Hot! Gas Snowthrower - Murray 21" - with electric start at SAMS club $488.00

[ag2000]

Hello, I was looking for inexpensive snowthrower and looked pretty much in every major store.
First I bought that electric snowshovel that was on sale for $99 (since it was such a great deal down from $230), but realized later after reading the forum that in my specific case I needed something bigger, and gas based. I also certainly wanted electric start , since it is not easy to start manually with recoil start in cold weather.
The cheapest I could find was CT for $799, and even that one was selling very quickly - stores are pretty much out of them by now.

Costco had something for $469 but with manual start.

Then I discovered in SAMS club Murray 21" single stage snowthrower for only $488. Also it was much lighter and smaller then CT one (ALthough CT version was 5.5hp dual-stage 4 cycle engine)

This one has 4.5 HP, 2 cycle engine (you need to mix oil and gas 1:50), electric (and manual as a backup choice) start.

This is exact picture of it :



They were selling them very quickly last night and location I purchased it in had only about 10 left on Saturday before the closing, they told me that other locations still have them too.


By the way I plan to return my electric snowshovel (never opened) now so as I mentioned in other thread I was wonerding if anyone was interested in it so it will save me trip to CT return desk and fellow RFD'er can still get it for $99 + tax (Currently CT sells it for full price $230 +tax)
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Edit: I returned it to the store since nobody was interested at the time, sorry

[Carebear]

Murray 5HP 21 In. Single Stage Snow Thrower

The Murray 5 HP, 21 In., 2 Cycle Tecumseh engine Snow Thrower is a powerful single stage unit that is able to tackle small driveways and walkways in light ( 1-9 cm ) and medium ( 10 - 15 cm ) snowfalls. The unit's 2 cycle engine has recoil start and requires mixing the oil and gas. Clearing width is 21 In.. Additionally the Murray Snow Thrower comes with a 2 year warranty.

• 5 HP
• 21"
• Recoil Start
• 2 Year Warranty

The price is $479.00 online at www.HomeDepot.com

Save an additional 10% by using coupon code NOVPOST and get free shipping on orders over $75. So, your final pre-tax price is $431.10 and you don't have to leave home to get it.

[insanity]

I guess the main difference between the two is the Home Depot one has .5 more HP and doesn't have an electric start like the Sam's one. I know if you pay with your SAM's club card you get 3 months no payments (no fee either).

CT has one as well now for $479 (Yard Works I think).

So what's better have .5 more HP or an electric start ? Quick please let me know since I want to pick one up.

[mustanglover76]

I guess the main difference between the two is the Home Depot one has .5 more HP and doesn't have an electric start like the Sam's one. I know if you pay with your SAM's club card you get 3 months no payments (no fee either).

CT has one as well now for $479 (Yard Works I think).

So what's better have .5 more HP or an electric start ? Quick please let me know since I want to pick one up.

I think the extra power is more important. the electric starts sometimes goes on this things after a few winters so i'd rather have the juice.

[ag2000]

I think the extra power is more important. the electric starts sometimes goes on this things after a few winters so i'd rather have the juice.

Electric start is expensive feature as I found (that's why I considered this one a good deal). Again, this is only my personal view - not sure if 4.5 vs 5 HP would make world of the difference, but just imagine having to pull the string every time you want to start your unit?
Even with my lawnmover I find sometimes it is not easy, and in the cold weather I would think it is even more difficult.

Now - if you have any problems with electric start - you always have the option to pull the string manually anyway.

[Gary]

I'd go with the e-start too. I have a bigger snow blower and don't use the e-start often, but when I do it's to save me from losing my right arm -- every now and then the blower can be quite stubborn.

-Gary

[crowne]

The single stage might sound like a great deal now, but down the road, you will be replacing the paddles always on these units, I would first call before buying, a service depot to see what the cost/s in placing paddles, just an example, some snow contractors are replacing paddle once a season. In the long run you'll be saving more with a two stage blower, my 2 cents

[ag2000]

The single stage might sound like a great deal now, but down the road, you will be replacing the paddles always on these units, I would first call before buying, a service depot to see what the cost/s in placing paddles, just an example, some snow contractors are replacing paddle once a season. In the long run you'll be saving more with a two stage blower, my 2 cents

I must agree that dual stage is better then single stage for many reasons, it is just more powerful, but one of he main issues with dual stage for me was the fact that it is too heavy and too big, and I hardly could find space to store it (even smallest one sold at CT).

In terms of replacement - I do not expect to do as much snow cleaning as snow contractors - I will only clean my own driveway, and contractors how many - 10? 12? 20?

Even if I have to replace paddles 10 times less often then contractors, I will be happy

[Spud72]

That thing does not look self propelled. If you try to move more than 2-3 inches of sticky snow from your driveway, you'll sure wish it was.

Seems like a good deal for what it is though.

[Ziggy007]

Murray is a pretty good brand. My lawn tractor is a Murray and runs well if you take care of it and do the required maintenance.

[ag2000]

That thing does not look self propelled. If you try to move more than 2-3 inches of sticky snow from your driveway, you'll sure wish it was.

Seems like a good deal for what it is though.

It is not self propelled, I just checked and confirm it.

[crowne]

It is not self propelled, I just checked and confirm it.

Because, how these single stage blowers work, is by tilting them forward/ handle bars up, so the paddles contact the ground, pulling the unit forward, having said this, they don't work to well on gravel drive ways, these machines work great for removing snow down to the pavement. But by no means do they preform like a 2 stage blower.

If you can put up with replacing the paddles down the road and the loudness, this is a great deal.

[Blackjack]

I have something similar (by MTD)4.5hp, 1 stage, 2-stroke engine. I bought it in '94. Still going strong---changed the spark plug a few times, maybe 3 belts and thats about it. Also, every year, after the winter I drain the old gas/oil mix out and add 1 teaspoon of oil to the spark plug hole.
This unit will do most of the snow-falls you will encounter over winter. I also bought it because of size---you can put the thing right into your trunk, well, maybe not a Honda.....

[ag2000]

I have something similar (by MTD)4.5hp, 1 stage, 2-stroke engine. I bought it in '94. Still going strong---changed the spark plug a few times, maybe 3 belts and thats about it. Also, every year, after the winter I drain the old gas/oil mix out and add 1 teaspoon of oil to the spark plug hole.
This unit will do most of the snow-falls you will encounter over winter. I also bought it because of size---you can put the thing right into your trunk, well, maybe not a Honda.....

Wow! 12 years without changing almost anything - that's impressive!

Where do you get those belts - are they expensive at all?

[insanity]

I have something similar (by MTD)4.5hp, 1 stage, 2-stroke engine. I bought it in '94. Still going strong---changed the spark plug a few times, maybe 3 belts and thats about it. Also, every year, after the winter I drain the old gas/oil mix out and add 1 teaspoon of oil to the spark plug hole.
This unit will do most of the snow-falls you will encounter over winter. I also bought it because of size---you can put the thing right into your trunk, well, maybe not a Honda.....

I'm gonna check out the one at the Pickering Sam's club. I went on Thursday and they said they were going to order in 16. I will phone tomorrow and find out. I'm bought on the electric start. Can someone explain how it works ? Do I plug it in when I'm ready to start the thing, or does it always need to be plugged in like a block heater on a car ? Also I have interlocking any issues with this. My bro-inlaw in Oakville has a similar type almost 10 years old, no major problems with it. Does the handle bend down for storage ?