We're purchasing a property that has a large driveway/parking pad
area, so will be getting a snow thrower. However, one section (about
50' long) has quite a steep slope to it, so I was wondering if it
makes sense to get one with a track drive? Who makes those and do they
give enough extra traction to deal with the hill?

--Welmoed

Welmoed Sisson wrote:

We're purchasing a property that has a large driveway/parking pad
area, so will be getting a snow thrower. However, one section (about
50' long) has quite a steep slope to it, so I was wondering if it
makes sense to get one with a track drive? Who makes those and do they
give enough extra traction to deal with the hill?


Google is your friend. Try "Snowblower track" for keywords.

Among others:
http://www.hondapowerequipment.com/snotra.asp

"Welmoed Sisson" wrote...

We're purchasing a property that has a large driveway/parking pad
area, so will be getting a snow thrower. However, one section (about
50' long) has quite a steep slope to it, so I was wondering if it
makes sense to get one with a track drive? Who makes those and do they
give enough extra traction to deal with the hill?

--Welmoed

Honda makes good ones although you'll pay a pretty penny for the
hydrostatic drive compared to some brands.

Craig

Craig wrote:
Honda makes good ones although you'll pay a pretty penny for the
hydrostatic drive compared to some brands.

VERY bad choice for cold weather. I have one on my tractor and the
transmission does not work well when the temp is very cold.

Honda makes good ones although you'll pay a pretty penny for the
hydrostatic drive compared to some brands.

VERY bad choice for cold weather. I have one on my tractor and the
transmission does not work well when the temp is very cold.

I can't say about tractors, but I have a Honda 928 snow blower with
hydrostatic drive and wheels (not tracks). The hydrostatic drive
works just fine in New Hampshire winters. I've had no problems
running it in single-digit temperatures. And it's great to be able to
select an exact speed to match the snow conditions. I did pay more
for the Honda than I would have for a Toro, Simplicity, or Ariens, but
it was definitely worth it.

--THC

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"Thomas Cormen" wrote...

Honda makes good ones although you'll pay a pretty penny for the
hydrostatic drive compared to some brands.

VERY bad choice for cold weather. I have one on my tractor and the
transmission does not work well when the temp is very cold.

I can't say about tractors, but I have a Honda 928 snow blower with
hydrostatic drive and wheels (not tracks). The hydrostatic drive
works just fine in New Hampshire winters. I've had no problems
running it in single-digit temperatures. And it's great to be able to
select an exact speed to match the snow conditions. I did pay more
for the Honda than I would have for a Toro, Simplicity, or Ariens, but
it was definitely worth it.

--THC

I'll agree, THC. I have the tracked smaller 724 and it works fine in the
cold. The infinitely-variable "gearing" seems a better idea to get the job
done quickly compared to a few fixed gears given the widely variable depth
and types of snow we get. I wonder if the fella with the tractor has a
lemon, one with a need for transmission servicing or something else.

Craig in Flagstaff (yes, it's Arizona, but you might be surprised at the
weather here at 7000')

Craig wrote:
"Thomas Cormen" wrote...

Honda makes good ones although you'll pay a pretty penny for the
hydrostatic drive compared to some brands.

VERY bad choice for cold weather. I have one on my tractor and the
transmission does not work well when the temp is very cold.

I can't say about tractors, but I have a Honda 928 snow blower with
hydrostatic drive and wheels (not tracks). The hydrostatic drive
works just fine in New Hampshire winters. I've had no problems
running it in single-digit temperatures. And it's great to be able to
select an exact speed to match the snow conditions. I did pay more
for the Honda than I would have for a Toro, Simplicity, or Ariens, but
it was definitely worth it.

--THC

I'll agree, THC. I have the tracked smaller 724 and it works fine in the
cold. The infinitely-variable "gearing" seems a better idea to get the job
done quickly compared to a few fixed gears given the widely variable depth
and types of snow we get. I wonder if the fella with the tractor has a
lemon, one with a need for transmission servicing or something else.

Craig in Flagstaff (yes, it's Arizona, but you might be surprised at the
weather here at 7000')

I am a reactionary and prefer manual trannies in my work truck. Bought
a 'lawn tractor' a few years ago and specified manual - been kicking
myself ever since for not going the extra cost for hydro. I have never
heard of anyone having a problem with them in cold weather.

Re track drive: I have heard, once from a small engine shop, that they
are a bear to turn in tight spots. Anything to that? I am debating
retiring my old MTD. One thing that a new one _must_ have will be a
powered spout adjustment.

Harry K

"Harry K" wrote...

Re track drive: I have heard, once from a small engine shop, that they
are a bear to turn in tight spots. Anything to that? I am debating
retiring my old MTD. One thing that a new one _must_ have will be a
powered spout adjustment.

Harry K

During snowthrowing operations, I've never had a problem since the
snow/ice left behind gives a nice slippery surface. Also, my Honda HS724 is
a small tracked-thrower which can be man-handled more easily than the bigger
ones, I'd think. I will say that, come spring when I do my annual storage
routine and tuck it away in the garage, I think a wheeled unit would be
easier to maneuver into a tight spot than a tracked one.

I bought a tracked unit because, at the time, I was throwing snow on a
gravel driveway and I figured that with the height adjustment set a couple
inches above the ground, tracks would be better than wheels for maintaining
that height and avoid the machine becoming a stone-thrower.

Craig

On Dec 11, 9:14 am, "Harry K" wrote:
... been kicking
myself ever since for not going the extra cost for hydro. I have never
heard of anyone having a problem with them in cold weather.

It is true. When I got my tractor (cold, snowy winter of 95-96) it
would hardly move at all the first time I tried to use it. The temp
was below 0. I called and complained and the manufacturer explained
that the oil in the drive wasn't meant for below 0 operation and that
it needed to be replaced. Even after replacement it has to warm up for
a while when the outside temps are low before it will operate properly
against resistance (going uphill or pushing into a thick snow). Works
fine in warmer temps and once it has warmed up.

By the way, replacing oil like that when it is below zero is an
interesting experience.

On heavy duty equipment they put heaters on the hydrostatic drive
system. There are even patents for this kind of thing. For instance:

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/4624333.html