Just got the plow bill for last winter, $440. Driveway is shared (with the WW of the East) and the $440 was just my half. I don’t have the truck (F-150, 2WD) to plow, and don’t figure to buy one for at least 5 years.
But I’ll be skinned and boiled if I’m gonna pay another $440 this winter, which would be 1/2-1/3 the total cost of a decent thrower.
I know I need a 2 stage thrower; the driveway is over 500 feet, gravel, some minor rise, and includes a few bends.
I also expect to pay $1k or slightly more. Anyone have any preferences, and are there ‘must have’ options, like electric start? Due to driveway width, I’ll need something faily wide, minimum of 28″, I think.
Thanks.
Be snow thrown.
I never met a tool I didn’t like!
Replies
500 ft driveway, let them plow it. I have a toro 8-24 and it would probably take 4-5 hours or more to do a 500 ft driveway. A good snow blower 28" wide would be at least 1200.00. I would go with a toro or Areins. No cheapey with that driveway. To me for 500.00 a season I'd pay a plower. I don't know how much snow thats for but I know at 50.00 an hour for my time thats only 10 hours of snow blowing.If it's a large storm like we get occasionally that could be one day. FWIW thats my opinoin.
Eight hp is a good size. I would definitely not go any smaller unless your heaviest snows are only a few inches. To throw the full height of the scoop (about 18" or so) you need about 8 hp.
Electric start absolutely. Pulling the cord in the freezing cold with cold engine oil is for the birds.
A headlight is handy.
Really good warm gloves and a scarf are a must. The hands get mighty cold on the handle, and the wind blows the snow back at you often.
There is no easy way to deal with stones. Set your guides to give you maximum height, but even so, you'll be raking stones out of your yard for weeks in the spring. Watch out for people nearby, a stone can come out at quite a velocity.
I have a White brand that I've had for about 10 years and its worked reliably the whole time.
Ariens is my vote. Go to a real lawn care store though that has the really big ones, and not the box stores that have the cheaper ones. Tall Metal chute, adjustable height on the intake side, perhaps even look at an enclosure for the blower?
http://www.ariens.com/help_me_choose/
nick, i've got about 400 ft of drive, 2 car garage turn in /back up area and the spot next to the house. Takes an hour or so to do 4- 6", another 15 minutes to do the block's sidewalk. Drive is 12' wide, bit of a grade. Troybuilt 24"- 5 HP cost 1000 maybe 4 /5 yrs ago. Take the pads (skids) off and weld a couple inch plate to them, to run over rather than through the stone. If you have small stone(small berm) all the better. 5/7's can lodge between the auger/blade and shroud. Light would be a good idea, electric start a must. A few speeds you bet.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
get a powershovel, no really I vote Ariens <---- had same one for 25 years, 16 hp though
Nick, I bought the Ariens 8.5 hp 24" wide Deluxe last year. Its amazing. I went with the deluxe because it has a heavier tranny. This year Ariens improved on my model, made it 9 hp and 26" wide with the heavy duty tranny and put it in the pro model line.
Someone made a good point that 500' may be too long but if you are going to get a blower, go Ariens. Don't get it at Home Crappo. My buddy got his there this year and it was missing a part. No biggie, Ariens sent him the part but I prefer to buy from local guys. Service is easier too. They will put you on the bottom of the list if you bring your HD bought unit to them.
Darn thing throws the snow so far it almost hits my neighbors house.
Larry