What kinda snowblowers do yall have? I am looking for a good one because there has been a lot of snow this winter and I help my cousin do snow removal. Using a shovel sucks. He said get a two-stage 4-stroke. He wasn't sure about brands.Any suggestions? Is the craftsman brand from sears good quality?

 

Check out Simplicity...a little spendy but well worth it. It has been very dependable...even when the temps are below zero.

 

Ariens.
Thats all my family has had for years.

 

i like and have a craftsman..

 

I have a Troy-Built (I think made by MTD). It cuts a 24-inch path and is a two stage. Runs nicely and is very smooth---I have never had to clean the chute on it.

TSC

 

Craftsman is OK, they get the job done, but they're not going to last as long as an Simplicity, Ariens, or a Troy Built. I've been running a 11/30 Craftsman since 2000. I've had to replace two cables, the dip stick and a plastic piece. It still starts on the first or second pull. I first turned the shoes around this year, and sprayed some paint on the rust spots.

 

I have had a Craftsman 88775 for the past 7 years - use it about 4-5 times/year - no problems.... starts on first pull or electric everytime..... great motor with the Briggs 7.75 HP OHV....

There's one on craigslist that seems to be a good buy - http://cnj.craigslist.org/grd/1588343354.html

for more reviews, check out Abby's Guide.....

 

x2. Commercial grade one. Awesome

 

We have a Craftsman as well and it's been very reliable to date. I've used it on everything from powder to slush and it's plodded right along. Had it for 5 years now and only had to replace a couple of shear pins.

 

I am not sure if you get them out east or not but Honda is probably the most common here where we are.I have had ariens and a crafstmen but nothing compares to the reliabilty of a Honda.We average 10-15' of snow a year and there is no way I would buy anything else.The only downside is price,but when you rely on it so heavily it is worth it,and if it is looked after it will last you a very long time.

 

3 Years ago, Feb 9, 2007 to be exact, walked into LOWE'S to find a single 26inch / 8.5 hp / Troy Bilt #8526 "Storm" 2 stage blower on sale, was reg 769, I paid 615. There were a couple other smaller ones next to it. As I was paying for it on L-card, they started loading up all unsold blowers to ship north for a blizzard ... wife told them I was already paying for this one. It was 12 months / no interest. (I was just reading the manual, have the packet here on my desk)

It worked perfect until December 19, 2009 as I never had to start it. We got a total of 28", below I'm working it Dec 19 morning, about 20-24". I've since used it last week, then yesterday evening and this afternoon.

Very pleased, starts either pull or 110 VAC. Only once it iced up because I released blower control and let it stop blowing while it still had wet slushy stuff in shute which froze, used the included tool to clear in a few seconds. Be sure and adjust shoes. 6 forward / 2 reverse speeds. I have a long driveway with a loop and parking area, takes about 1 or 1-1/2 hour to do basics. Great tires too, it'll push a lot.

Don't see how I ever made it without it now.


Honda is good to, just cost more though I haven't priced them lately. They do have both wheeled and track versions. Great motors too.

 

The Craftsman sucks, I only use when there was two of us clearing. Always working on it, breaks all the time and it's only couple seasons old. The Briggs engine is great, but all Craftsman components suck, -they suck bad!



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Man, your so right, - 100% correct lol

The Honda is almost half the size of the Craftsman and will do circles around it, even in the deep stuff. Climbs up on the Deck + Porch as well. This little thing halls *** and takes all you can give it. NEVER had a part break on it, will even eat the Sunday paper if it gets in the way -

 

I have a 2 stage 24" MTD w/an 8 hp tecumsah 4 stroke. It starts and runs great, but the rest of the machine is just average junk. Two years ago I sucked up a newspaper and broke the drive belt and sheared the pins. I've also had to have the trans rebuilt last year because it siezed up and the machine is only five years old.

For those that think a troy-built is a good machine, there not. MTD makes them and they are based here in Cleveland, I used to make deliveries to them about 15 years ago and saw first hand, the troys and mtd's are built out of the same parts on the same assembly line, they just paint them a different color and charge more for the troy built version.

 

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Another to take a look at is Toro. I have a single stage Snow Commander. Not enough blower for the snow we got, but more than enough for what we usually get, even up to 18". I was tempted to go 2 stage with them, but didn't figure I would need it. Unfortunately a snow like we got this time proves m wrong. It is too much even for the smaller 2 stage.