Hi Seth, I don’t make any recommendations for used machines. There are too many things that may be wrong with them. There is only one tracked snow blower that fits into you budget. If your Craftsman truely is only 15 years old this is the direct replacement: FREE SHIPPING — Troy-Bilt 28in. Storm Tracker 2890 2-Stage Electric-Start Snow Blower — 277cc 4-Cycle Engine, Model# 31AH74P4766. If your frame is rusting though your old machine is probably an old Simplicity built model.

Now, I highly recommend that you look at the Ariens Platinum Track 28 SHO Model 921052. It’s a dealer only snow blower but it has the throwing distance you need and will last you a lot longer than 15 years. (It’s only $2099) Ariens Track Snow Blowers

Check out this list: http://movingsnow.com/2017/twenty-best-snow-blowers-september-2017-snow-blower-best/

Thanks for a great review. I’m looking for your opinion on a two or possibly 3 stage blower for my cabin on Mirror Lake hwy in the Uinta Mountains of Utah. Average multiple storms of 8-18″ a season and usually have about 2-5′ of snow on the ground during the mid winter months. The terrain around the house has some mild hills that would be occasionally plowed to keep a path open and the parking/drive areas are gravel. My current blower is a used 15 year old tracked craftsman 8hp/28″ and it does the job but it has seen better days. the track tensioner frame has rusted through and I detrack at inopportune times. fwiw, an average storm has me using it for 1.5-2hrs to clean everything up, not including the roads, which are plowed.

My thoughts are to stay with a tracked machine to keep my on top when blowing uncompacted sloped areas. a 28-30″ machine with more motor than mine should do the trick. i can find great deals on used and new machines with wheels but am not sure they are up to my tasks. I’ve looked online at another craftsman, Cub cadet, ariens, simplicity and honda. I am on a budget of sub 2k for a new one and 1,200 for a used. That rules out a couple of those if new.