I think it’s time to take the plunge a buy a snow blower. I can handle shovelling 3-4 inches in my short driveway, it’s the 5-10 inch storms that break my balls. My plow guy went from $25 a push two years ago to $40 a push last year. I spent about $600 on plowing last year, and didn’t even call him to see how much it is this year.
So I’m looking at 24 inch two stage blowers with electric start and self propulsion. A Troy Built runs around $900, and they have about 80% 5 star reviews at Home Depot.
Anybody have snow blower experience who can recommend makes and features? Thanks.
I have a Toro two-stage, which has been awesomely reliable, and capable of dealing with even the heaviest, wettest snow. I bought it at my local Ace Hardware.
From when I was growing up in Wisconsin, Ariens (which is manufactured in Brillion, WI) was also always very well-reviewed, but I rarely see them carried by stores here in the Chicago area.
My Toro has electric start and self-propulsion, and I find both of those features to be very useful. I used to have a little single-stage snowblower, and that would bog down in anything more than 2" of snow, so I highly recommend the two-stage if you get a lot of snow (esp. if it’s wet snow), or if you have a lot of driveway or sidewalk to clear.
I did a lot of research years ago and found a lot of bang for the buck with my Ariens 2 stage Compact 24" blower. It includes a very good feature. Electric start. I had 2 faulty Craftsman blowers before this gem.
It looks like similar ones run in the $900 to $1050 range. Lowes carries Ariens, even if not in the store.
My local Ariens dealer lists the Compact 24 at $1199, but it’s out of stock. I suspect Covid supply chain problems will affect availability like other high end products.
I never used one, but you can’t go wrong with anything Honda sells. Period. Kinda pricy, I imagine.
I’ve been using an MTD for over 20 years. Electric start (a plus!), self propelled (a must!) with tracks. Been very reliable, always starts, never broke. Handles pretty much whatever we got (up to 3 feet at a shot sometimes, wet Sierra snow). Other nice features include the auger lever will lock as long as you are holding the “go” lever down, leaving that hand free to manipulate the chute. Also has little triggers under the handles to steer it like a tank. Pull the right one, and the tracks on the right side stop, allowing it to easily turn left and one for the other side. Works great. Its been a very good machine. I spent a good hour or so with it on Tuesday morning.
Grew up using a Craftsman. Had rubber tires with chains. Near useless! Also constantly broke shearpins in the axle. Had that thing apart more often than together.
Lowes is also listed for $1199 and only Delivery which might take longer than you want.
Maybe look for the Ariens Classic 24". It is also Two-stage Self-propelled Gas Snow Blower with Push-button Electric Start and only $999. Looks like it is in better stock.
At this point I can’t say what made me purchase the Compact over the standard. It may have been as simple as a slightly better deal.
If you’re a Vet, look into the Lowes 10% Vet discount, great time to take advantage of it.
So in 2014 I purchased mine through Snow Blowers Direct. I got free shipping and it was $909 back then. They appear to have very few Ariens in stock currently.
As kenobi_65 mentioned, Toros always rate high. I know Consumers Reports usually have theirs at the top of the list, but they are pricier.
The Toro Power Max 24 in. 252 cc Two stage Gas Snow Blower is in stock nearby for $1199 also. Has a slightly larger engine (252cc v. 223cc for the Ariens)
I have a Toro that I bought about 20 years ago. It’s two-stage and self-propelled, which are the minimum must-have options. It doesn’t have electric start, but it has ALWAYS started on the first pull, so I’ve been satisfied. It handles our Minnesota winters just fine, but I do half-width passes on the piles the snowplow leaves at the end of our driveway.
Twenty years? I’ve been meaning to get it tuned up and the oil changed; one of these years I guess…
I’m a very happy Ariens customer. Had it for nine years and get it serviced every two years. Never had any issues. Starts, runs, throws snow nice and far.
It is better in a garage/shed but you can store under a good cover. Not a blue tarp, something stronger, you’re spending too much on something that should last at least 10 years. So look for a quality cover if outside.
I apologize, as you probably already know the next part, but possibly helpful to first time buyers.
No matter what ensure you have fuel stabilizer added, but especially if just under a cover.
At the end of the season, run the blower dry of gas.
