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

Found this site surfing for Snowblower reviews.

I'm in the market for a used mid-sized snowblower for a driveway and walkways. 24" (because of some tight corners) and 7 or 8 hp. Looking around in the papers and such I see 3-5 year old machines for $400-600. Most of them are Ariens, Craftsman or Toro but there are a few Simplicity units and some other brands like MTD or Murray that seem to be "department store" brands. There are also a few Hondas but their owners are very proud of them!

Does it matter? Amongst my friends they own 2 Ariens, 1 Craftsman, and 1 Toro, they are all happy and they all say the older ones are better made than the new ones.

It doesn't show up in the profile apparently but I live in Manchester, NH. We get around 60-100" of snow a year, with individual storms of 1" to 24". It probably snows 10-20 times a season, including dustings.

I have to clear a driveway with a little slope, not bad, 75' or so, and some walkways. Notably, one of the walkways is between a building and a fence, so the blower has to be powerful enough to throw it over the fence (almost straight up).
My very old Ariens is having trouble doing that.

The local dealers don't have any snowblowers left but there are some good deals on used machines. I'm a mechanical engineer by trade and have done mechanical work up to replacing the transmission in a 1969 SAAB but typically bring my power equipment to an excellent local dealer, Stihl Turf Depot, as they charge less per hour than I do....Middle-aged used models seem like the best deals, there are people moving South....

look on craig's list. there is an 8hp toro north of boston that the guy had wanted 375 and is now looking for 300.

want ads also good. can sign up on internet for  2.25 per week.


there is also a guy in londonderry (off of the main road that leads to the flea market)that  near on eof the apples places that sells them on his lawn.

and a bunch on ebay. sort via distance.



good time to buy

Delta I am in the clinic and in a rush,

Call the Home Depot in Concord, they had left over machines on sale the last time I went through, Ariens and Toro's, about a 30 minute drive for you lots of them.

Stick to the premium machines as mentioned used or new.  Try to buy new from a dealer but if the HD has a sweet deal go for it.

I have not been there in a few weeks so I don't know what they have now as you know we have been getting hammered these past weeks with snow.  Keep looking, be patient, look for early bird specials in the spring too.  Also when was the last time the old Ariens had it's belts checked and a tune up?  Don't sell it short yet.....

C

DeltaSierra wrote:

I wonder why more car makers don't put their engines in backwards and hang the transmission off the side of the oil pan than drive it by a chain to the engine?

There's a 2001 Ariens 824 for sale for $750,  little used.

What is an 824? It seems like they have Classic, Compact, Deluxe and Professional, but what did they have in 2001?

When you look at one it would help to know the model numbers. I think there is a 932xxx and a 924xxx. I don't know what they mean, but you will get help. I agree that with used condition is just about everything.

DeltaSierra,
Maybe read through this thread a bit.

R3 Upgrade

It has some good background and information in it.