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DMT
LIF Adult
Member since 6/05 2277 total posts
Name:
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Snow Blowers
I want to look into this early and get ready so I do not get effed over like last winter 
Any recommendastions? Gas or electric? or any other info.
Thanks!
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Posted 9/8/11 12:17 PM  |
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PotofLuck06
Our Baby Boy Is Here!!!
Member since 11/06 13241 total posts
Name:
Betsy
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Re: Snow Blowers
We bought one this past weekend from HD.
My father's advice to us was the following:
-Self-propelled
-Dual Stage
-Electric ignite
-No mixing of oil/gas
-Make sure the tires are decent size for the size machine - you don't want thin/small tires on a large machine - you want something that can have traction on snow
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| Posted 9/8/11 12:25 PM |
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DMT
LIF Adult
Member since 6/05 2277 total posts
Name:
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Re: Snow Blowers
Posted by PotofLuck06
We bought one this past weekend from HD.
My father's advice to us was the following:
-Self-propelled
-Dual Stage
-Electric ignite
-No mixing of oil/gas
-Make sure the tires are decent size for the size machine - you don't want thin/small tires on a large machine - you want something that can have traction on snow
Oh cool, good tips there!
Which one did you get? I dont see a link?
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| Posted 9/8/11 12:31 PM |
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pnbplus1
Family
Member since 5/09 5751 total posts
Name:
Mommy
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Re: Snow Blowers
Definitely gas powered, dual-stage if you can unless you have a small property. I know sears had some on pre-order a few months ago. We have a really nice one by Troy-bilt. Toro also makes nice ones. Check out Amazon. We got a great deal on a snowblower there for my dad. When our neighbor heard he bought one on Amazon too.
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| Posted 9/8/11 1:37 PM |
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JDubs
different, not less
Member since 7/09 13160 total posts
Name:
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Re: Snow Blowers
all i have to say is do not get one from Sears! We bought a craftsman from them last year, we used it once after our first big snow storm last year, and then the belt broke then we got hit with all those snow storms that followed... and we could not get it repaired until mid February!!!
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| Posted 9/8/11 1:44 PM |
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GoldenRod
10 years on LIF!
Member since 11/06 26792 total posts
Name:
Shawn
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Re: Snow Blowers
Posted by JDubs
all i have to say is do not get one from Sears! We bought a craftsman from them last year, we used it once after our first big snow storm last year, and then the belt broke then we got hit with all those snow storms that followed... and we could not get it repaired until mid February!!!
FIL has a huge Craftsman blower, and when he had a minor problem, they came to his house very quickly (might have even been the next day) to fix the problem.
I have a plow blade on my truck, so I can't give blower recommendations... 
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| Posted 9/8/11 2:15 PM |
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MDF
.
Member since 5/05 2313 total posts
Name:
Melissa
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Re: Snow Blowers
Potofluck had most of the good stuff covered. I would only add get something 5hp or higher. smaller engines cant handle the heavy stuff as well as the slushy stuff. I bought mine from Norther Tool.
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| Posted 9/8/11 2:21 PM |
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PotofLuck06
Our Baby Boy Is Here!!!
Member since 11/06 13241 total posts
Name:
Betsy
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Re: Snow Blowers
Posted by DMT
Posted by PotofLuck06
We bought one this past weekend from HD.
My father's advice to us was the following:
-Self-propelled
-Dual Stage
-Electric ignite
-No mixing of oil/gas
-Make sure the tires are decent size for the size machine - you don't want thin/small tires on a large machine - you want something that can have traction on snow
Oh cool, good tips there!
Which one did you get? I dont see a link?
Here is the one we bought, I think. It was either this one or the 24". I don't remember. DH picked it out.
We needed a smaller one in order to fit it in our garage behind one of our cars.
HD Snow Blower
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| Posted 9/8/11 3:35 PM |
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DMT
LIF Adult
Member since 6/05 2277 total posts
Name:
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Re: Snow Blowers
Thanks everyone...you have given me a lot to think about!
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| Posted 9/8/11 5:58 PM |
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alli3131
Peanut is here!!!!!!
Member since 5/09 18388 total posts
Name:
Allison
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Re: Snow Blowers
Posted by GoldenRod
Posted by JDubs
all i have to say is do not get one from Sears! We bought a craftsman from them last year, we used it once after our first big snow storm last year, and then the belt broke then we got hit with all those snow storms that followed... and we could not get it repaired until mid February!!!
FIL has a huge Craftsman blower, and when he had a minor problem, they came to his house very quickly (might have even been the next day) to fix the problem.
I have a plow blade on my truck, so I can't give blower recommendations...
we have a craftsman too and love it.....was a trooper through all the snow last year. we used it for our house and neighbors that didnt have one.
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| Posted 9/8/11 7:55 PM |
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sasha96
lovin' my 2 little ladies!
Member since 5/05 7401 total posts
Name:
Julianne
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Re: Snow Blowers
we've had a 5 horsepower craftsman for 6 years and it is still going strong. bought a wide one with power. we have a huge corner property with lots of sidewalk plus we do 2-3 neighbors. it hasn't given us trouble.
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| Posted 9/8/11 8:12 PM |
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Alexandra17
Keep It Positive
Member since 4/09 6262 total posts
Name:
Alexandra (ali)
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Re: Snow Blowers
Oh god tell me about getting effed last winter. We have a dual stage huge one from Home Depot, they had to deliver it assembled but so worth it. Get one NOW. Trust me, I ran all over the island looking for it.
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| Posted 9/8/11 9:30 PM |
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DMT
LIF Adult
Member since 6/05 2277 total posts
Name:
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Re: Snow Blowers
Posted by Alexandra17
Oh god tell me about getting effed last winter. We have a dual stage huge one from Home Depot, they had to deliver it assembled but so worth it. Get one NOW. Trust me, I ran all over the island looking for it.
lol that is why I am posting now, getting ready for it!
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| Posted 9/9/11 7:57 AM |
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Cheeks24
Living a dream
Member since 1/08 8589 total posts
Name:
Cheeks
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Re: Snow Blowers
Definitely gas powered!
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| Posted 9/9/11 10:26 PM |
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Erica
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 11767 total posts
Name:
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Re: Snow Blowers
Posted by GoldenRod
I have a plow blade on my truck, so I can't give blower recommendations...
can you tell me about this?
how much are they?
how hard to put on/off?
do you do side work?
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| Posted 9/10/11 10:00 AM |
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GoldenRod
10 years on LIF!
Member since 11/06 26792 total posts
Name:
Shawn
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Re: Snow Blowers
Posted by Erica
Posted by GoldenRod
I have a plow blade on my truck, so I can't give blower recommendations...
can you tell me about this?
how much are they?
how hard to put on/off?
do you do side work?
I have one of these: http://www.snowsportplow.com/
You just need a hitch receiver in the front of your truck. The bracket slides into the receiver (I leave mine in all winter), and the plow blade slides over the bracket. Even in a blilzzard, it takes a minute or two to put the blade on. In the meantime, my remote-started truck is nice and toasty, and I have a circular drive, so I just drive around the yard a few times with the radio on in my nice warm truck.
If I know it's going to snow, I put the blade on the night before, so everything is set for the morning.
It doesn't get the drive as clean as a snowblower or shovel, but it gets it good enough for me, and then I can just put some icemelt over whatever is left.
For me, it's perfect, and tremendously better than a snowblower.
I don't drive anywhere with it, since it's not designed to be transported while it's mounted. I'd have to put it in the back of the truck to drive anywhere other than on my street. The neighbors across the street and next to me own their own businesses nearby, so they have company trucks with hydraulic plows to clear their driveways.
Message edited 9/10/2011 11:55:01 AM.
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| Posted 9/10/11 11:53 AM |
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BlackJack96
LIF Infant
Member since 6/08 245 total posts
Name:
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Re: Snow Blowers
Get gas over electric. electric is only good for a few inches.
As far as two stage vs. single stage. Here's the difference: single stage has a rotating blade that in one motion scrapes up the snow and then throws it out the chute. The 2 stage has one part that scrapes up the snow and then the 2nd stage shoots it out.
The only reason you HAVE TO get a 2 stage is if you have a gravel driveway since the single stage will get jammed up in the blower.
Otherwise:
1 stage: lighter, more maneuverable, cheaper and easier to store. Cannot handle more than probably 7-8 inches at a time. Does not do well with wet packed in snow and is best with the lighter fluffy stuff.
2 stage: heavier, but can handle more snow, and even the wet heavy stuff.
I have a 1 stage but when we get those big blizzards>1 foot it will take 2 runs to clean everything out. For me the biggest issue is size and maneuverability since I have a one car driveway and a sidewalk.
As far as brands I have a Toro. Toro's tend to be more expensive but more reliable. My model cost around $700 and change. You can get a lower end 2 stage for that price. But it never fails and always starters.
Oh and not to be sexist to the ladies on the board, get an electric start. If you're the one that has to use it you will be thankful.
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| Posted 9/11/11 10:04 PM |
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