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bimbert84


Joined: Oct 16, 2005
Points: 6

True or false: a 2-stage can clear down to the surface
Original Message   Oct 16, 2005 9:11 am
My driveway is about 25'x40', with a 60'x5' sidewalk, all pavement.  I live in Metro Detroit, so most of our snowfalls are in the 6"-and-under range.  But once or twice a year, we get hit with 10" or so, and that's when my single stage just ain't cutting it.  I currently have a 6HP Toro that really gives me a workout when the snow gets deep and/or wet.  Plus, it is pretty much useless for any substantial EOD. 

Medical reasons now require me to get a machine that will require less physical straining in the deeper snows, so I'm looking at a 2-stage.  I'm really leaning toward the Ariens 7254E.  I have no doubt this will have enough power, but my primary concern is whether or not it can clear right down to the surface on a paved driveway.  I've never used a 2-stage, so I'm relying on the advice of others here.  Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

Replies: 1 - 13 of 13View as Outline
Majorxlr8n


Location: Freehold NJ
Joined: Aug 6, 2003
Points: 1092

Re: True or false: a 2-stage can clear down to the surface
Reply #1   Oct 16, 2005 12:28 pm
A 2 stage can be adjusted pretty low so that it can scrape a good amount of snow off the surface, but it may leave a miniscule amount. The single stage machines with rubber augers come in complete contact & get it all. Maybe keep both? Use the 2 stage for the big snows & then clean up the residue with the single stage? Just a thought.

Marty

MountainMan


Overpowered is Usually Adequate


Location: Connecticut
Joined: Feb 19, 2003
Points: 1564

Re: True or false: a 2-stage can clear down to the surface
Reply #2   Oct 16, 2005 2:59 pm
Majorxlr8n wrote:
A 2 stage can be adjusted pretty low so that it can scrape a good amount of snow off the surface, but it may leave a miniscule amount. The single stage machines with rubber augers come in complete contact & get it all. Maybe keep both? Use the 2 stage for the big snows & then clean up the residue with the single stage? Just a thought.

Marty


True. If you really, really need it to scrape bare pavement, you can have it ride on the steel scraper bar.

But it will wear out faster, and can catch any cracks or bumps in the drive, causing a sudden stop or the machine to jump. Ive caught sidewalk edges with my machine, and it does jolt you.

Or, you can use the Big machine to do the heavy work, and then touch up with the Toro. Little extra work, but will save the machine.

Ariens 1128PRO- Honda Generator_ Husky 480-257 Jonsered 2050Turbo- Shindiawa T2500 SCAG Mower -little wonder blower-Sears track blower-Coleman Generator- Bombadier ATV-Stihl HS-45 Etc-Etc-Etc
krislu


Location: Long Island, NY
Joined: Dec 27, 2004
Points: 148

Re: True or false: a 2-stage can clear down to the surface
Reply #3   Oct 16, 2005 4:01 pm
True !  I wouldn't do it though.  - Kris

           
bimbert84


Joined: Oct 16, 2005
Points: 6

Re: True or false: a 2-stage can clear down to the surface
Reply #4   Oct 17, 2005 6:46 pm
krislu wrote:
True !  I wouldn't do it though.  - Kris


Why not?

-- Rob

bimbert84


Joined: Oct 16, 2005
Points: 6

Re: True or false: a 2-stage can clear down to the surface
Reply #5   Oct 17, 2005 6:47 pm
Majorxlr8n wrote:
A 2 stage can be adjusted pretty low so that it can scrape a good amount of snow off the surface, but it may leave a miniscule amount. The single stage machines with rubber augers come in complete contact & get it all. Maybe keep both? Use the 2 stage for the big snows & then clean up the residue with the single stage? Just a thought.

Marty



I'd probably just clean up the residue with a shovel rather than use a second machine.

-- Rob

krislu


Location: Long Island, NY
Joined: Dec 27, 2004
Points: 148

Re: True or false: a 2-stage can clear down to the surface
Reply #6   Oct 17, 2005 7:22 pm
Bimbert84- Because no driveway/walkway is smooth there are always bumps and obsticles, curbs etc and you will ware down the scraper bar faster and the machine has more of a chance to hit something and get stuck and the shock on the machine if you do hit something . it also picks up stones and twiggs that you really don't want to go thru the machine and get thrown. That's why. - Kris

           
bimbert84


Joined: Oct 16, 2005
Points: 6

Re: True or false: a 2-stage can clear down to the surface
Reply #7   Oct 18, 2005 5:59 am
krislu wrote:
Bimbert84- Because no driveway/walkway is smooth there are always bumps and obsticles, curbs etc and you will ware down the scraper bar faster and the machine has more of a chance to hit something and get stuck and the shock on the machine if you do hit something . it also picks up stones and twiggs that you really don't want to go thru the machine and get thrown. That's why. - Kris



So how far up do you position the scraper for a typical, suburban, paved driveway?  1mm?  1/8"?  1/4"?  1/2"?  1"?

-- Rob

krislu


Location: Long Island, NY
Joined: Dec 27, 2004
Points: 148

Re: True or false: a 2-stage can clear down to the surface
Reply #8   Oct 18, 2005 12:26 pm
1/2" to an inch is fine.  - Kris

           
jonb


Joined: Sep 16, 2005
Points: 10

Re: True or false: a 2-stage can clear down to the surface
Reply #9   Oct 18, 2005 2:56 pm
bimbert84 wrote:
So how far up do you position the scraper for a typical, suburban, paved driveway?  1mm?  1/8"?  1/4"?  1/2"?  1"?

-- Rob


I just ordered a 7524 and the dealer said he would set it up at about 1/8" for a paved driveway.

I, too, am coming from a single stage Toro that wiped the pavement clean. I can't imagine leaving 1/2"-1" of snow unless you have a gravel driveway.
Majorxlr8n


Location: Freehold NJ
Joined: Aug 6, 2003
Points: 1092

Re: True or false: a 2-stage can clear down to the surface
Reply #10   Oct 18, 2005 4:14 pm
I adjust the skids by placing paint stirrers under the machine, making sure they are in contact with the scaper bar. Then I adjust the skids so that the scraper bar just rests on the paint sticks. This provides about 1/8" clearance, which usually keeps the scraper bar high enough from bottoming out but providing a pretty good cleanup of snow.

Marty

bimbert84


Joined: Oct 16, 2005
Points: 6

Re: True or false: a 2-stage can clear down to the surface
Reply #11   Oct 19, 2005 3:32 am
Majorxlr8n wrote:
I adjust the skids by placing paint stirrers under the machine, making sure they are in contact with the scaper bar. Then I adjust the skids so that the scraper bar just rests on the paint sticks. This provides about 1/8" clearance, which usually keeps the scraper bar high enough from bottoming out but providing a pretty good cleanup of snow.

Marty



So do you have to clean it up with a shovel, or do you just leave it?  Do you have problems with the leftover 1/8" freezing over?

-- Rob

RalphS


There's a reason for more than one snowblower.
Because.
1974 Ariens 824 SnoThro
197? Ariens ST270 SnoThro
1988 Ariens ST824 SnoThro
196? REO Snowblower
1960 Ariens SnoThro
1964 Ariens SnoThro


Location: MA
Joined: Dec 21, 2004
Points: 70

Re: True or false: a 2-stage can clear down to the surface
Reply #12   Oct 20, 2005 8:59 pm
I adjusted the scraper bar/ skids on my Ariens so that they allow the scraper bar to clean the driveway as much as it can.  I found that leaving 1/8" or 1/4" of snow just caused me more problems with icing after I snowblowed.  I wasn't going to go out and try and shovel the remaining 1/8" of packed snow off after snowblowing. 

I haven't really noticed a downside, although I do have to be careful at the driveway/ road transition, as the lip is about 1/2" high. 

The scraper bar has lasted three years so far, with minimal wear.  I think it cost about $20 for a new scraper bar.  Well worth the "clean driveway" factor. 

Good Luck,

Ralph

Garandman


Location: South Boston, MA
Joined: Mar 10, 2005
Points: 341

Re: True or false: a 2-stage can clear down to the surface
Reply #13   Oct 21, 2005 10:20 am
I don't fret about it too much as the wind is going to blow a film back on anyway. If not a drift.
Replies: 1 - 13 of 13View as Outline
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