I need a snowblower

[mindless1]

I want to the same same thing as this guy in the video, whatch it its worth it. https://youtu.be/0WEXZB4hkd0?t=23m55s

I'm not familiar with the specific charging circuit on that blower, but what he did won't work on many blowers.

He has it running from the battery and that will require a battery charging circuit that's carrying the current for both the battery charging and the lights. It could be that there's just a single, or double DC alternator output which would handle that, or there's the possibility to rectify the AC bulb circuit and connector both together for the battery charging circuit, but that poses another problem in that normally the battery charging circuit is set up to only overcharge a little bit, is there specifically for the size battery the particular engine starter needs. When you then combine the circuits it's likely to have the wrong charge rate and an over or under charged battery as a result.

That's a fancier than average blower though, so it could have a regulated battery charger circuit instead of just the *dumb* circuit found on lower cost equipment, or of course one could be added if there's surplus current.

 

[3chordcharlie]

Nevermind.

Thing is junk. I should have got the metal one.
That plastic auger doesnt plow worth a damn. 600 bucks down the tubes.
I dont know how I'm gonna send it back to Amazon. Had to tear apart the shipping box.
Crap.

Husqvarna wouldn't be my first choice for a single stage (Toro is hands down the best here), but that machine should be pretty painless to use up to 6-8" accumulation, and should be usable up to 12". If you are stuck in the snow this weekend, that may have meant going out 4-6 times instead of 3-4 with a bigger 2-stage.

If it is not moving ordinary snow, something is out of adjustment or broken, or you are doing it wrong.

 

[shortylickens]

that particular model is only rated for 6 inches, and it cant even do that much snow.

I dislike it immensely.

 

[3chordcharlie]

that particular model is only rated for 6 inches, and it cant even do that much snow.

I dislike it immensely.

I have nothing to gain or lose here - single stage blowers generally work quite well. Shipped from Amazon makes me wonder if the belt and cable are well adjusted.

If you were shopping new I'd suggest Toro single stage, or 28/30" Ariens 2-stage.

For reference I use one of these: http://www.kubota.ca/en/images/db/product/0568.jpg

 

[KaRLiToS]

I would prefer a 20$ shovel than a single stage snow blower.

 

[shortylickens]

I'll try a Toro.

Or flamethrower.

We'll see.

 

[3chordcharlie]

For 500sqft or less with good snow storage, a shovel is certainly adequate. Otherwise, having a reliable blower makes life easier.

For the record, if you are trying to go through city plow furrows, no single stage blower is going to do that.

My preference generally is a good 28-30" 2-stage, but I would definitely take a $500 single stage over a $500 2-stage.

Flamethrower sounds fun.

 

[NutBucket]

I like the torch idea. Maybe one of these: http://www.amazon.com/Red-Dragon-VT-2-23-000-BTU/dp/B00004Z2FP

 

[boomerang]

I hand shoveled a 300' driveway for over 10 years until I decided to get a Toro single stage. It was one of those things that you wonder why you didn't do it sooner. I used that first one for close to ten years and gave it away to someone who needed it more than I did. I then bought another Toro single stage. The four stroke models had just started coming out but I went with the two stroke like I had.

Now, we spend winters in FL, but we got a freak 10" snow back in November and after not running for a year, I gassed up the Toro and it started on the second pull. It handled that 10" like a champ.

 

[cytoSiN]

Agree with all of the above re: single-stage blowers. My Husqvarna 2-stage is fantastic though. All metal where it counts. Easy to control. Destroyed the 2 feet of snow we got this weekend -- in two passes of course. I went out half way through the storm on Saturday to plow once, then again Sunday morning when it was done. And then I plowed my neighbor out just for shits and giggles cuz I'm a nice guy. Shorty you should look into it...it shouldn't be much more expensive than the one you've got now, and definitely worth the extra $$.

 

[CLite]

I live in NJ and just got 26" inches of snow with a driveway about three times the size of the OP. I went out in the middle of the storm with my brand new single stage Toro and again at the end. The thing was a beast and chewed fairly steadily through ~15" the first time, the ~11" was a joke at the end. It took everyone else an extra day to work on their driveways as they mostly get plowed and all the plows got stuck.

As additional perspective my neighbor who had to work Saturday came back to the full accumulation and his John deer plow (not blower) attachment wasn't having it so he borrowed my single stage and did the job in about 6 hours burning through the full 26". Pretty good break in for a brand new blower.

Regarding the $20 shovel remark, my younger and much better in shape brother shoveled his much smaller driveway and was essentially in bedrest the next day so no thanks. I'll take the single stage Toro.

If these storms occurred more often than once every decade in NJ I may consider 2-stage, but given the current frequency it would be overkill.

 

[KaRLiToS]

I live in NJ and just got 26" inches of snow with a driveway about three times the size of the OP. I went out in the middle of the storm with my brand new single stage Toro and again at the end. The thing was a beast and chewed fairly steadily through ~15" the first time, the ~11" was a joke at the end. It took everyone else an extra day to work on their driveways as they mostly get plowed and all the plows got stuck.

As additional perspective my neighbor who had to work Saturday came back to the full accumulation and his John deer plow (not blower) attachment wasn't having it so he borrowed my single stage and did the job in about 6 hours burning through the full 26". Pretty good break in for a brand new blower.

Regarding the $20 shovel remark, my younger and much better in shape brother shoveled his much smaller driveway and was essentially in bedrest the next day so no thanks. I'll take the single stage Toro.

If these storms occurred more often than once every decade in NJ I may consider 2-stage, but given the current frequency it would be overkill.

That is pretty damm good for a single stage.

The 20$ shovel comment was made by me by the way.

I would still prefer my Honda HSS 928TC than a single stage blower in the 26".

https://youtu.be/14inIdqNL60?t=30s

 

[CLite]

That is pretty damm good for a single stage.

The 20$ shovel comment was made by me by the way.

I would still prefer my Honda HSS 928TC than a single stage blower in the 26".

https://youtu.be/14inIdqNL60?t=30s

721 power clear, I was pleasantly surprised. It even chewed through the street plow banks if a bit slowly. Again, for my area 26" is a once in a decade kind of thing. If I lived further North a quality 2-stage would make sense.

 

[KaRLiToS]

721 power clear, I was pleasantly surprised. It even chewed through the street plow banks if a bit slowly. Again, for my area 26" is a once in a decade kind of thing. If I lived further North a quality 2-stage would make sense.

In that case I totally agree with you. And I just look and the Toro 721 looks pretty decent.

But still, whether you have a commercial Plow truck, a 2-stage or single stage snowblower, the shovel is still the most reliable tool. I always scrape the driveway with a shovel at the end.