Snow blower season

Yamaha anyone?

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Bought a new, expensive Toro HD826OXE a couple years ago. A HD unit with thick sheet metal, big wheels and tall tires and that fancy joystick control for the "no-clog" shute that clogs all the time. A good smathering of AmrorAll in the plastic shute before the season seems to help.
The pro dealer "tech"who set it up did a terrible job, took me two seasons to get it working properly.
Big, heavy and unwieldy - I miss my old walmart YardMachines 26" with the smelly Tecumseh SK engine. Very easy to handle.

Re- thinking I should have purchased the big pro-grade Simplicity for 1000 bucks more and a little Toro single stage for light cleanup and slush

The Simplicity Commercial grade is a killer machine

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Look up "snowblower impeller kit" on youtube, it is a worthwhile mod for those MTD machines.
I installed an impeller kit on my "mighty" 179cc 2 stage 24" Troy-Bilt snow blower. It made a world of difference in the machine being able to throw the snow decently, especially heavier wet snow, considering the lack of engine power. It turned a cheap machine into an acceptable performer. It's not an Ariens but it works for me with my hilly, rut filled stone driveway. I also added thick steel long skids to replace the factory "shoes". These work wonders with my driveway surface.
 
Pretty sure you'd be $75,000 to $100,000 short to do one of those. The heating system alone is big $$$. Not to mention the expensive upkeep as if it's a glycol system it's kinda corrosive IIRC...
It is clear I have no concept on how much driveways cost 😳
 
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Making sure this baby starts for a friend of mine; she's had it since 1990. Rotella 10W-30

Use the prime bubble, choke it, starts after sitting for 8 months.
I just serviced one of those for a family friend, same exact machine but painted green with the Bolens brand. A tank for sure. It was a 1993 bought new, even had the heated handles and headlight option. The customer who owns it is meticulous about maintenance and even had a binder full of receipts and manuals. Original purchase price was $1400 in 1993. 😳
 
Moved mine to the front of the shed, topped of the M1 0W-30 with a bit of Edge EP 0W-20, and fired it up with half a pull…stored with stabilized premium in it.
Ready to rock winter.
 
I was never satisfied with my rubber impeller kit.

Seems no matter how carefully I cleared it out after use, a couple of tablespoons of water would pool at the bottom, and freeze, and lock the impeller solidly. Upon next startup, I'd smoke a belt when I engaged the impeller.
 
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I wonder how electric / battery blower owners made out with their units in the Buffalo area? I only had to deal with 11'' at my place. The bands really never hit me long term for a really big dump.
 
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My 1999 Craftsman, bought used about 10 years ago. Nothing spectacular but it gets the job done. When cleaning the driveway I use it 45 to 90 minutes depending on the snow level. It usually sees many hours of use per winter. So far I only used it once this winter, which is unusual. We are getting more rain than snow :\

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