On 1/9/2015 7:54 AM, trader_4 wrote:
On Friday, January 9, 2015 at 7:20:26 AM UTC-5, NorMinn wrote:
We are two retirees, 50' long double driveway (concrete). Shoveled a
lot of snow last year, but getting older and lazier. I would like
recommendations for a snow blower if there is one that isn't a monster
to handle, doesn't throw snow into neighbor's yard, and won't break the
bank. We can have it plowed, but that still leaves enough snow that it
refreezes and gets icy; neither of us want to navigate ice to get to the
mailbox or have visitors fall on the ice. Any recommendations for a
reliable, manageable machine?

I've had a Craftaman for 20 years and am happy with it. It's 5hp,
about 24", two stage, I think. Cost about $800 back then. The only
problem I've had with it is that when I've forgotten to drain the gas
at the end of the season, sometimes the carb gets fouled in just a
few months. But even that was a quick fix with a $10 rebuild kit
on Ebay. Of course what Sears and others sell today may be very
different.

One thing I would definitely get is electric start. It's worth it
to not have to pull start. And you want two stage. Another possible
feature is some of the more expensive ones have tread type drives
instead of tires. I never used one of those, but it might be a
good thing if you have a grade to deal with. You can also put chains
on the tire ones. I've been fine here with just the tires. I have
a little grade at the end of the driveway and no problem getting
the blower to go up it.

Lived in the Chicago suburbs until I was 60. Don't know where the OP is
located. I used a Craftsman electric (made by the old Sunbeam on the
west side of Chicago) for many years and it was ok. A little getting
used to the cord thing. When it finally bit the dust, I gave it to a
cousin that had worked for Sunbeam and had one himself ... he now had
lots of parts). I bought a single stage, 2 cycle, with an electric
(120VAC) start. You had to push it as it wasn't self propelled. This
unit was a whole lot better. Out of the cold garage it always started
(AC) and if it would die along the sidewalk because I hit a hard chunk
of ice from the street snow plow, the pull starter was there to get it
going pretty easily, because it was nicely warmed up. When we moved to
western NC 6 years ago, I gave it to my son. He had a similar unit, but
no electric start. In a way, I wish I would have brought it with. We do
have some snow here and it might be nice. That all said, I have seen
commercials for the new Lithium Ion battery units (36 volts or something
like that) ... looks pretty slick, especially for smaller areas ...
probably pricey.

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