Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

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.

Majorxlr8n wrote:

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

-- Rob

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

krislu 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

1/2" to an inch is fine.  - Kris

bimbert84 wrote:
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.

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

Majorxlr8n wrote:

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

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

I don't fret about it too much as the wind is going to blow a film back on anyway. If not a drift.