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ParadiseNfld


Today is the tomorrow I awaited yesterday.

Location: The "Far East" of Canada - Paradise, Nfld.
Joined: Jan 23, 2002
Points: 160

37 Years using a 2 stage AND < < <
Original Message   Feb 28, 2011 5:42 pm

After 37 years of using various 2 stage machines, I finally got around to buying a single-stage…..NOT intended to replace the 2 Stage, just to “compliment” it…

 As one gets older, it becomes a tad more difficult to handle the bigger machine ALL the time, even when there are lesser amounts of snow.

 So, I spent many hours searching thru this forum for help, advice and information on the pros, cons and capabilities of the SS.

 You guys may not even realize just how helpful a forum like this can be…..

 The various contributions that y’all have made over the years with your posts sit there like an encyclopaedia for anyone willing to do the research.

 From your posts I have learned a lot about a SS blower, and now feel more comfortable with my decision to buy one. They appear to be a much more capable machine than I had thought – this I learned from all your links to YouTube which enabled me to see various models “in action”.

 Which particular brand I bought was not a big part of my decision making – features, warranty, & price played heavily into my decision – all coupled with my own personal circumstances and how I plan to use the machine…..

 The machine that I bought has a 205 cc B & S Snow Series OHV engine with a gross torque of 8.0 T.P @ 3060 rpm. It has both the recoil and electric starters, an on-the-go chute rotation lever from the operator’s position and the quick adjust deflector. The clearing width is 22 inches, the intake height is 12.6 inches and the auger diameter is 10 inches.

 The machine has a 4 year warranty – repair only. I paid $500 + tax (Canadian $s)

 Just bought it on the weekend and have yet to use it - - here’s hoping that it works like some of the ones I saw in the videos !!

 I’ll post some pictures in a follow-up....

 Just one question at this time about using a SS – I noticed in a lot of the videos that the operator would release the auger start lever when they were backing up to make another pass – then restart the auger when going into their forward motion…and it seems like most operators did this ALL the time….is there a reason for that ?? Can one not back up while the auger is still engaged ?? (Other than for safety reasons)…

 Seems to me that the continual engage / disengage of the auger is unnecessarily hard on the pulleys / belt etc. etc. On a 2 stage, with the auger lock down feature, the auger runs almost continuously…

 As I’m anxious to learn the best way to use the SS, and the dos & don’ts, I’d appreciate any feed back on this question.

 Cheers = Roger

This message was modified Feb 28, 2011 by ParadiseNfld


Live long & prosper.
Replies: 21 - 30 of 30Next page of topicsPreviousAllView as Outline
royster


" It is the use of power tools that separates man from animals"

Location: New Brunswick, Canada
Joined: Feb 11, 2011
Points: 284

Re: 37 Years using a 2 stage AND < < <
Reply #21   Mar 10, 2011 6:11 pm
borat wrote:
Yeah.......

Back in the day working at NASA, we had problems with fasteners vibrating loose on the launch vehicles.  I was assigned to figure out a way to stop it from happening.........


You probably saves lives  with your idea,  that is really great.

FrankMA


Location: Merrimack Valley/Northeastern Mass
Joined: Jul 1, 2010
Points: 587

Re: 37 Years using a 2 stage AND < < <
Reply #22   Mar 10, 2011 6:44 pm
Thank you, NASABoratNJ. Think you can do something about the potholes around here while you're back down here on Earth????
This message was modified Mar 10, 2011 by FrankMA


Toro Wheel Horse 522xi GT, Honda HS928TA, Honda HS621AS, Honda HS520A, Toro CCR3000 (work in progress), Honda HS624WA (sold 08/23/2010), Stihl BR550 Backpack Blower, Stihl MS250, McCulloch MS1635, Honda EM6500SX Generator
borat


Joined: Nov 10, 2007
Points: 2692

Re: 37 Years using a 2 stage AND < < <
Reply #23   Mar 10, 2011 6:56 pm
FrankMA wrote:
Thank you, NASABoratNJ. Think you can do something about the potholes around here while you're back down here on Earth????

No.  Can't help with the  pot holes but if you drill and wire every fastener down on your vehicle, it won't fall apart as quickly. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vqUdC-8nFY
FrankMA


Location: Merrimack Valley/Northeastern Mass
Joined: Jul 1, 2010
Points: 587

Re: 37 Years using a 2 stage AND < < <
Reply #24   Mar 10, 2011 7:23 pm
borat wrote:
No.  Can't help with the  pot holes but if you drill and wire every fastener down on your vehicle, it won't fall apart as quickly. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vqUdC-8nFY

Thank you again NASABoratMN_Runneraa335Steve_CeburoysterNJ for all your assistance!!! Could'nt have done it without you guys....

Toro Wheel Horse 522xi GT, Honda HS928TA, Honda HS621AS, Honda HS520A, Toro CCR3000 (work in progress), Honda HS624WA (sold 08/23/2010), Stihl BR550 Backpack Blower, Stihl MS250, McCulloch MS1635, Honda EM6500SX Generator
aa335


Joined: Nov 29, 2008
Points: 2434

Re: 37 Years using a 2 stage AND < < <
Reply #25   Mar 10, 2011 9:00 pm
borat wrote:
No.  Can't help with the  pot holes but if you drill and wire every fastener down on your vehicle, it won't fall apart as quickly. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vqUdC-8nFY


I don't bother with trying to stop fasteners loosening. We got pot holes in Chicago big enough to swallow the whole car.
Mr_Pacman


Joined: Sep 11, 2011
Points: 14

Re: 37 Years using a 2 stage AND < < <
Reply #26   Oct 11, 2011 7:58 pm
HI ParadiseNFLD,

Do you recall how much you paid for that machine at Canadian Tire?  I was looking at that one as well.  What about spare parts (auger/scraper bar)?  Does Canadian Tire sell them, or do you think they would be easy to procure locally when they need replacing?

I just picked up a Toro 418ZR today from Home Depot, but I'm going to keep it in the box on the off chance I find something else out there.

Regards,
james
ParadiseNfld


Today is the tomorrow I awaited yesterday.

Location: The "Far East" of Canada - Paradise, Nfld.
Joined: Jan 23, 2002
Points: 160

Re: 37 Years using a 2 stage AND < < <
Reply #27   Oct 12, 2011 10:13 pm
Mr_Pacman wrote:
HI ParadiseNFLD,

Do you recall how much you paid for that machine at Canadian Tire?  I was looking at that one as well.  What about spare parts (auger/scraper bar)?  Does Canadian Tire sell them, or do you think they would be easy to procure locally when they need replacing?

I just picked up a Toro 418ZR today from Home Depot, but I'm going to keep it in the box on the off chance I find something else out there.

Regards,
james



I paid $499 + tax (end of season purchase). They are currently selling for $599 + tax at CTC in my area.

I already purchased a drive belt to have on hand as a spare....got it from a "local" snow blower repair shop BUT they had to order it in from Moncton, New Brunswick.

Cost was about $38 as I recall.

Not sure if CTC will sell the parts BUT they may as the machine is "exclusive" to them.

That being said, I see many other identical machines, with different "branding" and suspect that parts availability won't be an issue.

I am very pleased with this machine and quite happy that I bought it. It worked extremely well for me last year and I expect a repeat performance this year.

Cheers = Roger

Live long & prosper.
Steve_Cebu


Joined: Dec 17, 2009
Points: 888

Re: 37 Years using a 2 stage AND < < <
Reply #28   Oct 13, 2011 3:42 am
FrankMA wrote:
Thank you again NASABoratMN_Runneraa335Steve_CeburoysterNJ for all your assistance!!! Could'nt have done it without you guys....



Just what are you implying Frank?

I sure as hell am not from NJand if you doubt that I suggest you ask the moderator.

Not everyone on here is DavidNJ. Heck maybe you are?

"If you have more miles on your snow blower than your car, you live in New England."  "If you can drive 75 mph through 2 feet of snow during a raging blizzard without flinching, you live in New England."
FrankMA


Location: Merrimack Valley/Northeastern Mass
Joined: Jul 1, 2010
Points: 587

Re: 37 Years using a 2 stage AND < < <
Reply #29   Oct 13, 2011 3:39 pm
Repeat after me: "I am now DavidNJ, I am now DavidNJ, I am now DavidNJ...." Continue this chant until you're convinced that you are DavidNJ.

Toro Wheel Horse 522xi GT, Honda HS928TA, Honda HS621AS, Honda HS520A, Toro CCR3000 (work in progress), Honda HS624WA (sold 08/23/2010), Stihl BR550 Backpack Blower, Stihl MS250, McCulloch MS1635, Honda EM6500SX Generator
Steve_Cebu


Joined: Dec 17, 2009
Points: 888

Re: 37 Years using a 2 stage AND < < <
Reply #30   Oct 13, 2011 4:12 pm
FrankMA wrote:
Repeat after me: "I am now DavidNJ, I am now DavidNJ, I am now DavidNJ...." Continue this chant until you're convinced that you are DavidNJ.


You've lost the plot.

"If you have more miles on your snow blower than your car, you live in New England."  "If you can drive 75 mph through 2 feet of snow during a raging blizzard without flinching, you live in New England."
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