Comparing snowblowers?

[Builder]

Not sure if this is the right forum, but need to buy new 8-10 HP snowblower. Would like to have the remote chute rotation & spout controls, hand warmers, maybe a clear snow shield.

Looking at Deere, Cub cadet, etc.

Any real world experience with a brand you like?

 

[rekees4300]

Hope this helps

 

[msb1766]

My brother bought a Simplicity last year and really like it. He bought a commercial blower but he said the homeowner version was built well also.

http://www.simplicitymfg.com/products/snow-throwers/signature-pro-commercial-duty-dual-stage/

I think his was about 13 HP with heated grips,electric chute rotation.

He paid around $2300

 

[Builder]

I think this would be a good time to add that I'd like to spend under $1,000. :laughing:

 

[Scooby074]

I got a honda 928. Its been awesome. Havent bogged it down and ive blown some pretty wet snow. Clogged the chute a couple times but that was my fault as the snow was essentially slush (very wet). It has tracks and using them, ive taken out 8'+ drifts. the tracks enable you to crawl right up and work from the top. I routinely take out 4-5' drifts which are taller than my drift cutters.

Mine is the deluxe with the electric chute. You cant get anything better IMHO. Finger tip control for direction and elevation. That said, honda makes a very good manual unit with brass worm screws for rotation.

If tracks arent your thing, its available in a wheeled model for less money. Tracks can be a little hard to steer but the added traction and floatation is worth it. Plus it doesnt want to follow the undulations in the pavement as easy as a wheeled unit.

All in all no complaints other than i wish i got the 1132 for the wider swath. Thing throws like a bugger!!

Edit: Just saw your last post. You wont get this for less than 1k. closer to 3

 

[ChuckinNH]

I have an 8 hp Simplicity that has a lever to release one wheel for easy steering that I have had very good luck with the past several years, and I got good service from the Simplicity that I had for a number of years prior to that also.

 

[tsteahr]

Not sure if this is the right forum, but need to buy new 8-10 HP snowblower. Would like to have the remote chute rotation & spout controls, hand warmers, maybe a clear snow shield.

Looking at Deere, Cub cadet, etc.

Any real world experience with a brand you like?

As others have said the commercial Simplicity units are very good, as is the Ariens. Your budget puts you into looking for a used unit in Craig's list. The specs you are asking for dictate a $2k+ machine, new. $1k gets you 6-8hp, medium frame, manual rotation, no remote defelctor, no heated grips. Basically a homeowner machine from a big box store. As with all box box store items, just pick the color you like, the name won't matter much.

If you are serious about staying under $1k and you want new, I would suggest you get a better quality single stage unit rather than a small two stage machine. A good single stage will outperform the small two stage units in everything but the really deep stuff. The fan in the small two stage units is just to small to get enough tip speed to throw any great distance.

 

[aczlan]

Is this a "clean up the edges machine" or a backup for something else?

Aaron Z

 

[devildog1]

I have had a Craftmans 30" and I believe 9 or 10 hp engine. Have had it for 5 years, runs just great and blows the snow, even when wet and slushy. I change the oil every fall and use synthitic 10- W-30, no complants and paid under $1000.00. I live in the country next to a working dairy farm and have open fields around me. Hope this helps?
DevilDog

 

[Builder]

A little more backround: I just sold my Sears unit for $300. It was a 5HP ~24" clearing path electric start. It wasn't a bad snowblower, but it doesn't work with slushy snow and just can't handle the deep stuff.

My guess is 8-10 HP would seem like a huge upgrade to me. The Deere store has an 8HP for like ~$900. Sears might also be a viable option again.

I passed-up on a huge, loaded Cub Cadet on tracks over the summer for $600 because I heard the older tracked ones were trouble.

Who makes Deere's blower? Airiens???

 

[aczlan]

Last year we replaced a older Ariens (70s?) with a newer (late 90s) Craftsman 11/30 from Craigslist (cost $350). It is a decent machine and handles the snow at the hotel well. I just need to get the scraper set properly. Currently it has a hard scraping up the last of the snow from the sidewalk.


Aaron Z

 

[JDGreenGrass]

Where are you located.??

I have for sale 2 Craftsmen blowers....14.5 Torque (11hp.??). It's the biggest they make.

All controls are at the "helm" and it has clearing width of 30".

Both are literally brand new. One was damaged in '08 when my garage imploded under heavy ice and snow. Blower was damaged and replaced new with insurance money. So, the bargain in this deal would come with 90% of all parts in the damaged unit plus a brand new unit in mint condition.

They sold for $1150 and I would sell both for $750.

Good luck in your search for the blower you need.

 

[Builder]

I'm in PA. Thanks for the offer, though! :thumbsup:

 

[JDGreenGrass]

I'm in PA. Thanks for the offer, though! :thumbsup:

No problem.

Boy, you have been in a spending mode as of late, eh.??

Shopping is half the fun. Me, I'm in the dreaming mode...let's see, a JD 4005, a JD3320....Kubota3030, cab and upfront blower.??....:laughing:

Man, I'm a dreamer.!!

 

[Rob-D]

Hope this helps

CR is handy to get ideas about products but I've lost faith in them. They overlook some things that I think are important and their car repair data is iffy in my view.
Rob

 

[Rob-D]

They have hand warmers on these things now? Boy am I a mushroom!

Rob

 

[Builder]

No problem.

Boy, you have been in a spending mode as of late, eh.??

Shopping is half the fun. Me, I'm in the dreaming mode...let's see, a JD 4005, a JD3320....Kubota3030, cab and upfront blower.??....:laughing:

Man, I'm a dreamer.!!

2 Kubotas in 1 year. FWIW, they are replacements for smaller tractors so my $$ outlay is not that great.

Now I need to upgrade my snowblower.....

I need another trailer, too....and a fuel cell and a self propelled haybine...:confused2:

 

[Builder]

Where are you located.??

I have for sale 2 Craftsmen blowers....14.5 Torque (11hp.??). It's the biggest they make.

All controls are at the "helm" and it has clearing width of 30".

Both are literally brand new. One was damaged in '08 when my garage imploded under heavy ice and snow. Blower was damaged and replaced new with insurance money. So, the bargain in this deal would come with 90% of all parts in the damaged unit plus a brand new unit in mint condition.

They sold for $1150 and I would sell both for $750.

Good luck in your search for the blower you need.

If you ever come down to PA this fall, let me know. :thumbsup:
It's the shipping that makes the deal impossible.

 

[JDGreenGrass]

If you ever come down to PA this fall, let me know. :thumbsup:
It's the shipping that makes the deal impossible.

You can always make the drive north to Maine....It's awfully pretty up here right now.

Chocolate chip cookies and a cold glass of milk is waiting for you....Not for long, though.!!:licking:

 

[wrooster]

My brother bought a Simplicity last year and really like it.
Snow Blowers & Snow Throwers from Simplicity

i have a Simplicity 1524P that i purchased in June 2009. i would like to make an obvious statement here that the very best time to haggle on a snowblower purchase is when it is sunny, 90'F, and the snowblowers are in the way of pallets of lawn fertilizer and bales of mulch. just sayin' ... :licking:

anyway -- last winter we rec'd 3 HUGE storms of more than 18" each -- and my new Simplicity snowblower was worth every nickel i spent on it! i paid OTD about the same as the model number and i have ZERO complaints; it is a sturdy, no-nonsense piece of equipment that should last me 20 years. life is too short to be messing around with junk gear in the middle of a blizzard.

my 0.02 on the subject,
wrooster