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Im looking to get a self propelled snowblower but they are all so expensive. I walk into Home Depot and they're all around $700! And Home Depot has crap! When I go into a Toro dealer they're around the same $700 price but I know they're better quallity, but still too much money. What is a good brand that makes a good snowblower that's CHEAPER than $700?

Do what I did. I gave away my snow blower and moved to Florida. We don't get much snow accumulations here. LOL

crazyoldtractor said:

Im looking to get a self propelled snowblower but they are all so expensive. I walk into Home Depot and they're all around $700! And Home Depot has crap! When I go into a Toro dealer they're around the same $700 price but I know they're better quallity, but still too much money. What is a good brand that makes a good snowblower that's CHEAPER than $700?

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you have to decide a few things first....single stage or two stage.....how much average snowfall in your area.... your local reputable servicing dealer or a big box store for purchase....toro is a popular brand and if the same blower you looked at was the same 700.00 at h.d. and the reputable servicing dealer,then i would be trotting over to the reputable servicing dealer to buy it.

Cheap and Good are seldom used together.... but there are a LOT of good used snow blowers out there....

Check your handy local mower repair shops.... also eBay and CraigsList.... Happy hunting, another couple months and the prices are apt to start going up... :smile:KennyV

KennyV said:

Cheap and Good are seldom used together.... but there are a LOT of good used snow blowers out there....

Check your handy local mower repair shops.... also eBay and CraigsList.... Happy hunting, another couple months and the prices are apt to start going up... :smile:KennyV

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So true! In fact, these days, the words "New and Good" are hardly used together!

If you want something that will last you, try and find a used snow blower, that is a good brand, and in good working condition.

KennyV said:

Cheap and Good are seldom used together.... but there are a LOT of good used snow blowers out there....

Check your handy local mower repair shops.... also eBay and CraigsList.... Happy hunting, another couple months and the prices are apt to start going up... :smile:KennyV

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Agree no such thing as GOOD and CHEAP it is either one or the other.

This is true for mowers also.

Black Bart said:

Agree no such thing as GOOD and CHEAP it is either one or the other.

This is true for mowers also.

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It is true for everything I'm afraid.

Back in the "good old days", you could get something that was budget, but it would still last you for quite a long time if you treated it well.

These days, something that is budget will be lucky to last you a year. :frown:

Home Depot is selling an Ariens 20 inch 2 stage for $499. a bigger model with 24 inch cut and electric start for $599, so what is your problem with Ariens? I purchased a dual stage, 5 hp Craftsman for $365 with tax back in '89, still starts and runs fine, all original except for belts and spark plugs.

HD also is selling a Toro single stage for $399, and another for $559. That is four models for less than $700......:confused2:

JDgreen said:

Home Depot is selling an Ariens 20 inch 2 stage for $499. a bigger model with 24 inch cut and electric start for $599, so what is your problem with Ariens? I purchased a dual stage, 5 hp Craftsman for $365 with tax back in '89, still starts and runs fine, all original except for belts and spark plugs.

HD also is selling a Toro single stage for $399, and another for $559. That is four models for less than $700......:confused2:

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I stand corrected!

Menards is selling an electric start, 24 inch cut dual stage Murray for $569, and an electric start, 26 inch cut dual stage MTD for $649.

KennyV said:

Cheap and Good are seldom used together.... but there are a LOT of good used snow blowers out there....

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Timing, condition and your abilities are paramont here. I picked up several snowblowers last winter and spring for a very reasonable amount. I spent this spring and summer rebuilding them (5 of 6 are done with the 6th almost done). They have any worn or broken things fixed and some are better than new (ball bearings bs bushings in some cases).

If you can find something in your area, it should compare comparably to new, less plastic, usually better or thicker materials and will likely last as long as you'll ever want given reasonable care. If you can do alittle repairs or maintenance, you should be able to get something in your price range.

Good luck

I have looked at many used snowblowers on Ebay, many of them are good deals, the problem is that most of the sellers offer only local pickup, no shipping is available. Older 2 stage, mostly steel blowers should last forever, my '89 Craftsman probably has less than 50-60 running hours on it. I would be wary, though, of purchasing a used snowblower that wasn't a commonly known brand. Back about the time I purchased my '89 model. I had a chance to buy a nearly new Eska 5 hp 2 stage for $100 less than the new Craftsman model was. Well, how many of you have even heard of an Eska, much less seen one?

JD

Sounds like you have a snowblower now, so I assume you have some problem with it. Thing is, if it starts with a serial 536.918xxxx or 536.882xxx (which is the Murray built ones with the gear transmissions) it's probably one of the strongest built ones I've run into. Biggest problem I've run into with the 6 I have has been parts, or lack of Sears carrying them but even that's not a show stopper. I have found parts for vitually everything on units from 4 hp up to 10 hp with one exception: the 3/4" auger bushing on the smaller frame units (4 & 5 hp). Even that isn't insurmountable, I've found a bearing that will work in it's place but it's an open bearing so I'm not using that, still looking for a suitable replacement. The bigger ones (7-10 hp) I have not had an issue for anything I haven't either found the part for or been able to adapt something else to it. They have one issue I've seen with the bolt on the idler shaft on the bigger units coming loose and even that issue can be fixed rather easily as I've already done it on a couple.

I have a 7 HP that I converted to roller bearings on both the auger and axel, same with a 10 HP, done some transmission mods etc. I even swapped out a 26" two stage auger onto the 10 HP which was a 32" three stage, mainly because the bigger auger wouldn't fit through the garage door, so many parts interchange. All the Craftsman/Murray ones from that era had good cast iron engines, big impellars, thick metal and throw snow like there's no tomorrow. Even the 4 & 5 HP ones have 10" four vane impellars vs some of the newer ones that I've seen have 9" three vane impellars. Virtually everything is metal except for the belt cover and some of the auger and axel bushings and most of those have alternatives available.

I have one of the six units that's not in that model range, it's a 7 HP friction disc model snowblower. Even there where I needed bushings and Sears didn't carry them any more, I found suitable replacements that work well so options may be available.

Even if the motor is bad, the larger ones (7 hp and up) have single shaft motors and suitable replacements have been used my many people. The biggest issue there is those with twin shaft motors (4 & 5 HP Tecumseh's) in that though there may be suitable replacements, I haven't seen them so I can't speak to that. I did have one smaller one with motor problems and I found a parts machine that gave up it's long block to it, worked great. Like you say, most snowblowers are low hour units so there's little to go bad in a motor except for leaving stale gas in the carbs off season and not changing the oil regularly.

If this is your model range and you have some issue with it, post the facts and maybe someone can suggest a cure for you. Pictures wouldn't hurt either.

Thanks, but I don't have a problem with mine (yet)...the only plastic part is the cover for the belts. Mine has the friction disc drive but zero problems with it yet, have only replaced the belts and a few carb bowl gaskets and plugs in its lifetime.

Appreciate your detailed information !!! May need to refer to it in the future.

We have a 24" Ariens from H.D. ( A place I will no longer shop at for ethical reasons) and have run it hard for two years. You have to take care of it, especially using good oil and a fuel stabilizer. MTD makes most of em anyway, don't they?

jross said:

We have a 24" Ariens from H.D. ( A place I will no longer shop at for ethical reasons) and have run it hard for two years. You have to take care of it, especially using good oil and a fuel stabilizer. MTD makes most of em anyway, don't they?

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Basically, from what I have seen, yes, MTD does.

JDgreen said:

Thanks, but I don't have a problem with mine (yet)...the only plastic part is the cover for the belts. Mine has the friction disc drive but zero problems with it yet, have only replaced the belts and a few carb bowl gaskets and plugs in its lifetime.

Appreciate your detailed information !!! May need to refer to it in the future.

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Here's one you may want to file away in case you ever need it. If you ever need a friction disc and yours is a 6" diameter, here's something to look into. The one machine I have has a 6" disc and Sears no longer carries it. I've not found one on the market with the right size center hole (something like 2 1/2" IIRC). Happens though there is one for a Toro with a smaller center hole (around 1 1/2" IIRC) that looks very close otherwise, looks like the right diameter and width of rubber. I suspect if you chuck it onto a lathe and open the center hole, possibly have to drill new mounting holes too, that friction disc would work on the craftsman.

HCBPH said:

Here's one you may want to file away in case you ever need it. If you ever need a friction disc and yours is a 6" diameter, here's something to look into. The one machine I have has a 6" disc and Sears no longer carries it. I've not found one on the market with the right size center hole (something like 2 1/2" IIRC). Happens though there is one for a Toro with a smaller center hole (around 1 1/2" IIRC) that looks very close otherwise, looks like the right diameter and width of rubber. I suspect if you chuck it onto a lathe and open the center hole, possibly have to drill new mounting holes too, that friction disc would work on the craftsman.

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Thanks for the tip, I may need it someday....:thumbsup::thumbsup:

Thanks for all the input. I went on craigslist and found a 1 stage for $100. The guy says it runs good and blows good. It's a craftsman 2 stroke with electric start. I'm going to look at it this weekend.

crazyoldtractor said:

Thanks for all the input. I went on craigslist and found a 1 stage for $100. The guy says it runs good and blows good. It's a craftsman 2 stroke with electric start. I'm going to look at it this weekend.

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I would stay away from single-stage blowers, especially in Connecticut.

panabiker said:

I would stay away from single-stage blowers, especially in Connecticut.

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If you never get more than a couple of inches at a time and it's not the wet, slushy stuff then I'd disagree. Reality is though if you get more than a couple of inches at a time, it can be the wet slushy stuff or you have to deal with a snowplow burying your drive or sidewalk, it's not going to do what you need. I have a single stage, had it for years and it was ok till last winter (that and a good snow shovel). We got dumped on several times and no way could a single stage do much more than look at it and laugh. I now have multiple 2 stage units (planning on selling some this fall), a 4 hp 20" with a 10" impeller handled 8-12" snowfalls without much effort as long as it wasn't the wet stuff. It moved the wet stuff as long as you kept it moving or the chute plugged immediately. The others handled wet slushy stuff pretty much the same, except the bigger the engine the more you could move before having to stop. 7 hp 14" impeller did ok with the wet stuff, handled snow up over the auger too, though I did have to back up once or twice to get it all. I have a 10 hp waiting in the wings to see what this year brings. If you get that kind of stuff, hold off for a 2 stage - it will do you much better in the long run.

As some have said before, it depends on how much snow you get. If you are looking to remove a foot of snow or less, this snow blower from Snapper gets the job done for $399.

If you are looking to remove more than foot, you will either have to pay a little more than $700 or forget it and move to Florida as the first gentleman suggested. :laughing:

Find a non-working one on Craigslist, because the most common problem is a carb problem. They are easy to fix though, just spray some carb cleaner and adjust the fuel flow :biggrin:

motorrefurb said:

Find a non-working one on Craigslist, because the most common problem is a carb problem. They are easy to fix though, just spray some carb cleaner and adjust the fuel flow :biggrin:

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This is true in the past month I've got 4 snowblowers for a total of $40. Not one ran. Bought the one I'm keeping a new fuel filter and sparkplug. The others just got a good cleaning, run like tops and goin back on CL for a min of $50 each

Same thing with mowers, you can pick up and mower for close to free then fix it back to it's thousand-dollar self :biggrin:

crazyoldtractor said:

Im looking to get a self propelled snowblower but they are all so expensive. I walk into Home Depot and they're all around $700! And Home Depot has crap! When I go into a Toro dealer they're around the same $700 price but I know they're better quallity, but still too much money. What is a good brand that makes a good snowblower that's CHEAPER than $700?

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Yeap, I gave the snow up for Florida. It's easier to deal with a couple months of heat than all the snow and the heat bill! I have a Ariens 9HP/2 stage that's like the day I bought it with electric start. I used it two seasons for the sidewalk because the snow got so deep I couldn't shovel it over the snow banks. My son has it out in Montana but he plows with his truck and 4 wheeler. He starts it every now and then to keep it in good running order. It was give or take around $1000 new and I would take $500 for it-you either pick it up or pay the shipping which I don't think would be too bad freight. My son works for a freight company in Missoula so if you're in that area I'm sure he can get a good rate. There's also a couple websites for LTL ............can't remember the name but it's something like U-SHIP.COM or something. You can get things trucked pretty reasonable on there.
These things are like anything else, you get what you pay for or at least hope to. The no name brands at Walmart will be a nightmare-junk that breaks down everytime you use it and finding parts would be a nightmare as well. I would stick with Ariens or one of the top of the brand units. Ariens builds a heck of a snow blower. Mine will blow clear accross the street and my old John Deere which was 11 HP only blew half way accross.

crazyoldtractor said:

Im looking to get a self propelled snowblower but they are all so expensive. I walk into Home Depot and they're all around $700! And Home Depot has crap! When I go into a Toro dealer they're around the same $700 price but I know they're better quallity, but still too much money. What is a good brand that makes a good snowblower that's CHEAPER than $700?

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I use a $1.95 snow shovel which I bought used 20 years ago.
Great exercise - vital for my health(high blood pressure and diabetes..
But, when I hit 90, I may have to use a plow..
If I am lucky, I may be able to buy one and affix it to my $200 MF garden tractor.
Note the prices... everything is used..
Auctions are great....
Florida - the land of hanging chads, I have lived there once or twice, which is enough.

Having read the posts on this forum, and comparing them to those of 50-100 years ago......I'd say that our society is progressing.
Now, for me, even at age 72, I'll still use the old steel shovel and do the 150' of sidewalk by hand....I must, get the exercise, summer and winter, in order to control my diabetes.
Luckily, we do not average that much snow around here....knock on concrete...
Advice..
Remember, a $700 blower is a very lite duty unit; try a 5 year old heavy duty snow-blower if this will do the task without an overkill.
Better a used Mercedes than a new VW.....
Needless to say, this is one excellent forum.

I just got back in from my first use of the new snow blower, a Toro Power Curve 1800 corded model. The cord is a dictatorial bitch! It is easier to work woth than the Power Shovel I was given for Christmas 2 yrs ago though. I'm still convinced it's better than dealing with all of the mess and certain eventual serious hassle with starting a gas engine one. I still think the logical design is DC motor with removable per use lithium ion battery pack. It is unquestionably the way to go with small snow blowers. Note the recharge mowers for the battery technology see
Recharge Mower - Recharege Ultralite Push Mower
All I have to do is convince one of the companies to make one!
One problem would be the sealing of the battery compartment from the snow (water and electrical connections don't mix well) while still allowing easy removal. Mowing with my Neuton doesn't present this problem.

Willyvon said:

All I have to do is convince one of the companies to make one!

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They already exist although not quite as cheap or as light as the Toro 1800.
See AMP 24 Electric

If you're looking for inexpensive snowblowers, now is the time to start watching. I just picked up a pair of Ariens 8 hp 24" blowers the other day for bottom-feeder pricing. One is virtually showroom fresh other than a few scratches on the sides of the auger assembly from something rubbing against it in his garage along with some dust and grime on the exterior. Basically it just needs a good cleanup. I've even seen it run and it was amazing, started on the 3d pull by an 80 year old guy and it hadn't run in over a year.
The other will take a little more work but even then it is still a good deal based on what I'm seeing so far with it. I haven't gotten to either of them yet, finishing off a 10 hp 32" 3 stage at the moment but they're in the queue after that.