Abby’s Guide > Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) > Discussions > How Much Power Do I need
Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions |
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SnowRemover
Toro 828LXE
Location: Near Albany, NY
Joined: Jan 12, 2005
Points: 139
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How Much Power Do I need
Original Message Jan 12, 2005 1:56 pm |
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I'm looking into a snow blower/thrower. I live in upstate NY (near Albany) and would estimate we get about four to five storms a year with about 8". There are the rare NorthEasters that may drop 15" every three or four years. My driveway is on about a 3 degree grade, one car length in width for about thirty feet, then it opens up to about three car lengths wide (in an L shape) for about twenty feet. Is a single stage thrower too small, or will it work but just take more time to clear the snow? I see CR reviewed models recently and liked the single stage Toro CCR-2450 which I can get online (free shipping, no tax) for $537 at SpeedWaysales.com. The two-stage model they liked was a Craftsman 88790, which Sears has on sale for $949. I would love to hear what people think about the two-stage versus one-stage, especially if you live in the Northeast near Albany, and what models you think are the best. Lastly, I HATE maintenance, and the Ariens web site scared the bejeesus out of me with their maintenance section (You must tighten the drive belt after 20 hours of usage. Then in the drive belt section it says, "Be careful, if this is not done right you may be injured or killed").
This message was modified Jan 12, 2005 by SnowRemover
 It is hard enough to remember my opinions, without also remembering my reasons for them! --Friedrich Nietzsche
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jubol
Location: Dover, De
Joined: Oct 3, 2003
Points: 1558
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Re: How Much Power Do I need
Reply #48 Jan 13, 2005 5:22 pm |
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EMMO, Thank you for including me, I feel so left out! I have an MTD blower, which for me for where I live is like hitting a tack with a sledge hammer. I use it about 1 to 2 hours a year. So it should last me 20 to 30 years with good maintenance! Murrays would be overkill here also! Fred
Husqvarna STE927(11.5HP) snowblower, MTD Pro Series 18/42 Lawnmower, MTD 6.5 HP Self Prop Lawn Mower, Weedeater 1500 Blower, Web Gensis 2000
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Dave___in___CT
Deliberate often...
...decide once...
Location: West-Central Connecticut
Joined: Sep 17, 2002
Points: 3159
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Re: How Much Power Do I need
Reply #51 Jan 13, 2005 5:58 pm |
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Original poster... I understand you asking WHY? WHY? WHY?.... wanting details to back up information/opinions given... I'm very detailed orientated... and like knowing the finite facts... I can get them... if I put in the effort to uncover as many as I choose... just as you are starting...
Folks here are not trying to sell you a particular brand/makemodel of snowblower... ...no hidden agenda... People who responded... put in quite a bit of the time and effort on this one post... All for free ! ...although our commission on Ariens is more than Craftsman brand $$$   LOL... If you want details... details... details... backing up the opinions given here... I dunno' how you will proceed to do this... some suggestions have been given... It may be time to go and check out 1st hand... Most don't provide all the details of WHY? even though you wanna' know... I'm 1st in line... It's just too time consuming to answer the WHY? in detail hundreds of times from different posters... At some point we were asked to choose between 2 machines... We all know which one won the vote-of-long-term-value... and best-potential-fit for you... ...even if we don't understand all the details behind it... Choosing a shovel will be easier...  Dave...
This message was modified Jan 13, 2005 by Dave___in___CT
Whether you think you can or you can't... you're right.Henry Ford  BCS Tractor & snowblower
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Richie
Bring On The White Stuff
Location: Long Island, New York
Joined: Dec 12, 2003
Points: 562
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Re: How Much Power Do I need
Reply #52 Jan 13, 2005 6:31 pm |
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Hi SnowRemover, I've been following this thread the last day and feel the Craftsman model will be a fine snowblower for you and very powerful. As for reliability, I don't see that it'll be any trouble for you. I own a lot of the Sears Craftman line of power equipment, the largest being a 17hp tractor. Honestly, it's been great and I enjoy doing periodic service to it. I've had it for 7 years and it just keeps going. ANY outdoor power equipment, and I don't care what the brand, will fail if not properly maintained. The owners manual tells you exactly what is needed and usually very easy to do. What caught my attention in your case is the fact you intend to purchase the service agreement with Sears. This is a great thing to have, since they are usually very fast when it comes to service calls, and one way or another, get your equipment running well. I live in New York, and that has always been my experience with Sears service plans. 5 years is a long time and the agreement will give you great piece of mind. Just take the time, whatever snowblower brand you purchase, to read the owners manual thoroughly, and familiarize yourself with the machine and controls. If you haven't used a snowblower before, snowblow initially in 1st gear, which will keep the machine moving slowly, until you become accustomed to it's use and your confidence builds. I also recommend using PRI-G fuel stabilizer in each and every tank full of fuel, in fact, I use it in every piece of outdoor power equipment I own, all year round. Welcome to the forum and good luck.
Richie
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Jonathan
I am a marvelous housekeeper. Every time I leave a man I keep his house. -Zsa Zsa
Location: Near Albany NY
Joined: Sep 12, 2004
Points: 320
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Re: How Much Power Do I need
Reply #53 Jan 13, 2005 7:39 pm |
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I was going to suggest that you call some local small engine repair places that don't sell machines to get their opinions based on their repair experiences, but now I second Richie's post. Going back to your original post you indicated that you didn't want to do be concerned with doing maintenance. Having the Sears in house protection plan will take care of that for you. You will also have time to look at other brands, compare workmanship, weld quality, metal thickness, etc. while you are using the Craftsman. You will have a well maintained machine that can be easily sold via Want-Ad Digest or the TU if you decide to go with another brand or get another Sears. Now let's get some snow.
2004 Ariens 11528LE, Troybilt Horse "Big Red" Tiller (original), Troybilt Tuffy Tiller (original), Sears LT1000 mower, Lawn Boy 7073 21" mower, Stihl FS55 RC trimmer, Poulan Countervibe 3400 chainsaw
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bmwe0692
"Have a great and glorious day"
Location: Iowa
Joined: Dec 4, 2004
Points: 79
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Re: How Much Power Do I need
Reply #54 Jan 13, 2005 7:53 pm |
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Dave_in_ct In choosing a shovel would you recommend a snow shovel,sand shovel, square nose, or spade? Long handle or short?? Fibre-glass or wood?? Straight handle or d-shaped Ergonomic or regular?? Straight or curved blade?? Plastic or metal?? SSSSSSSOOOOOOOOO many choices !!!!! Not much time will snow someday???? (ALL IN FUN!!!!!!!!) HAVE A GREAT DAY!!!!!! T.J. terry
Put it where the Big iron wheel runs!!!
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SnowRemover
Toro 828LXE
Location: Near Albany, NY
Joined: Jan 12, 2005
Points: 139
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Re: How Much Power Do I need
Reply #55 Jan 13, 2005 8:50 pm |
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Dave_in_CT, Thanks for the information. It seems everyone was a lot nicer after my tirade. You did say "People who responded... put in quite a bit of the time and effort on this one post...All for free !"I spend countless hours on experts-exchange.com helping people for free with their programming problems, so I know what its like. I also spend a lot of time on the car/truck bulletin boards, and I will never berate a brand or specific vehicle model without evidence of the problem (backed up with a link to the story/article). Now I know that there is a ton more information on cars than snow blowers - or my Google searches would have provided much better results. The only reliability stats I can find on lawn equipment is in CR's buying guide. Craftsman is highly regarded in everything (and so is Kenmore), but there isn't any information on snow thrower reliability. From what I can tell, I get all the features I want in the Craftsman, I get the Service contract and if its anything like there lawn mowers/garden tractors it will be very reliable (though the Honda's are even more reliable, just cost twice as much). I do appreciate what effort people have been put in, but don't enjoy (as a newbie) being called "Snowdude". Lastly, and this is partially off topic, on another thread in abbysguide a person asked about computers. I provided a link backing up my assertions, the Administrator (Peter) who was arguing the other point, removed the whole topic. And the guy throwing names around on this topic is a Full-Moderator accusing me of an agenda (Marshall).So I can't apologize for going off on a tirade when supposed Moderators and Administrators are berating me and deleting posts/topics (this after I complained no one backs up their statements - then I do it and get the whole topic removed!).I'm done ranting.
It is hard enough to remember my opinions, without also remembering my reasons for them! --Friedrich Nietzsche
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Joined: Apr 15, 2004
Points: 551
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Re: How Much Power Do I need
Reply #56 Jan 13, 2005 9:17 pm |
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Hey, this site is currently in beta mode. For a while, the Lawnmower forum was the end-all place to post things, but as we are going live tomorrow, we are removing irrelevant topics and moving others to their proper homes, now that all of the sections are up and running. Since there is no computer board, the entire topic was removed. As I explained in a private message to you, once the computer section is up, you can discuss things there to your heart's content.
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plugger
Joined: Dec 14, 2004
Points: 39
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Re: How Much Power Do I need
Reply #57 Jan 13, 2005 9:36 pm |
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I've heard others say the paint chips off the steel and it rusts. I've yet to hear someone saying the chute broke.
Dave said: Dealers usually offer pickup/delivery for a fee...
Not if I don't buy it from them (Home Depot).
"... for $150 I can get a 5 year "in home" protection plan with unlimited service calls ..."
The guy across my street has a Craftsman and they have a 48-72 hour turn around time. If he fails to maintain the unit, the unit is still covered by their warranty - unless he fails to add oil.
One of my neighbors bought a Crafstman with the plastic chute last year and it broke during the first storm. Another neighbor bought a Crafstman a few years ago with the in home protection plan and had a lot of trouble with it. The 48 to 72 hour turn around time turned out to be a week and it didn't help much since the machine broke twice during storms. He got so upset he went back to Sears and tried to get them to take it back. They ended up giving him a 10% refund. By the way I have to say I like your pragmatic approach to deciding which machine, if any, is right for you. My advice would be to get someone else to clear your driveway. You seem to have a fear of machines and if your not the type of person who can do minor repairs and make simple adjustments your probably getting in over your head with a snowthrower. They work in a harsh environment which means they'll break. And they'll most probably break at the worst possible time. Edited: Removed my personal opinion on Crafstman vs Ariens.
This message was modified Jan 13, 2005 by plugger
Chevy K1500,
Fisher 760LD,
Ariens 926LE Pro
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