I have a 2 stage Arien's and it does a good job but it is a bit of a pain to handle. I don't know how big of a job dealing with the quad is but it seems if I was doing it at home only and transporting it wasn't an issue, I would keep what you have.

The only issue I had with it was the tires. They kept going flat on me even when it was brand new. Even a tire store couldn't find a leak but after a week it would be flat. Stuck some inner tubes in there and fixed it all up.

We get a lot of ice in addition to snow so that makes it tough too. They don't get rid of ice like a blade would.

I did find paying the neighbor kids to shovel my driveway and sidewalk much easier!!

 

We have a 24" Craftsman that we use for light stuff. My husband has a 1941 Ford 9N tractor with a back blade that he uses when we get 12 feet of snow like we did a couple of years ago.

 

Basically loading/unloading and strapping/unstrapping the thing down then having to pull a trailer around when it's crappy out is what I'm tired of. Plus the straps build up with ice when pulling and yada yada yada!

The advertising for it(Ariens) says it handles ice no problem. Are you saying that's not completely true then?

 

I strategically bought a house with a drive way that faces east, rarely have to shovel.

 

I strategically purchased a truck that knows no bounds = FORD

 

I'm still strategically weighing my options at this point

 

I've used an Ariens 924 for the past 17 years.
I change the oil every season, and clean or replace the plug when it runs rough. I've always used gas-stabilizer prior to storing.
It has always started right up.
(I haven't had any tire issues(yet))

A quality snow blower will have a cast iron gear box driving the blades.
Cheaper models have riveted aluminum.
Look for "locking wheels" which can help with traction.
(inside one wheel will be a **** you pull and turn)
Heated hand grips help.

The cons of using one....in deep snow you end up going slow, or take small "bites" to keep from having snow-spillage all over the place.
If I had to purchase one today, I'd definately get an Ariens.
The bigger the better...maybe a 10-32.
Heated grips, electric start, & pop-up bank cutters.
Good Luck

 

Yeah, I've been looking at snow blowers also - we had a pretty bad blizzard this past Winter. I think it stacked up to about 3 - 4 inches.

Gotta love Georgia weather, although I would like to see a lot of snow. Never been north during the Winter.

 

hey jbrew i hope it snows more than 3 times this year. last winter sucked. Texas had more snow than us!!!

 

what is this "snow blower" you all speak of? its freakin 70+ here

 

Some of them have 454's

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExNc1en5aEA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhL7GhHmADs

When asked why he built this he replyed "To **** off my neighbors"

 

Yea, the winter before last was better -



If it's going to be cold, it might as well snow.

 

The boss's sister's husband works for MTD assembly plant and can get me a 26" Cub for around 400 bucks straight from the plant. He's getting me the specs on it but for 400 bucks brand new, I don't see how I could pass it up.

 

Ariens Platinum 30.



This replaces my well worn 1972 Ariens that still runs and was given to neighbor.

 

Bought my 8hp two stage Ariens in 1978. Had an electric starter mounted in 2000. Still runs like new.
In 32 years it's only been to the shop one time for a carb rebuild.