Snowblower question

I know yep, posted about this before. So the new ones out there right now are either huge or tiny. Found one that is a MTD that looks good, runs well and is a four stroke-how is that brand? 10 years old should i be worried about something besides the engine
(engine runs great)
Thanks

Just get some extra shear pins and drive belt,not bad for what it is.Better if it has a Tecumseh engine.

tim hurley wrote:

I know yep, posted about this before. So the new ones out there right now are either huge or tiny.

Tim, I’ve got to ask, What size and # of stages are you looking for?

HRG

I picked up a new Simplicity this fall when the other one became too much of a PIA to start. This I would say is more of a sno-thrower than blower? Anyway I can pick it up and toss it in the truck, it’s starts right away and moves the snow. Paid $400 new plus tax. If I needed it for the driveway it would be to small but for the sidewalk and touch up work it’s perfect.

tim hurley wrote:

I know yep, posted about this before. So the new ones out there right now are either huge or tiny. Found one that is a MTD that looks good, runs well and is a four stroke-how is that brand? 10 years old should i be worried about something besides the engine
(engine runs great)
Thanks

This time of year it’s any port in a storm. Buy what you can get if it runs. If it’s got a Tecumseh on it, it’ll work and you can get parts.

It’s not great but it’ll probably work for a long time.

Grouse

I’ve got an MTD 4-stroke snowblower that I bought in 2014. It’s the menards brand. It has a Briggs and Stratton engine. I did have the pull cord break which I replaced but otherwise has not failed. I should mention that I do all my annual preventative maintenance and only use ethanol free premium gasoline too.

Mtd stands for made to die,they work for awhile. My advice would be to stay out of the big box stores and find a small gas engine store that sells what you need and get one there. Sure you pay more but you will get a quality machine that will last.I’ve had cheap ones that don’t last, my 10 year old ariens with a Briggs motor has been flawless. This is just my opinion and what I’ve found over the years..

Hey Tim,

How long do you want it to last? How well will you take care/abuse it?

How much snow do you want to clear? How fast?

I run two – twenty year old snowblowers. I have a 175ft driveway, and I spend about an hour to an hour and a half.

Both sit in my heated shop between uses.

One of the blowers is 21 inch Sears 3hp 2 cycle (works great for 4 inches of snow or less, as long as it is not great snowball snow) plug in electric start. Always starts, in less than a minute. Will do deeper snow, but it adds significantly to the time out there.

The other is 38 inch John Deere mounted to the front of my LX178 lawn tractor.
It will move most MN snows. But it leaves about an half inch on the drive when you are done.

My best suggestion is to learn to do small engine repair. So, like most small farmers you repair you equipment in the off season. Its not always fun, but it sure saves money. Good/Even mediocre equipment will last for a very long time…

andys wrote:

my 10 year old ariens with a Briggs motor has been flawless. T

Same here. I know they don’t use B&S any more, now building their own motors, but Ariens is a great company, and I have to believe their motors are solid (my dad bought one last year and has been happy with it).

The driveway is probably 30by40′ we have some sidewalk and a trail for mail dude. Seems like a lot to me but for a lot of guys on this site it is not-Anyway will probably buy that one, it is 2 stage, think 7hp, running great, 300 bucks. Thanks for all the tips I’ll get an extra belt and some pins. I tend to work stuff hard while I’m using them but stay on the routine maintenence and always use non-oxy gas. Now hopefully its still for sale!