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Walk behind snow blower comparison

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diggerdave

01-14-2005 07:11:26

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HI wondering if anyone cares to chime in on what to stay away from when getting a walk behind snow thrower. Im looking for the largest (Size and engine) most heavy duty machine similar in consruction to the Scag and bobcat Hydros I run on the landscaping side of the business... so nothing made out of flimsy tin so to speak. I think simplicity makes the largest w a 38 in throat and I think a 13hp engine, but could be mistaken. For sake of arguement Im only looking at walk behind models, not tractor hook ups or plows. Thanks for any input.

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Nolan

01-18-2005 09:09:08

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Re: Walk behind snow blower comparison in reply to diggerdave, 01-14-2005 07:11:26

Can't do a comparison. Can say that my old Airens unit has moved a lot of snow, and moved it well. I've had it in packed wet snow up over the exit shute, and as long as I went slow, it did just fine.

The old Tecumsa engine died, something about lack of oil (oops). But the machine itself continues to solder on.

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casered

01-15-2005 15:06:45

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Re: Walk behind snow blower comparison in reply to diggerdave, 01-14-2005 07:11:26

Up until last year I had been using a 7HP Tecumseh powered wheel horse trailblazer 7. It started using oil real bad to the point it would use about a quart in 7 hours, ( by leaking and burning it). I have a local Toro dealer that I help out from time to time and he treats me real well. However he also sells Husqvarna snowblowers as well which are made by AYP. He sold me a 5HP 24inch model ST524 Husqvarna last year. I could have bought an 8HP 26inch MTD for about the same money. This would have been more to my needs as I use it along a stretch of state road that is one lane one way. And you guessed it I'm on the side of the road where the plow throws its spoil. The reason I went the route of the smaller Husqvarna is because that my dealer was able to give it to me at his cost and I get a 50% discount on any parts that I need for it, (a little trade off for helping him now and then). So far it has been a very good little unit for me. It made it through last year with some pretty deep snowfalls. Some of them 10-12inches PLUS what the truck piled up for me to move as well. Over 2 feet of heavy wet snow in some places. Which brings up one thing that it did have over the MTD unit, it has a 23 inch intake heigth were the MTD was only 21 inches. I only wish I had opted for the 8HP version of the same unit but money was tight at the time. One thing that is nicer than my older wheel horse is that it is a lot lighter and easier to control. It's definitely not the top of the line unit, but it works great for my needs. They also have a nice design to the auger to chop up snow, kinda like a hacksaw blade design. Just my .02cents and experience. Have a good one.

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01-24-2005 17:55:25

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Re: Walk behind snow blower comparison in reply to casered, 01-15-2005 15:06:45

wheel horse trailblazer 7 snow thrower.

Does anyone know where I can obtain the schematic, parts diagram, or maintainence manual for the above wheel horse snow thrower

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Christian

01-25-2005 08:35:05

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Re: Walk behind snow blower comparison in reply to Kj, 01-24-2005 17:55:25

Toro's website has some pics, or I could scan the manual if you need it. I was given a Wheel Horse Trailblazer 7 from my cousin, who didn't think he could get it running. I rebuilt the carb with a carb rebuild kit I got on Ebay and replaced the drive and auger belts and now it runs great.

Clearing 30

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01-26-2005 07:43:10

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Re: Walk behind snow blower comparison in reply to Christian, 01-25-2005 08:35:05

Wheel Horse Trailblazer 7 made by Toro They have a website www.toro.com but some older manuals are not available through the website. Toro's contact number : 1-800-421-9684
The Trailblazer 7 was made in the years: 1969,70,71.72 & 73' . They have a manual available for my unit. I want to thank all who assisted me in finding information about this unit. I am still open to comments and suggestions as to making this a better running unit. Thank you again. kj

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Karlg950

01-15-2005 11:57:20

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Re: Walk behind snow blower comparison in reply to diggerdave, 01-14-2005 07:11:26

Walk behind this! By this outfit for the kid then you can walk alongside and show him where to throw the snow.

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Karlg950

01-15-2005 11:59:07

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Re: Walk behind snow blower comparison in reply to Karlg950, 01-15-2005 11:57:20

Link didn't work on first one.

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Bartt

01-15-2005 03:32:01

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Re: Walk behind snow blower comparison in reply to diggerdave, 01-14-2005 07:11:26

Ariens is a good snowblower. Toro is better. My old one is 30 years old. My newer, bigger one is 3 years old. Best machine, best service.

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buickanddeere

01-14-2005 23:00:35

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Re: Walk behind snow blower comparison in reply to diggerdave, 01-14-2005 07:11:26

If the snow is icey, hard or drifted in deep. You will want a large engine and the narrow width auger.

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lucasss

01-14-2005 20:48:05

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Re: Walk behind snow blower comparison in reply to diggerdave, 01-14-2005 07:11:26

ariens 8hp is good ,and has been tops in sno blowers for a long time i thought.... but i was hangin at the gravley dealership today and they were puttin a 2 stage snowblower on a walk behind gravley with a 14 hp kohler k321 engine and dual tires on each side. the old guy said they cant be beat ,only thing is the shute tends to ice up on real wet snow... lucass

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Bill WI

01-15-2005 18:00:27

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Re: Walk behind snow blower comparison in reply to lucasss, 01-14-2005 20:48:05

Ariens bought out Gravely a couple years ago, both at Brillion WI where Brillion Iron Works is located (might be why they still use the cast box for the worm drive. Tecumsech and Kohler are within 30 miles of Brillion. Just for info. Bill

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Greg C.

01-14-2005 16:46:23

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Re: Walk behind snow blower comparison in reply to diggerdave, 01-14-2005 07:11:26

I'll put another vote in for Ariens. Mine is a 20" 4hp Tecumseh its probably over 30 yrs old. I bought it used several yrs ago. Its served me well just reringed it and its good as new. I don't know much of the new Ariens but you can't go wrong with an older unit. Just grabbing onto the handles you know its heavy and built like a tank compared to other brands. Cast iron gearbox not a split case aluminum like the cheap ones. And 2 stage with heavy augers, whatever you get you want a 2 stage its much more efficient and heavier built. The Tecumseh snowking engines are top notch also.

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ErnieD

01-14-2005 15:05:48

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Re: Walk behind snow blower comparison in reply to diggerdave, 01-14-2005 07:11:26

Ariens has my vote. I used to do 3-8 driveways each snow fall with my 30 year old 7hp 24 inch cut. We got 30" in '98, did my drivway, then the road in front of the house about 1000' to the intersection that was plowed. Bought a 36" 13 hp Ariens in '00 because of the driveways and parking lot I do. It has served very well. It has a battery and headlight.

One of my neighbors goes to florida for the winter, for grins, I dug into a 2 month accumulation about knee high, full width wide open, first gear. The rings got seated on that one.

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Bill from wisc

01-14-2005 14:50:28

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Re: Walk behind snow blower comparison in reply to diggerdave, 01-14-2005 07:11:26

Dave, I dont know about the new models but I own a lawnboy model ST1032 10 horse tech. engine with 32 inch cut and it has performed very well since new. I do a 500 foot gravel drive way and only replaced a single belt( my fault put tree branch into it) Lawnboy has been bought out so not sure of new models Bill

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jmoore

01-14-2005 14:02:34

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Re: Walk behind snow blower comparison in reply to diggerdave, 01-14-2005 07:11:26

Here's the truth. I live where we p l e n t y of snow and for about 14 years iv'e cleaned a road into my place with a mtd 5 hp. Tecumseh engine.Oh,the road in is about 1/8 of a mile.Now iv'e had to replace normal things on the machine,belts , friction wheels and some cheap bushings etc, But one thing was that machine was reliable and back when I bought it , it was around 800$. But to make a long story short, The old girl broke down on me during one of the biggest storms and i decide to get another machine ( and fix up my 5 hourse for a back up. Well sir I had a guy deliver a 2000 12 hp ariens to me at the end of my road- I never made it through a winter yet without having to have that piece of over priced crap fixed.I still have my mtd and the ariens ( have to fix it again) Now I use a farmall 706 with a 8' blower- life is good now. Regards JM

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bolens13hp/45

01-14-2005 13:37:38

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Re: Walk behind snow blower comparison in reply to diggerdave, 01-14-2005 07:11:26

This would be the ticket!!!

here

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deanop

01-14-2005 18:41:20

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Re: Walk behind snow blower comparison in reply to bolens13hp/45, 01-14-2005 13:37:38

i saw that monster, only it said troybilt on it!

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Brian in NY

01-14-2005 12:28:52

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Re: Walk behind snow blower comparison in reply to diggerdave, 01-14-2005 07:11:26

I wouldn't buy anything other than a TORO as I have had the same blower for 10 years ---its an older model not a big one but it runs absolutely great and BOY does she move snow! The TORO dealer network is good and parts are very accessible. I would not buy a Honda because I frankly cannot see the superiority matching the pricetag which is at least double maybe more.

I would get a nice sized one but don't bother with the dual wheeled behemoth they are not very manueverable and not practical unless you are using it on VERY long driveways, etc.

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thejdman01

01-14-2005 12:21:49

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Re: Walk behind snow blower comparison in reply to diggerdave, 01-14-2005 07:11:26

i was looking at a walk behind blower not too far back. yeah we got the skid steer but something to clean up around shed a little better get the blower so it gets rid of it scatters instead of piles aroudn anyways i ended up going with a 47 inch 2 stage to go on the 455 john deere but my question is when i was looking at blowers most seemed to have Techumseh engines. i was wondering why so many blowers carry those engines vs briggs etc etc. i dont have anything bad to say about Techumseh engine besides i dont think the parts are as readily available as w/briggs kohler alot of shops around here stock parts readily for briggs and kohler. but was wondering why most snow blowers and throwers carry the Techumseh engine name. as far as price i dont know that they are much cheaper or more expensive as far as reliablility (there all junk) but i dont think Techumseh engines are better or worse then others just curious if anyone had any insite if there supposed to start better in cold conditions or what.

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Vinny

01-27-2005 22:30:51

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Re: Walk behind snow blower comparison in reply to thejdman01, 01-14-2005 12:21:49

I bought a MTD snowblower at Walmart just over two years ago. It has a Techumseh 5HP engine. The unit is for my second home upstate NY..I used this thing just 5 times....This week the engine siezed..I called MTD and Techumseh and I was told the unit was made on Sept 30, 2002..I bought it in late December 2002....That means the two year warranty is just a few weeks expired and in the end it amounted to me being stuck...I have two lawnmowers and a wood chipper with Techumseh engines .... I will never buy any product with their engines again....Shame on them....

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Bob - MI

01-14-2005 10:34:40

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Re: Walk behind snow blower comparison in reply to diggerdave, 01-14-2005 07:11:26

I will stick my neck out and suggest that you look at Honda"s lineup. They are pretty expensive but they are well engineered and are known to be very reliable. I have had several MTD manufactured machines and while fine for homeowner use, I would think that a professional would need something more robust. I have a Honda single stage that I bought about 10 years ago and I have never put a dime in it. I have a 1/4 mile driveway and I have a 40" MTD blower attachment on an MTD tractor and I have found lots of short-life plastic parts where you would expect better material. Auger bushings for one, chain tension rollers another. In all, I find the MTD design philosophy to be on the light side regardless of what nameplate they are sold under. Others in the office here have Honda blowers and regardles of single or dual stage they all love them. We move a lot of snow here on the western side of Michigan.

I can"t speak for Toro or Simplicity but my guess is that they are good quality too.

Good luck

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01-14-2005 15:47:21

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Re: Walk behind snow blower comparison in reply to Bob - MI, 01-14-2005 10:34:40

Honda is not a bad unit, better you better have a BIG check book when you buy it, and a BIG checkbook when you need parts. If you have to do any carb work, the most we ever do to most of them, you will spend 20.00 for a needle valve and 7-9 for a gasket kit. Tecumseh is less than $5.00 for their carb parts. Labor is a lot chepaer also, Tecumseh engines are easier to work on than Honda and most probelms with snow blowers are lack of preventative mainetnance by the owner of said product.

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01-14-2005 15:47:20

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Re: Walk behind snow blower comparison in reply to Bob - MI, 01-14-2005 10:34:40

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Red Dave

01-14-2005 10:17:26

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Re: Walk behind snow blower comparison in reply to diggerdave, 01-14-2005 07:11:26

I'll tell you something to look at that I never thought of when I bought mine 10-12 years ago.
I have an Ariens 7 horse - 24" walk behind. The Techumseh engine that everybody seems to look down their nose at starts easy and works like a champ. No complaints there.

My only complaint is the "deadman" levers for the auger and drive. I'm talking about the ones on the handles that you have to squeeze to make the blower and drive wheels work. If I use it for 10-15 minutes everything is fine. If it's a bigger snow that requires an hour or so of work, I get tendinitis in both elbows from squeezing those handles down. Doctor says it's the same as tennis elbow. All I know is it hurts and it doesn't go away too quick either. I have to defeat them with bungie cords, which is a pain in the butt. You might want to try out a blower you are considering and think about how it will feel after a long snow blowing session.

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01-14-2005 15:48:50

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Re: Walk behind snow blower comparison in reply to Red Dave, 01-14-2005 10:17:26

ya gotta do something, then little handles sure can get painful in the wrists after a while.

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deanop

01-14-2005 10:22:19

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Re: Walk behind snow blower comparison in reply to Red Dave, 01-14-2005 10:17:26

may not be good safety advice, but snowblower i bought used the guy slipped hose clamp over handle/lever with short tether for quick remove...

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JoeK

01-14-2005 21:02:57

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Re: Walk behind snow blower comparison in reply to deanop, 01-14-2005 10:22:19

Short ring of PVC pipe works good too.Tie em to a piece of shoestring or such to keep em handy when "off duty".Tether to wrist on wheel drive lever.

Nother handy bit...couple of spring broom clips across auger housing or handles to hold a short pc(18"-24")of broom handle or dowel fer pokin where yer fingers ought not be going :(

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Steve from MO - dangit!

01-14-2005 09:44:18

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Re: Walk behind snow blower comparison in reply to diggerdave, 01-14-2005 07:11:26

I think JT gave you the rundown on "good" snowblowers. I also think most of the rest of them are made by MTD. Pretty standard stuff, Tecumseh engine, worm drive gearbox, shear pins for the augurs. I like my Troybilt, but it's an MTD inside.

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Rauville

01-14-2005 09:20:29

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Re: Walk behind snow blower comparison in reply to diggerdave, 01-14-2005 07:11:26

I would question the need to buy the most expensive snowblower. I use the same one that I bought new in 1980, and it still works!
It's a 10hp Tecumseh, 28" cut, MTD manufactured machine. Over the years I've abused it by running bricks, dog bones, etc through it. Other than oil changes and sparkplugs, I've never spent any money on it. Just went out yesterday, and started it, after sitting since last spring. (Pretty unusual that here in SD, we wouldn't have snow until now!)
Maybe they were better made 25 years ago, but I can't think that a higher priced machine would work any better than this one.

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Chester

01-15-2005 11:31:39

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Re: Walk behind snow blower comparison in reply to Rauville, 01-14-2005 09:20:29

This is the solid machine I used up until a few years back. Only changed a belt or two and the auger bearings in twenty-five years. Now have a 5 HP MTD but it is a lightweight compared to that old ridgid Simplicity.

Link

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01-14-2005 15:52:38

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Re: Walk behind snow blower comparison in reply to Rauville, 01-14-2005 09:20:29

I know for a fact that the higher price models will outlast TODAYS MTD blowers. You are a lucky person to be living up that far north with the snow you all get and still have a 25 year old MTD that has not vibrated it self to peices.

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deanop

01-14-2005 08:52:10

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Re: Walk behind snow blower comparison in reply to diggerdave, 01-14-2005 07:11:26

i wonder if that troy bilt is the biggest with the dually's in back....

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Gregg

01-14-2005 12:12:56

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Re: Walk behind snow blower comparison in reply to deanop, 01-14-2005 08:52:10

Troy Bilt and Bolens are now made by MTD. That 45" wide one with the dual wheels sure looks impressive

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deanop

01-14-2005 13:36:13

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Re: Walk behind snow blower comparison in reply to Gregg, 01-14-2005 12:12:56

i think if i came home with that troy bilt monster my wife would make me sleep with it in the garage..(which might not be the worst thing)

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01-14-2005 07:47:59

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Re: Walk behind snow blower comparison in reply to diggerdave, 01-14-2005 07:11:26

By far, from my selling experience, Toro or Ariens makes the best snow blower on the market, then Simplicity 3rd. The main reason, Toro and Ariens seem to be a lot easier to work when service is called for. Just an opinion, the best snow blower in the world, is not worth a plug nickle if the dealer you buy it from will not give you the service you need at the time you need it.

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