Snow blower

[MasterMech]

I owned a single-stage blower for a while, and found it about as useful as the fondue pot we received as a wedding gift.

Single-stage blowers satisfy the needs of someone who doesn't want to spend money on a proper 2-stage blower, but if you have a 2-stage blower, there's little reason left to own a single stage. They just take up space you could use for something more useful... like a fondue pot!

I own a single-stage electric. It absolutely kicks some serious old man winter butt. 18" on my MIL's back deck, heaved it over/through a 4' railing in about 10% of the time it would have taken to shovel it. I have a single stage, tractor mounted blower on one of my old JD 180's that will out-move my LT180's 2 stage in all but the deepest, heaviest snows.

Joful, if your SS was an MTD or Murray then I feel your pain. Toro owns that segment hands down. The CCR series (especially the older 2-strokes) were lightweight and would run circles around a 2-stage in anything under 8". They would clean up better too. They used to make a behemoth of a single stage called the "Snow Commander", 7 HP two-stroke and 24" clearing width. It was the best machine you could own for a paved driveway with less than 18" of snow on it. Made a 2 stage blower look silly, especially since the Commander could be had for $800.

Of course, rubber paddle single-stage units have their limitations. They don't like steep hills (gentle to moderate slopes are fine however). They are also limited to a hard surface underneath like a wood deck, concrete patio, or asphalt driveway. But if you have the right conditions, they far out-performed any "compact" 2-stage and made the full-size units look expensive and slow.

 

[greg13]

Cub used to be a good name .. (feel free to flame me ) Now they are just yellow and black MTD's.

Most everything except the Hondas comes with a Chinese engine. Even the Briggs "made in USA" model engines are mostly chinese, just assembled here from what I understand.Some have luck with these clones, but no way I'd look at them. Honda are just dead reliable.. always start. Thats what you want in an engine.

If I still had it, I would put my 1970 12 horse cub up against anything made today.

 

[FrankMA]

I'm pretty sure the HS55 is a gear drive and not a hydrostatic drive machine - if that makes a difference to you or not?

 

[scooby074]

Had good luck with B&S over the years too.

But I realize nothing beats a Honda - have two vehicles in the driveway & 3 motorbikes in the basement backing that up.

There's a used tracked HS55 in the area I could go look at - it's a bit smallish but likely punches above its weight. Not sure what year but it's not new by any means - pics look good though. Also not sure $750 is a fair asking price - I just started looking at these things.

Track or wheel drive? There is a track on Moncton Kijiji for 725 that doesnt look too bad in pictures.

If it was maintained WELL and in excellent condition, $700-750 isnt that bad. Id be a bit leery of getting one that might have been used commercial though. Remember, its probably pushing 25 years old. $500 would be better for a typical unit of that vintage, unless it was particularly good.

Its a bit small at 4.5 horsepower though, something to keep in mind.

much newer 928's do come up pretty frequent in the high teens low $2000's too.

EDIT: How about a Mint 1132 for $1750 If I didnt have mine and was in the market, Id be all over that. http://novascotia.kijiji.ca/c-buy-a...-Honda-Snowblower-11-HP-32-W0QQAdIdZ455040782

 

[scooby074]

If I still had it, I would put my 1970 12 horse cub up against anything made today.

Id take that bet with my 928.

 

[MasterMech]

If I still had it, I would put my 1970 12 horse cub up against anything made today.

Bring It.

(broken image removed)


(Wish I had the property to justify one of those X7 series....)

 

[MasterMech]

Track drives are easy to maneuver with snow under the tracks. Most folks go to the dealer and try to move them on dry pavement which is an absolute bear.

Don't most of the newer ones have a trigger steering mechanism? Getting very common on wheeled machines and was on some older track drives too. Would be on my "must-have" feature list for a walk-behind blower, tracks OR wheels.

 

[Mrpelletburner]

I have used several brands and hands down an Ariens is the way to go!

 

[scooby074]

Don't most of the newer ones have a trigger steering mechanism? Getting very common on wheeled machines and was on some older track drives too. Would be on my "must-have" feature list for a walk-behind blower, tracks OR wheels.

Honda doesnt have steering on the small blowers. The larger models, like the Hybrid 1336 and the even larger ones they sell in Japan and Europe do have steering.

I cant see needing it on a wheeled machine, they swing around so easy!. Honda should offer steering on the small ones, Im a pretty big guy, so I can swing mine around pretty easy, but I can see how some older folks could have an issue if they had to make a tight turn.

 

[scooby074]

How about this, for a money no object walk behind. Rumor has it that its pushing $50,000 (or more). A Zaugg "Snowbeast" blower powered by a 54hp Kubota diesel

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[MasterMech]

How about this, for a money no object walk behind. Rumor has it that its pushing $50,000 (or more). A Zaugg "Snowbeast" blower powered by a 54hp Kubota diesel

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$50K buys a helluva lot more machine than that. JD 3x20 series cab tractor with a 59" front mounted blower or 4x20 Cab tractor with a loader mounted blower would have you clearing more snow, faster and in style/comfort. And you get to pocket the extra 10K.

 

[scooby074]

$50K buys a helluva lot more machine than that. JD 3x20 series cab tractor with a 59" front mounted blower or 4x20 Cab tractor with a loader mounted blower would have you clearing more snow, faster and in style/comfort. And you get to pocket the extra 10K.

Fair enough, but can you walk behind it??

 

[MasterMech]

Fair enough, but can you walk behind it??

Sure, but easier to see/steer from the seat.

 

[jatoxico]

Sure, but easier to see/steer from the seat.

You must have some seriously big sidewalks .

 

[MasterMech]

You must have some seriously big sidewalks .

-Sigh-

Fine. 47" wide.

(broken image removed)

 

[jatoxico]

-Sigh-

Fine. 47" wide.

(broken image removed)

Now that would make snow fun again .

 

[Jaugust124]

If money weren't an issue we'd all have one of these

http://powerequipment.honda.com/snowblowers/models/hs1336ias

Hybrid with an electric and gas motor, digital control. Makes me want to bid on a condo contract just to have an excuse to buy it!

Where's the seat?

 

[ArsenalDon]

(broken image removed)The BEAST. 414cc engine. Hydrostatic transmission so you can shift from full forward to reverse without releasing the throttle. Independent drive wheels so it spins on a dime. Electronic push button start so
I don't even have to use the pull start.

 

[Ashful]

Joful: What SS machine did you own that performed so poorly?

An old Toro... and I mean old! I think it was approximately 20" and 5 hp. When I got the Ariens 824, I set it at the curb for $100. The single-stage Toro actually did great in dry snow, but was too frustrating in the wet snow we so often get. The two-stage Ariens throws everything but the salted plow slush at the end of the driveway, as does the Woods... but the Woods has a 25 hp diesel behind it.

Joful, if your SS was an MTD or Murray then I feel your pain. Toro owns that segment hands down.

Well, actually, I did own one other single stage unit, which I forgot about! A 42" blower mounted on the front of my 1963 - 1965 IH Cub Cadet 123. Unfortunately, we did not get much snow in the few years I owned it, so I can't report how well it worked. The guy I bought it from seemed to think it really kicked ass, though.

edit: I just found a photo of my old Toro single stage! Toro SnowHound 20:

 

[MasterMech]

An old Toro... and I mean old! I think it was approximately 20" and 5 hp. When I got the Ariens 824, I set it at the curb for $100. The single-stage Toro actually did great in dry snow, but was too frustrating in the wet snow we so often get. The two-stage Ariens throws everything but the salted plow slush at the end of the driveway, as does the Woods... but the Woods has a 25 hp diesel behind it.



Well, actually, I did own one other single stage unit, which I forgot about! A 42" blower mounted on the front of my 1963 - 1965 IH Cub Cadet 123. Unfortunately, we did not get much snow in the few years I owned it, so I can't report how well it worked. The guy I bought it from seemed to think it really kicked ass, though.

edit: I just found a photo of my old Toro single stage! Toro SnowHound 20:

View attachment 93546

Wow, that is an antique! I haven't seen a single stage walk-behind like that in many, many moons. This is more like what I had in mind when you said "single stage".

Regarding the IH Cub attachment, I have a similar one mounted on my old 180 (not to be confused with my LT180, ) and it will indeed move more snow than the 2 stage on the LT180. But it doesn't like 1-2" of slush, or more than 18" at a time either. The trick with a single stage like the ones typically found on tractor attachments is to keep them well-fed by adding ground speed appropriately.

 

[MasterMech]

(broken image removed)The BEAST. 414cc engine. Hydrostatic transmission so you can shift from full forward to reverse without releasing the throttle. Independent drive wheels so it spins on a dime. Electronic push button start so
I don't even have to use the pull start.

Hows the steering on yours Don? Several problems with those not being adjusted correctly initially. I like that someone else (other than Honda) is finally getting in on the tracked/hydrostatic trans game but hate seeing a $2500 dollar machine with half-shafts for the auger assembly.


Nope, that shaft is not truncated just for the drawing........


Because if it was, you wouldn't need these bolted to the auger housing.

Break a shear bolt on that machine and there is nothing to stop it from spreading the auger housing, dropping the flights, and otherwise self-destructing.

 

[maple1]

Could that destruction happen if the auger stopped turning though?

Or maybe it could if one side was still going?

Sure looks like a beast.

 

[KB007]

I broke a sheer bolt on my Husq blower and nothing much happened, just stopped turning. Totally my fault - dumbass me! Replaced the bolt and away to the races.

 

[ArsenalDon]

Hows the steering on yours Don?

Levers get a bit sticky sometimes, but once engaged it steers fine. had a couple of issues the first few times I used it but the dealer picked it up, fixed em and it has been great this winter. Quite a few of us own one up here and no complaints so far. The only thing to watch is that the engine has so much power that you need to be sure to disengage the auger if you are not blowing, you can burn up the belts

 

[scooby074]

Levers get a bit sticky sometimes, but once engaged it steers fine. had a couple of issues the first few times I used it but the dealer picked it up, fixed em and it has been great this winter. Quite a few of us own one up here and no complaints so far. The only thing to watch is that the engine has so much power that you need to be sure to disengage the auger if you are not blowing, you can burn up the belts

Id be a bit concerned if your burning up belts by NOT blowing. They should only have load when the auger/fan has load. The engine on the husky only has about 11-12hp running a 30".. Actually slightly smaller than what Honda runs on the new 32 (13.3hp). And Torque is stronger on the Honda , 19.5 ftlb vs 17.5 on the LCT (Husky)

Anyways, you should be able to drive around all day with the auger running with no ill effects. Ive had the same belts on my blower since new and it's blown a ton of snow.