Personal Snowplow or Snow blower?

LeMansX5 · #1 12-02-2005, 12:44 PM

Need advice and recommendations. I have a 80'+ S-shape driveway and am shopping for a solution to clear the snow off the driveway. Need to get something soon.

Personal snowplows for the X5
Snowbear @ Costco for $999. There will be additional cost for mounting.
Snowsport @$1299
Subarbanite

Or
a Dual stage 9+ hp Snow blower? These below are rated good by Consumer Reports
Craftsman
Toro
Yardsman

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ifly · #2 12-02-2005, 12:54 PM

Electrically heated driveway?? Saw one in Vail at a house that had a 120 foot driveway to the road, god knows what his winter power bill is like

ekaz · #3 12-02-2005, 01:15 PM

I'd go snowplow. More fun.

rangerfan · #4 12-02-2005, 01:37 PM

I have a 2 stage Ariens that is an awesome machine. My driveway is also 80+ feet, uphill, with curves to boot. The thrower works great and from what I have heard about the personal plows, you might want to stick with the thrower. It gets tough if the driveway is not flat, and if there are curves.

I have this one and I know that Ariens makes top notch products.

fre_roc · #5 12-02-2005, 01:43 PM

i think depending on how much snow you'll actually have in where you live...
here in alaska, we get up to a foot or more of snow...
for people that have a huge lot a snow plow would come in handy...
just my thoughts...

Chris F. · #6 12-02-2005, 02:46 PM

I agree with the Ariens reccomendation. I have a similar model to rangerfan and Ariens makes a great product. I would advise that you do not buy an Ariens through Home Depot -- Ariens dealers (and John Deere dealers) put Depot customers at the back of the list for service. That means you would wait longer for service than a regular customer.

JCL · #7 12-02-2005, 07:35 PM

The problem with the snowplow is that you need an old CJ or an F series to mount it on. If the blade is big enough/heavy enough to be useful, it has the capability of twisting frames of those trucks, let alone anything lighter. If you have an old pickup around, go for it. Don't bother with anything that doesn't have remote blade control, they are toys.

For a snowblower, I had great success with the Honda tracked machine. Mine was 32", hydrostatic drive, with 120 volt electric start. It was an absolutely brilliant piece of equipment. The tracked drive was the best part, it was inherently stable and so you could adjust the auger height independently. If you have wheels, you will probably end up with chains and wheel weights. Electric start is very nice, but the 12 volt ones can be dodgy. Not much good if you have to charge it before using it. Single lever joystick was handy. Don't look at anything that isn't two stage. If you compare anything with a transmission vs a hydrostatic drive, particularly as an operator, you won't go back. I had enough fun with it that I tended to clear sidewalks for two houses in each direction. Got me lots of bottles of wine after a big dump of snow

If you don't get a Honda, recommend you at least look for something with a Honda engine, I have found them far better than the standard B&S that so many manufacturers use.

http://www.hondapowerequipment.com/snotra.asp

dsheli · #8 12-03-2005, 01:22 AM

We have one for our house in Sun Valley, Idaho that has tracks and little headlights. Since my dad often puts beers deep in the snow (they will freeze if you leave them on top) and forgets about them it is always funny when a few go through the blower. LOL

UCrewX5 · #9 12-03-2005, 09:36 AM

I have a John Deere dual stage snow blower and it's great - http://www.deere.com/en_US/ProductCa...MMST0927&tM=HO

For a driveway like that, though, it may be quicker to use a plow.

E61Silver · #10 12-03-2005, 10:31 AM

I also think that a blower is the way to go; you do not want to put a plow on your BMW.

As blowers go Honda would be my first choose but other brands are good too. They all use the same engines so the rating difference that Consumers find are questionable. Electric start (110 volt plug in) is the may to go. You should always use gas stabilizer for a blower since the use is inconsistent. I change the oil once a year (Mobil1 0W 30) and give it a test run on or about thanksgiving. My 1970 Ariens is still with me but is showing its age.

The point that one of the other members made purchase from a local dealer is right on. The cost is many cases the same and the service and set-up is much better. It is also nice to give the little guy the business.

Good Luck and lets all hope it is a mild winter
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