new or slightly used snowblower ideas

[cookiedough]

After spending 100 bucks on a repair for a 1980's Ariens ST524 model snowblower, my mother in law wanted it since had electric start and self propelled so I got it running but had to take it in since needed repairs beyond my capability internally we found out.

well,  the first snowstorm since I used it once in November, ran fine then, it is now leaking gas out of the carb float bowl and she is willing to spend new or near new pricing on a bigger snowblower has to have electric start and self propelled since she is 73 years old.

On craigslist, I have found what I think a good deal on a toro 926 model OHV engine msrp of 1599 only 2 years old for 880 OBO looks brand new and is selling due to moving to an apartment no longer needed is all.

Has it all, power steering, light for night, and electric start able to throw some major snow 45 feet, looks brand new as well.

I think 800-850 is a good buy considering new is around 1500 bucks supposedly according to Toro website minus maybe a few hundred bucks off that to get it to sell say 1300 or so new pricing. 

Any other good brands, ideas? 

I think Toro is one of the best brands out there even better maybe than Ariens in snowblowers.  I told her not worth spending 1300 if can get a slightly used one for 800 or so.  My 2 neighbors both bought new 5hp craftsman bigger units around 600 bucks new and they work fine as well, just think the quality and reliability and longevity is there more so on that Toro model over the craftsman series.

[wiggydotcom]

Do you like your Valkyrie? Is it the best bike on the road? I thought so when I bought my Interstates-twice.  So when it came time for a snowblower, I thought, why not look at the Hondas.
A couple years ago, I bought this model. I'll tell you it was pricey---but you get what you pay for. It does live up to it's claim of shooting snow 49 feet(as long as it isn't wet and heavy) and is rated to clear up to 55 tons per hour. It's got a feature where you can set the height of the auger to three different positions. This allows it to get under snow that's previously been driven on...and partially melted ice.
Some people buy Mercedes, some buy Chevy Sonics. They both do the same thing, but a little differently. I love my Hondas.    




Here you can read the specs and reviews on the same model but with electric start, which I don't have.
http://powerequipment.honda.com/snowblowers/models/hs928tas

[98valk]

a track blower is harder to move around than a wheel version.

leaking bowl? gummed up, no stabil, clean or just replace the carb. carbs are usually $100 or less.

http://www.snowblowerforum.com/forum/ariens/31337-ariens-company.html

[The emperor has no clothes]

You could always go over and plow your Moms driveway yourself. After 73 years doesn't she deserve a break ?

[Rams]

I don't know crap about snow blowers but after last year's 12" followed by (10 days later) 22" snowfall, I went out and bought a snow blower, I've got a lot of concrete and last year's snow fall just about killed me.   We don't get a huge amount of snow here in Kentucky so, I figure that my purchase just guaranteed it won't snow here for the next five years.     

Regardless, it's an 8 horse self propelled with tractor type tires.   Has electric start and am trying to teach the spousal unit on how to operate it.   Sure hope this plan comes together.   

[wiggydotcom]

a track blower is harder to move around than a wheel version.

If by that, you mean "turn", yes it is slightly harder to get to do a 180 but not bad if you do it while the tracks are moving.

A Valkyrie is harder to move around than a Harley... Some things are worth it. 

[Ramie]

Stuck float or they didn't tighten the float bowl up enough.

[csj]

Both me and my dad got $850 units for $600 at H. Depot, an though they're very different critters, they both have one problem. If you don't start 'em right with the pull start, they get flooded and WON'T start, unless you hook up the electric and let it spin and clear itself. Happened to both units Y'day while working through the snow/ice mess we got

[Michvalk]

You can't do wrong with a Toro. Parts are readily available, almost anywhere. ( the usual stuff even at Wal-Mart) They make a sturdy machine. My dad had one for eight years, and never even put a new plug in it. Just oil changes, and one new belt. One day, it wouldn't start, and he went and bought a new one, just because. He gave me the old one, and all it needed was a new plug, and I used it for a couple years.

By the way, he lived near Manistee, MI, about 15 miles inland from the lake. It got used very frequently, as they were in the lake effect zone, in the northern part of lower Michigan

[Jersey mike]

I have a 2001 Honda 724 w/ wheels not tracks which I bought new and it has been such a great machine. I do live on the Jersey shore so most of our snow is usually heavy wet stuff and it works just fine and has saved me countless hours of heavy lifting.

We have has several storms where we have gotten between 2' & 3' and it powers through no problem and is a miser on gas. I have a very big driveway and that machine can do everything I need it to do and more. I do my driveway and a few neighbors on my street as well as the wall of crap the snowplow pushes in front of the driveway when they come through. With everything I do for myself and the neighbors in a heavy snow it runs 3-4 hours or more non-stop.

In all the years I've had it, I had 1 problem and that was the ignition coil crapped out on me but lucky for me it wasn't during a heavy snow.

The Honda's have a Hydro transmission which means you can smoothly change speed in either forward or reverse with no changing of gears and the shear bolts work great as I've chewed up a few frozen newspapers over the years.

[Big Bear]

That sounds like a good deal.  I bought a new 726 Toro a couple years ago.  My wife has trouble holding on to it and she is early 40's.  I paid new about what you are looking at used.  I don't have power steering or a light but lights on garage and nearby are plenty to see ok.  It starts easy and runs great.

Be prepared to have to run it for her when it needs to be used. I suspect it will be more than she wants to work with.

[Rams]

Be prepared to have to run it for her when it needs to be used. I suspect it will be more than she wants to work with.

Bear,
If you're referring to my plan, I am quite aware she won't want to do it herself, she's a frigg'n liberal.    

But, I know you're correct and I'm standing by just waiting for her to admit it.   I'll hand her that new shovel and take over the manly task of blowing snow.        My goodness, I don't think she knows just how  blessed she is having such a sweetheart like me around.    

[da prez]

    I have a very old direct drive. If the engine goes , I will replace with a Honda with electric start.
   My biggest problem is the solid rubber tires are dry rotted. I will find pneumatic tires for it.

                                      da prez

[cookiedough]

Yah, got an email response and that bigger Toro slightly used snowblower sold yesterday of all the luck. 

Honda is nice, but that one track one shown for over 2 grand is way out of budget for sure.

I'd be glad to use her late 1970's snowblower that has NO electric start (unable to hookup one on that design repair place has said) and she is too weak to pull back the VERY, VERY long pull rope to get it started.  However, she lives 35 miles away and some of us have to work for a living, sometimes way too much for way too little reward.   

[PAVALKER]

Love my Ariens.....

[PAVALKER]

You could always go over and plow your Moms driveway yourself. After 73 years doesn't she deserve a break ?

Good point......or pay the kid on the street to do it for her.

[cookiedough]

You could always go over and plow your Moms driveway yourself. After 73 years doesn't she deserve a break ?

Good point......or pay the kid on the street to do it for her.

I agree about having her neighbor use her older, but very reliable/good 1970's snowblower runs very well but ONLY pull start which I can start easy enough but she cannot.  He is about my age or younger in his 30's and could easily use that snowblower for her small sidewalk and small driveway plus use it for his driveway/sidewalk for free.  Beats shoveling  but she doesn't want to impose on them.   NO neighbor kids around old enough around here to be any good.  Am sure if she would just ask her neighbor even allowing to use her snowblower, he would glady do it taking 15 minutes tops is all for what little driveway/sidewalk she has.   

I'm just glad my mom (not mother in law) has her neighbor do her sidewalk at least since she is unable to do that herself also age 73.  We growing up did their parents shoveling and mowing and yardwork pretty much for peanuts literally, so when his parents died, he took over the house and has been living there ever since the past 20+ years or more. 

[Rams]

Cookie,
The only answer I can come up with is that Mom needs to move in with you for six months of the year, there.   Problem solved.   

[Firefighter]

Como se dice,,,, snow?  What is a snow blower? Must be a hoot up there!

[chief120865]

I ordered mine from here. Got an Ariens, prefer them over Toro. Good prices, great support, drop ship to your front door. Minimal assembly (handles, etc.)
http://www.snowblowersdirect.com/?utm_source=gemini&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=snow+blowers+direct&utm_campaign=snow+blowers+direct

[cookiedough]

Cookie,
The only answer I can come up with is that Mom needs to move in with you for six months of the year, there.   Problem solved.   

that won't be happening anytime soon for more than just dozens of reasons.   

[Crackerborn]

I have an eighteen year old MTD that has a Tecumseh SnowKing engine with an electric starter. I never leave gas in the carb and other than routine maintenence, all I do is add St-Bil to the gas when putting it away in June.   
Then in October it comes out for belt inspection and a quick pull start to make sure no squirrels have made a home in it.

[cookiedough]

I found on craigslist just now a toro 928 model with power steering and heated hand grips bigger unit near new msrp 1500 or so for 800 bucks looks brand new.  NO phone number to call so had to email him but no response.  Am sure it will sell soon if he doesn't respond by this weekend.

I have nothing against Ariens as well but both of my much, much older Ariens made in the 1980's are falling apart for myself time to get rid of them they both have seen better days.  I used the smaller Ariens one just today with NO self propelled and muscled it around did so-so, but only throws the heavy stuff 4 feet at most which is not good on a 20 foot wide driveway tossing snow to the side and then tossing it 2 more times to get it piled up off the driveway.  Works great for snow under 6" but much over 8" is not much good like at the end of driveways fighting with it since also no self-propelled drive. 

I think at 262lbs. for this toro 928 vs. the smaller say toro 724 model being 172 lbs. not having power steering would be a good idea for someone smaller/older.   

Ya just never know though on USED, near new, on why being sold so soon.  a non power steering toro 724 model is 799 brand new though with 3 year warranty.   I think either one will outlast her years blowing snow or they should for the price paid. 

I've never seen or used power steering since personally I do not need, but someone in their 70's and 130lbs. at most would probably be beneficial.  Anyone ever have power steering on a snowblower and good/bads?  I take that back, when my neighbor down the street bought his new craftsman, he paid 100 bucks more just to get the power steering and I tried it out once in October before any snow.  I was not impressed with that model since all it did was angle the machine some not actually able to turn it around on a dime. 

[YoungPUP]

Cookiedough.  I don't know if you're still looking or if a single stage 5 horse craftsman would even cut if for what you're looking for.  But I have one sitting for sale right now for $100.  Hit me up in my email fft42000(diespammer)@hotmail.com or txt/ call at 2one9 seven12 7fourone2 ( im not on here as much any more)  Im over in NW Indiana, and not sure where  you're at in SOuthern WI , but we could work out a meet if youre interested.

Youngpup
Ian

[cookiedough]

thanks YoungPup for the offer, but she is looking at a bigger unit and new or slightly used.  I have 2 older 1980's Ariens snowblowers worth 75-150 bucks tops and having issues with one of them while the other is too small/non-geared unit.  

I just wish the guy on craigslist would reply to my email response for that Toro $1500 near new unit for 800 bucks 1 hour away or so.  It makes me wonder sometimes if the people even want to sell their items posted on craigslist the way some do not reply back to responses or are scams.

I also have a lead on a 7hp near new Craftsman unit at 500 bucks new was 700+, but thinking Ariens/Toro, even Cub Cadet,  is better than a Craftsman branded snowblower in terms of internal parts/engine.  

[Jersey mike]

I forgot I had this link stored away, it was in a folder that I haven't looked at in a long time.

the site has changed a little since the last time I looked at it but there is some helpful info in there as well as some useful links which I'll add here.

http://www.gilsonsnowblowers.com/

http://www.snowblowerforum.com/forum/snowblower-reviews/

http://www.gilsonsnowblowers.com/snowbuying.html

http://thebestsnowblowerandlawnmowerforum.com/phpBB2/index.php


hopefully something in here will help you when it's time to pull the trigger and buy or make repairs to the one you already have.

[cookiedough]

might be a change of snowblower:

Anyone here have the last few years the newer designed personal pace snowmaster Toro 724QXE model that is self propelled same 7hp engine and same 24" wide but smaller chute by a few inches with no gear drive, very similar to Toro's personal pace lawnmower concept.

I have heard the personal pace Toro lawnmowers can have issues for reliability on the personal pace feature so not sure if snowblower would be the same?

Price is only 50 bucks cheaper than traditional 724OE toro model with 6 forward and 2 reverse gears. 

Supposedly throws snow still 40' same as the traditional gear driven design but is 50lbs. lighter being 125 vs. 175 lbs.

considering it since if it is easier to maneuver for in early 70's mother in law,  might be the best for her since does also have electric start.  Toro 'claims' does cut the high end of driveway snowbanks nearly as well as the traditional gear driven auger style models.

A few youtube videos shows it easier to maneuver, actually throws snow far, and does cut down on time needed outside since can walk at your own pace as well as seeing it go thru fairly high end of driveway mounds of snow. 

My main concern is reliability though since gear driven units have been around forever vs. personal pace snowblowers.   

I am going to test one out later this week at dealer if I have time before work for her but with NO snow to give it a shot, is sort of like testing a lawnmower with no lawn to mow.