Snowblowers

lurker · 02-10-2005, 03:52 PM

Can anybody recommend a good one? I want to get one for my dad's birthday, and I figured there should be lots on sale right now. But it looks like the best deal out there is for an electric Toro one for $300. How much is too little or too much to pay? Anybody done any research so that I won't have to?

Also, I'm thinking of getting it through Amazon (or even Sears or something, but online) so I can ship it to my parents out of state, but I'm worried that there might be problems in the future with it and they won't be able to take it back to the store. Anybody have any bad experiences with these kind of purchases online?

Franklinnoble · 02-10-2005, 04:17 PM

What's the over/under on the appearance of a "Snowballers" parody thread?

Dutch · 02-10-2005, 04:38 PM

I was thinking whistleblowers....

flere-imsaho · 02-10-2005, 04:47 PM

I just got the Toro Power Curve 1800 (which is probably the one you're thinking of for $300). Works like a champ, but probably won't handle routine 2+ foot snows. However, as I'm in the Chicago area, this generally isn't a problem.

Where does your Dad live?

I got mine from here ( http://www.valleypower.com/torelsnowsho.html ) where it is on sale for $269. Had no problems with the vendor.

Good luck!

ageofquarrel · 02-10-2005, 04:54 PM

What one are you looking at? I would recommend something with an electric start(Used to have a pull start it sucked). I would also make sure that it is self propeled.

lurker · 02-10-2005, 04:58 PM

Hey, I live in Chicago too! Is MS Paint a suburb on the north side?

My dad lives in Detroit, and I have a small car, so I don't know if I want to buy it here and then lug it there, which is why I'm looking online.

Yeah, the 1800 is the one I've been looking at. That deal is actually $6 better than the Amazon one I was getting and since I'm cheap and have a recommendation for that vendor, maybe I'll get it from there. Thanks!

lurker · 02-10-2005, 04:59 PM

The only thing that worried me about electric versus gas is that the cord would get in the way. I could just see my dad running it over and then never bothering to get it fixed.

ageofquarrel · 02-10-2005, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lurker

The only thing that worried me about electric versus gas is that the cord would get in the way. I could just see my dad running it over and then never bothering to get it fixed.

Sorry I didnt mean the kind that you hook up to an outlet. I was talking about the kind where you have to pull the cord to start versus turning a key.

lurker · 02-10-2005, 05:22 PM

Oh, okay. Well, I was already thinking about the problems with a cord because the one I was leaning towards has that.

flere-imsaho · 02-10-2005, 05:55 PM

Two more things:

1. He'll need 12 amp heavy-duty extension cord that is as long as his driveway is.

2. Plowing with the cord isn't a problem if you plan correctly. If you go back-and-forth horizontally, moving gradually away from the outlet, you won't have to worry about running over the cord.

kcchief19 · 02-10-2005, 07:58 PM

They actually have snow blowers with electric cords? That seems highly odd to me.

I've been shopping for a snow blower myself since I don't want to risk shoveling the driveway ever again with my knees in the shape they are in. I've been looking at the Yard Machine models they carry at Lowe's. Obviously we get a lot of ice in KC, so I've been leaning toward a two-stage thrower. Since I'm cheap, I'd rather get one under $500 instead of the ones over a grand. Anyone have any experience with Yard Machine?

AZSpeechCoach · 02-10-2005, 07:59 PM

As long as Frosty's happy, why quibble about details?

FrogMan · 02-10-2005, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lurker

Can anybody recommend a good one? I want to get one for my dad's birthday, and I figured there should be lots on sale right now. But it looks like the best deal out there is for an electric Toro one for $300. How much is too little or too much to pay? Anybody done any research so that I won't have to?

Also, I'm thinking of getting it through Amazon (or even Sears or something, but online) so I can ship it to my parents out of state, but I'm worried that there might be problems in the future with it and they won't be able to take it back to the store. Anybody have any bad experiences with these kind of purchases online?

How much to pay for a snowblower/snowthrower all depends on how much snow he will have to deal with. I don't know where he lives, or how big his driveway (or the space he needs the snowblower for) is. More information would certainly help recommend something.

FM

FrogMan · 02-10-2005, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcchief19

They actually have snow blowers with electric cords? That seems highly odd to me.

I've been shopping for a snow blower myself since I don't want to risk shoveling the driveway ever again with my knees in the shape they are in. I've been looking at the Yard Machine models they carry at Lowe's. Obviously we get a lot of ice in KC, so I've been leaning toward a two-stage thrower. Since I'm cheap, I'd rather get one under $500 instead of the ones over a grand. Anyone have any experience with Yard Machine?

I've owned a Yard Machine by MTD for three years now, very good snowblower. Mine is a 10HP or so, 29" wide snow blower like this one here:
http://www.mtdcanada.com/product.asp...76&companyid=5

It is a two stage snowthrower, as opposed to the thing that flere-imsaho linked to, which is known as a one-stage snowthrower (not a bad thing, but wouldn't be good enough for me in Quebec weather)... It's got an electric starter, 5 speed forward, 2 reverse, although I think all their new models come with 6 speeds forward. Would be crazy to snowblow in anything higher than the 3rd speed anyway, you'd have to run behind the thing

It's probably bigger than what you need, but for the price they sell their products, I've found that MTD's Yard Machines are good buys. I also have a Yard Machine lawnmower who's been a very good, affordable buy...

FM

tategter · 02-11-2005, 10:25 AM

Snow? what's that?

The only white stuff that gets blown in Florida mainly occurs in Miami.

02-10-2005, 07:59 PM	#12
AZSpeechCoach College Prospect Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Phoenix	As long as Frosty's happy, why quibble about details? __________________ The dumber people think you are, the more surprised they'll be when you kill them! Visit Stewart the Wonderbear and his amazing travels http://wonderbeartravel.blogspot.com

02-10-2005, 04:17 PM	#2
Franklinnoble Banned Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Placerville, CA	What's the over/under on the appearance of a "Snowballers" parody thread?

02-10-2005, 04:38 PM	#3
Dutch "Dutch" Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Tampa, FL	I was thinking whistleblowers....

02-10-2005, 04:47 PM	#4
flere-imsaho Coordinator Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Chicagoland	I just got the Toro Power Curve 1800 (which is probably the one you're thinking of for $300). Works like a champ, but probably won't handle routine 2+ foot snows. However, as I'm in the Chicago area, this generally isn't a problem. Where does your Dad live? I got mine from here ( http://www.valleypower.com/torelsnowsho.html ) where it is on sale for $269. Had no problems with the vendor. Good luck!

02-10-2005, 04:54 PM	#5
ageofquarrel H.S. Freshman Team Join Date: Feb 2004	What one are you looking at? I would recommend something with an electric start(Used to have a pull start it sucked). I would also make sure that it is self propeled.

02-10-2005, 04:58 PM	#6
lurker High School JV Join Date: May 2001	Hey, I live in Chicago too! Is MS Paint a suburb on the north side? My dad lives in Detroit, and I have a small car, so I don't know if I want to buy it here and then lug it there, which is why I'm looking online. Yeah, the 1800 is the one I've been looking at. That deal is actually $6 better than the Amazon one I was getting and since I'm cheap and have a recommendation for that vendor, maybe I'll get it from there. Thanks!

02-10-2005, 04:59 PM	#7
lurker High School JV Join Date: May 2001	The only thing that worried me about electric versus gas is that the cord would get in the way. I could just see my dad running it over and then never bothering to get it fixed.

02-10-2005, 05:22 PM	#9
lurker High School JV Join Date: May 2001	Oh, okay. Well, I was already thinking about the problems with a cord because the one I was leaning towards has that.

02-10-2005, 05:55 PM	#10
flere-imsaho Coordinator Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Chicagoland	Two more things: 1. He'll need 12 amp heavy-duty extension cord that is as long as his driveway is. 2. Plowing with the cord isn't a problem if you plan correctly. If you go back-and-forth horizontally, moving gradually away from the outlet, you won't have to worry about running over the cord.

02-10-2005, 07:58 PM	#11
kcchief19 Pro Starter Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Kansas City, MO	They actually have snow blowers with electric cords? That seems highly odd to me. I've been shopping for a snow blower myself since I don't want to risk shoveling the driveway ever again with my knees in the shape they are in. I've been looking at the Yard Machine models they carry at Lowe's. Obviously we get a lot of ice in KC, so I've been leaning toward a two-stage thrower. Since I'm cheap, I'd rather get one under $500 instead of the ones over a grand. Anyone have any experience with Yard Machine?

02-11-2005, 10:25 AM	#15
tategter High School JV Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Florida Swampland	Snow? what's that? The only white stuff that gets blown in Florida mainly occurs in Miami.

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