Just tired of shoveling any deep snow at my 49 years of age. Would like to get a quality/reliable snow blower to ease the pains. Have a 30 ft. driveway and the side walks to contend with.
Thanks, Dale
Thanks, Dale
Recommend a snow blower for $900.00 or less.
- Thread starter THORROMIG
- Start date
- Status
Plenty to chose from, I'd stay away from big box stores.
You have Honda, Toro, Husqvarna, Ariens all 2 stage blowers and my preference would go to these over most of the others.
They may not be in the $900 range though.
You have Honda, Toro, Husqvarna, Ariens all 2 stage blowers and my preference would go to these over most of the others.
They may not be in the $900 range though.
I have one of these for my 100ft driveway, works great.
https://www.briggsandstratton.com/n...og/snow-blowers/22--950-tp--remote-chute.html
https://www.briggsandstratton.com/n...og/snow-blowers/22--950-tp--remote-chute.html
I bought the cheapest two-stage that Lowe's sold in 1998. It is a YardMan 22 inch with a 5 speed forward/2 speed reverse gearbox, and a 5 hp Tecumseh engine. No headlight, no electric start. Paid right around $500 for it.
I figured I'd use it for a few years, and then trade up to a 26 inch, 10 hp unit with tracks, electric start, and a headlight.
Nope. 23 years later... still using the same $500 snowblower. Starts on the first or second pull, every time. Use 5w30 synthetic oil in it.
There's just not a whole lot to go wrong with them.
I figured I'd use it for a few years, and then trade up to a 26 inch, 10 hp unit with tracks, electric start, and a headlight.
Nope. 23 years later... still using the same $500 snowblower. Starts on the first or second pull, every time. Use 5w30 synthetic oil in it.
There's just not a whole lot to go wrong with them.
30ft long you say? how often do you get over 8" of snow.. you might want to get a toro 721E(208c motor)/821E(250cc motor) single stage they are good upto about a foot.. way easier to maneuver. Cleans down to pavement around 600-700 get the electric start if only for the first start of the season.
For 2 stage you need a bigger budget for a good one. the ariens compact 24 is usually around $999 at home depot.
Thats entry level for good 2 stage imo. I liked toro but it seems the recent models are not as good as 10+ years ago.
edit: your driveway is concrete or asphalt right?
$999 ariens.. which might be abit of a struggle to turn around for 30ft driveway
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Ariens-...ectric-Start-Gas-Snow-Blower-920027/301797901
Toro 721E
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Toro-Po...lectric-Start-Gas-Snow-Blower-38753/309982166 $679
They also have a commercial version without electric start for 649
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Toro-Po...elf-Propelled-Gas-Snow-Blower-38754/310206389
and 821 just has a bigger motor for $100 more probably not worth it.
and one with all the bells and whistles.. remote chute control etc for 749 721QZE
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Toro-Po...ow-Blower-with-Electric-Start-38756/310206476
It is not the thing for 2ft blizzards but 4-10" zip through and alot easier to move around and steer on a short driveway.
Maybe once a year big storm I go snowblow it in the middle of the storm if I think its going to be over 14" but its still 10x easier than shoveling.
For 2 stage you need a bigger budget for a good one. the ariens compact 24 is usually around $999 at home depot.
Thats entry level for good 2 stage imo. I liked toro but it seems the recent models are not as good as 10+ years ago.
edit: your driveway is concrete or asphalt right?
$999 ariens.. which might be abit of a struggle to turn around for 30ft driveway
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Ariens-...ectric-Start-Gas-Snow-Blower-920027/301797901
Toro 721E
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Toro-Po...lectric-Start-Gas-Snow-Blower-38753/309982166 $679
They also have a commercial version without electric start for 649
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Toro-Po...elf-Propelled-Gas-Snow-Blower-38754/310206389
and 821 just has a bigger motor for $100 more probably not worth it.
and one with all the bells and whistles.. remote chute control etc for 749 721QZE
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Toro-Po...ow-Blower-with-Electric-Start-38756/310206476
It is not the thing for 2ft blizzards but 4-10" zip through and alot easier to move around and steer on a short driveway.
Maybe once a year big storm I go snowblow it in the middle of the storm if I think its going to be over 14" but its still 10x easier than shoveling.
Last edited:
For that budget my target would be dual stage, 24", major brand but non-luxury engine make like B&S, in one of several brands. You can generally find something like that for $700 or less on sale so I see no reason to get the Toro 721 single stage linked above for $750 when it's a much lighter duty unit, unless you can find one on sale for $450 or less. "Sometimes" Home Depot has new purchase returns (just used enough to not qualify as new) for cheap, would be another way to save some money.
Some features like electric start seem nice but my back's not bad enough to need it so becomes more hassle to hook the extension cord up than to just use the pull cord.
However, if this is something you never need to lift into the back of a pickup or SUV, a smaller single stage is going to get the weight down far closer to a manageable level, though anything self propelled (proper self propelled wheels not self propelled from the paddle hitting the ground to drag it forward) can be driven up ramps if they're grippy enough for the weather.
Some features like electric start seem nice but my back's not bad enough to need it so becomes more hassle to hook the extension cord up than to just use the pull cord.
However, if this is something you never need to lift into the back of a pickup or SUV, a smaller single stage is going to get the weight down far closer to a manageable level, though anything self propelled (proper self propelled wheels not self propelled from the paddle hitting the ground to drag it forward) can be driven up ramps if they're grippy enough for the weather.
Last edited:
My North Carolina snow blower. Works pretty good with leaves too. Way less than $900.
Last edited:
I am still blowing tons of snow with my 1972 John Deere 726 snow blower that my dad bought new in 1972 for $325, and after me, his snow shovel kid left for the Navy. I can still get parts if needed, and if the original engine ever gives up, I'll be looking for another one, that are still out there in the $500 range. I've been running Mobil 1 in it for 30 years. Nobody has built a better one since that vintage of snowblower ever.
Super simple one handed auger safety, and cruise control.
Super simple one handed auger safety, and cruise control.
Please link your 2 stage blowers in that range with electric start.
Yes they are real self propelled.. but how well does that steer when you have a 30ft driveway and its not one of the fancy power steering or wheels that unlock models.
I am currently using a toro ccr 2450 from 1992.. its dying .... from rust.
Friend has the 721 and its a total beast.
You can find off brand or troy bilt single stage for $550 with 208CC motor.
https://www.hartvillehardware.com/product/sku-703025/Single-Stage-Snowblowers
I like my toro so much the extra 100-200 for the premium brand is worth it over 20 years to me.
Hi Baja,
Check these out near you in the case you dont want to buy new.
https://reading.craigslist.org/d/for-sale/search/sss?query=snow blower&sort=rel
Check these out near you in the case you dont want to buy new.
https://reading.craigslist.org/d/for-sale/search/sss?query=snow blower&sort=rel
Totally agree,, you'll be happy with a Toro single stage and have a few bucks left over.
The Dark Horse option. There’s a cheaper version with smaller batteries too.
I’m getting the eGo 2-stage next time around.
https://www.acehardware.com/departm...Impact&utm_campaign=141568&utm_keyword=611504
I’m getting the eGo 2-stage next time around.
https://www.acehardware.com/departm...Impact&utm_campaign=141568&utm_keyword=611504
Last edited:
God I wish I could get away with that…
Get a used Ariens or Toro 2-stage in the 8hp/ 24inch wide size. Spend about $250. The new ones haven't really gotten better.
Look for bearings instead of bushings for the auger and wheel axles. Test how flimsy the controls are for the chute.
Engines are pretty robust, though Tecumseh are worse than the rest. But you can re-power cheaply.
Look for bearings instead of bushings for the auger and wheel axles. Test how flimsy the controls are for the chute.
Engines are pretty robust, though Tecumseh are worse than the rest. But you can re-power cheaply.
If you don't mind doing some minor mechanical stuff, a good used one is fine. I got the $100 one and have had to split it to change the blower belt, reinforce the auger with some sheet metal, foam fill the tires to get rid of the tubes. A new cheap simple one should go for 20+ years with a small driveway to do.
- Joined
- May 28, 2014
- Messages
- 2,597
I have a 16 or 17 year old Yard Machine ( or is a Snow King?). Anyhow, it's an MTD product I believe. 8 hp, 2 stage as sold by Walmart. I've used it hard, but it still does the job. I did replace the oem carb with a Chinese clone at one point. That has worked OK. The Tecumseh has never run perfectly, but always runs. I believe that Tecumseh has gone away some years ago along with other domestic engine manufacturers.
I'd also suggest getting a decent condition used one although it's not the best time of year for that. I see used larger Toro's, etc. for sale around here quite often during the Spring and Summer for around $250. Sometimes people are moving and just want to unload.
I'd also suggest getting a decent condition used one although it's not the best time of year for that. I see used larger Toro's, etc. for sale around here quite often during the Spring and Summer for around $250. Sometimes people are moving and just want to unload.
Look at any brand when on sale? What do you mean by "steer"? You propel it in a straight line, then disengage the drive, and turn it. I've done that fine for years.
There is no reason to pay a premium for any brand if the concession is ending up with single stage vs dual, unless you have a very narrow driveway where throw doesn't matter, that is very flat so propulsion doesn't matter, where the extra money is being spent on a Honda engine.
Up to you which decision to make, we all have our own variables but fairly universally, the single stage blowers, no matter how much you spend, are inferior to the cheapest of the dual stage, except very long term it matters if the engine in it has available parts which is why I mentioned getting one with a B&S so while not a high end engine, will have parts in the future.
Keep in mind that typically the single stage also use lower gauge metal so will succumb to rust faster, all else equal (which is never true but generalizing, one stage are build to a lower price point and if you pay a premium for one it's more about brand name profit, not about longer lasting).
If Toro has thicker metal that is a legitimate reason to pick one, but not at that price. It's not going to have thicker metal than the average two stage. A one stage only makes sense if it's cost concession. Nobody makes a single stage that's as good as almost every two stage, the difference in that factor alone is the first upgrade a manufacturer makes. We can argue about variables in that and there are some, but when the same manufacturer makes a two stage it is pretty clear they know they're just tearing the same but charging more for each of them.
Back to the original sentiment, it's absurd to pay $750 for a single stage blower. If you need light weight to lift onto a pickup you can get a single stage closer to $500 or less. These are sale prices not MSRP.
Last edited:
I have the Honda HS720. Plenty of power, starts quick and easy every time, and easy and cheap to maintain. I paid a little over $400 for it brand new during the off season at Nebraska Furniture Mart. I believe they normally retail for closer to $700-800 if they still make that model.
- Status
