That's where the extended warranty comes in. So for either 3 or 4 years you are covered if the auger wears out or you damage it. And, yes, the single stage is not as effective for heavy wet snow.
So at the end of the day should I buy the single stage or drop an extra couple hundred for the dual stage. What would you do?
I have a single stage that I've used for three seasons now. It used to take me over an hour to shovel the drive and front walk with around 4" of snow fall. Now it takes about twenty minutes to do that and the neighbors walks. At best I can get 10-12 ft. of throw. Normally 8-10. When it's wet and heavy 4ft. I store it in my garage as it doesn't take up much room at all. I use it more than my lawn mower. I can't speak about a two stage but if your throwing snow 20 feet won't it just end up in your neighbors yard? Maybe that's a good thing!!
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I have a single stage that I've used for three seasons now. It used to take me over an hour to shovel the drive and front walk with around 4" of snow fall. Now it takes about twenty minutes to do that and the neighbors walks. At best I can get 10-12 ft. of throw. Normally 8-10. When it's wet and heavy 4ft. I store it in my garage as it doesn't take up much room at all. I use it more than my lawn mower. I can't speak about a two stage but if your throwing snow 20 feet won't it just end up in your neighbors yard? Maybe that's a good thing!!
I guess there's not really a way to control that either? It just kind of goes where it goes, right?
I've had a single stage gas powered snow blower for 4 years now. Go gas... electric just doesn't have enough power/torque for heavy snow falls.
My back thanks me every time there's more than a couple inches of snow. Last year when we had that huge dump of wet snow, I would have never been able to clear my driveway if I had to do it by shovel.
It powered right through the 12" deep drifts. Best buy ever!
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I am pretty much the same scenario. Corner lot and what seems endless sidewalk and front driveway and some to clear in the back too. I have thought about snow mblower but a lot of times there is hardly enough snow.
My thoughts have been to spend some money on a good Stihl backpack blower or see if I can find a decent shape used brush.
Budget I was hoping is 500-1000 or so. I am getting to old and the back likes all the snow even less so spending money on a decent machine is not a problem. Just haven't been able to make a decision so have gone without. This year I am going to go one way or the other.
The problem with backpack blowers is that they only work if the temperature is cold enough and it hasn't snowed much. Walk behind sweeper is the way to go for 80 percent of the snow falls, just keep in mind it won't work so hot when we get those 25 cm snowfalls.
PS. DO NOT BUY A SWEEPER THAT HOOKS ONTO A TRIMMER, THEY ARE GARBAGE!
How long/wide is your driveway? you may be better with an acreage to move into a small tractor with a pto blower.
The problem is that a tractor isn't going to save me a whole lot time on my lawn, so I don't see a tonne of value in paying for a tractor just to blow snow.
So at the end of the day should I buy the single stage or drop an extra couple hundred for the dual stage. What would you do?
I wouldn't spend the money on a dual stage unless you have a very long driveway.
Here in Calgary we just don't get enough snow to justify a big dual stage blower. Plus, 90% of the time, the snow we do get is pretty dry and light so a single stage can handle it quite easily in most cases. For those times when the dump is huge and wet, you just have to go a little slower and take half swipes through the snow. Now if we lived somewhere in the Ontario snow belt (and I have lived there), I'd probably recommend the dual stage. That snow is always wet and heavy. Great for snowballs and snowmen but a real b***h to shovel.
Save your money. Buy a single stage (don't cheap out though... buy a good one) and save your back.
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I guess there's not really a way to control that either? It just kind of goes where it goes, right?
Not really. You can change the direction that the snow is expelled from the blower and you can change the angle/height at which it flys. You can have it shoot straight out almost parallel to the ground or you can have arcing into the air like a fire hose on a burning building.
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This is not necessarily true, Also be sure to have this in writing when you buy it as the auger is a wear item and most manufacturers will not replace this at no cost to the customer.
If you have an extended service plan then it may be covered depending on where it was purchased this is why it is important to have it in writing an understand exactly what it says, this is what the Sears service plan used to do however they stopped covering them 5 years ago. Seems Lowes still cover that so that is a good thing.
Places will just replace them to keep customers happy but this is not a warranty/extended warranty repair.
This is just incase people shop elsewhere they need to make sure they have all the proper documentation and information because alot of employees at a big box store are not adequatly trained in warranty procedures and will "tell the customer what they want to hear" or to try to sell them extended warranty which is completely different from an extended service plan.
I work at Lowe's McKenzie. I am, in fact, the manager of the garden centre but I do come inside to help with the outdoor power equipment section so have garnered some knowledge. The refurbs are all priced according to what was done to them. Any returned blower (even our 'free rental' ones - you know, used once and returned ) are sent to Brothers Too for repair and/or check over. Then it is up to the discretion of the OPE manager for what she prices them at. You can usually make a deal on them if you are really nice and good looking (well that's my criteria any way!).
So at the end of the day should I buy the single stage or drop an extra couple hundred for the dual stage. What would you do?
Single stage is fine for most of Calgary snow - smaller to store, easier to manoevre. If you are concerned about heavy, wet snow then the two stage is the way to go. Some of them even have drift cutters. Go to the store and play with them. See what you feel happiest with. Check the flyer each week - there will be a snow blower in each one for the next wee while. You just missed a doozy on Black Friday
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I work at Lowe's McKenzie. I am, in fact, the manager of the garden centre but I do come inside to help with the outdoor power equipment section so have garnered some knowledge. The refurbs are all priced according to what was done to them. Any returned blower (even our 'free rental' ones - you know, used once and returned ) are sent to Brothers Too for repair and/or check over. Then it is up to the discretion of the OPE manager for what she prices them at. You can usually make a deal on them if you are really nice and good looking (well that's my criteria any way!).
Sweet, free snowblower!
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I really think a sweeper is the best thing in Calgary, but I've yet to find a decent 'residential' type one. A commercial one just seems to be to much for my use
Ive been running a single stage 2-stroke Toro for about 5 winters. Its perfect for Calgary winters. I have quite a bit of area to clear on my lot. I use the snowblower even on lighter snowfalls as its faster than shovelling. Its really manoeuvrable so its easy to get into tricky spots, if you have any on your property. When I lived out east, you needed a 2-stage as you got big dumps of snow. I used to laugh at single stage machines when I saw them in store as they looked like a toy, like a lawn mower with some kind of plastic cover on it. Now, I see that they are a really useful tool for the right job. My neighbour has a 2-stage. He gave me the gears about my single stage the first time he saw it. I have more area to clear than him and I am usually done in about two-thirds of the time that he is. He came over after seeing it an action a few times and stated that he was really impressed with how well it worked.
Like many things, you get what you pay for. I think if you buy an entry level machine, no-name brand, then you might not be impressed with the results. Do your research.
Something I saw on RFD that might help people about regarding Toro machines:
621: Last years model, has a 163cc engine
721: This years model, has a 212cc engine.
Q : Quick Chute, it allows the direction of the chute to be quickly changed with a slide on the handle (it's a great feature, most people swear by it, you can check out a video for a demonstration)
Z: Zip Deflector: The top of the chute mechanism. Unimportant one way or the other
R/E: Recoil Start / Electric Start. Electric costs about $80 more, and is unnecessary, the recoil (pull) will start on the 1st or 2nd pull every time anyway. Even if you buy an electric, you'll probably never use the plug, just the Recoil
C: Commercial Model. Only difference this year is better paddles, replaces wing-nuts on handles with locked ones, and possibly a thicker drive belt.
Sidebar though, I was thinking about checking this Rechargable Battery one. Anybody with any experience?
We currently have the Toro 7## series in stock and ill find out what I can do for a special calgary puck purchase for anyone interested.
I should also mention that if anyone does buy a husqvarna/toro brand unit even elsewhere I am a certified warranty center so let me know and I can make sure I get you looked after
