Anyone with snow blower experience?

[nate]

Need to purchase one for this winter.  We have a pretty long driveway and have been looking at the Ariens Deluxe 28+.  There is a dealer here with a limited run that they did with a larger 305cc Briggs and Straton motor for the same price of $1099 as the standard one.  We were going to consider used but it seems like that is not a good idea.  Anyone have any opinion on them?

 

http://www.snowblowersdirect.com/Ariens-921035-Snow-Thrower/p11237.html

 

28" Clearing Width
16" Directional Tires
14” Steel Serrated Auger
Throws snow up to 50 feet
Powerful In-Dash Headlight
Auto-Turn Steering Technology
3-Year Limited Consumer Warranty
Dual Belt Auger Drive
Heavy-Duty Cast Iron Gear Case

[St1ck]

That thing is a beast.

[mrwicked]

come on folks do we really need another thread about victor's mom?

[Spirit]

This is the one I have.  I've had it for about 6 or 7 years now and have been very happy with it.

 

http://webapps.easy2.com/cm2/flash/generic_index.asp?page_id=35784189

[St1ck]

Be a man, and use a shovel. 

[Spirit]

Using a shovel is like using scissors to cut the grass. 

[St1ck]

There are ways other than scissors to cut grass? 

[Spirit]

There are ways other than scissors to cut grass? 

 

IEBRUIN? 

[Blarg]

My father lives in Montana and has about a 8 acre long driveway and uses a simple Honda snowblower. Looks like you are going overkill with that garage monster.

Why not ask your neighbors what they use since they have the experience with snowfall in their driveways. Or do they not talk to Californian transplants that drive Nissans?

[Spirit]

Need to purchase one for this winter.  We have a pretty long driveway and have been looking at the Ariens Deluxe 28+.  There is a dealer here with a limited run that they did with a larger 305cc Briggs and Straton motor for the same price of $1099 as the standard one.  We were going to consider used but it seems like that is not a good idea.  Anyone have any opinion on them?

 

http://www.snowblowersdirect.com/Ariens-921035-Snow-Thrower/p11237.html

 

28" Clearing Width

16" Directional Tires

14” Steel Serrated Auger

Throws snow up to 50 feet

Powerful In-Dash Headlight

Auto-Turn Steering Technology

3-Year Limited Consumer Warranty

Dual Belt Auger Drive

Heavy-Duty Cast Iron Gear Case

 

The key thing that this is missing (that was the big selling feature of mine) is heated hand grips! 

 

 

 

 

Edit:  this was also the feature that signaled to all my neighbors that I was a douche from CA.

Edited August 31, 2013 by Geoff Stoddart

[Amazing Larry]

come on folks do we really need another thread about victor's mom?

 

[mrwicked]

los locos kick your ass

los locos kiss your face

los locos kick your balls into outer-space!

Edited September 1, 2013 by mrwicked

[NJHalo]

Honda makes a great one.

I have a Toro, and it is ok. Not great, but does the job

[nate]

The one I am getting has the heated grips. I asked my neighbors and some other people at yard sales. They almost all have this model or a similar Toro model.

[mtangelsfan]

That is a nice model.  For me, I would spend some time starting different models.  To me, that is the biggest deal, getting them to start easily.  Especially when it is really cold.

[nate]

My father lives in Montana and has about a 8 acre long driveway and uses a simple Honda snowblower. Looks like you are going overkill with that garage monster.

Why not ask your neighbors what they use since they have the experience with snowfall in their driveways. Or do they not talk to Californian transplants that drive Nissans?

So you are completely unqualified but are asserting that it is overkill. Got it.

It looks massive but it is actually a fairly entry level 2 stage model.

You can't use "simple" single stage Hondas here because they only work on up to 6 inches of snow. Plus you have to push them instead of using the drive gear. It would be completely worthless after a blizzard.

Also, I see more nissan honda and subarus here than ford Chevy etc.

Edited September 1, 2013 by nate

[Tank]

Be a man, make your wife do the shoveling.

[gotbeer]

I'm surprised someone doesn't have a snowblower that's like a riding lawnmower.  

[nate]

That is a nice model.  For me, I would spend some time starting different models.  To me, that is the biggest deal, getting them to start easily.  Especially when it is really cold.

 

Ah, didn't even think of that.  I will definitely do that.  Thanks.

 

The three main brands here seem to be Ariens, Toro and Simplicity.  I don't want anything with a Chinese motor in it.

[arch stanton]

When I was in Alaska I was working on a design for a line of hand warmers to go above the urinals. Then I transferred to Vegas and got sidetracked.

[mtangelsfan]

 Oh, and nate, if you get a big snow storm where it's tons of snow on your driveway, you should be able to pay somebody to clear it for you with a bobcat.

 

Don't try to do it yourself.

[nate]

Thanks.  Yeah we have the number of someone who will do it for us, they charge 20 bucks to come out and do it.

[Spirit]

 Oh, and nate, if you get a big snow storm where it's tons of snow on your driveway, you should be able to pay somebody to clear it for you with a bobcat.

 

Don't try to do it yourself.

 

MT is spot on here.  Don't try it yourself.

 

As Tank said earlier, have your wife do it.

[Spirit]

I was just reading the specs on my model and noticed that it has "All Wheel Drive."

 

 

 

Ummm ... there's only 2 wheels.  

[Splint7438]

When I went to snow college I did some snow experimentation. I don't claim to be an expert snowblower but I can melt snowballs in a pinch. Wait.......what's the thread about again?