snowblower advice needed

philtickelson wrote:

If you get an Ariens, make sure to get one with the little paddle turn assist thing, DO NOT GET ONE WITH AUTO-TURN TRIGGERLESS STEERING.

I emphasize this, mainly to keep those you love safe from long bouts of depression and profanity laced diatribes.

Basically, it’s setup so that if it senses you trying to turn, it will spin the outside wheel faster to assist with the turn, the same thing that the triggers/paddles normally do. The problem is if you hit one *** *$@* pebble of ice, anything that might disrupt it at all, the *$&*%( thing starts turning on you.

It’s a terrible idea, made by terrible people. The only explanation I can think of is that it was designed for masochists who sit inside watching 2 feet of snow pile up and say, “Hmmm, how can I make this harder than it already is?”

Sorry about your stress, but this was absolutely hilarious to read. I especially love “terrible idea, made by terrible people”. LMAO

The Toro CCR 3600’s were machines that took a beating and just kept ticking. A 6.5hp motor in a real light single stage thrower can eat through a lot of snow. Parts are plentiful and they’re so easy to maneuver and work on. These things outperform a lot of 2 stage throwers in residential settings with their reliability and power-weight ratio throwing snow quite a distance.

Be careful with any 2 stage thrower under 6-7hp. The weight to power ratio just isn’t there and you’ll be left disappointed when trying to move slush or heavy wet piles from snowplows.

Ralph Wiggum wrote:

Phil, my dad bought a new Deluxe 24 last year, and I haven’t heard him complain about the auto-turn at all. He did say that you have to keep an eye on tire pressure, though.

It’s funny, I read a TON of reviews on these before I purchased and they were definitely split. Plenty of people complaining about the auto-turn stuff, and a bunch of people saying, “I haven’t noticed it as a problem at all!”

So I’m not sure if people just all sblow a bit different? Other than that it’s a great machine, starts easy, plenty of power, good layout of levers/knobs.

Just picked up a Husqvarna ST227P. I went back and forth between this and the Ariens 28 Deluxe. Settled on the Husqvarna because of some of the reviews I read on the Ariens Deluxe having issues with the turn assist. Some said it was hard to keep it going strait. Just a little pressure either way and the unit thinks you want to turn and you then have to fight it. I picked the new one up on Friday morning and then headed North muzzleloader hunting. The Wife used it Twice over the weekend. She texted me after the 1st use and said ” This thing is a F-ing BEAST “. She did say it blew the crap out of the heavy snow we had. I would not be sad at all if I did not get another chance to even use it myself this winter – Doubt that will happen though !!!

Should have bought a house in Florida, no snowblower needed

In regards to MTD, I can’t comment on the new ones but I currently have a 28″ that was purchased in 1997 and is still going strong. My total blow area until moving this summer was probably close to 20″ x 500″ and that does not include two large patios. Has electric start and started every time. No maintenance other than changing the oil every 3rd year or so, replacing the bottom bar and the side skids. So for me that MTD has been a work horse.
The MTD is now going to the lake and planning a Toro Power Max 928 OAE 28 when it comes in this week at the local ACE. Love the shoot turn function on the Toro. If I get 20 plus years out of this Toro, I will be at the end of my snow blow years.

gonefishin wrote:

In regards to MTD, I can’t comment on the new ones but I currently have a 28″ that was purchased in 1997 and is still going strong.

There isn’t any comparison between MTDs of 25 years ago versus today. Those Tecumseh motors were bombproof and the build quality was good back then.

Grouse

TheFamousGrouse wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>gonefishin wrote:</div>
In regards to MTD, I can’t comment on the new ones but I currently have a 28″ that was purchased in 1997 and is still going strong.

There isn’t any comparison between MTDs of 25 years ago versus today. Those Tecumseh motors were bombproof and the build quality was good back then.

Grouse

\

My 16 yo Murray tecumseh motor blew the piston rod holder last year. Thankfully, parts were still available so was able to rebuild for 50$ as I didnt want to buy a new one at the time! I will say shes a strong motor, are you saying the new ones are junk?

Junk is a pretty strong word. I can’t say all MTD models are junk. MTD makes a lot of brands to a lot of specs.

I’d say look carefully and make up your own mind. Look at the fact that many MTDs have auger bushings instead of bearings. Compare the size of the differential and shaft to your old model. Also the engines are Chinese made and of a specific design that does not appear to me to be a straight Honda GX clone so only time will tell you can get parts 17 years down the road as you did with your Tucemseh.

If the model uses that same sealed plastic gearbox as the MTD built Craftsman I referred to above then I would avoid it at all costs. I don’t know how many models use this gearbox or if it was exclusively for Craftsman. I would look up a parts diagram before I bought any MTD model and make sure individual parts of the gearbox are available.

The op says he has a big driveway. For this kind of need I can’t see an MTD lasting anywhere as long as Ariens, Honda, etc.

Grouse

fishthumper wrote:

Just picked up a Husqvarna ST227P. I went back and forth between this and the Ariens 28 Deluxe. Settled on the Husqvarna because of some of the reviews I read on the Ariens Deluxe having issues with the turn assist. Some said it was hard to keep it going strait. Just a little pressure either way and the unit thinks you want to turn and you then have to fight it. I picked the new one up on Friday morning and then headed North muzzleloader hunting. The Wife used it Twice over the weekend. She texted me after the 1st use and said ” This thing is a F-ing BEAST “. She did say it blew the crap out of the heavy snow we had. I would not be sad at all if I did not get another chance to even use it myself this winter – Doubt that will happen though !!!

You made the right decision fishthumper, I will be forever envious.

Turn assist on a snowblower?? Boy the engineers really over think things. Maybe they should look at gps guidance so you stay on the driveway, or don’t run over your wife’s plants.

Anonymous wrote:

Turn assist on a snowblower?? Boy the engineers really over think things. Maybe they should look at gps guidance so you stay on the driveway, or don’t run over your wife’s plants.

What I need is a option that filters out the landscape rocks before they hit the auger. Gosh, I go through a lot of shear pins!

philtickelson wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>fishthumper wrote:</div>
Just picked up a Husqvarna ST227P. I went back and forth between this and the Ariens 28 Deluxe. Settled on the Husqvarna because of some of the reviews I read on the Ariens Deluxe having issues with the turn assist. Some said it was hard to keep it going strait. Just a little pressure either way and the unit thinks you want to turn and you then have to fight it. I picked the new one up on Friday morning and then headed North muzzleloader hunting. The Wife used it Twice over the weekend. She texted me after the 1st use and said ” This thing is a F-ing BEAST “. She did say it blew the crap out of the heavy snow we had. I would not be sad at all if I did not get another chance to even use it myself this winter – Doubt that will happen though !!!

You made the right decision fishthumper, I will be forever envious.

Phil

I hope you are right. Bummer the Ariens is not working out good for you. I was kind of leaning towards the areins but could not find one around here to look at or purchase. I ended up buying the Husqvarna from a smaller ma and pa shop. they are a authorized service center for Husqvarna as well. They said units bought from there go to the head of the service work if it needs work. There current lead time on service work right now is over a month out – that was a big factor in my purchase decision as well. Nothing would be worse than having a snowblower in the shop for over a month in the peak of the storm season. It was larger than I probably needed, but with single mothers living on both sides of me I felt like I should due my share of helping them out. Last year some of my neighbors did a excellent job of helping me and the single mothers out several times so I feel I owe them in doing my share this year.

I’m a toro fan. I’ve got a 9 hp at home and another 9 hp up north. Heavy wet snow? Maybe half throttle is necessary. It’s an unbelievable beast for moving snow. Toro is very good about continuing to make replacement parts for an exceptionally long time. Never clogs, usually starts on the first pull, and throws snow to the next zip code.

Attachments:

1. EBF3F7D8-56FA-4CC8-9254-DC3B92D68244.mov

When I bought, I thought that bigger must be better. I now feel like there is a balance to size. Too small and it won’t perform well, too big and it wears you out wrestling it. Auto start is a must have feature.

I got a Swedish model with a German engine.

Attachments:

1. 

   web-Violet-1.jpg
   

2. 

   web-Violet.jpg
   

Apparently she’s a twin.

SuperDave1959 wrote:

Auto start is a must have feature.

Do you mean electric start?

Honestly, I never use it on mine. My Ariens has a B&S motor that fires up with one or two pulls. Quicker than pulling out the extension cord.

My dad used to have an ancient Simplicity, though, and without the electic start, you were screwed. And it constantly froze and required a blow dryer assist when cold.

Another opinion for you. Last year after an 18 inch snow event my 11 year old Ariens blew a belt while I was blowing dog trails about 1/8 mile from my house. Not wanting to break down the machine in the woods I decided to purchase a new one. Dealer had two brands on hand. Cub Cadet and Ariens. Selling point by them was the cast gear box on the Ariens vs the aluminum on the Cub. I bought the Ariens with the turn assist and Ariens brand engine. Worked very well last winter and after the 24 inch blast this fall. I am not a fan of the Ariens Brand engine and don’t believe it will last long as it knocks when under heavy load and the slowest speed is faster than the old one so you end up feathering the belt. My old Tecumseh is slower and just kept on chugging. Pros for me: In light snow it’s faster than the old one. I do like the turn assist vs the old lever release. Easier starting. My biggest con: Hate the new throttle set up. Have to remove your gloves to throttle down. Smaller gas tank, only good for a couple hours max. If you can swing it, I would recommend the Honda. My 2.

blackbay wrote:

Apparently she’s a twin.

V twin or opposed?

They are expensive, but I have been running a Honda since 1998. Zero problems.

1992 was working at power plant. Inclement weather not an acceptable excuse for missing work. Drove home in blizzard like conditions barely made into my driveway. Shoveled snow until 2 am. Got up at 530 am to go back to work. Driveway looked like I never touched it. Got off work shoveled driveway again. Scheduled day off began search for snowblower.

Almost no one had any left in stock. Went to most expensive place in town as last resort. Right in the front row was a gleaming blue Yamaha looked big enough to do a small airport.

Salesman approaches me and said that is our last one. He just starts his sales pitch and I said I will take it. Well if you hadn’t interrupted. I was going to explain it is still on clearance sale.
How do you want to finance and when do want delivery. Cash no finance and going to load in my pickup now was the reply.

I was determined never to have to shovel thru a freaking blizzard again. So began a lifelong love affair with my Yamaha snow blower.
Which is entering its 27th year of trouble free operation. Only quirk it has. First seasonal start can be a little tricky. After that one or two pulls until she is put away for the season.

papaperch wrote:

1992 was working at power plant. Inclement weather not an acceptable excuse for missing work. Drove home in blizzard like conditions barely made into my driveway. Shoveled snow until 2 am. Got up at 530 am to go back to work. Driveway looked like I never touched it. Got off work shoveled driveway again. Scheduled day off began search for snowblower.

Almost no one had any left in stock. Went to most expensive place in town as last resort. Right in the front row was a gleaming blue Yamaha looked big enough to do a small airport.

Salesman approaches me and said that is our last one. He just starts his sales pitch and I said I will take it. Well if you hadn’t interrupted. I was going to explain it is still on clearance sale.
How do you want to finance and when do want delivery. Cash no finance and going to load in my pickup now was the reply.

I was determined never to have to shovel thru a freaking blizzard again. So began a lifelong love affair with my Yamaha snow blower.
Which is entering its 27th year of trouble free operation. Only quirk it has. First seasonal start can be a little tricky. After that one or two pulls until she is put away for the season.

lets see that senior yamaha

Just saw an older Honda on CL-they say: needs some TLC and is burning oil-should I stay away? (not spending a lot of money and it does not have to be pretty)
Thanks

tim hurley wrote:

Just saw an older Honda on CL-they say: needs some TLC and is burning oil-should I stay away? (not spending a lot of money and it does not have to be pretty)
Thanks

how much? I would personally stay away unless you want to get into breaking down the engine which isnt a problem if your mechanically inclined, my biggest concern would be if the cylinder walls were damaged which sounds like they were due to oil creeping backup. At a min it will need new piston rings

Pix as requested. Added the cage when got tired of looking like the yeti at end of job. Hazy pic taken thru the cage lining. If you see one for sale jump on it.

papaperch wrote:

Pix as requested. Added the cage when got tired of looking like the yeti at end of job. Hazy pic taken thru the cage lining. If you see one for sale jump on it.

Did you take those pics today??

If you did, I hate you

.

.

.