I think I'm ready to bite the bullet and buy a snowblower. I'm not getting any younger and Nebraska is not going to be moving into the tropical zone anytime soon.
I have a budget of around $900. I've been a Craftsman customer for a lot of years but the last lawnmower I purchased from them has been a little dodgy. It's time to expand my horizons.
I have had a Cub Cadet Snow Blower 26" 2 stage for 8 years. I have only had one problem with it. It broke the gears on the shaft last year. It was normal wear and tear. I grease the gears, but one is
brass to save the steel teeth on the main shaft. Wasn't a big deal. I use Amsoil winter grease now and not the plain old grease like they said to use. I got my cheaper than the price they said.
http://www.cubcadet.com/equipment/cubcadet/snow-throwers/2X-two-stage-power/2x-26-hp
I want to get a new 3 stage next.
I bought this Toro electric snowblower last Fall:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003FIQKYO/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003FIQKYO/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
When I bought it I realized that it would not be as robust as a gas powered blower, but it was a lot cheaper, and my property isn't very big. We didn't get much snow this year so I didn't get to use it much, but it was beefier than I expected. This week we got a couple of inches of heavy, wet snow, and it handled that without a problem (and my back was very thankful). Dealing with the cord is a PITA, but again, it was a compromise I was willing to deal with.
I have lawn mowers, edgers, chainsaws, and other small engine equipment from Honda, Toro, Husqvarna, Stihl, and Echo. Of those brands, I like the first three the best. When I was thinking about getting a gas-powered snow blower, I was leaning towards Toro or Husqvarna. I won't buy Stihl again.
Although the electric snowblower met my expectations, I think if I had to do it again I'd by a gas-powered machine.
STILH leaf blowers are really good. I have a gas one and I use it for light snow removal - it gets the job done. Big points for it starting with little effort.
I buy craftsman products generally for cost considerations, but man does STILH and Honda make some nice products too. I'm due for a lawnmower maybe next summer and will be going with a Honda mower I think. As far as snow, the wife bought me a new shovel. I think its part of her long-term plan to keep me fit and healthy. The back pain would suggest otherwise. I dream of owning a snowblower some day.
Quote from: Bison on March 21, 2017, 05:43:40 PM
....I think its part of her long-term plan to keep me fit and healthy.....
Or it's her plan to have you die of a heart attack and collect the insurance money! :timeout:
Quote from: Barthheart on March 21, 2017, 06:01:46 PM
Quote from: Bison on March 21, 2017, 05:43:40 PM
....I think its part of her long-term plan to keep me fit and healthy.....
Or it's her plan to have you die of a heart attack and collect the insurance money! :timeout:
Fortunately I'm worth more alive at least in the short term than I am dead. Give it a few more years and the tables may very well change!
And on that note I will thank you all for the help and advice. I really do appreciate it. O0
Dr. Quest - warning about gasoline engine snow blowers.
Under Obama the EPA screwed up small gasoline engines. To keep a "modern" gasoline engine running is a nightmare in the USA. I know people in manufacturing, and the Obama EPA messed up a lot of things. Small gasoline engines were totally hosed. I got so angry at my gasoline pressure washer that I gave it away. I could not keep the thing running - even after having the carborator reworked. Go electric.
I moved 142" of snow in the 2015 winter season alone. :wow: I move about 60" each year and I doubt I could shovel that much and still walk after the back pain ;D