snowblower Size recomendations for my driveway

[barry1me]

Hey guys I am new to snowblowing...been running a quad with plow, tractor, or UTV for past few years. I do not have access to those tools this year.

Driveway is 33 x 50 by the garage area. Overall driveway length with circle turn around is 470ft long, and on average 12 ft wide. Some 11ft, and some open to 13 ft wide. Im in SE michigan, we get 100-140 inches of snow per year.

I bought a Cub Cadet 2x 524 WE from costco for $689 last week. Took me 6 swipes to do the driveway as long as I didnt get to much spillage. Machine starts and runs good. It did seem to bog down in 5th gear with 6 inches of snow on the ground. It took me 1 hour and 40 minutes first time, and 55 minutes the second time.

I was wondering would it make sense to jump to an Ariends 28 or 30 inch deluxe model?

The 30 inch deluxe can be had as a 2015 left over model for $1200 new.

Just curious if there is any justification to do this over the cub cadet model.

Simple math says that cub cadet 24 inch wide can do driveway in 6 swipes, the 30 inch deluxe model can do it in 4.8 swipes.

On average I think I would probably have to do my driveway 12-20 times per yea

 

[groomerdriver]

Hey guys I am new to snowblowing...been running a quad with plow, tractor, or UTV for past few years. I do not have access to those tools this year.

Driveway is 33 x 50 by the garage area. Overall driveway length with circle turn around is 470ft long, and on average 12 ft wide. Some 11ft, and some open to 13 ft wide. Im in SE michigan, we get 100-140 inches of snow per year.

I bought a Cub Cadet 2x 524 WE from costco for $689 last week. Took me 6 swipes to do the driveway as long as I didnt get to much spillage. Machine starts and runs good. It did seem to bog down in 5th gear with 6 inches of snow on the ground. It took me 1 hour and 40 minutes first time, and 55 minutes the second time.

I was wondering would it make sense to jump to an Ariends 28 or 30 inch deluxe model?

The 30 inch deluxe can be had as a 2015 left over model for $1200 new.

Just curious if there is any justification to do this over the cub cadet model.

Simple math says that cub cadet 24 inch wide can do driveway in 6 swipes, the 30 inch deluxe model can do it in 4.8 swipes.

On average I think I would probably have to do my driveway 12-20 times per yea

Ariens is just a better built, tougher machine. Heavier duty. Your Cub is bogging because the 5HP couldn't get the snow out fast enough.

Get the most HP and widest cut you can get. I got sick of a walk behind and the sweating that came along with it and bought a garden tractor and 44" front blower.

 

[GTL]

Just remember it's not always the size of the unit---------it's how you use it !!!!! lol

 

[snobuilder]

470 FEET and you have a 5 hp?

 

[barry1me]

470 FEET and you have a 5 hp?

Yes on distance...I do not know what the HP is on mine, it is a Cub cadet 524 model.

 

[mezz]

Yes on distance...I do not know what the HP is on mine, it is a Cub cadet 524 model.

Model 524 standsfor 5hp w/ 24"cut, too small in HP for that amount of area.-Mezz

 

[groomerdriver]

Model 524 standsfor 5hp w/ 24"cut, too small in HP for that amount of area.-Mezz

10/32or12/32willdoitmuchfaster.

Doing it again!


For that much blowing I'd get the 36" hydro:


https://www.ariens.com/en-us/Documents/Spec_Pro.pdf

 

[barry1me]

10/32or12/32willdoitmuchfaster.

Doing it again!


For that much blowing I'd get the 36" hydro:


https://www.ariens.com/en-us/Documents/Spec_Pro.pdf

I was considering a ariens 28 deluxe or 30 deluxe.


That Hydro Thing looks like a beast...probably not much less then a quad with a plow!!

 

[ezra]

tossing out numbers like 1200 bucks for 12 to 20 a yr? yeah do the math at hiring it out what 35 to 50 a push? so u tell them only when over 6 inch so now u have what 5 to 7 times a yr? and use the one u have to do the small stuff.
I have a 3.5 inch deal at 25bucks a push and a small toro rubber flapper style for those

 

[barry1me]

tossing out numbers like 1200 bucks for 12 to 20 a yr? yeah do the math at hiring it out what 35 to 50 a push? so u tell them only when over 6 inch so now u have what 5 to 7 times a yr? and use the one u have to do the small stuff.
I have a 3.5 inch deal at 25bucks a push and a small toro rubber flapper style for those

So If Im following your saying keep the $740 24 inch cub cadet (I can return to Costco still), and not buy the $1200 30 inch ariens and then pay someone to push it a few times a year?

 

[xcsp]

So If Im following your saying keep the $740 24 inch cub cadet (I can return to Costco still), and not buy the $1200 30 inch ariens and then pay someone to push it a few times a year?

If you were to get someone in to push a few times, would you need them to be there by a certain time or whenever they show up? Will they push and cause damage to your property?

Personally, I'd go with the larger Arien's. Take care of it it will last a long time.

 

[barry1me]

If you were to get someone in to push a few times, would you need them to be there by a certain time or whenever they show up? Will they push and cause damage to your property?

Personally, I'd go with the larger Arien's. Take care of it it will last a long time.

Im leaning the same way as you...Just wondering if it would be better then a plow with atv.

 

[machzdoo]

I would take it back and get the bigger unit if you can.

 

[slimcake]

Ariens is just a better built, tougher machine. Heavier duty. Your Cub is bogging because the 5HP couldn't get the snow out fast enough.

Get the most HP and widest cut you can get. I got sick of a walk behind and the sweating that came along with it and bought a garden tractor and 44" front blower.

How are you liking the garden tractor idea? I am leaning that way as well but hear people say that all you do is get stuck and what not.....

 

[whitedust]

Why not hire a plow guy in and out in minutes?

 

[timo]

don't do the plow and atv, half the time you can't push the snow cuzz it's too wet and then where do you go with the snow banks once you get too much snow. either get the ariens or if you have a riding lawn tractor buy a blower to attach and no problems.

Im leaning the same way as you...Just wondering if it would be better then a plow with atv.

 

[Wyelde]

I gotta agree with Whitedust. You should look into a plowing service. Or, a junker 4WD with a plow on it. That is too much driveway for what you have.

 

[scoot]

I've had a Cub Cadet 526 26" for a few years now and it's worked out great. Not sure what the 1150 B&S HP rating is, but it has more then enough power. I just bought the next size up from what the local Cub dealer recommended. It starts on the first pull everytime and I can throw the snow into my neighbor's drive 50' away if I want to. In fact the neighbors wait until I'm outside in hopes they can guilt me into cleaning what the snowplow pushed into their driveways .

 

[groomerdriver]

How are you liking the garden tractor idea? I am leaning that way as well but hear people say that all you do is get stuck and what not.....

Two years into and and I love it!!! I haven't gotten stuck ever. Have chains on all 4 tires. Putting the blower on after the first time is a breeze. I just wished I had done it years ago!

- - - Updated - - -

Im leaning the same way as you...Just wondering if it would be better then a plow with atv.

As another poster said, an ATV will only push the snow back so far and if it's heavy and wet, it'll be more difficult. My neighbor has one and if we get over 6" of snow he has somebody come over an plow, but they get there by 6 AM.

An ATV with a blower is a great way to go as well. The blower setups are spendy for them though. IMO - look at an older garden tractor with a blower and use it as a dedicated machine.

A used plow truck will start to break down and cost you time and $$ in repairs.

But it's your money.....

 

[barry1me]

Two years into and and I love it!!! I haven't gotten stuck ever. Have chains on all 4 tires. Putting the blower on after the first time is a breeze. I just wished I had done it years ago!

- - - Updated - - -



As another poster said, an ATV will only push the snow back so far and if it's heavy and wet, it'll be more difficult. My neighbor has one and if we get over 6" of snow he has somebody come over an plow, but they get there by 6 AM.

An ATV with a blower is a great way to go as well. The blower setups are spendy for them though. IMO - look at an older garden tractor with a blower and use it as a dedicated machine.

A used plow truck will start to break down and cost you time and $$ in repairs.

But it's your money.....

Ya I am considering all options at this point.