Abby's Guide to Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more)
Username Password
Discussions Reviews More Guides
Abby’s Guide > Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) > Discussions > Looking for a reco for a snow blower for my new deck

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

Search For:
TonsOfSteel


Joined: Nov 18, 2011
Points: 5

Looking for a reco for a snow blower for my new deck
Original Message   Nov 18, 2011 2:13 pm
New Hampshire winter. 34'x12' deck. Own a big Ariens for the the driveway, looking for an alternate for the deck. Will need to clear deck, roof rake pulled down roof snow, and clear again. Prefer gas powered. Thanks
Replies: 11 - 20 of 21Next page of topicsPreviousNextNext page of topicsAllView as Outline
borat


Joined: Nov 10, 2007
Points: 2692

Re: Looking for a reco for a snow blower for my new deck
Reply #11   Nov 19, 2011 12:29 pm
I used to put the Toro Power Shovel to work on my 14' x 16' deck.   Now that I have the MTD SS machine sitting around, I'll just park it on the deck for the winter. 
longboat


Joined: Feb 11, 2009
Points: 103

Re: Looking for a reco for a snow blower for my new deck
Reply #12   Nov 21, 2011 11:08 am
I use a snow scoop similar to this:

http://www.acecalumet.com/snowtool.html

I can clear my 48'x10' deck in about 10 minutes, pushing it over the side where it falls 8.5' to the ground.  Then anothe 10 minutes cleaning up the fallen snow below the deck and relocating it to the rest of the backyard.  Then 5 minutes to clear the patio, and another 5-10 to clear out the courtyard and sidewalk around the house.  Works great on packed snow and EOD stuff.

If I don't feel like getting the 2-stage blower out, I can clean my 2400sf driveway almost as fast with this scoop as I can with the machine.  I'm a little winded afterward, but no sore back.  It's actually easier on the body than man-handling that craftsman mtd 928 around.  It's a great workout - if I wear anything more than a sweatshirt over my regular clothes at 15 degrees Fahrenheit, I start to work up a sweat, so dress lightly and you'll be comfortable!

aa335


Joined: Nov 29, 2008
Points: 2434

Re: Looking for a reco for a snow blower for my new deck
Reply #13   Nov 21, 2011 12:32 pm
I guess that scoop would work well if the deck doesn't have ballusters and railings.  I think the original poster was looking for something that can throw over without having to do repeated lifting.
TonsOfSteel


Joined: Nov 18, 2011
Points: 5

Re: Looking for a reco for a snow blower for my new deck
Reply #14   Nov 21, 2011 3:32 pm
Yes, the deck has railings and balusters. The blower will be on the deck all winter. I've been looking at the Toro SS 621 models. Wondering if I need all the accessories or if the Toro Power Clear 621 R would suffice? TIA
aa335


Joined: Nov 29, 2008
Points: 2434

Re: Looking for a reco for a snow blower for my new deck
Reply #15   Nov 21, 2011 3:56 pm
You definitely do not need the Quick Chute feature, but it's a nice convenience if is going to be used on the driveway and sidewalks.

I'd go for it.  Like the Chinese proverb "Buy once, cry once."
longboat


Joined: Feb 11, 2009
Points: 103

Re: Looking for a reco for a snow blower for my new deck
Reply #16   Nov 22, 2011 10:35 am
aa335 wrote:
I guess that scoop would work well if the deck doesn't have ballusters and railings.  I think the original poster was looking for something that can throw over without having to do repeated lifting.


I guess I'm lucky in that my deck railings are horizontal (originally built pre-code).  I re-built the deck this past year and kept the horizontal rails, but did add extra railing and made the rails bigger/thicker.  Nobody enforces the national code around here anyway, and home inspectors ignore it completely when it comes to decks.
aa335


Joined: Nov 29, 2008
Points: 2434

Re: Looking for a reco for a snow blower for my new deck
Reply #17   Nov 22, 2011 11:03 am
longboat wrote:
I guess I'm lucky in that my deck railings are horizontal (originally built pre-code).  I re-built the deck this past year and kept the horizontal rails, but did add extra railing and made the rails bigger/thicker.  Nobody enforces the national code around here anyway, and home inspectors ignore it completely when it comes to decks.

It didn't bother or concern me at first.  However, when there's little children around that can slip through or fall down from there, that's a different matter.
longboat


Joined: Feb 11, 2009
Points: 103

Re: Looking for a reco for a snow blower for my new deck
Reply #18   Nov 23, 2011 9:29 am
aa335 wrote:
It didn't bother or concern me at first.  However, when there's little children around that can slip through or fall down from there, that's a different matter.


Agreed, but wife & I don't have any kids and don't ever have kids over.  Kids would have to make a concerted effort to climb or slip through these rails.  We have a dog and a cat - funny how they are smart enough to not climb over/through the rails!  Anyway, if we ever decide to sell the house, it will be a simple matter to attach balusters if the next buyer is concerned.
This message was modified Nov 23, 2011 by longboat
GtWtNorth


https://t.me/pump_upp

Location: https://t.me/pump_upp
Joined: Nov 16, 2008
Points: 264

Re: Looking for a reco for a snow blower for my new deck
Reply #19   Dec 14, 2011 10:05 am
I also have to rake the snow from the roof onto the back deck, and falling about 8 feet packs it pretty well. Up to now I installed 9 foot ramps over the stairs so I can drive the 24" 2  stage up onto the deck. This summer I snagged a little ss that I am rehabbing. I'll let you know how it works on the packed stuff.

https://t.me/pump_upp
royster


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

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

Re: Looking for a reco for a snow blower for my new deck
Reply #20   Dec 14, 2011 10:18 am
My deck is 16 x 28   and although it has a roof,  a lot of snow blows in from the 3 sides,  I keeep my SS Craftsman parked on my deck all winter.. My railing is before code so is only 30 inches high. I blow the snow out on 28 foot back side.

Replies: 11 - 20 of 21Next page of topicsPreviousNextNext page of topicsAllView as Outline
Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Guide   •   Discussions  Reviews  
AbbysGuide.com   About Us   Terms of Use   Privacy Policy   Contact Us
Copyright 1998-2024 AbbysGuide.com. All rights reserved.
Site by Take 42