Does this snowblower look good?

[NateDN10]

The snowblower in question.

I called the seller - he bought it 2 years ago and the previous owner had just re-engined it. The blower itself is around 8-9 years old. It's been repainted in spots.

First, do I have anything to worry about with the new engine? Looks like it may be one of the Chonda OHV engines, but I'm admittedly unexperienced. The seller hasn't had any trouble with it.

Second, are there any trouble spots with the snowblower itself? Anything I should check out when I go see it?

Thanks!

 

[Rand]

seems decent but you wont really know until the snow flies so I'd probably pass at that price.

if its actually good and you could tell it would be worth that.

sometimes its also hard to tell if they re-engined it right or its a redneck job.

some of those chondas are about 79$

also I'd be worried about the gears etc in it after 9 years of unknown use..

for all you know this guy garbage picked it and plopped a 80$ engine on it.

 

[eljefino]

That IS a 6.5 hp Harbor Freight chonda engine. Will be kind of wussy on a 26 inch cut. I have a pair of 24" blowers with 6.5s and it's barely adequate for that, though enjoyable in modest half-foot snowfalls.

I'm always suspicous of repaints and blowers in summer. If the friction drive mechanism is so-so it will work good on dry pavement and fail you when you need it.

I agree with the $80/dump pick comment. I do this too. You can make a nice blower, especially if you start with a junk tecumseh.

 

[NateDN10]

So what I'm hearing is that, at the very least, this may not be worth what he's asking. My guess is that, without completely dismantling it, there isn't any way to tell what shape the internals are before snow comes.

Given that caveat, and the fact that it's underpowered, what might be a fair price?

Edit: or should I run, run away?

 

[Trav]

I have to wonder about the 6.5 HP Chonda engine also. My Ariens is 28" with 12HP OHV, it runs well and moves deep snow without any problems but i cant imagine it with almost half the HP.

Edit: I wouldn't even make an offer on this but $150 is all the money. Approx $400 is the price of a decent 9-11 HP B&S snow intek.

http://www.amazon.com/Briggs-Stratton-Horizontal-Engine-20A412-0007/dp/B002SWH2JK

 

[johnnydc]

Try to get it for $200 it looks nice, but who knows

 

[The motor guy]

That's a junk chinese engine. Support our american economy and find one with an american engine on it. The chinese one will last a year or two at most before you start having to replace things like rotten hoses and that sort of thing cause they use poor quality rubber.

 

[Bandito440]

How big is your driveway? I know Rochester can get hit with some good snow. That motor is a bit weak for my tastes. No more than $150.

 

[KeithS_NW_Ohio]

That S/B had a 8 hp motor when it was new.

 

[NateDN10]

My driveway is 2 cars wide & about 60 ft. long. I also have to clear about 200 ft. of sidewalk.

 

[NateDN10]

Here's another.
Given my previous post regarding how much snow removal I'll have to do, would this snow blower suffice? I realize it's much smaller than the previous one I posted. The seller says he paid $400 for it new; I can find it on Amazon for $350.

 

[AandPDan]

The first one, walk away from. "It has never failed me"-- yeah but you had to replace the engine, why?

It's been reengined, undersized, is overpriced, and you don't know the history.

The second one is just too small for your needs.

Look for something with 8-10hp, 24 or so inches. A 2 stage unit would definitely be what I recommend.

If you only get an inch or two of snow, then maybe the 2nd unit.

 

[Fordiesel69]

My personal opinion, stick with an old ariens with a 7-8hp techumseh. I have owned these and they NEVER EVER die. You just buy a $69 rebuild kit on ebay if it burns oil.

The chonda engines that I have worked on have FIXED JET carbs, which means they run great when it is 50-85 degrees out. In the winter they will run like [censored]. The engine itself is fairly good, but all the stuff bolted to it is [censored].

 

[typ901]

Depending on your budget look at Toro's website. I bought my 11Hp./28" 2-stage with 0% financing 2 years ago. Yeah posts concerning that JD being underpowered are correct for that size I would expect a 7-9HP. Go big as you can afford/physically move. Self turn is very helpful.

 

[hemitom]

Man i had that exact blower the( john deere). Mine had a 10 H.P tecumseh engine.
mine was a 1981 i just got rid of it last year, The frame and gear assembly on that thing was bullet proof, the only work that was ever done on it was carb kit and new belts and skid shoes on the front . really don,t miss it though compared to my new ariens. Old one was excessively loud, very heavy , you would reek of exhaust when finished using it. I also would be leery of the engine on it.

 

[gd9704]

Underpowered? Maybe. Still beats shoveling any day of the week.

 

[earlyre]

personally, i'd rather get one of these:


or build something similar using like a 2L 4cyl.(the v8 is awesome, but really overkill)
part of the genius of these, you don't really need gloves, the handlebar is heated (has a coolant line running through it)

 

[NateDN10]

"Aww, rats. My snowblower engine died. Now should I replace it with the original engine, a cheapo Harbor Freight engine, or a big block V8?"

"CLEARLY THE V8."

That's ridiculous.

 

[hemitom]

With the heat coming off the exhaust i bet his ears aren't cold either.

 

[Kestas]

That Toro Power Clear 180 Snowthrower looks like a toy. I bought my snowthrower for the +3" snows we sometimes get. I'll use the shovel for anything under 3".

For Rochester, you want a two-stage thrower to prepare yourself for the deep snows.