"Tom Miller" wrote in message
...
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.

I'm going with the 9HP $799 model per your experience. It has 6 gears and a
larger 29" clearing path. The auger is not serrated so I don't know how well
it will do with ice, but it will surely handle any snowstorm that we get
here in NJ. I received a free 3 year on-site service contract in addition to
the warranty, because I have to wait 10 days for it to arrive. I'm going to
hold off on the chains, though. Is there any other uses that you have for
your snowblower? I've seen a sweeping brush that attaches to one unit. I
wonder if this device could serve any other purposes with optional
attachments.