nhmatt

I had a snow cab and couldn't stand it. The snow would blow back and stick to the "glass", so I couldn't see where I was going. It messed up my lines, and I hate that. I bought a suit.

I don't see a difference between any of the brands anymore (except honda). Even Simplicity is starting to cheap out, and their older machines are tanks compared to what is being sold. They're pulling the same crap as Ariens now, with a stripped down model. Still, the "dealer" machine feels pretty rugged.

Honda is over-priced. I think their machines are 3x as good as the junk sold at Home Depot, but I don't think the actual act of snow removal via a snowblower is worth what they charge. At full-price, I'd just as soon buy garbage every 2-3 years and keep money in the bank in case global warming picks up speed.

That being said, my 1132TAS is still sleeping under its tarp in the shed, waiting............

Personally, I think its a good move that might save their reputation. They've sucked for so long now, they might as well jump the shark completely. It was a huge mistake to sell to the big boxes in the first place, because most people don't understand the whole dealer "this amp goes to eleven" theory. 95% the same parts.

If they can pay the bills with these crappy things, maybe they can get back to making real machines.

The blade was there to protect the cinderblock from being eaten.

Seriously, I broke a couple shear pins getting too close to things. Because it digs SOOO GOOOOD you're able to chomp through areas you can't get with a lesser machine. Two examples for me were the corner of my wood pile and a shovel my daughter left in the yard. It chewed the 1" dowel handle up and finally broke the shear pin when it reached the plastic blade. You could seriously chew the first 4" of sod off your lawn if you feel like it.

I don't think there's a machine out there that won't clear a driveway, at least once. Just don't buy an Ariens. My driveway is paved, and about 6000sqft. The tracks are a sacrifice on flat pavement, but now I don't have to shovel to my wood pile or my oil tanks, and the little rat dog gets a dog track in the back yard. For a "standard" 40 x 20 flat driveway I'd get a 724 Honda, or 824 toro or comparable simplicity. Smaller is better when you've got cars in your way, and an extra 4" in the bucket isn't going to save you any real time. Better to get a smaller bucket/engine ratio. Anything is going to seem an amazing improvement compared to a hand shovel.

I can spray water 20' with the Honda. I'm not even talking slush. I can clean a 4&quot; deep puddle at the end of my mailbox. In 10 years I've never had a Honda clog, except for a blue tarp. Last year I got too close to the house and ate a gutter downspout. It chewed it up and spit it out.<BR><BR>The easy turn is a nice feature, but wheeled Hondas are so light I don't see the point. A 724 honda is very light, and will do the job (and then some) of a machine weighing twice as much. I've got a track model now and, yes, its hard to turn on dry pavement in the Fall, but there's nothing it can't do in the Winter.

I tried to get a simplicity, but their owners just don't give them up! And I'm not a new-price kinda guy.