rickjump1 0 #1 January 1, 2008 Nothing to do with cold sex. Would appreciate any opinions on the best snowblower to buy. Enjoying my first Montana winter. I heard it must be at least 10 hp and 2 stage.Do your part for global warming: ban beans and hold all popcorn farts. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
warpedskydiver 0 #2 January 1, 2008 Two stage, do you have a lawn tractor, or ATV? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
warpedskydiver 0 #3 January 1, 2008 Or get a plow for your truck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slotperfect 7 #4 January 1, 2008 I just PMd you the Consumer Reports ratings for snowblowers as a PDF. None of the two-stage models are 10hp, but there are some 9 and 9.5hp models for you to look at. Notice that the top rated model is a Toro. We had a Toro walk-behind snowblower growing up in Northeastern Vermont - while that was a long time ago, I can vouch for the Toro being a kickass piece of gear. It outlasted me in our household (over six winters) and kept on going. I hope that helps.Arrive Safely John Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rickjump1 0 #5 January 1, 2008 Sold my tractor and a blade would not be practicable close to the house and you still end up with piles of snow to push somewhere. I'm leaning toward one you walk behind that throws snow away from everything evenly.Do your part for global warming: ban beans and hold all popcorn farts. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rickjump1 0 #6 January 1, 2008 Appreciate the CR report and the hands-on info. Thanks.Do your part for global warming: ban beans and hold all popcorn farts. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bigvrw 1 #7 January 1, 2008 I have the Honda 928, 9 hp and 28 inch bucket. Works great and lasts forever. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hobie331 0 #8 January 1, 2008 Finally tired of getting ever increasing snow removal bills I stopped at the local Sears last week. Picked up a Craftsman 9hp(Tecumseh), 28", 2 stage. Snowed 6" next day and had absolutely no problems removing it. I personally have never been one to shop all over town looking to save a few bucks and will admit I bought this entirely on a whim. But, I'm happy and it did the job. It's a gift, I don't try to explain it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kong 0 #9 January 1, 2008 Either Ariens or Toro would be good choices. 8hp+ and 2 stage. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
warpedskydiver 0 #10 January 2, 2008 Also spraying the inside with diesel, Pam, or WD-40 will help greatly. Is your garage heated? It helps by keeping the inside nice and clean. My dad built one out of a 2 stage and used a 12HP engine that he got for a valve job. The only problem was being careful where you pointed the chute. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
normiss 723 #11 January 2, 2008 damnit man...we're still mowing grass!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rickjump1 0 #12 January 2, 2008 Yep, I heard that especially in wet snow.Do your part for global warming: ban beans and hold all popcorn farts. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rickjump1 0 #13 January 2, 2008 Thinking now of the Toro or the Honda except the Honda got bad grades in maueuvering. Thanks for all the input from everybody. The garage will be heated and it will be a while before the grass comes up. Gonna get some drought resistant grass that should not grow very fast. Fire danger gets high up here in the summer.Do your part for global warming: ban beans and hold all popcorn farts. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gonzalesna 0 #14 January 2, 2008 how about this one? Might be nsfwSome people refrain from beating a dead horse. Personally, I find a myriad of entertainment value when beating it until it becomes a horse-smoothie. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rickjump1 0 #15 January 2, 2008 Quotehow about this one? Might be nsfw Now I know why Frosty the Snowman always has a jolly smile. Didn't snow girl know that's a perfect way to get hypothermia?Do your part for global warming: ban beans and hold all popcorn farts. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
futuredivot 0 #16 January 2, 2008 Do they make one that comes with someone to operate it?You are only as strong as the prey you devour Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rickjump1 0 #17 January 3, 2008 QuoteDo they make one that comes with someone to operate it? I'm sure they do, but I can't afford that model. Too much maintenance and upkeep.Do your part for global warming: ban beans and hold all popcorn farts. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumpinfarmer 0 #18 January 3, 2008 I've been looking to replace mine too. I'm thinking about this onewww.schulte.ca/products_snowblowers_rdx110.htm Just be carefull where you throw the snow. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kingbunky 3 #19 January 3, 2008 i have a craftsman 11hp, 31" and it works pretty good. a neighbour has a honda, not sure of the size, but the difference is amazing. his looks smaller and you can't hardly hear it, but it throws snow way farther than mine. mine is noisy as hell, is always vibrating bolts loose and seems like it's about to shake itself to pieces. and yes, before someone asks, i do follow all the maintenance procedures in the book and go over it from end to end every season, tightening and adusting. the honda just seems to be better engineered."Hang on a sec, the young'uns are throwin' beer cans at a golf cart." MB4252 TDS699 killing threads since 2001 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rickjump1 0 #20 January 3, 2008 Nice rig, but I'm tractorless now. Got rid of a little Case International 385. Wish I still had it. Maybe later.Do your part for global warming: ban beans and hold all popcorn farts. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rickjump1 0 #21 January 3, 2008 Thanks for the input. I have a Honda powered generator. Honda does seem to put a lot of effort in engineering. I would imagine it's a balancing act like the rotating parts of a helicopter.Do your part for global warming: ban beans and hold all popcorn farts. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kingbunky 3 #22 January 3, 2008 i know what you mean. briggs and techumseh engines seem to run so much rougher. designed in the 50's and not much has changed. hondas just seem so much more.... refined. i had a tiny honda water pump that i used to fill a 1000 gallon tank. lifted the water about 10 feet through 20 feet of hose with hardly any effort. always started on the first pull and ran like a sewing machine. "Hang on a sec, the young'uns are throwin' beer cans at a golf cart." MB4252 TDS699 killing threads since 2001 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 35 #23 January 3, 2008 Just get a shovel and save your money for jumps. She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rickjump1 0 #24 January 3, 2008 Kohlers seem to last. My JD riding mower is OLD.Do your part for global warming: ban beans and hold all popcorn farts. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rickjump1 0 #25 January 3, 2008 Quote Just get a shovel and save your money for jumps. I have been using a shovel. Right now I have orders not to jump off or out of anything until the shack is finished. My fractured heal hurt her worse than me (also hurt my ego under kiddy peer pressure at the time, but I did it to myself; my screw-up). If I can get the ball going again I might just get back in the air. She is 2000 miles away and I got all my gear.Do your part for global warming: ban beans and hold all popcorn farts. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
