storm everywhere in the front/chute, etc.

I have a really long driveway that's a hill, for a small area you'll want tires so you can turn more easily. Husqvarna makes some nice narrow ones (I bought one for the local Ronald McDonald house last year for them to clean up the mess from the plows). Make sure you get something that someone local can service for you. I would get a two stage, as much steel as you can get. I think Toro makes some decent ones. The local machine shop by me sells a lot of Ariens and would love to sell Honda but he would have to give up everything else he sells. The honda has a hydrostatic transmission so when the snow is really thick/deep you can slow it down. Last year I was able to take full cuts of 20" deep snow.

Lol even Texas was in a panic last year with the snow they got.

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why is that andy?

I've got one of the smallest single stage Toro snow blowers they make. It's 16". For me, it's perfect. My driveway is about 60' x 20' and I need to use it an average of 10 - 15 times a season. It takes about 45 minutes to do the drive and sidewalk. If it's really deep or wet it might take twice as long.

Edit: just saw Andy's post. It all depends how ofter and how much snow you get. 90% of the time a two stage would take me longer. Our average snow fall is like 2" - 6".

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when your shopping walk around with a micrometer check thickness of sheet metal. JL sounds good I hear Honda and my ears stand up. Chute easy adjustable. Please no 2 strokes.......

This one seems good to me but I really don't know anything about them.

Click here for more information

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simpson wrote:This one seems good to me but I really don't know anything about them.

Click here for more information

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Looks pretty good. How big is your driveway?

4 car so like 30x20 some. Plus I like to do the sidewalks and I have a few older neighbors I take care of.

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I just bought a Cub Cadet 524 with power steering. Did a bunch of research and couldn't find another one locally with all the features and in the same price range. I got it from Ace, which also performs service. My driveway is probably 375 feet long, 10 feet wide so a wider blower would still require 4 passes and I couldn't justify the added cost for another couple inches. Of course, now that I bought one we won't get any snow

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simpson wrote:4 car so like 30x20 some. Plus I like to do the sidewalks and I have a few older neighbors I take care of.

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That toro is a bit overkill, but its nice to have the extra power/size, especially if you are doing 2 or 3 additional driveways. For a while we weren't getting out street plowed and myself and the 3 other guys with blowers would all do it (and we cover for each other if someone is away). When I do the smaller driveways the tracks on the Honda a real drag as it doesn't have a ZTR lockdown ability like some other models. If you do get tires I would consider chains.

I am going to try and beat that guy down to 325. Its a two hr drive to go get it but well worth it to save my back.

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Get one with an electric starter. I'd rather shovel than hassle with pulling that rope.

bpgreen wrote:Get one with an electric starter. I'd rather shovel than hassle with pulling that rope.

I got the electric start for my honda and used it once, pulling the rope was easier than dealing with the extension cord .

If you have a bad back, then definitely look into a model with "power steering" and electric start. You'd be hard pressed to find a model without electric start, but only a few have the power steering. That feature also pushes up the price a bit. However, take it from experience, this feature is definitely worth the extra $$$.

Here area few models with "Power Steering":

Craftsman

Cub Cadet

Toro

Thanks I will look into it. I feel like such a old man saying I have a bad back lol. I am only 28 but I have been in a few car accidents. I should have it looked at but im scared that they will put me on pain pills. Way to many people are getting addicted to them.

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if you do a lot of backbreaking work, u should have it checked out really. i don't want it to progress to something much worse like vertebral compression or something else.