Topic: 3 Stage Snow Blowers

[ArticSteve]

I got the glue out of my pocket on Monday and bought my 2nd Honda generator for about 4x the cost of a Chinese unit at Home Depot.  My 1987 2500 watt unit still runs like new and it has been tortured.

We have had records amounts of snow so while waiting for the Honda ppl to get it ready I tried one of their 2 stage track units.  The only warning I can offer is that if you are over 6 feet, it will be to hard on your back because the handle and controls are LOW!

I've also got a 1984 single stage Honda blower that I now use to clean off my rear deck.  Same original spark plug, sits outside year round with a barbeque cover on it.  The quality/reliability in Hondas are unmatched.

I hear Ariens made a good machine.

I think in NL a Honda Track blower is gonna cost you $3500. to start. 

Although I paid $2650 tax in for a 3000 watt inverter.   

[Fobroader]

I want this unit.

Now thats a right proper rig  Would be overkill to the point of killing a fruit fly with a tactical nuke for my little driveway....but it certainly would be cool to blow the snow into the next block 

[Northernridge]

I was looking at Hondas and they are much more expensive than most, is it just that they last longer?  The engine size seems smaller than most at 270 cc for track models.

They use hydraulics. It makes them pretty pricey to build, on top of the Honda markup.

Plus they're track driven.

[ArticSteve]

They have a wheeled version.  Slightly larger shovel and throws 52 ft. than the sister tracked model.  $2850.  That's the one I'd get if I needed one.

HSS928WC

[Northernridge]

Some models are available with electric start and electric chute adjustment as well.

[Hammy]

The local husqvarna dealer has a st 330 x that looks like a snow eating beast, it's $3000.  They have a great warranty and can be serviced five minutes from our house.  A similar honda would be about 1000 more, I'm liking the hv.

[ArticSteve]

Looking forward to the show and shine.

[redman]

Costco has Poulan Pro currently on sale. Don't know much about the brand.

http://www.costco.ca/Poulan-Pro%c2%ae-305-cc-68.6-cm-(27-in.)-Gas-powered-Dual-stage-Snow-Thrower.product.100130878.html

[bridgecity]

Husqvarna, Poulan, and some Craftsman used to all be built by AYP.  Don't know if that is the case anymore, but they are still the same machines with interchangeable parts.  Some of the Craftsman and Poulan Pro may be cheapened down slightly with auger bushings rather than bearings, smaller tires, etc.  They are identifiable by the chassis with roll bar looking thing behind the chute.

[Flinter]

The local husqvarna dealer has a st 330 x that looks like a snow eating beast, it's $3000.  They have a great warranty and can be serviced five minutes from our house.  A similar honda would be about 1000 more, I'm liking the hv.

I just picked up an Ariens deluxe blower about a week ago. I also looked at the 300 series from Husqvarna and they look like very nice machines. Cast iron gear box, cast iron 4 blade impeller, hydrostatic drive system, and typically larger engines than a basic snowblower.

Given the large Husqvarna dealer network, I think it's a good choice but at $3K you are getting into the Honda, and Yamaha snack bracket. Check out this Yamaha...looks like a tank.

http://www.yamaha-motor.ca/products/details.php?model=4440&group=SB&catId=92

[Flinter]

Husqvarna, Poulan, and some Craftsman used to all be built by AYP.  Don't know if that is the case anymore, but they are still the same machines with interchangeable parts.  Some of the Craftsman and Poulan Pro may be cheapened down slightly with auger bushings rather than bearings, smaller tires, etc.  They are identifiable by the chassis with roll bar looking thing behind the chute.

I think you are correct. When I was researching my purchase I looked at all 3 (Husqvarna 200 series, Poulan, and some Craftsman models) and they are virtually identical with the exception of some evidence of cost cutting on the Craftsman and Poulan.

I think some of the other Craftsman models are made by MTD and are cost reduced twins of Cub Cadet, Troy Bilt and some others are twins of Briggs & Stratton models.

http://movingsnow.com/2012/whats-the-difference/

[mrthompson]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NyaLPG2now

 

[bridgecity]

If anyone wants some opinions on outdoor power equipment from experienced individuals, visit opeonthenet.com.  I used to spend some time on this forum and there was some very helpful and knowledgable forum members on the site.

[KD]

The more posts I read the more impressed I am with how well my toro has held up over the years.  In 12 years it has never broken down or failed to start and I have only replaced 1 shear pin.  I also have a 3/4 minus gravel driveway  and it sounds like a machine gun from throwing rocks on the first few runs of the season until a base gets laid down.  I've also sucked up many rolls of advertising flyers that get tossed at the end of my driveway and they usually just pass right through (and make a faking mess) and have blown through a few large fallen tree branches without much problem.  The thing that ultimately broke the shear pin was a large dog bone.  . The dealer said it's very rare that you have to replace shear pins in a toro.  Based on this I may just buy another toro, but bigger and hopefully the newer model will chuck snow a lot further.   .  Having to constantly replace shear pins would be a major PITA imo.

[Northernridge]

Having to constantly replace shear pins would be is a major PITA imo.

It's not just a PIA because you have to stop. I've had to smash away ice buildup to access the holes and once couldn't line up the stage-3 auger with the shaft because it's obscured and you have to do it partially blind.

Another time I loaded the blower on to the pickup hauled it to the cottage, unloaded it, flashed it up and started clearing only to find that I quickly sheared all 4 pins and had only two spares. Back on the truck and we had to haul our stuff over the snow.

So, yes PITA is about right.

[Bubba]

This would do the job and it's Canadian.

454 cubic inch big block Chevrolet V8 produces 412 horsepower, 430 foot pounds of torque and can throw snow 50 feet at just 3500 rpm

Make mine a Hemi.

[KD]

Having to constantly replace shear pins would be is a major PITA imo.

It's not just a PIA because you have to stop. I've had to smash away ice buildup to access the holes and once couldn't line up the stage-3 auger with the shaft because it's obscured and you have to do it partially blind.

Another time I loaded the blower on to the pickup hauled it to the cottage, unloaded it, flashed it up and started clearing only to find that I quickly sheared all 4 pins and had only two spares. Back on the truck and we had to haul our stuff over the snow.

So, yes PITA is about right.

Wow, that seems excessive.  I wonder if you have a bad bearing, or something like that right from the beginning.  That really would be a pain!  I agree it's not a trivial job to replace them with snow packed up inside.    I know a buddy of mine that complains that he replaces at least one on his Craftsman almost every big storm.

[rrocket]

Haven't replaced a single shear pin in my Craftsman. I bought it new in 1998. Have replaced one drive belt though.

[Hammy]

I've been looking around today, I think I'm talked out of getting a track model, all the dealers say they get nothing but complaints about how hard they are to turn.  The local honda was totally sold out but I think the price is a bit too high anyway, I was surprised how small the Hondas look compared to other models.  I think I am down to the ariens platinum 30 sho or husqvarna st 330.  The hv is 2200 vs 2300 for the ariens, it also has a hydrostatic transmission vs gears on the ariens and the hv has a five year vs three year warranty.  Actually, I'm not sure why I would choose the ariens so hv sounds like it might be the winner.  Does anyone have an opinion on one or the other?

Thanks.

[rrocket]

I like the smaller ones. Am shocked at how huge these things are.