Sold my tractor/snow blower combo because it is just too big for the area I clear. Will be shopping for a walk behind 8/10 hp,26 to 32″ cut. I have a very steep hill on my driveway (~25 degree grade). Suggestions for brands and especially features would be appreciated.
You can hold the “move to Florida” suggestions…ain’t happenin’.
Areins would get my vote
good luck
My aunt has a Cub CAdet that I use for her place. Electric start works great. Has lots of power to throw snow a long ways. Not sure what model she has but it is 32 inch cut.
X2 areins
the steep grade throws a wrench into the answer, we had a single stage Toro 2 stroke w/suziki motor that worked great but with snows over 8′ and a steep driveway a 2 stage with power drive would be better. Areins is what I would buy with chains.
I would look into a track drive due to your hill situation. They can be a pita to move in tight quarters, but are great on hills and in ice.
Here are some Honda examples.
http://powerequipment.honda.com/snowblowers
I have an Ariens though. New last year. Can’t really comment on how it did as we never really got hit with anything substantial last season.
FDR
Airens, Snapper, and Simplicity are all great machines.
With the Honda track drive, I’d talk to some people that own them. I’ve heard very mixed reviews on these machines and as FDR points out, they are a big pain if you need to move the machine without starting it.
I’d buy the biggest machine you can reasonably store, and by doing that I really don’t see the hill being a problem even for a good wheel drive machine.
Grouse
I just bought my 2nd Snapper in 17 years. My old one is for sale now, (not what you’re look’in for now)
o- boy Denny has some 17 y/o snapper for sale
Personally I’d go with a John Deere . Made in the USA and a good snow throwin machine 
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Personally I’d go with a John Deere .
x2 on the Deere. I’ve had mine for 12 years and love it.
Been happy with my Ariens.
Starting year 25 with my Ariens. 8hp 24 inch cut. With your hill situation I would probably go with a 32 inch cut Ariens and larger motor (10 hp). I would recommend chute hand controls, electric start (in case wife needs to use 
), heated grips, the taller tires with chains.
Thanks for the feedback. No matter the brand it will be a two stage power drive. I have a Toro 521 that I use for light snows and it does fine for less than 6 inch snowfalls. If I get some drifting it simply becomes work to cut them.
I have some tight spots where I have to remove snow and others where I need to backup frequently so the track drives won’t suit my situation.
Ariens, JD and Toro are on my short list. I like Snapper products too, but am too far from a dealer to consider. Honda makes a nice machine but I don’t want to take out a mortgage to get one…geez they get a premium price.
The hydrostatic transmission on the hondas are really nice, but after owning a couple different models for commercial snow removal, I’ll never buy another one since I had nothing but problems with them and the parts are ridiculously expensive. Ariens all the way. I’m sure the toros are nice, but they have too much plastic IMO
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Ariens all the way. I’m sure the toros are nice, but they have too much plastic IMO
When I was looking two years ago, that’s what pushed me towards the Ariens, too, although my co-worker bought a Toro at the same time and likes it, and my dad has an older Toro 521 that’s been a workhorse, too.
Simplicity is another solid machine to look at. My dad also has a bigger Simplicity from the 70’s. The thing is a tank, but it’s taken a beating and keeps munching the snow.
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o- boy Denny has some 17 y/o snapper for sale
Yep, not looking for much either.
Still throws the stuff like when it was new too!
I’m glad someone else brought up the price of Honda parts because that’s one of the main reasons I wouldn’t recommend them. All machines need parts and with Honda it drives me nuts that whatever the part, it costs about double what it should. $40 for a belt? $100 for a bearing? C’mon.
And you can forget about generic replacements, even for common stuff like belts. Been there, done that. You can get close, but not close enough for a Honda.
Grouse
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And you can forget about generic replacements, even for common stuff like belts. Been there, done that. You can get close, but not close enough for a Honda.
Ha ha ha…so true. Reminds me of the time I bought replacement wiper blades for my Accord. A little work with the Dremel and the Aancos fit just fine. 
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I’m glad someone else brought up the price of Honda parts because that’s one of the main reasons I wouldn’t recommend them.
My son in law fell in love with a Volvo for the family car because of the safety rating…which is a very good reason to buy a car…until you need to repair it 
My 521 is an inherited machine from my dad. My guess is that it is 30 years old. It has a plastic on the top of the chute. I’m am not deterred by plastic. I want the engine itself to run well…and forever 
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