wrote in message
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I've never owned a snowblower...I've always shoveled.
But we have a pretty huge driveway now.

The price range for snowblowers is pretty big.
Anyone know how much I need to spend for a durable, reliable machine?



You have some variables, How big is your huge driveway? How much snow do you
get? I have 100 feet of drive that is about 1/2 single lane, and 1/2 two
lane. I have problems with buildings in the way so I need to move the snow
twice sometimes! I also have a big problem with drifting snow that I have
not be able to reduce with snow fence, so I get 1-2 feet of snow regularly.
I have an older 8HP Bolens that has served me well, but I wanted more so I
bought a slightly used Toro 10 HP, 28 inch Power Shift last spring. These
machines listed for around $2000 the last year they were made, (2003?), but
I paid $1000 for it. It will move snow better than most any thing sold today
as far as a walk behind! It will blow snow fifty feet away! When I need to
move show I don't screw around, I have little patience for it! One year I
blew snow nearly every day, at least 3 times a week!

Your requirements and pocket book will perhaps be different from mine, but
"my" only other choice for a snow blower was a 9 HP Honda. Honda builds a
wheel or a track drive, but they are spendy machines. May people are
satisfied with lower priced machines. Lower price means lighter weight,
thinner sheet metal, bushings instead of bearings. Husquavarna, Toro and
Ariens are good machines, 8 HP will run over $1000 though.
MTD built units are only fair in my mind.

MTD - http://www.mtdproducts.com/home.jsp

Greg