snow blowers?

gregorylee · Dec 21, 2005

I was thinking about getting my pop a snow blower for Christmas. I was looking at a Troy Built FS5524

with these specs

Product Details

* Push Button Electric Start
* 24" Clearing Width
* 21" Intake Height
* All Wheel Drive
* 6 Forward / 2 Reverse Speeds
* Serrated Steel Auger
* Adjustable Skid Shoes
* 13" x 5" X-Trac Tires
* 2-Year Limited Warranty
* 5.5 HP* 4-Cycle Engine
* *as rated by engine manufacturer

Any of you guys have any experience or advice to offer? He probably only has 5-600 sq ft to plow through so he doesn't need anything too big.

jimotis4heisman · Dec 21, 2005

where does he live?

gregorylee · Dec 21, 2005

jimotis4heisman said:
where does he live?

Sorry, north of Marysville in the country. Woods to the north but pretty open on either side so there is a good bit of blowing/drifting there.

jimotis4heisman · Dec 21, 2005

one more, how old and how is his ability to to do this and over the next 5 years?

gregorylee · Dec 21, 2005

jimotis4heisman said:
one more, how old and how is his ability to to do this and over the next 5 years?

He is in his mid 60's, but you need to understand that he is into "legacy tools". He feels that if he researches, and buys the best, then someone can inherit the thing and use it after he is gone. You should see his mower... I could mow my yard in 5 minutes.

Also should be understood, I am not made of $$ so I can't afford the top of the line stuff. This particular one is the mid series, toward the bottom (the top of this series is a little higher in hp's, one hand stearing, headlamp, a little wider at 30" and a joystick controlled chute).

He gets around damn well for his age.

I would love to buy ime the better ones but don't really have the $1100 to 2600 to invest.

tedginn05 · Dec 21, 2005

gregorylee said:
He is in his mid 60's, but you need to understand that he is into "legacy tools". He feels that if he researches, and buys the best, then someone can inherit the thing and use it after he is gone. You should see his mower... I could mow my yard in 5 minutes.

Also should be understood, I am not made of $$ so I can't afford the top of the line stuff. This particular one is the mid series, toward the bottom (the top of this series is a little higher in hp's, one hand stearing, headlamp, a little wider at 30" and a joystick controlled chute).

He gets around damn well for his age.

I would love to buy ime the better ones but don't really have the $1100 to 2600 to invest.

If hardware stores accepted vCash. :shake:

jimotis4heisman · Dec 21, 2005

is it a push or self propelled one you didnt say? the push ones are light, but hell be pushing 90 pounds into a mountain of snow potentially. the propelled ones are like 200, but have better wheels and you dont have to push.

i wouldnt spend 2k on one for that part of the country, if he lived up in lake county or something maybe. but id buy quality machinery as he suggests. got a link?

Folanator · Dec 21, 2005

Do you realise how many mullet headed dudes with a F250, pellet spreader and a plow you could hire for 2g? :biggrin:

gregorylee · Dec 21, 2005

It is self propelled, this is from the details in the original post

* 6 Forward / 2 Reverse Speeds

I have already said that

I would love to buy ime the better ones but don't really have the $1100 to 2600 to invest.

so 3 tooth mullet boy is out.

This one is $599, I am sure that I am paying a little extra because it is "Troy Built" but in the past I have found that the after the sale support of buying a reputation is worth it if you need it.

NightmaresDad · Dec 21, 2005

Dang, I thought this thread was about Eskimo prostitutes...

BuckBackHome · Dec 21, 2005

Man, that seems like overkill, especially for central Ohio. I have a Toro 3650 and it handles everything thrown my way and we have had close to 4 feet of snow so far this year.

I guess your dad does like those legacy tools. As far as the blowing snow, can't he install some snowfence?

AKAK · Dec 21, 2005

I've got a POS 2 cycle MTD... its more than adequate for my Central Ohio needs.

LoKyBuckeye · Dec 21, 2005

My Dad had the same Toro for 27 years and I had one for 8 years... no problems other than routine maintenance.

scott91575 · Dec 21, 2005

gregorylee said:
I was thinking about getting my pop a snow blower for Christmas. I was looking at a Troy Built FS5524

with these specs

Product Details

* Push Button Electric Start
* 24" Clearing Width
* 21" Intake Height
* All Wheel Drive
* 6 Forward / 2 Reverse Speeds
* Serrated Steel Auger
* Adjustable Skid Shoes
* 13" x 5" X-Trac Tires
* 2-Year Limited Warranty
* 5.5 HP* 4-Cycle Engine
* *as rated by engine manufacturer

Any of you guys have any experience or advice to offer? He probably only has 5-600 sq ft to plow through so he doesn't need anything too big.

Troy Built is not bad. The big question is 2 stage or single stage.

A 2 stage snowthrower is almost always self propelled (I don't know of any that aren't). It essentially acts like a shovel. The blade on the bottom picks up the snow while the thrower propels the whole thing. The augers simlpy chop up the snow and throw it out. They are are the best, especially for alot of snow and if you often get ice. It can also be used on gravel since you can set the blade 1" or more of the surface and you don't pick up any rocks. They are are sweet. I have a 8 hp 2 stage (not Troy Built). It works awesome. Even when I have gotten over 12" of snow it kicks ass. If you want to save money just get one with less speeds. gears 5 and 6 are gears you use to get back to the garage quickly. They are not plowing gears. Most of the time I use 2 and 3. Only 1 for the really big snows. I never use reverse. Another benefit for many 2 stages is you can control where the snow is thrown while pushing it (a small handle or a joystick on the more expensive models). Cheaper models are a pain becuase you have to stop and move the chute manually. Another thing to look for are lights (nice if you prefer to snowthrow at night or your an ahole that likes to get up at 4AM and wake the neighbors).

Single stage is the other option. This is very popular is you don't get much more than 4-6 inches of snow. Much cheaper, and even though they are not "self propelled," in a sense they are. Instead of shoveling the snow and chopping it up with the augers, the augers are rubber and actually touch the ground. The movement of the augers actually act as a self propel mechanism. Single stages are often half the price of two stage, and really good if you have a smaller paved driveway (no gravel, it eats it up and spits it out). They are also much lighter and easier to manuever.

Really what you want. I went overkill with the 2 stage, but it is sweet. I can go through a foot of snow like it is nothing.

Honestly, don't go any higher that the $600 model you are looking at. Most of the features above that are pretty gimicky. Either that, or the deck and the engine are for 2 feet of snow. Not likely in Ohio. I would look into a $500 model if you are sold on two stage. The loss of the extra gears is not that big of a deal (assumng there is one available with less gears). It clears just as well, and the only loss is the ability to run back to the garage when you are done. Nice, but not that big of a deal. You may also look into a smaller deck, but if you say drifts are common it may not be bad.

Overall it will be sweet. Depends on what you want to spend. A single stage for 200-300 will work in most applications, but yes there is a little more work.

NJ-Buckeye · Dec 21, 2005

looks like Consumers Report likes these four brands... same brands show up in every type snow blower...
<table border="1" bordercolor="#ffffff" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="560"> <tbody><tr><td class="tabletextgry_11px-white" bgcolor="#00676e" height="14" width="30">
</td> <td bgcolor="#00676e" height="14" width="180"> Brand & model
</td> <td bgcolor="#00676e" height="14" width="46">

Price</td> <td class="tabletextgry_11px-white" align="center" bgcolor="#00676e" height="14" width="80">Width/power</td> <td bgcolor="#00676e" height="14" width="100">

Overall score</td> <td colspan="5" align="center" bgcolor="#00676e" height="14">Test results</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" bgcolor="#d5eaf6" valign="bottom" width="30">

</td> <td bgcolor="#d5eaf6" valign="bottom" width="180"> Similar models, in small type, comparable to tested model
</td> <td bgcolor="#e9f4fa" width="46">
</td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#e9f4fa" valign="bottom" width="80">
</td> <td bgcolor="#d5eaf6" valign="bottom" width="100">

</td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#e9f4fa" valign="bottom" width="20">

</td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#ffffff"> <td valign="top" width="30">

</td> <td colspan="9" class="charttextred_capbold" align="left">TWO-STAGE GAS Best for large driveways and deep snow; most weigh 150 to 250 lbs. </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="charttext_bold" align="right" bgcolor="#d5eaf6" valign="top" width="30">

1</td> <td bgcolor="#d5eaf6" valign="top" width="180"> Toro Power Max 828LXE
</td> <td class="charttext" align="center" bgcolor="#e9f4fa" width="46"> $1,250</td> <td class="charttext" align="center" bgcolor="#e9f4fa" width="80">28 in./8 hp</td> <td background="/cro/resources/Images/Blobs3/brabackground.gif" width="100">

</td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#e9f4fa" valign="middle" width="20">

</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="charttext_bold" align="right" bgcolor="#d5eaf6" valign="top" width="30">

2</td> <td bgcolor="#d5eaf6" valign="top" width="180"> Yard-Man E5KLF CR Best Buy
</td> <td class="charttext" align="center" bgcolor="#e9f4fa" width="46">1,100</td> <td class="charttext" align="center" bgcolor="#e9f4fa" width="80">26 in./9.5 hp</td> <td background="/cro/resources/Images/Blobs3/brabackground.gif" width="100">

</td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#e9f4fa" valign="middle" width="20">

</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="charttext_bold" align="right" bgcolor="#d5eaf6" valign="top" width="30">

3</td> <td bgcolor="#d5eaf6" valign="top" width="180"> Troy-Bilt Storm 10030
</td> <td class="charttext" align="center" bgcolor="#e9f4fa" width="46"> 1,300</td> <td class="charttext" align="center" bgcolor="#e9f4fa" width="80">30 in./10 hp</td> <td background="/cro/resources/Images/Blobs3/brabackground.gif" width="100">

</td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#e9f4fa" valign="middle" width="20">

</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="charttext_bold" align="right" bgcolor="#d5eaf6" valign="top" width="30">

4</td> <td bgcolor="#d5eaf6" valign="top" width="180"> Craftsman (Sears) 88790
CR Best Buy
</td> <td class="charttext" align="center" bgcolor="#e9f4fa" width="46"> 950</td> <td class="charttext" align="center" bgcolor="#e9f4fa" width="80">28 in./9 hp</td> <td background="/cro/resources/Images/Blobs3/brabackground.gif" width="100">

</td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#e9f4fa" valign="middle" width="20">

</td></tr></tbody> </table>

snow blowers?

gregorylee

I'd rather be napping!!

jimotis4heisman

Banned

gregorylee

I'd rather be napping!!

jimotis4heisman

Banned

gregorylee

I'd rather be napping!!

tedginn05

Legend

jimotis4heisman

Banned

Folanator

Brawndo's got electrolytes...

gregorylee

I'd rather be napping!!

NightmaresDad

Woody Rules!

BuckBackHome

Wolverine is largest member of weasel family

AKAK

Not me. I'm in my prime.

LoKyBuckeye

I give up. This board is too hard to understand.

scott91575

Resident hater

NJ-Buckeye

Be good, everyone dealing w something u don't know