Snowblower advice?

February 12, 2010 9:52 AM

Best time buy a snowblower? Do you guys recommend any specific brands? Any brands to avoid? What size/hp do you recommend - I live in New Jersey. Do they get cheaper in the spring and summer?

So I'm sick of shoveling snow. All my neighbors have snowblowers and I want to join the club. What do I need to know to buy the right snowblower for a good price?

posted by exhilaration to Home & Garden (10 answers total)

We've been in the market for a bit. They do get cheaper in the spring and summer if they don't sell out, but all the stores nearby (we're in Delaware; you might well practically be a neighbor) sold out months ago. They don't stock them again until roughly September.

As for size/HP, that depends on the area you intend to clear and the weather. Other factors are type of driveway, etc. You might ask your neighbors what works well for them.
posted by JMOZ at 10:07 AM on February 12, 2010

This thing is fun and awesome, provided you have a moderate-to-small area to cover. It will also inspire envy in your neighbors, for what that's worth.
posted by AugieAugustus at 11:12 AM on February 12, 2010

FWIW, I have a Craftsman and it's a pile of crap. It works ok until it breaks, which is often. I think we've put as much money into repairing it as it cost us to buy it eight years ago.

If I ever buy another one I'll probably get a Toro or a Honda, which I'm told are the best snowblowers out there.
posted by bondcliff at 11:16 AM on February 12, 2010

I don't know how helpful this is, but I got mine at a garage sale for $100, and it does the job (this is it's second season at my house). Craigslist and garage sales are the way to go, IMO.
posted by bolognius maximus at 11:36 AM on February 12, 2010

My father had a craftsman that broke after the 2nd time using it. Has a toro now and this thing can handle pretty much anything. lol
posted by majortom1981 at 12:25 PM on February 12, 2010

I have one that is a little underpowered and sized for the wet deep snow we got recently in the Hudson Valley. Normally, it works great. I purchased mine in September and I got the previous year's model on sale. Saved about 20-25%.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 12:25 PM on February 12, 2010

If there is a local auction house, you should check there.
posted by cushie at 12:31 PM on February 12, 2010

I bought my 1965 SnowChick, which is the smallest of the SnowBird line, at a farm auction for $60. I put another $70 into it to upgrade to electronic ignition and fix a faulty carb float, but it runs great and is built like a tank - practically no plastic at all.
posted by rfs at 5:32 PM on February 12, 2010

If all your neighbours have one, wouldn't it be sensible to arrange to borrow theirs? You could offer to do both yards at once, taking turns, or swap them for some other expensive tool that you own when they need it, or even pay a nominal rent. It doesn't really seem economical to own your own, especially if you don't have a large acreage.
posted by Pomo at 8:20 AM on February 13, 2010

I've had white/troy-built (changed their name from white to troy-built a few years ago) and toros. Both seemed to work fine, though i prefer troy-builts. The one thing to look for though is to make sure to get a dual stage mechanism. They are less dangerous and work far better than single stage blowers.
posted by DJWeezy at 4:07 PM on February 13, 2010