I'm Desperate

[Yuriatin]

Too long a story but, suffice it to say, it involves a gift certificate that's expiring in a matter of a few days ...

So we need to buy a snowblower/thrower.

Anyone have a lot of experience with these?

We've looked at them and some have the curved blades made from metal - others have blades made from a rubber or leather like material. What in the heck can that do - rubber?

We're hoping to get just a single stage. Looking for a gas one, not electric. But all the gas ones I see have an option for electric start! New to me. I hope this isn't some new fangled mess. They don't make just straight gas ones anymore?

This will be our first winter here so we don't know what exactly we would need.

Toro, Craftsman, Honda?

All the same?

Any advice?

Tonx.

[Dr.Dudd]

Re: I'm Desperate

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Yuri_</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Too long a story but, suffice it to say, it involves a gift certificate that's expiring in a matter of a few days ...

So we need to buy a snowblower/thrower.

Anyone have a lot of experience with these?

We've looked at them and some have the curved blades made from metal - others have blades made from a rubber or leather like material. What in the heck can that do - rubber?

We're hoping to get just a single stage. Looking for a gas one, not electric. But all the gas ones I see have an option for electric start! New to me. I hope this isn't some new fangled mess. They don't make just straight gas ones anymore?

This will be our first winter here so we don't know what exactly we would need.

Toro, Craftsman, Honda?

All the same?

Any advice?

Tonx. </div></div>electric start mean you plug it in and press a button to .
it instead of having to pull the cord. It is easier on the ladies,or if the operator is really not up to pulling cord to start snowblower on a cold snowy morning.
useful option. i hav enever seen the ones with anything but metal blades. i suppose the other blades will become hard when it is cold. i cand see a sopft or leather blade being effective, but ther may be some new technology I'm not aware of. Honda is reliable and need less repair the pther 2 less ereliable, but everybody can repair and the parts are easier and cheaper to come by.

[Nanook]

Re: I'm Desperate

I have a MTD 8 horsepower electric start snowblower and it's going on 20 years old now and I've had great luck with it. i beleive ti has a briggs and stratton engine.

I would never want to be without electric start! You pump the primer button 3 times, set the choke and push the button and it starts!

I've noticed the price of the snowblowers has come way down from when I got this one. It was about 1,100. at the time and I think the same kind of unit is 600. to 800. now!

I LOVE my snowblower!

[Yuriatin]

Re: I'm Desperate

Thanks Nan.

Good to know that the electric start isn't some gimmick. I mean to say - I understand how it works / what its for, after the slaes guy explained it - but I'd just never heard of it before.

Also never heard of MTD. I'll go do some Googling on it. Is yours a single stage? Does yours have metal blades?

[Nanook]

Re: I'm Desperate

Up here on the tundra where it sometimes snows in feet instead of inches I would only use metal blades! I'm not sure of the stage thing, my machine is up at Val's getting tuned up and ready for coming winter at the moment. It's a bigger machine rather than a small one. If I were you I'd get the biggest size you can afford if you get much snow! Then you can even chop up what the plow leaves behind.

Do a consumer report check on the brands/models that you have available and see what you come up with.

Shoveling be dammed! HA! The only shoveling I do is to push the snow from my deck.

Happy shopping!

[kia027]

Re: I'm Desperate

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Shoveling be dammed!</div></div>

That is what kids are for!

In the meantime Yuri I have no suggestions but would listen to Nanook of the Tundra's advice