My 20 year old snow blower is on its last legs and my Troy Built dealer tells me parts are impossible to get. Time to get a new one. I don't like what I see with the new Troy Builts. I have a fair amount of driveway, pads and walks to do so I want to get something substantial. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Place where I deer hunt in northern Michigan swears by Husqvarna so thats a consideration. Thought I would look for an end of season deal and save a few bucks.

IMHO they all pretty much work the same until they start breaking, so I'd be partial to buying local for that reason. Something also to consider if your budget and terrain allows it is an attachment that fits either on a garden tractor if you have one, or on a 4 wheeler if you have one of those.

Lou, I've always bought Stihl saws for my forestry chores, but a couple years ago I picked up a Husky saw. Very pleased, and now I have 3 in different sizes. They make a quality product.

Hard to beat Honda products although pricey.

Try and find a Honda 8hp hydrostatic track drive which is a 2 stage and will blow snow 50ft with authority. There is not a comparable blower out there that will do what the Honda will and it always starts first or second pull. I get up to 7ft of snow on my property in Montana by the end of Feb. and the Honda clears what the JD. tractor can't get to. They are simply amazing but you will pay more for one than the others.

This Ariens is a Monster!

http://www.snowblowersdirect.c...w-Thrower/i8621.html

quote:

Originally posted by doubledown:
This Ariens is a Monster!

http://www.snowblowersdirect.c...w-Thrower/i8621.html

Ariens blowers are the best.Makes Honda look like junk!!!

How about turning your dish washer into a snow blower.

It is easy just give her a shovel.

I used to have a two-stage Ariens, but I found I had to have the bottom/back of the auger housing welded to the sides for durability. Otherwise, they are nice machines.

I had only a 2 or 3 horsepower motor and the old type separate clutches for auger and wheels, for which I had a very healthy respect, since I knew of cases where the motor had come back to life after being shut off and neither clutch was absolutely certain to be disengaged.

The only other problems I had were with heavy, wet snow (MA and IL) clogging up the auger. I would clear it with an old broom handle. I tried paint, silicon spray, etc., but clogging continued.

I had bought it cheaply, used, during a long winter when new ones were completely unavailable. In preparing it for use, I found the finger of a leather glove loose in the auger. I guessed why I was able to get it cheap.

It worked fine for me, since I was very accustomed to power machinery and knew the dangers, but I would never let anyone else touch it.

I'd like to offer this option!
Move to Texas!

Thank you for your attention!

Damn, Rusty,don't encourage them.

We usually exceed 200 inches of snow per season. Ariens rules the roost here. There are numerous operational 40 year old machines up here. Parts are still available. Mine is only 10 and its broken in, not broken down.