Best snowthrower

[Jim S]

...for heavy snow conditions as I'm moving to where the snow fall is measured in feet (except for this year ):

Size: 26", 30", ??? Troy Built? Husqvarna?

(I searched and couldn't find anything good. I'm sure I'll eat these words.)

[shirk]

Honda nuff said. No one has small engines stuff dialed like Honda.

[Free Range Lobster]

git r dun.

[wolfy]

for Floriston- nothing less than a Honda will do, try anything else- you'll get a Honda later. Husky makes a decent chainsaw, bad blowers...

[yooper]

My buddy had a honda that he had a lot of trouble with. Not motor-wise, but alot of little stuff... Belts coming off, drive wheels quit working, electric start quit working... All under warranty, but a hassle.

Ariens is pretty well known for being bulletproof. I would say get a 8.5 horse minimum. 10 horse would be optimum.

[Phill]

where are you moving. If you want snow measured in feet come out to the PNW we are already measuring base depths in feet. Like nine feet.

[Jim S]

where are you moving. If you want snow measured in feet come out to the PNW we are already measuring base depths in feet. Like nine feet.

From south Reno basin up towards Mt Rose in Reno-Tahoe. About 6000 ft elevation.

I know the PNW is having a killer early winter, literally and figuratively.

[Cirquerider]

You live in the mountains, you buy a 2-stage. I prefered narrower 26 to 28 inch models because they can negotiate walkways and you can wrestle up or down a level to blow a deck if needed. Also, the day will come when you sheer a pin or lose a drive belt and will have to manually drag this thing back to the garage. Smaller can be easier. If you have a big drive or private road, consider buying a Kubota tractor with 48-inch PTO drive and snowblower. You will never look back. that is what we used in Pollock Pines along with a truck mounted plow. For snow blowers, I actually had decent luck with Craftsman, Ariens and Troy-Bilt. Hondas are great but tend to be on single stage smaller units and the big 28-inch one can set you back 2-grand, about 100 to 150% of the other ones.

BTW, there is a LOT to be said for contracting this work to a guy with a truck and backhoe if you prefer getting first chair rather than plowing out.

[Phill]

From south Reno basin up towards Mt Rose in Reno-Tahoe. About 6000 ft elevation.

I know the PNW is having a killer early winter, literally and figuratively.

I met a couple of skiers last weekend from tahoe who were taking a ski vacation out here, they said they used to live out here and took vacations to tahoe never thought it would be the other way around. But thats killer that your moving out to a high elevation, I lived at 5,800 ft in utah for a year right at the edge of the mountains, snow on the ground nov-may it was awesome. Now back to sea level for me

[Jim S]

Here are my views at different times of the year. I feel very fortunate: 12 minutes to Mt Rose, 50 minutes to Squaw, 17 minutes to work.

[kidwoo]

Floriston and you need a freakin snow blower?

Gawd you're a pussy. I've lived at the lake for 6 years and JUST got a snowblower because it was given to me for free. All those heavy weights make your arms tired?

You know........those same arms that could squash my head in 5 seconds and make me feel obligated to make fun of you on the internet where you can't hurt me.........


So in summary......I have nothing useful to say on this topic.

But I'll buy you a sixpack every time you make it to rose in 12 minutes.

[Jim S]

Floriston and you need a freakin snow blower?

Gawd you're a pussy. I've lived at the lake for 6 years and JUST got a snowblower because it was given to me for free. All those heavy weights make your arms tired?

You know........those same arms that could squash my head in 5 seconds and make me feel obligated to make fun of you on the internet where you can't hurt me.........


So in summary......I have nothing useful to say on this topic.

But I'll buy you a sixpack every time you make it to rose in 12 minutes.

If your avatar didn't exemplify my hucks, I'd be knocking on your door, you girlyman.

[marshalolson]

jim, for you i'd recommend a snowblower

[Patches]

Honda 12345

[Patches]

How long is your driveway?

[El Chupacabra]

Jim, while a snowblower would be useful in St James/ Galena Forest, it's not exactly 5-foot dumps there...

I'd buy one if I lived there though.

X3 on Honda engine on whatever you buy. And run synthetic oil in it.

[Jim S]

How long is your driveway?

I'd say about 30 feet. I'll hire someone to plow it but I don't know if they'd get there early on.

[kidwoo]

If your avatar didn't exemplify my hucks, I'd be knocking on your door, you girlyman.

I'm not wearing the skirt.


That's all I'm sayin

[Jim S]

That's a picnic cloth. Lunch is served. Tube steak?

[strawjack]

my Ariens has been awesome. starts up everytime and throws the wet heavy shit w/ ease. i have tires but depending on your drive/walkway/deck you might want the track.

i considered the honda, but it was 1 1/2 times the $$$ for essentially the same hp motor. i have a honda mower and i've had a few issues with it. in the end i think i made the right decision.

there was a redneck site called 'whatsthebestsnowblower.com' ...looks like its gone now. good info to be had there if it shows up again.

[focus]

kubota tractor w/ 48" blower is $$$. Closed cab with a heater, bring some noise canceling headphones, go to town. I feel sorry for the poor SOBS pushing a snowblower/shovel around at 6am while I'm sitting in a t-shirt and jeans, drinking some coffee -- they just look so miserable. Much easier on the gravel drive/lawn too.

We have roughly 1/4 mile worth of drive to keep clear, plus multiple parking spaces, so... you might not actually NEED it.... but it sure is nice.

[RobT]

I second a shovel if it's a small area, or a tuck or tractor if you have a really long drive, but if you are set on a snowthrower:



Zaugg, http://www.zauggamerica.com/resort/blowers.shtml

[Patches]

Get a removal contract instead, I bet its cheap. You don't get much snow down there, unless you driveway is uphill going out you can gun your way out if its snowy and it hasn't been cleared yet. Once a year you might have to shovel. Way better than spending $1500 on a blower that takes up a bunch of space in your garage.

[s.p.c]

your momma's a snowblower.

[ColMan]

If you can shovel/get a removal contract and wait until spring, Home Depot usually discounts their throwers 50%. I picked up a 26" 8hp Yard Machines for $350 last May. I've used it several times so far this winter (up to 2') with no complaints.