Snowblower questions

[legend02]

I have two Airens Snowblowers, one is a late 70's 4 HP 20 inch 2 stage, I've had it for 25 years now, still runs great and blows the snow at least 20 feet. , but the chute almost has rusted off, I've rigged with a few sheet metal screws and just have to deal with blowing the snow one way.
The 2nd one is a late 80's model 8 HP 24 inch 2 stage runs goods , but only throws the snow about 15 feet, got it for free about 5 years ago was sitting for a while , threw 50 dollars at it, last winter the Gear in the lower auger went, still need to tear it apart and replace it before snow flys.

 

[whitedust]

Geez.. I thought I was the only one with a 25 year old MTD 2 stage that runs like a hose.... now I see many others have had good luck too. I did replace the plastic drive hubs for tracks with metal last year but never touched the engine other than oil changes...starts on 2nd pull but also have e-start if I get lazy. If you can find an old cherry MTD buy it for cheap.

 

[zltim]

Gravel driveway and a 2 stage snowblower is no fun unless you pack it down with your vehicle first. Gravel stops the auger. I have a Toro 3521 thats about 35 years old and still runs and starts great.

 

[red_dog]

What not to buy

Bought a new Craftsman on sale in 2006, but the nickel and diming hasn't stopped. Looks like MTD built it. Shute cable is like a little bicycle brake cable and only lasted a few years before that broke and took all winter to order a new part so I couldn't direct the snow high or low. Recoil rope broke at 5 years. Probably only been pulled on 15-20 times since new. Shute is narrow and seems to be a point of restriction, not big wide open metal shutes of the past blowers. The first stage broke. The metal literally broke so it wouldn't feed the snow. Complete pile of crap. Oh did I mention the recall for them starting on fire? Says it's a 11.5HP but can only throw snow about 5-10 ft. False advertising at it's best. It turns itself and its got a Briggs SnowTek engine which I'm impressed with so keep putting up with the rest of it. Starts on first pull after sitting all year, well maybe not this year, I'll find out next week. Needs handlebar warmers, I always get wet hands out doing cleanup.