Howdy again folks.

Looks like I am going to purchase a snow blower pretty soon. I am
thinking of doing it now because I am afraid that prices will go up
when the snow starts. It's likely I won't even need it here in
Southern Michigan until late December or even in January.

The two manufacturers I have notices so far are the Poulands they sell
at the Farm, Home and Family store and the Troy-Bilt at Lowes. The
prices on both seem pretty close and I will make sure to double check
but they all seemed to be similarly powered and sturdy build.

The ones I am looking at are the 24" to 28" that would cost between
about $600 to $900.

My driveway is about 50' long and we really only get a few serious
snow storms a year. I can't even remember when I last ditched my
tennis shoes for a pair of boots unless I was going out into the woods
in the winter. But when we do get a good snow storm it is too much for
me to try to shovel.

Anyway, if any of you have anything good or bad to say about those two
manufacturers, or recommend others, please do so.

Thanks, David

Van Chocstraw wrote:
hibb wrote:
Howdy again folks.

Looks like I am going to purchase a snow blower pretty soon. I am
thinking of doing it now because I am afraid that prices will go up
when the snow starts. It's likely I won't even need it here in
Southern Michigan until late December or even in January.

The two manufacturers I have notices so far are the Poulands they
sell at the Farm, Home and Family store and the Troy-Bilt at Lowes.
The prices on both seem pretty close and I will make sure to double
check but they all seemed to be similarly powered and sturdy build.

The ones I am looking at are the 24" to 28" that would cost between
about $600 to $900.

My driveway is about 50' long and we really only get a few serious
snow storms a year. I can't even remember when I last ditched my
tennis shoes for a pair of boots unless I was going out into the
woods in the winter. But when we do get a good snow storm it is too
much for me to try to shovel.

Anyway, if any of you have anything good or bad to say about those
two manufacturers, or recommend others, please do so.

Thanks, David



I would buy a used one in the spring if I were you.
Probably get one for $100 or $200 at that time. If you are gonna use
it 3 time a year and new one is a bad investment. It will be used
next year anyway.

Do some research, you may find that both are made by the same company, the
one I am thinking of makes most private brands and a number of their own
brands. Built for price not quality nor longivity. Buy used and you may end
up with it at the end of the machine's life.

Check on a mower/landscape equipment dealer for the brands they carry.
Airens is one that comes to mind, there are a few others that make quality
equipment. Don't buy a cheap one, there is nothing worse than having to
repair a poorly built unit in 10 degrees below weather while the snow piles
up, requiring you to hand shovel your way out to get parts. Been there and
done that, never again.

Van Chocstraw wrote:
hibb wrote:
Howdy again folks.

Looks like I am going to purchase a snow blower pretty soon. I am
thinking of doing it now because I am afraid that prices will go up
when the snow starts. It's likely I won't even need it here in
Southern Michigan until late December or even in January.

The two manufacturers I have notices so far are the Poulands they sell
at the Farm, Home and Family store and the Troy-Bilt at Lowes. The
prices on both seem pretty close and I will make sure to double check
but they all seemed to be similarly powered and sturdy build.

The ones I am looking at are the 24" to 28" that would cost between
about $600 to $900.

My driveway is about 50' long and we really only get a few serious
snow storms a year. I can't even remember when I last ditched my
tennis shoes for a pair of boots unless I was going out into the woods
in the winter. But when we do get a good snow storm it is too much for
me to try to shovel.

Anyway, if any of you have anything good or bad to say about those two
manufacturers, or recommend others, please do so.

Thanks, David



I would buy a used one in the spring if I were you.
Probably get one for $100 or $200 at that time. If you are gonna use it
3 time a year and new one is a bad investment. It will be used next year
anyway.
I'm also in southern MI, however I have a sloped driveway, so driving
over even small snows is not an option for me. (AMHIKT- it was a very
expensive lesson involving a fried transmission.)

Anyway, I bought mine off CraigsList in January, winter before last,
after using hand shovel, leaf blower, and abusing the transmission the
first 2.5 winters here. My back is much happier, and so is my
transmission. The one I bought is the same Troy-Bilt Lowes sells, in 24"
It had been used like twice by a little fellow that was scared of it.
Even still had the tags hanging on it. I would have paid the $600 Lowes
wanted at that point, but all of them in the area were sold out. So when
I found this one 40 miles away for 100 bucks cheaper, I was quite happy.
No problems at all so far. It clearly isn't pro-grade, so it probably
would not hold up doing driveways for money, but for one house I expect
to get 10-15 years out of it easy.

A couple of closing thoughts- although last winter was a somewhat normal
winter, after the recent mild winters we have been spoiled by here, the
stores got scared and cut back the amount of blowers they stocked so
they would not have to deep-discount them in spring. And second, around
here at least, a lot of the big-box entry level models are made by MTD,
no matter what brand name is on them. (like at Tractor Supply and Sears
and Lowes). So pay attention to the stamped metal parts when you are out
shopping- you may find one brand can be had cheaper, for the same machine.

--
aem sends...

On Sun, 25 Oct 2009 13:07:39 -0400, aemeijers
wrote:

Van Chocstraw wrote:
hibb wrote:
Howdy again folks.

Looks like I am going to purchase a snow blower pretty soon. I am
thinking of doing it now because I am afraid that prices will go up
when the snow starts. It's likely I won't even need it here in
Southern Michigan until late December or even in January.

The two manufacturers I have notices so far are the Poulands they sell
at the Farm, Home and Family store and the Troy-Bilt at Lowes. The
prices on both seem pretty close and I will make sure to double check
but they all seemed to be similarly powered and sturdy build.

The ones I am looking at are the 24" to 28" that would cost between
about $600 to $900.

My driveway is about 50' long and we really only get a few serious
snow storms a year. I can't even remember when I last ditched my
tennis shoes for a pair of boots unless I was going out into the woods
in the winter. But when we do get a good snow storm it is too much for
me to try to shovel.

Anyway, if any of you have anything good or bad to say about those two
manufacturers, or recommend others, please do so.

Thanks, David



I would buy a used one in the spring if I were you.
Probably get one for $100 or $200 at that time. If you are gonna use it
3 time a year and new one is a bad investment. It will be used next year
anyway.
I'm also in southern MI, however I have a sloped driveway, so driving
over even small snows is not an option for me. (AMHIKT- it was a very
expensive lesson involving a fried transmission.)

Anyway, I bought mine off CraigsList in January, winter before last,
after using hand shovel, leaf blower, and abusing the transmission the
first 2.5 winters here. My back is much happier, and so is my
transmission. The one I bought is the same Troy-Bilt Lowes sells, in 24"
It had been used like twice by a little fellow that was scared of it.
Even still had the tags hanging on it. I would have paid the $600 Lowes
wanted at that point, but all of them in the area were sold out. So when
I found this one 40 miles away for 100 bucks cheaper, I was quite happy.
No problems at all so far. It clearly isn't pro-grade, so it probably
would not hold up doing driveways for money, but for one house I expect
to get 10-15 years out of it easy.

A couple of closing thoughts- although last winter was a somewhat normal
winter, after the recent mild winters we have been spoiled by here, the
stores got scared and cut back the amount of blowers they stocked so
they would not have to deep-discount them in spring. And second, around
here at least, a lot of the big-box entry level models are made by MTD,
no matter what brand name is on them. (like at Tractor Supply and Sears
and Lowes). So pay attention to the stamped metal parts when you are out
shopping- you may find one brand can be had cheaper, for the same machine.

Whatch what engine you get.

Tecunseh is no more - so now you have Honda, Subaru/Robin, Briggs,
Coleman (powermate) and all the chinese crap (snowFoforce etc). In
about that order of desireability.

That's a good thought. Mine is a Toro, two cycle gas mixer.
When I got it, there was some black crud floating around in
the gas tank, that kept clogging the metering jet. I put on
a fuel filter, and that took care of that. It doesn't want
to start worth a hoot for the first try of the year. Ether,
and electric starter are my friends. One time I caught a
piece of wire in the end of the impellor, and broke the
belt. Able to find belts online cheaper than the local Toro
place.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..


"Van Chocstraw" wrote in
message
...

I would buy a used one in the spring if I were you.
Probably get one for $100 or $200 at that time. If you are
gonna use it
3 time a year and new one is a bad investment. It will be
used next year
anyway.

Really? No more Tec engines?
http://www.wrcbtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=9153222
That's not good. More American business lost to over
regulation, and cheap imports.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..


wrote in message
...
On Sun, 25 Oct 2009 13:07:39 -0400, aemeijers


Whatch what engine you get.

Tecunseh is no more - so now you have Honda, Subaru/Robin,
Briggs,
Coleman (powermate) and all the chinese crap (snowFoforce
etc). In
about that order of desireability.

http://www.wrcbtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=9153222
Last year; and I didn't know about it. I'm very sad.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..


wrote in message
...

Watch what engine you get.

Tecumseh is no more - so now you have Honda, Subaru/Robin,
Briggs,
Coleman (powermate) and all the chinese crap (snowFoforce
etc). In
about that order of desireability.

On Mon, 26 Oct 2009 08:33:39 -0400, Van Chocstraw
wrote:

wrote:
On Sun, 25 Oct 2009 13:07:39 -0400, aemeijers
wrote:

Van Chocstraw wrote:
hibb wrote:
Howdy again folks.

Looks like I am going to purchase a snow blower pretty soon. I am
thinking of doing it now because I am afraid that prices will go up
when the snow starts. It's likely I won't even need it here in
Southern Michigan until late December or even in January.

The two manufacturers I have notices so far are the Poulands they sell
at the Farm, Home and Family store and the Troy-Bilt at Lowes. The
prices on both seem pretty close and I will make sure to double check
but they all seemed to be similarly powered and sturdy build.

The ones I am looking at are the 24" to 28" that would cost between
about $600 to $900.

My driveway is about 50' long and we really only get a few serious
snow storms a year. I can't even remember when I last ditched my
tennis shoes for a pair of boots unless I was going out into the woods
in the winter. But when we do get a good snow storm it is too much for
me to try to shovel.

Anyway, if any of you have anything good or bad to say about those two
manufacturers, or recommend others, please do so.

Thanks, David


I would buy a used one in the spring if I were you.
Probably get one for $100 or $200 at that time. If you are gonna use it
3 time a year and new one is a bad investment. It will be used next year
anyway.
I'm also in southern MI, however I have a sloped driveway, so driving
over even small snows is not an option for me. (AMHIKT- it was a very
expensive lesson involving a fried transmission.)

Anyway, I bought mine off CraigsList in January, winter before last,
after using hand shovel, leaf blower, and abusing the transmission the
first 2.5 winters here. My back is much happier, and so is my
transmission. The one I bought is the same Troy-Bilt Lowes sells, in 24"
It had been used like twice by a little fellow that was scared of it.
Even still had the tags hanging on it. I would have paid the $600 Lowes
wanted at that point, but all of them in the area were sold out. So when
I found this one 40 miles away for 100 bucks cheaper, I was quite happy.
No problems at all so far. It clearly isn't pro-grade, so it probably
would not hold up doing driveways for money, but for one house I expect
to get 10-15 years out of it easy.

A couple of closing thoughts- although last winter was a somewhat normal
winter, after the recent mild winters we have been spoiled by here, the
stores got scared and cut back the amount of blowers they stocked so
they would not have to deep-discount them in spring. And second, around
here at least, a lot of the big-box entry level models are made by MTD,
no matter what brand name is on them. (like at Tractor Supply and Sears
and Lowes). So pay attention to the stamped metal parts when you are out
shopping- you may find one brand can be had cheaper, for the same machine.

Whatch what engine you get.

Tecunseh is no more - so now you have Honda, Subaru/Robin, Briggs,
Coleman (powermate) and all the chinese crap (snowFoforce etc). In
about that order of desireability.

What about Kohler?
Not bad if you can get one - but of all the units I've seen for sale
this year here in Ontario I haven't seen one yet.

On Mon, 26 Oct 2009 19:53:37 -0400, "Stormin Mormon"
wrote:

That's a good thought. Mine is a Toro, two cycle gas mixer.
When I got it, there was some black crud floating around in
the gas tank, that kept clogging the metering jet. I put on
a fuel filter, and that took care of that. It doesn't want
to start worth a hoot for the first try of the year. Ether,
and electric starter are my friends. One time I caught a
piece of wire in the end of the impellor, and broke the
belt. Able to find belts online cheaper than the local Toro
place.
2 Stroke is just about history - and I'd never buy one. Too finiky,
and they STINK.

Two strokes are light weight, and that's the advantage. As
to stink, well, when starting up, mine will smoke if I don't
open the choke soon enough. Other than that, not noticable.
After pushing it around for awhile, I stink worse than the
machine.

Hope you never need a gas chainsaw, gas boat motor, gas
hedge trimmer, or gas weed whacker. Those are only available
in two stroke.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..


wrote in message
...
On Mon, 26 Oct 2009 19:53:37 -0400, "Stormin Mormon"

2 Stroke is just about history - and I'd never buy one.
Too finiky,
and they STINK.

On Oct 25, 11:53*am, Van Chocstraw
wrote:
hibb wrote:
Howdy again folks.

Looks like I am going to purchase a snow blower pretty soon. I am
thinking of doing it now because I am afraid that prices will go up
when the snow starts. It's likely I won't even need it here in
Southern Michigan until late December or even in January.

The two manufacturers I have notices so far are the Poulands they sell
at the Farm, Home and Family store and the Troy-Bilt at Lowes. The
prices on both seem pretty close and I will make sure to double check
but they all seemed to be similarly powered and sturdy build.

The ones I am looking at are the 24" to 28" that would cost between
about $600 to $900.

My driveway is about 50' long and we really only get a few serious
snow storms a year. I can't even remember when I last ditched my
tennis shoes for a pair of boots unless I was going out into the woods
in the winter. But when we do get a good snow storm it is too much for
me to try to shovel.

Anyway, if any of you have anything good or bad to say about those two
manufacturers, or recommend others, please do so.

Thanks, David

I would buy a used one in the spring if I were you.
Probably get one for $100 or $200 at that time. *If you are gonna use it
3 time a year and new one is a bad investment. It will be used next year
anyway.

I would certainly use it more that 3 times a year but the times when
there will be a lot of snow to move are not going to be a lot.

On Oct 25, 2:15*pm, wrote:
On Sun, 25 Oct 2009 13:07:39 -0400, aemeijers
wrote:



Van Chocstraw wrote:
hibb wrote:
Howdy again folks.

Looks like I am going to purchase a snow blower pretty soon. I am
thinking of doing it now because I am afraid that prices will go up
when the snow starts. It's likely I won't even need it here in
Southern Michigan until late December or even in January.

The two manufacturers I have notices so far are the Poulands they sell
at the Farm, Home and Family store and the Troy-Bilt at Lowes. The
prices on both seem pretty close and I will make sure to double check
but they all seemed to be similarly powered and sturdy build.

The ones I am looking at are the 24" to 28" that would cost between
about $600 to $900.

My driveway is about 50' long and we really only get a few serious
snow storms a year. I can't even remember when I last ditched my
tennis shoes for a pair of boots unless I was going out into the woods
in the winter. But when we do get a good snow storm it is too much for
me to try to shovel.

Anyway, if any of you have anything good or bad to say about those two
manufacturers, or recommend others, please do so.

Thanks, David

I would buy a used one in the spring if I were you.
Probably get one for $100 or $200 at that time. *If you are gonna use it
3 time a year and new one is a bad investment. It will be used next year
anyway.
I'm also in southern MI, however I have a sloped driveway, so driving
over even small snows is not an option for me. (AMHIKT- it was a very
expensive lesson involving a fried transmission.)

Anyway, I bought mine off CraigsList in January, winter before last,
after using hand shovel, leaf blower, and abusing the transmission the
first 2.5 winters here. My back is much happier, and so is my
transmission. The one I bought is the same Troy-Bilt Lowes sells, in 24"
It had been used like twice by a little fellow that was scared of it.
Even still had the tags hanging on it. I would have paid the $600 Lowes
wanted at that point, but all of them in the area were sold out. So when
I found this one 40 miles away for 100 bucks cheaper, I was quite happy.
No problems at all so far. It clearly isn't pro-grade, so it probably
would not hold up doing driveways for money, but for one house I expect
to get 10-15 years out of it easy.

A couple of closing thoughts- although last winter was a somewhat normal
winter, after the recent mild winters we have been spoiled by here, the
stores got scared and cut back the amount of blowers they stocked so
they would not have to deep-discount them in spring. And second, around
here at least, a lot of the big-box entry level models are made by MTD,
no matter what brand name is on them. (like at Tractor Supply and Sears
and Lowes). So pay attention to the stamped metal parts when you are out
shopping- you may find one brand can be had cheaper, for the same machine.

Whatch what engine you get.

Tecunseh is no more - so now you have Honda, Subaru/Robin, Briggs,
Coleman (powermate) and all the chinese crap (snowFoforce etc). In
about that order of desireability.

I'm used to Briggs and Kohler engines. In the past, I usually
considered Briggs easier to work on but most of the stuff I have now,
lawn tractor and generator, have Kohler.

On Mon, 26 Oct 2009 21:33:46 -0400, "Stormin Mormon"
wrote:

Two strokes are light weight, and that's the advantage. As
to stink, well, when starting up, mine will smoke if I don't
open the choke soon enough. Other than that, not noticable.
After pushing it around for awhile, I stink worse than the
machine.

Hope you never need a gas chainsaw, gas boat motor, gas
hedge trimmer, or gas weed whacker. Those are only available
in two stroke.
I have 2 chain saws - they stink Most boat motors are now 4 stroke. 4
stroke weed wackers are now available (as are hedge trimmers I
believe, but I use electric)

Stormin Mormon wrote:
Two strokes are light weight, and that's the advantage. As
to stink, well, when starting up, mine will smoke if I don't
open the choke soon enough. Other than that, not noticable.
After pushing it around for awhile, I stink worse than the
machine.

Hope you never need a gas chainsaw, gas boat motor, gas
hedge trimmer, or gas weed whacker. Those are only available
in two stroke.

My weed whacker is 4 stroke, starts first pull except first time in spring
when it takes 2 pulls to get it going. Takes straight gas, and to change oil
I need only 4 ounces. It is a Honda.

What a strange gadget that must be. A four stroke weed
whacker?

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..


"EXT" wrote in message
anews.com...
Stormin Mormon wrote:
Two strokes are light weight, and that's the advantage. As
to stink, well, when starting up, mine will smoke if I
don't
open the choke soon enough. Other than that, not
noticable.
After pushing it around for awhile, I stink worse than
the
machine.

Hope you never need a gas chainsaw, gas boat motor, gas
hedge trimmer, or gas weed whacker. Those are only
available
in two stroke.

My weed whacker is 4 stroke, starts first pull except first
time in spring
when it takes 2 pulls to get it going. Takes straight gas,
and to change oil
I need only 4 ounces. It is a Honda.

On Oct 28, 8:50*pm, "Stormin Mormon"
wrote:
What a strange gadget that must be. A four stroke weed
whacker?

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
*www.lds.org

Probably the same people that make the Forehead VCR's.

David




"EXT" wrote in message

anews.com...

Stormin Mormon wrote:
Two strokes are light weight, and that's the advantage. As
to stink, well, when starting up, mine will smoke if I
don't
open the choke soon enough. Other than that, not
noticable.
After *pushing it around for awhile, I stink worse than
the
machine.

Hope you never need a gas chainsaw, gas boat motor, gas
hedge trimmer, or gas weed whacker. Those are only
available
in two stroke.

My weed whacker is 4 stroke, starts first pull except first
time in spring
when it takes 2 pulls to get it going. Takes straight gas,
and to change oil
I need only 4 ounces. It is a Honda.