Loophole LaRue, SASS #51438 Posted November 17, 2018 Share Posted November 17, 2018 First run of the season for my 23 year old Toro 1028 snowblower. Never got out of the garage; cracked head. Time to retire her and find a new unit. Anyone with Honda experience? Thinking about one of their track driven models - 9 horse, 28 in. path. Intrigued by the hydrostatic transmission and the electric joystick for the chute; but I really don't need doodads - just power to move deep, wet snow. Suggestions? LL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cold Lake Kid, SASS # 51474 Posted November 17, 2018 Share Posted November 17, 2018 I guess I'm skeptical about a lot of gadgetry on small equipment. Just something else to go wrong and need $$$$ repairs. As for a Honda and it's engine, I hear nothing but good about them in their gennies and the one I have is great.. IMHO the more ponies you have, the better. It takes a fair amount of HP just to run the options crammed on to the units. I would ensure whatever you get has an impellor in the chute. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G W Wade Posted November 17, 2018 Share Posted November 17, 2018 My thoughts are you generally need more horsepower when running hydro-stats and the tracks might add to horsepower drain over convention wheeled models. This is based on the company telling us about lawn tractors needed x hp just propel the tractor plus drag your butt around on it. Hydro's require more power to operate Heard lots of good things about tracks and hard to fault Honda's GW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sedalia Dave Posted November 17, 2018 Share Posted November 17, 2018 I would look into rebuilding your current unit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Utah Bob #35998 Posted November 17, 2018 Share Posted November 17, 2018 Rather than a tracked machine I would just go with a high hp wheeled thrower with chains. Less potential problems. You definitely need power for that Wet New England snow. I spent a year in Mass back in the day. Our snow here, while sometimes deep, is usually pretty dry and easily moved so Pacman, my 6hp Craftsman, is all I need. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colorado Coffinmaker Posted November 17, 2018 Share Posted November 17, 2018 Perhaps ...... Local "Rent a Kid" ???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Riot Posted November 17, 2018 Share Posted November 17, 2018 30 minutes ago, Colorado Coffinmaker said: Perhaps ...... Local "Rent a Kid" ???? Perhaps 20 years ago... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheyenne Ranger, 48747L Posted November 17, 2018 Share Posted November 17, 2018 What is the "snow" you speak of? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smoken D Posted November 17, 2018 Share Posted November 17, 2018 Had to laugh at myself when I read this. I just came in from starting up my 33 year old Ariens. I have nothing I can compare because this is the only snowblower I have ever had. I fire it up 3 times a year just to keep it running other than when it is needed. It has been one heck of a work horse for me. If I was to get another if this one truly broke down, after the experience with this Ariens, of course it will be another. I know the Honda engines are great, but this one at 33 years old and only put in one new spark plug over that time kinda says something to me. Might think about giving them a look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loophole LaRue, SASS #51438 Posted November 17, 2018 Author Share Posted November 17, 2018 4 hours ago, Pat Riot, SASS #13748 said: Perhaps 20 years ago... Yeah....not very likely around here; not many kids in the neighborhood, and my driveway is 250' long with a 4 car turnaround at the top - too much for a kid with a shovel. LL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abilene Slim SASS 81783 Posted November 17, 2018 Share Posted November 17, 2018 After several consecutive years of moderate and a few heavy snows, I finally bought a snow thrower. That was 3 or 4 years ago. Since then I've thrown no more than 3 inches at a time for a total of maybe 15 inches. Started it up today to make sure it worked. Now I'm assured of no more than a dusting this season. Getting my money's worth! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loophole LaRue, SASS #51438 Posted November 17, 2018 Author Share Posted November 17, 2018 25 minutes ago, Abilene Slim SASS 81783 said: After several consecutive years of moderate and a few heavy snows, I finally bought a snow thrower. That was 3 or 4 years ago. Since then I've thrown no more than 3 inches at a time for a total of maybe 15 inches. Started it up today to make sure it worked. Now I'm assured of no more than a dusting this season. Getting my money's worth! The year I bought my Toro, we had 15 snow storms and over 100" of snow. Snow blowers are like life insurance policies; you don't have any way to know in advance when you might need one, but if you don't have one, you will suffer the consequences. Have narrowed it to another Toro or a Honda; scrapped the track version idea and will stick with wheels. Headed for the local dealer on Monday to put my hands and eyes on the real thing. Thanks for the input. LL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finagler 6853 Life Posted November 18, 2018 Share Posted November 18, 2018 Been watching mustie1 on YouTube . He replaces head gaskets all the time. Makes it look simple. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967 Posted November 18, 2018 Share Posted November 18, 2018 2 hours ago, Loophole LaRue, SASS #51438 said: Yeah....not very likely around here; not many kids in the neighborhood, and my driveway is 250' long with a 4 car turnaround at the top - too much for a kid with a shovel. LL Hopefully you're looking for one you can ride on, or mount on your riding mower or garden tractor. Maybe even with a canvas "cab....?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loophole LaRue, SASS #51438 Posted November 18, 2018 Author Share Posted November 18, 2018 6 minutes ago, Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967 said: Hopefully you're looking for one you can ride on, or mount on your riding mower or garden tractor. Maybe even with a canvas "cab....?" I already have a cab, HP..... Colorado Mountain Hats Boss of the Plains LL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Riot Posted November 18, 2018 Share Posted November 18, 2018 3 hours ago, Loophole LaRue, SASS #51438 said: Yeah....not very likely around here; not many kids in the neighborhood, and my driveway is 250' long with a 4 car turnaround at the top - too much for a kid with a shovel. LL Yeah, that’s a bit much for a kid or several kids with shovels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rye Miles #13621 Posted November 18, 2018 Share Posted November 18, 2018 I hired a snow plow service, they come out if the snow is 3" or more. Any less than that I can handle it with my Craftsman snow blower. $240.00 for the season! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loophole LaRue, SASS #51438 Posted November 18, 2018 Author Share Posted November 18, 2018 1 minute ago, Rye Miles #13621 said: I hired a snow plow service, they come out if the snow is 3" or more. Any less than that I can handle it with my Craftsman snow blower. $240.00 for the season! Before I bought the blower, my plow guy charged me $40 to come in the early AM so I could get out for work, and another $25 to come back later in the day and clean it up. I still had to shovel the front stairs when I got home. That's $65 per storm, times 18 storms = $1170 for one year. That's why I bought the snowblower. LL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forty Rod SASS 3935 Posted November 18, 2018 Share Posted November 18, 2018 12 hours ago, Loophole LaRue, SASS #51438 said: First run of the season for my 23 year old Toro 1028 snowblower. Never got out of the garage; cracked head. Time to retire her and find a new unit. Anyone with Honda experience? Thinking about one of their track driven models - 9 horse, 28 in. path. Intrigued by the hydrostatic transmission and the electric joystick for the chute; but I really don't need doodads - just power to move deep, wet snow. Suggestions? LL Whuttza "snow blower"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshal Mo Hare, SASS #45984 Posted November 18, 2018 Share Posted November 18, 2018 3 hours ago, Forty Rod SASS 3935 said: Whuttza "snow blower"? Leaf blower on steroids. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dead River Den, SASS#915 Posted November 18, 2018 Share Posted November 18, 2018 I live in the snow belt of the UP, what most people consider snowfall we dont even blink at, my driveway is 330’ long and when i snowblowed it i used an Ariens 11hp with 36” cut that i bought used great snowblower, probably one of the best machines out there, for heavy snow make sure its a two stage, electric start is nice, chains help, take care, stay safe, stay warm DRD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rye Miles #13621 Posted November 18, 2018 Share Posted November 18, 2018 11 hours ago, Loophole LaRue, SASS #51438 said: Before I bought the blower, my plow guy charged me $40 to come in the early AM so I could get out for work, and another $25 to come back later in the day and clean it up. I still had to shovel the front stairs when I got home. That's $65 per storm, times 18 storms = $1170 for one year. That's why I bought the snowblower. LL You needed a NEW snowblower guy! All the plow guys around here charge by the year! $1170.00 is waaaay too much! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sassnetguy50 Posted November 18, 2018 Share Posted November 18, 2018 22 hours ago, Smoken D said: Had to laugh at myself when I read this. I just came in from starting up my 33 year old Ariens. I have nothing I can compare because this is the only snowblower I have ever had. I fire it up 3 times a year just to keep it running other than when it is needed. It has been one heck of a work horse for me. If I was to get another if this one truly broke down, after the experience with this Ariens, of course it will be another. I know the Honda engines are great, but this one at 33 years old and only put in one new spark plug over that time kinda says something to me. Might think about giving them a look. X2, wore out the worm drive after 3 decades and bought another Ariens. Used it for a decade so far with no problems. . 2 stage with wheels, tracked models are more work to move out of the way in the summer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Four-Eyed Buck,SASS #14795 Posted November 18, 2018 Share Posted November 18, 2018 I only need a single stage for what I have. Gotta get it out here shortly and make sure it's going to run. Only problem I've had is the plug( female ) end of the electric start cord. have to fiddle with it to get the starter to kick in. Electric start is must for me after having a Toro that I inherited from my Dad. When you really needed it, it just wouldn't start Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannyd Posted November 18, 2018 Share Posted November 18, 2018 Florida snow blower from Honda Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forty Rod SASS 3935 Posted November 18, 2018 Share Posted November 18, 2018 15 hours ago, Marshal Mo Hare, SASS #45984 said: Leaf blower on steroids. Whuttza "leaf blower"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abilene Slim SASS 81783 Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 On 11/17/2018 at 5:32 PM, Loophole LaRue, SASS #51438 said: The year I bought my Toro, we had 15 snow storms and over 100" of snow. Appears you got your money's worth the first year! Post a pic of what you get tomorrow. I know I'm weird, but I don't mind snow. Would rather have that to look at instead of the usual bare, bleak winter landscape. But then, we have 4WD vehicles and don't have to commute every day. However, we do get a lot of ice here every season. Now that stuff p****s me off because 4WD is useless and it brings down power lines. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshal Mo Hare, SASS #45984 Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 1 hour ago, Forty Rod SASS 3935 said: Whuttza "leaf blower"? I really did expect that reply. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocWard Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 1 hour ago, Forty Rod SASS 3935 said: Whuttza "leaf blower"? Kinda like a shop-vac in reverse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forty Rod SASS 3935 Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 2 hours ago, DocWard said: Kinda like a shop-vac in reverse. Now that;s just stoopid. Who'd want something to put dirt and sawdust on the floor instead of sucking it up? Jeez, I don't know what's wrong with some of you guys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Major E A Sterner #12916 Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 You might want to look at the Troy-Bilt snow blowers, Mine is 5 years old and it's a beast in heavy snow. I got it out from storage, primed it and it started on the 1st pull as it has since I bought it new. It has an engine that is pretty much bullet proof, at the end of the season I hose it down and add some Star tron to what ever gas is left and it's good to go. They also make a tracked model with heated hand grips. https://www.troybilt.com/equipment/troybilt/storm-tracker-2890-two-stage-snow-blower-31ah7fp4766 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Painted Mohawk SASS 77785 Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 I'm a thinkin' what is this snow-blower creature y'all talkin' about ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshal Mo Hare, SASS #45984 Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 2 hours ago, Forty Rod SASS 3935 said: Now that;s just stoopid. Who'd want something to put dirt and sawdust on the floor instead of sucking it up? Jeez, I don't know what's wrong with some of you guys. Shop vac in reverse does not blow the crap back out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Four-Eyed Buck,SASS #14795 Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 My Single stage is a Troy-built. 21" swath. You still have to do a bunch of priming and cranking for the first start of the season. After that not too bad to get going. My drive is short, but is uphill for at least half the length. The bottom two sections of concrete seem to want to ice over easily,though. My SIL ruined her right elbow trying to shovel there back in '06 and I've taken a couple "Nantucket sleigh rides" myownself there. Have to always make sure it's salted down or you don't get in the drive. Also have to remember to go down the grass on foot if you think it's iced and didn't get any salt thrown down before hand Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshal Mo Hare, SASS #45984 Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 Many seasons ago I had a snowblower, now I have a Ford tractor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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