Can Any Single Stage Blower Handle Wet Snow?
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JTK
$100 Site Donor 2025
I had a mid/late 1990's model Toro CCR2000 (I think that's what it was called), that would throw 6-8" of wet stuff. It had a Suzuki 2-stroke on it.
Sometimes the rubber paddled jobs do better on the wet stuff than 2-stage models. Kind of wish I had kept that little blower..
Sometimes the rubber paddled jobs do better on the wet stuff than 2-stage models. Kind of wish I had kept that little blower..
Originally Posted By: SubLGT
Are there any single stage snow blowers that can handle 6-8" of wet snow ???
Some of them, such as the Path-Pro from Ariens, have engines as large as 208cc.
I don't think there are any single stage snowblowers that are self propelled. I had a single stage ariens that sucked when it had heavy snow. I got a heck of a deal on a two stage model from Sears (under $400 before taxes for a new three year old model that was in a warehouse packaged up). Sold my Ariens for $200.
Save yourself from cursing when you have to manually shove the snow. That ariens actually caused me to rip one of my winter coats as I leaned on the handle to clear the bottom of my driveway.
Regards, JC.
Are there any single stage snow blowers that can handle 6-8" of wet snow ???
Some of them, such as the Path-Pro from Ariens, have engines as large as 208cc.
I don't think there are any single stage snowblowers that are self propelled. I had a single stage ariens that sucked when it had heavy snow. I got a heck of a deal on a two stage model from Sears (under $400 before taxes for a new three year old model that was in a warehouse packaged up). Sold my Ariens for $200.
Save yourself from cursing when you have to manually shove the snow. That ariens actually caused me to rip one of my winter coats as I leaned on the handle to clear the bottom of my driveway.
Regards, JC.
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The toro's with the powercurve paddles do fine.
Its not esp. their forte but they make up for it by being very maneuverable and light.
They also self propel by the paddle itself pulling forwards
its more of an assist than a full self propel.
my 15 year old 2450 will throw wet snow about 20ft.
it has a 5hp R-Tek engine.(2 cycle)
It really depends on your driveway and climate.
It also clears down to the pavement.
only good for concrete or asphalt though.
you can pick up a used ccr-3650 for around 200-250$ usually.
new would be something like this
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Toro-Power-Cl...39#.UjO0bT-S934
they have options such as electric start, and crank chute available.
Its not esp. their forte but they make up for it by being very maneuverable and light.
They also self propel by the paddle itself pulling forwards
its more of an assist than a full self propel.
my 15 year old 2450 will throw wet snow about 20ft.
it has a 5hp R-Tek engine.(2 cycle)
It really depends on your driveway and climate.
It also clears down to the pavement.
only good for concrete or asphalt though.
you can pick up a used ccr-3650 for around 200-250$ usually.
new would be something like this
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Toro-Power-Cl...39#.UjO0bT-S934
they have options such as electric start, and crank chute available.
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Originally Posted By: Rand
The toro's with the powercurve paddles do fine.
Its not esp. their forte but they make up for it by being very maneuverable and light.
They also self propel by the paddle itself pulling forwards
its more of an assist than a full self propel. ....................
Do the paddles wear out and require frequent replacement?
Toro SS 21" blowers can get pretty expensive, up to $769 with electric start, but also as low as $500 with manual start. But they were one of the few SS blowers to score well in CR tests last February.
The toro's with the powercurve paddles do fine.
Its not esp. their forte but they make up for it by being very maneuverable and light.
They also self propel by the paddle itself pulling forwards
its more of an assist than a full self propel. ....................
Do the paddles wear out and require frequent replacement?
Toro SS 21" blowers can get pretty expensive, up to $769 with electric start, but also as low as $500 with manual start. But they were one of the few SS blowers to score well in CR tests last February.
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They do wear out but not frequently. The first set of mine lasted over 10 years.
they sell a scraper, belt, and paddle set that runs about 50$ If I remember right.
they can be very pricy new. You have a couple options but I'd take a nice single stage over a cheap 2 stage.
if you need more than a single stage.. you want a NICE 2 stage.
I bought and recently sold a ccr-3650 for
any of the CCR series is nice. usually run about forever if taken care of.
http://akroncanton.craigslist.org/hsh/4046991106.html
example.
they sell a scraper, belt, and paddle set that runs about 50$ If I remember right.
they can be very pricy new. You have a couple options but I'd take a nice single stage over a cheap 2 stage.
if you need more than a single stage.. you want a NICE 2 stage.
I bought and recently sold a ccr-3650 for
any of the CCR series is nice. usually run about forever if taken care of.
http://akroncanton.craigslist.org/hsh/4046991106.html
example.
+1 for the Toro rubber paddle blowers. I have a CCR Powerlite with the 3 hp Tecumseh 2-stroke and it powers through almost anything. It does better in the slush than a 2 stage blower. The problem is finding one that isn't abused. The plow guys love them for sidewalks, so if you get one make sure the plastic isn't beat up.
The Cub Cadet 21" single stage blower has caught my attention. It has an electric start 208cc motor, and unlike all the other SS blowers I looked at, it also has remote handles to control chute direction and height, and has a headlight. Can be had for $600, including shipping.
I also looked at some of the 24" 2-stage blowers at home depot, and the Sno-Tek offered a lot, for around $745 (incl tax and delivery). But it seems like overkill for my short driveway and short sidewalk.
OTOH, when there is 6" of wet snow on the ground, and I am out there with my shovel, the driveway feels like it has tripled in length.
I also looked at some of the 24" 2-stage blowers at home depot, and the Sno-Tek offered a lot, for around $745 (incl tax and delivery). But it seems like overkill for my short driveway and short sidewalk.
OTOH, when there is 6" of wet snow on the ground, and I am out there with my shovel, the driveway feels like it has tripled in length.
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I see that Ariens has introduced a new line of SS blowers this year. The $600 one does not have a headlight or remote control for the chute deflector like the Cub Cadet, but it probably has a higher quality engine and is more durable overall.
I was surprised to read in the Cub Cadet owners manual that the blower has a Average Useful Life of only 60 operational hours, as determined by EPA and CPSC!
I was surprised to read in the Cub Cadet owners manual that the blower has a Average Useful Life of only 60 operational hours, as determined by EPA and CPSC!
You can always go big. I had a BCS 2 wheel tractor for 20 yeuars (think gravely walk behind) that had a mower attachment, tiller, and a single stage snowblower. It never clogged and would throw snow easily 20 feet to clear a 300 ft long driveway. I remember one spring when the weather was just right to melt the winter snow packed gravel driveway so that there was 6 inches of slush, too deep to drive through. It cleared it right out, it looked like wet slushy coming out of the chute. Barely threw it to the edge of the driveway, but it worked. The next morning, it was about 20 degrees, so glad it worked, otherwise it would have been an iceburg. I see a new snow blower attachment lists at $1000, so there's that, lol! I bought mine used, used it for 20 years and got nearly all my money back when I sold it.
Originally Posted By: SubLGT
I was surprised to read in the Cub Cadet owners manual that the blower has a Average Useful Life of only 60 operational hours, as determined by EPA and CPSC!
That's for the emissions stuff. IOW: Residental use. But it has no correlation to actual product life. I've got well over the 50 hour rating on my Homelite 2 stroke leaf blower. Heck, probably put 30 hours on it this year alone (and it's an 06 model). It does have an odd rod knock sometimes (or at least thats what it sounds like) but it starts first pull and runs well. I just keep wondering when I'll shoot a rock through the block.
I was surprised to read in the Cub Cadet owners manual that the blower has a Average Useful Life of only 60 operational hours, as determined by EPA and CPSC!
That's for the emissions stuff. IOW: Residental use. But it has no correlation to actual product life. I've got well over the 50 hour rating on my Homelite 2 stroke leaf blower. Heck, probably put 30 hours on it this year alone (and it's an 06 model). It does have an odd rod knock sometimes (or at least thats what it sounds like) but it starts first pull and runs well. I just keep wondering when I'll shoot a rock through the block.
^^ I have learned the Cub Cadet 208cc engine does not use an iron cylinder sleeve, and like most snow blowers does not have an air filter. This is a not a recipe for long engine life. Plus it is underpowered compared to its competitor's 208cc motors, around 18% less torque.
Originally Posted By: SubLGT
^^ I have learned the Cub Cadet 208cc engine does not use an iron cylinder sleeve, and like most snow blowers does not have an air filter. This is a not a recipe for long engine life. Plus it is underpowered compared to its competitor's 208cc motors, around 18% less torque.
I don't know if I would correlate the lack of air filter to engine life. I've got an early 80's Deere (Simplicity) snowblower with an air filter less Tecumseh that is running strong through 20+ years of Wisconsin winters. It's not like you are operating in a dusty environment.
Lack of power is a concern. I'm not sure if it's possible to get too much power in a blower.
^^ I have learned the Cub Cadet 208cc engine does not use an iron cylinder sleeve, and like most snow blowers does not have an air filter. This is a not a recipe for long engine life. Plus it is underpowered compared to its competitor's 208cc motors, around 18% less torque.
I don't know if I would correlate the lack of air filter to engine life. I've got an early 80's Deere (Simplicity) snowblower with an air filter less Tecumseh that is running strong through 20+ years of Wisconsin winters. It's not like you are operating in a dusty environment.
Lack of power is a concern. I'm not sure if it's possible to get too much power in a blower.
I have a single stage Yard Machines with the 208CC 5HP electric start.
It has never had a issue in the 4 MN winters I have had it. It will pull it's self a little with the paddles but is not self propelled. That said, it's pretty light and isn't too hard to get thru the snow.
At the end of the season throw some fuel stabilizer in the fuel and run it for a bit. Change the oil with a synthetic 5w30 and you're all set!
It has never had a issue in the 4 MN winters I have had it. It will pull it's self a little with the paddles but is not self propelled. That said, it's pretty light and isn't too hard to get thru the snow.
At the end of the season throw some fuel stabilizer in the fuel and run it for a bit. Change the oil with a synthetic 5w30 and you're all set!
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