Best snow blower????

[urbanhillbilly]

So my 30 year old MTD is tired and I’m tired of fixing it and pushing it through the snow!!

I need a new one. One for the long haul. I’m thinking 30ish inches, tracked or not. One that has a long throw. One for big areas, but not attached to a tractor or wheeler.

What are you guys using and how do you like them?

 

[Daveinthebush]

I bought a Honda 9hp. 30" and it had been a beast. Always starts and very little maintainence. That was 15 years ago and it still starts on the first of second pull. Only issue I have with blowers is having to move snow twice. The second time is difficult. Also sometimes our snow is like trying to move wet cement.

 

[iofthetaiga]

Honda makes a good one. So does Husqvarna. And BCS is pretty awesome; technically it's a tractor attachment, tho not the kind of tractor you probably meant.

 

[Doug in Alaska]

Honda on tracks is what I use. Has always started on the first pull and is a brute. Just finished using it again today. Can't remember when I bought it but it's been quite a few years ago.

 

[AKBEE]

I have a tracked Honda 13/32 at my cabin, and a tracked 9/28 at my parking area. They are absolutely fantastic machines. The distance the 13/32 throws deep snow makes me laugh- it is insanely far. One think I love about them is the onboard battery since I am off grid, and it is nice to just turn the key. Easy battery access to bring home and trickle charge before the season. Controls are easy. They improved the chute where people complained about slush collecting. I could not ask for a blower to be any better. Btw the 13/32 definitely is more powerful and is quite heavy.

I have 2 Yard Machine’s (MTD) and a Troy Bilt Storm 2410 (tiny and bogs down quickly)in town. One is a 1998 28”10hp Tecumseh and it works fine for town. I put an impeller kit on it which does improve clearing the snow. I just put a new friction wheel on it. It has gotten a workout this week for sure.

Parts for MTD’s are easy to find, but having a machine be reliable is a great feeling.

Guys who run Ariens really like them but there is quite a price difference in the models. As Tiaga mentioned- Husqvarna is well regarded.

Bailey’s Rents/Alaska Specialty Equipment are super nice to deal with if getting a Honda. Andy’s Ace used to sell Honda but there was a supply issue last year. They do carry Ariens and I think AIH carries Husqvarna.

 

[FLGator]

I have an Ariens and it’s been flawless.

We use Ariens at work and seldom/never have issues.

That said, there are other good machines out there and a good dealer is worth their weight in good if you need parts or service.

 

[Patsfan54]

I have a tracked Yamaha that I bought at auction years ago, I think it was built in '88 or '89 it has parts I can't buy anymore but keeps throwing snow thanks to some redneck engineering. I've used bigger Yamaha's and Honda's, if I had to buy a new one I'd get a Honda, but depending on where you live and the local dealers plays a big part in that too.

 

[urbanhillbilly]

Great info. I’m in Anchorage and something with a warranty, aka local service provider, would be ideal.

Some of these blowers are more expensive than a plow truck in July!!!!

 

[Patsfan54]

Great info. I’m in Anchorage and something with a warranty, aka local service provider, would be ideal.

Some of these blowers are more expensive than a plow truck in July!!!!

Yeah, that's why I bought mine at auction. I might just buy a plow truck so I can keep the hours down on my snowblower!

 

[Daveinthebush]

Forgot. Mine is on tracks too. And if you need then, Kold Kuter makes screw in studs for that go anywhere machine. I also use the KK in my tractor tires as chains bounce my back to much

 

[SmokeRoss]

Honda now has a walk behind on tracks that is 48" wide. Not cheap though. I put a pto driven blower on the front of my John Deere 2032.

 

[kobuk]

I bought an Ariens deluxe 4 years ago and it's been the best blower I've ever owned. I really like the differential they use so you get pivot it instead of drag it around to turn it. My neighbor has a tracked honda and they are impressive but to bulky and expensive for what I need here in town. At my cabin I have a 72" pto driven blower on my tractor, now that is a beast! haha

 

[bottom_dweller]

Every once in a while I get reminded of the pluses (not very often) for living in a rainforest. I hate dealing with snow!

 

[Hkrjohn]

Another fan of the tracked Honda snowblowers. They are worth every penny, and they cost a few.

 

[4merguide]

I have a tracked Honda 13/32 at my cabin, and a tracked 9/28 at my parking area. They are absolutely fantastic machines. The distance the 13/32 throws deep snow makes me laugh- it is insanely far. One think I love about them is the onboard battery since I am off grid, and it is nice to just turn the key. Easy battery access to bring home and trickle charge before the season. Controls are easy. They improved the chute where people complained about slush collecting. I could not ask for a blower to be any better. Btw the 13/32 definitely is more powerful and is quite heavy.

I have 2 Yard Machine’s (MTD) and a Troy Bilt Storm 2410 (tiny and bogs down quickly)in town. One is a 1998 28”10hp Tecumseh and it works fine for town. I put an impeller kit on it which does improve clearing the snow. I just put a new friction wheel on it. It has gotten a workout this week for sure.

Parts for MTD’s are easy to find, but having a machine be reliable is a great feeling.

Guys who run Ariens really like them but there is quite a price difference in the models. As Tiaga mentioned- Husqvarna is well regarded.

Bailey’s Rents/Alaska Specialty Equipment are super nice to deal with if getting a Honda. Andy’s Ace used to sell Honda but there was a supply issue last year. They do carry Ariens and I think AIH carries Husqvarna.

I too bought a Yard Machine w/ Tecumseh engine somewhere around 30 years ago. I was skeptical when I first bought it, but that thing just won't die. I had to replace the fuel line the other day but other than that she just keeps on startin' up blowin' snow, so can't complain.

 

[SmokeRoss]

Every once in a while I get reminded of the pluses (not very often) for living in a rainforest. I hate dealing with snow!

I grew up in a rain forest. Right on the ocean, Olympic Peninsula. Also logged in SE Alaska. Still visit family in the PNW. I'd rather deal with snow than constant torrential downpours.

 

[urbanhillbilly]

Pulled the trigger and ordered a 28” platinum tracked Ariens from Ace Hardware here in Anchorage. Hope to have it in the next 2 weeks.

For the price and reviews it seemed to be the best option. Hard to believe I paid just $300 more for my Ford Excursion!

 

[Daveinthebush]

If you're on a paved surface, spray that chute with a wax product or Pam once in a while. Mine is grave so the chute is kind of scared from throwing stones. I am sure it will suit you well. Better than shoveling.

Congratulations!

 

[honeydew]

Pulled the trigger and ordered a 28” platinum tracked Ariens from Ace Hardware here in Anchorage. Hope to have it in the next 2 weeks.

For the price and reviews it seemed to be the best option. Hard to believe I paid just $300 more for my Ford Excursion!

What did it come to?

 

[urbanhillbilly]

What did it come to?

Dang near $3k