A question for Winnipeggers or anyone else who knows a lot about snow

gravitas

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Feb 7, 2006
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With christmas/festivus right around the corner (hells bells where did the year go? :eek: ) I'm starting to shop. I've decided my brother's going to get a snowblower but not having bought one before I need some advice.

Not too hung up over two or four stage although it seems as though the larger units are all four but I do have questions about single and dual phase. The single is definitely what I'm finding on the smaller units vs. dual on the larger. Now I know that the four stage machines would do the job but don't want to get something thats overkill. The two models I have in mind are as follows:

1. single stage version from canuk tire for $500




2. a dual stage version from home depot for $1000



he lives in edmonton so gets a fair bit of snow but nothing too serious, has a slightly larger then normal residential driveway


thoughts, suggestions, comments?
 

MissMonique_vrz

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Jul 12, 2006
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nothing to do with snowblowers but i just have to say..

gravitas said:
With christmas/festivus right around the corner
Not anywhere near around the corner until at the very least Halloween's come and gone.



I do know lots about snow and I wish I could give you some advice that's actually relevant to this thread...but I know nothing about snowblowers. Sorry. I've always had to do it the old fashion way....
Sweating and cursing. :D aahh memories.

Ok. Butting out of it now.

(I must say I'm impressed to see someone planning this far ahead.. guess you're not one of us suckers who get caught on Dec24 running frantic trying to buy everyone's presents at the last minute..)
 

gravitas

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MissMonique_vrz said:
I must say I'm impressed to see someone planning this far ahead
One, and most importantly, I'm blessed with a small family so not much planning is required. The othse thing that taps in at a close second is how much I fucking hate the malls all year long let alone during christmas shopping. At that special time of the year you could put a virgin in each store that I would be guaranteed to bust her cherry if I were to just buy something and I still wouldn't hit the malls.
 

muffdiver

New member
Having lived in B.c. and Alta all my freakin life i know a little bit bout the white stuff. In my opinion those single stage blowers aren't much good other than for a side walk or a smart car sized driveway, most of em are pieces of shit. I have a dual stage myself and it will go through snow up to the handle bars. Being you're bro lives in edmonton the snow is fairly dry and light at most times , but don't buy one that's underpowered i wouldn't go for anything less than 8 hp.

Goodluck with you're choice gravitas.
 

shedevil

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Jul 19, 2005
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A SAVAGE LUST GARDEN
Get the second one. The wagon wheels on the first one won't cut it.

I doubt the first one will make more than 2 feet of snow. We get that in one night here.

The blades on the second one will be better for chipping through ice from previous melts.

The handles on the second one are good for directing the snow in a place that you won't have to re-plow over and over. If it's cold enough, the first one looks like it would get stuck.

SD
 

LonelyGhost

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Apr 26, 2004
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gravitas said:
With christmas/festivus right around the corner (hells bells where did the year go? :eek: ) I'm starting to shop. I've decided my brother's going to get a snowblower but not having bought one before I need some advice.

At that special time of the year you could put a virgin in each store.

thoughts, suggestions, comments?
could you get him a virgin to shovel the driveway?
 

Avery

Gentleman Horndog
Jul 7, 2003
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Get the second one, and put chains on the wheels. I have a 5 HP Toro that's almost 30 years old. I just get it tuned up every two or three years, and it works fine. The chains are a big asset when there's a lot of heavy snow or if there's ice underneath. They only add around $75 to the cost; less if you install them yourself.
 

hornyitalian06

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May 5, 2006
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Gravitas, if I were you , I would purchase the number 2 item and also install chains on the tires. Remember to tune up the snowblower every year. This ensures efficient starting during extremely cold weather. An electric starter is also an easier way to start most snowblowers instead of having to pull start.
 

dirtydan

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Oct 7, 2004
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Get the second one

The first one is really just a glorified power shovel that will be incapable of handling any heavy snowfalls. My advice is to get him the second one. However Canadian Tire does have a snowblower that's something like 44 inches wide, has dual wheels and comes with a 15 hp engine. That's a lot of walk-behind snow throwing power. I think the price is somewhere between $2200 and $2500. And when there isn't much to blow after a snowfall he can get himself one of those big scoop shovels to push.

Oh yes, an electric start kit is also nice to have! ;)
 

westwoody

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Jun 10, 2004
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Two stage is a must!

The cheap low powered blowers don't throw the snow far enough. After a couple of snowfalls you end up with walls of snow on either side of the driveway and sidewalk that your little machine can't throw the snow over. And wet snow, even if there's not much of it, can be very heavy and hard on the machine.
A two stage throws it far enough that it doesn't pile up and you don't have that canyon effect. Make sure the chute is long enough to blow over what has already built up and has some kind of crank or lever to aim it with from the handlebar.
Make sure you can work all the controls with big thick gloves or mittens on.
 

hornyitalian06

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May 5, 2006
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Honda snowblowers are more expensive but they more reliable/durable and efficient than the other brands:p ;) :cool: :D . They are also much lighter in weight.
 

gravitas

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Feb 7, 2006
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thanks to all for the suggestions and advice......looks like two stage is the way to go

however, while I love the guy I'm not prepared to drop $2500 on a christmas gift so me thinks the home depot $999 is the way to go.....I've checked out sears, canadian tire (who I hate), rona (who I hate more) and $/specs it seems like the best deal

and no LG, my bro won't be getting a virgin to shovel his walks.......I'll be keeping her allllll to myself :)
 

gravitas

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well, here's the poop

bought my bro the $999 model from home depot and gave it to him early with all this snow we've been getting.....loves it and works like a hot damn

since it seemed like such a good gift thats what I decided to give myself.....went with the honda model below and its down right cool.....with the tracks I feel like I'm driving a little tank :) have actually been doing one of my neighbors driveways since its so much fun to use
 

CalgaryJenn

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Apr 15, 2006
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Ahhhhh a boy and his toys, ya know he really really likes it when he runs outta snow on his own property and starts doing the neighbours...LOL

Glad ya enjoy your toy Grav:)
 

badwolfcgy

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Jan 26, 2006
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Two stage blowers are only good for dry snow. Slushy wet crap snow plug up the 2 stagers and make them useless.
I have seen a good single stage fling heavy slush/water without ill effects. Like this one: http://www.toro.com/home/snowthrowers/snowcommander/38600.html


For the best in snow removal just get a 4x4, chains and a blade. A guy can make serious coin on snow days with a proper set up.
 
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