Snowblower questions

srt20

srt20

Active member
I've never had a snowblower. Always had plows on atvs and trucks. But I have a 4 seat UTV now, and don't want to mess around with a plow on it.

So I need a snowblower. I plan on buying a used one. Budget is $300 and less. Any more and I'll just buy a new one.
I have two driveways, both about 80 ft long, both mostly gravel. Have a cement pad in front of garage on one. I live in S WI, so don't get a ton of snow usually, maybe one storm a year over 8".

Sounds like 2 stage is the only way to go?
Wheels or track drive, or doesn't matter much?
Brand preferences? Or maybe better yet, brands to avoid?
What's an average life expectancy on these?

Thanks for any advice!
 
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mjkaliszak

New member
Well I would pony up and get an Ariens however I don't know where you will find one used for $300. Mine cost me $1100 15 yrs ago. I wouldn't sell it for that ( 300 ) . One thing for sure if you buy a single stage anything you will probably regret it over time.
 
gary_in_neenah

gary_in_neenah

Super Moderator
Staff member
Well, here's my 2 cents. A track machine is going to be out of your price range and I agree Ariens makes an excellent blower, the best in my opinion. 300 dollars should get you a an older used machine, most likely a generic brand but adequate for your part of the state. With proper maintenance they last forever.
 
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fastwilly

Member
I would not be afraid of buying MTD ,Yard Machine the engine is the big thing .I've have had one or the last 20 years and still blows snow like a mad man . took it up to the cabin and blow 300 feet of driveway with it 8 h.p. 24" 2 stage . I have a 7 hp single stage for the 3-6 in. light snow and a 2 stage 8hp for the 6 and over and the end of the driveway and would never go any other way. go used you can tell how much use it has had or been treated why pay twice as much for new when used will work just fine for the 3-4 times a year use. good luck

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I would not be afraid of buying MTD ,Yard Machine the engine is the big thing .I've have had one or the last 20 years and still blows snow like a mad man . took it up to the cabin and blow 300 feet of driveway with it 8 h.p. 24" 2 stage . I have a 7 hp single stage for the 3-6 in. light snow and a 2 stage 8hp for the 6 and over and the end of the driveway and would never go any other way. go used you can tell how much use it has had or been treated why pay twice as much for new when used will work just fine for the 3-4 times a year use. good luck
 
T

tundra ron

New member
There are a few on Chicago craigs list the ones you buy from the big box stores usually have Chinese engines on them they do not have horsepower on them they cc on them.
 
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whitedust

Well-known member
Don't buy MTD with tracks I did and finally replaced plastic drive hubs with aftermarket metal drive hubs last year. The plastic drive hubs snap off the drive gears and are general pinta. Wheels are much less problematic. Any 24" 2 stage will do the job but would not buy anything with Chinese engine..... just my preference.
 
1

1fujifilm

Well-known member
srt20 said:
I've never had a snowblower. Always had plows on atvs and trucks. But I have a 4 seat UTV now, and don't want to mess around with a plow on it.

So I need a snowblower. I plan on buying a used one. Budget is $300 and less. Any more and I'll just buy a new one.
I have two driveways, both about 80 ft long, both mostly gravel. Have a cement pad in front of garage on one. I live in S WI, so don't get a ton of snow usually, maybe one storm a year over 8".

Sounds like 2 stage is the only way to go?
Wheels or track drive, or doesn't matter much?
Brand preferences? Or maybe better yet, brands to avoid?
What's an average life expectancy on these?

Thanks for any advice!
Click to expand...

Hello,
I bought a new Ranger with the 6 foot Boss straight blade plow a month ago AND have a 30 inch MTD snow blower I bought three years ago at Lowes. I believe I paid $850 for the snow blower and it came with a 3 year warranty but I never needed it, it works flawlessly.
Two pieces of advice if you buy a new snow blower; one, the cutting edge that meets the blacktop will cause the blower to "jump around a bit until it "wears in" a bit (about 10 snow falls) next; MTD is a universal brand and are almost identical to Sears, etc.

Buy now, snow is coming Frank
 
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polarisrider1

New member
Mtd is the bottom of the barrel. Grocery stores sell them. Pretty much anything newer under 24 hp has a Chinese motor. I have an Ariens that has a Subaru motor. Runs great. Get a pocket full of shear pins no matter what you buy.
 
J

jebjk1

Member
For that kinda budget, I would definitely go with an older Toro, similar to this one. These things are bulletproof.

I have a 25 year old Toro 521 (owned for the last 15 years). That thing has started on the first pull EVERY SINGLE TIME including the first start of the season after sitting all summer.
Kinda freaks me out that I have never pulled it over twice in a row. *knocks on wood*
The only thing I have ever done is change the oil and spark plug a few times.

http://appleton.craigslist.org/for/5261984919.html
 
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MZEMS2

New member
I also live in southern WI and I've been very happy with my MTD/Yard machine that I got at Farm and Fleet 10 yrs ago. It's a two stage, 26', with a 7.5hp Tecumseh. I change the oil regularly, keep it lubed well, coat it with WD40 every spring, treat fuel properly...and it has never failed me. I have the tires with chains combo and it's pretty much gotten me through everything. The trouble with used is you obviously won't know the maintenance/upkeep that's been done. Mine is 10 yrs old and looks like new. I'm sure there are many that are 3 yrs old and look like they're 15 yrs old......
 
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groomerdriver

New member
chillywilly said:
Ariens are the best IMO
Click to expand...

X2000 on the Ariens! For $250 I'd buy it and sell it up here for $450....but why hasn't it sold? Been on CL for 23 days. Must be something wrong with it but whatever it is (carb, clutch) can be fixed pretty cheap.

Wire brush that puppy up, put some Ariens orange paint on it and run it!
 
S

snobuilder

Well-known member
Working PT at a big box home store I see that window AC units and snowblowers are sold under the same circumstances....immediate need....LOL

We sell ariens, toro and cub. You can get 10% off by opening a new HD CC card and 6,12 or 24 months free financing depending on puchase.

Current card holders get % off or extended free financingffers every couple weeks. Read your junk mail.
 
mezz

mezz

Well-known member
Ariens, Ariens, Ariens. IMO, your not going to get much for $300, unless you find one that belonged to someone who didn't use it much & needs to get rid of it because they're moving south. I will further add, that I have an Ariens which I bought new in 1996 & it's still in great shape & runs like new, there is longevity in these, especially when properly cared for & not beat.-Mezz
 
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pez

Member
I bought my Yardman 28" 9HP blower probably 15 plus years ago from Farm and Fleet. Still works great. I have replaced the power window motor that moves the shoot once.

I want a new Ariens, but don't need yet
 
srt20

srt20

Active member
I have found many many Ariens and other brands snowblowers on CL for $300 and under. I just picked that one to link because it is in my town. I haven't seen it in person, so maybe it's a POS.

I have noticed that people's expectations of prices on here are somewhat higher than what I see on CL. Not just snowblowers, but sleds, trailers, vehicles. But I also understand that people on here probably take better care of their stuff than some or even most on CL. Because if people on here didn't care as much, there wouldn't be big discussions on oils, etc.
 
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polarisrider1

New member
srt20 said:
I have found many many Ariens and other brands snowblowers on CL for $300 and under. I just picked that one to link because it is in my town. I haven't seen it in person, so maybe it's a POS.

I have noticed that people's expectations of prices on here are somewhat higher than what I see on CL. Not just snowblowers, but sleds, trailers, vehicles. But I also understand that people on here probably take better care of their stuff than some or even most on CL. Because if people on here didn't care as much, there wouldn't be big discussions on oils, etc.
Click to expand...

So are you buying or just chit chatting?
 
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