snowblowers

[three29]

Im currently saving up to buy a new snowblower for next winter

I have never used or owned a snowblower before, so I dont know what to expect from one, so for those of you who have snowblowers, can you guys give me tips on how much HP i should looking for, as well as how many inches? I live in toronto, so the winters are bad, but not unbearable.

I dont mind buying a new or used one, however I am looking for one that will not take up half a garage space (ie. i want one that is about the size of a midsized lawnmower)

My budget is about $500-$900, and i have been looking on craigslist a bit, but i dont know how to look out for scams or price ranges, or specific brands, since I have no prior knowledge of snow blowers

so if anyone has any reccomendations, where I should look for deals, how long I can expect my snowblower to run without a problem, and also how to protect myself from scammers as a buyer.. any help would be greatly appreciated!

thnx @__@

[jesterwilly2004]

Im currently saving up to buy a new snowblower for next winter

I have never used or owned a snowblower before, so I dont know what to expect from one, so for those of you who have snowblowers, can you guys give me tips on how much HP i should looking for, as well as how many inches? I live in toronto, so the winters are bad, but not unbearable.

I dont mind buying a new or used one, however I am looking for one that will not take up half a garage space (ie. i want one that is about the size of a midsized lawnmower)

My budget is about $500-$900, and i have been looking on craigslist a bit, but i dont know how to look out for scams or price ranges, or specific brands, since I have no prior knowledge of snow blowers

so if anyone has any reccomendations, where I should look for deals, how long I can expect my snowblower to run without a problem, and also how to protect myself from scammers as a buyer.. any help would be greatly appreciated!

thnx @__@

If you want to avoid scams don't buy second hand if you are not mechanically inclined. If you buy new, you can return it if it has problems. You want a deal, wait for summer. Its too late now, suck it up for the rest of this winter. I bought mine last summer at Home Depot in august with 32 degree weather outside. Most people laughed until this winter rolled around. I saved $300 on the ticket price ($900) plus there was a promotion with a gift card for $100 (or maybe $50 - it was pending price of snowblower). If you have a choice bigger is nicer when you have a lot of driveway and sidewalk. Slush is always a pain for lower power blowers. Neighbors also will ask you to help out so understand that may take a toll on you and the blower as well. I bought an Ariens 520E if you want to understand what specs I bought.

[l69norm]

see the official snowblower thread in the H&G forum:
http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=503484

[drewzin2]

I had an Ariens 720. Which is a 7HP unit with a 20" cutting path.
It was great for my 8 car driveway but dies in the slush and discharge from the snow plow at the end of the driveway. It is a belt driven rubber auger and can't really handle the heavy stuff. You need a STEEL auger if you are going to be using it for heavy wet snow. I've got rid of it already (just before all the big snow fell) and am looking to get a 10 - 12 HP one with steel auger. (can go through anything)
If you want one not so big i'd go with a 8 or 9 HP model. Still lots of power for deep snow and slush and you can probably find one in around the 22" width. It'll cost you around $100-$1200 but if you want the best , go with ARIENS OR HONDA. PERIOD !!! Then you're looking around $1200 - $1500 though. But you'll only buy one ONCE and it'll last you for your lifetime. I already waisted $1000 on my Ariens 720 and now i need to spend another $1500.

Good luck, but they don't come out till around September.

Hope we get snow next winter or I'm going to explode !