Comments on: How to Pick the Right Snow Thrower for You and Your Property

By: Paul

Paul — Mon, 28 Sep 2020 15:53:12 +0000

Hi Ian, For the amount of snow you get any of the current Craftsman snowblowers are NOT a good choice. You want a snowblower with a big engine to handle the deep snow and a 14-inch impeller to handle the heavy/wet stuff and throw it a long way. You don’t need a wide one because you have a nice-size driveway – 24 or 28 inches is a good choice.

So Ariens Deluxe 24, 28, 28 SHO
Ariens Platinum 24 SHO
Toro 828 or 928

By: Ian H Welch

Ian H Welch — Wed, 23 Sep 2020 19:43:23 +0000

Hey Paul!
I have live in Rochester NY. We got just under 100inches of snow last year and in the past 4 years have had as much as 120 inches.

Looking for a good snow blower for my driveway.
60 feet long and double car wide.

Any suggestions?

I was looking at the craftsman sb630. 357cc engine 30 inch track.

Thanks

By: Paul

Paul — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 16:20:49 +0000

In reply to Mike. Hi Mike, A good 2-stage snow blower with power steering is a very good choice. I suggest the Cub Cadet 524 SWE or the Husqvarna ST224P as two of the best.

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 16:13:55 +0000

Thanks for the great site/advice. Please help with advice for an older person limited budget who also has a bad lower back.
Live in Ontario Canada. Average snowfall is 54″ Paved driveway length 60 feet.
On top of the lower back issue, She needs to occasionally remove snow from the grass strip between her home and the neighbors.

Thank you in advance,

By: Paul

Paul — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 13:37:08 +0000

In reply to Tom. A year ago I would have said that the 928 is a good choice. It's an easy to operate large frame snow blower. But with the advent of the SnowMaster I have a completely different idea for you. On an 11 foot wide driveway it will take 5 passes to clear it with the 928. In effect that is 3 round trips. The 928 really likes 6 inches or more of snow. It also works very well around 2 mph. It's kind of hard to explain but when you walk faster than that it really very easy to get "off course" and you end up having to stop to correct where the snow blower is heading. It's not just this snow blower but all of the large frame snow throwers get harder to use at a fast walking speed. So my suggestion instead is to buy the new Toro SnowMaster 724 or 824 QXE. Why? First, it's only 4 inches narrower than the 928. So it will clear your 11 foot drive in 5.2 passes. That means you can also clean the drive in 3 round trips like the 928. Second, It has been doing a good job of throwing 2-6 inches of wet snow 15-25 feet. It throws normal snow 25-30 feet. Owners have also stated it handles 14-18 inches of snow just as well. Third, This new snow blower is so easy to use. It has Toro's Personal Pace drive. You can easily walk behind this snow blower as fast as you want - up to 3.5 mph. It doesn't want to wander around like the large 2-stage snow blowers. It has the same Quick Stick chute control as the 928. The snow blower is half the weight of the 928. That actually gives it a lot of traction compared to other brands. It's light enough that if you do run out of traction you can pull it or help it very easily. It won't wear you out in a big storm. I feel you will not have any problems going up your hill. It's really hard to get me to jump on a new snow blower (or lawn mower) but this one is really changing how we think about clearing snow. I really think this is a better choice for you. Think about it and ask any questions you may have. Toro SnowMaster Video 2015 Toro SnowMaster 724 QXE, 824 QXE Picture Review

By: Tom

Tom — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 01:09:37 +0000

I live on a mountain side in Hendersonville, NC. My new asphalt driveway is 11 ft wide and 300+ feet long with two wide radius curves, it is lined with plants with no area to push snow so I must blow it over and around the plants. The elevation change up to my house is about 80 feet with the last uphill grade near the parking area the steepest slope. Parking area at the top is 60ft x 60ft. My snow experience over 17 years in this location is an average of 2 to 3 events per year, average of 4-6 inches, including 2″ and 14″ so far this year. Snow is often heavy/wet with ice/sleet/freezing rain mixed in. I am told by others in my area that most snow blowers have been poor at removal due to clogging and few are used/sold in our area. I do not have a good option for removal by larger equipment due to no space to push the snow for storage. I believe a 28 inch blower with good traction for grade, an easily managed chute control for frequent direction/height changes, AND NO/LOW CLOGGING RISK may be my best option as the hand shoveling process is no longer a good solution.

From my research on your excellent web site, I believe the correct design snow blower MAY work for my conditions and the Toro Pwr Max HD 928(38801) seems most appropriate to me. I do not want to spend money on overkill, but I want a good, reliable machine I can maintain and not ever need to replace. What do you recommend??

By: Paul

Paul — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 01:12:10 +0000

In reply to Peter.

Hi Peter, If you need a snow blower to consitently throw as far as possible that would be an Ariens Deluxe/Platinum or Toro PowerMax HD. Honda’s also have that reputation but I have not had a chance to see if the new models they introduced this year still throw that far. HSS1332ATD ($3399)

In the Ariens line you only need a Deluxe 28 but the Deluxe 28 SHO ($1499) and Platinum 30 SHO ($1900) will throw about 10% farther.

The Toro Power Max HD 928 ($1599) is all you need but again the 1028 ($1899) will throw farther because of the larger engine.

By: Peter

Peter — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 00:16:28 +0000

Hi Paul, Looking to purchase a new snow blower that is capable and reliable to do my 170 foot long blacktop driveway leading into a 4 1/2 car parking lot. This lot is surrounded with a 6 foot hedge, so, it will need to blow up and over it. I live on a state hwy. and there is an army of state plow trucks leaving behind and blocking the end of my drive with hard pack snow. Also got about 40 ft. of sidewalk. I live in New Jersey north of Rt.78. The annual snow total is 28″ over 15 days according to a website. However I want something that can handle the northeaster’s and blizzards such as the one we just had.
I’m 6′ 1 so I want something that I don’t need to lean over while using I’m also 60 years old and Looking for something that isn’t to awkward to handle. As far as price I want to spend for quality and durability, so, I’m willing to spend good money once.
Almost all of the brands you talk about, you speak positively of, so it makes a decision hard for me to chose.
Thank you for any suggestions. BTW you got a great website.

Peter

By: Paul

Paul — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 16:22:19 +0000

In reply to Lisa H.. Hi Lisa, You don't get a lot of snow on average but you problably would like one that can handle a 10-15 inch'er when you get it. So the best snowblower for your driveway and the snow you get is the Toro SnowMaster. Here is a link to Home Depot but you are welcome to buy it from your local Toro dealer. Toro Snow Removal SnowMaster 724 QXE 24 in. Gas Snow Blower 36002

By: Lisa H.

Lisa H. — Sun, 24 Jan 2016 19:58:44 +0000

I live a few miles southwest of Allentown, PA. Our driveway is short, less than two car-lengths long and two cars wide. The entire length of the driveway is on an angle – probably around 15 degrees. What snow blower do you recommend for us. Thanks!