On Fri, 9 Jan 2004 13:05:00 -0500, "Billy" wrote:

| Anyone have any comments on this model for my needs? It's a 5HP, two-stage,
| 4 cycle Tecumseh engine. The downside is that it only has one forward gear
| and a 22" clearing path. I have one being held for me for $500.
|
| I live in NJ and snowfall is normally not extreme. I'll be clearing an 80' x
| 10' driveway, a 40' x 10' walkway, and 35' x 25' patio, and a 100' x 3'
| sidewalk. All relatively flat land except the drive has a very slight uphill
| grade.
|
| Is there another manufacturer/model that I should consider before making
| this purchase


I also live in NJ and except for the patio have exactly the same areas
to clean as you -- the drive even slopes like yours. My 5 hp MTD 2
stage, now about 5-6 years old, is just barely adequate for a heavy
snowfall, especially a wet snow. Mine has 5 speeds forward and 2
reverse, mostly useless as I almost always have to plow in 1st or 2nd.
3rd gear can be used in only the lightest and driest of snow cover.
4th and 5th are for? -- well I have no idea, maybe for driving it
around in the summer. And a second reverse speed? Again, no idea.

All in all, I would be happier if I had gone for the 8 hp model. The 5
hp conks out in packed snow -- such as the end of the drive after the
plow has gone by. You have to really baby it and stop and go
constantly. Significant ice layers on or under the snow, which we
often get here, makes it equally likely to stall. I keep finding that
just a little more power would have made all the difference.

On the flat and without really soggy-wet or really icy snow it works
perfectly, no complaints.

Be sure to get chains for the tires, no matter what the literature
claims or the salesman says about knobby tires.

At this time of year you are not going to have many choices, so you
might not be able to find any alternatives.