Don Craig Loc: Saranac, NY

I live in upstate-NY and I just bought a Husqvarna 26inch 9hp blower and I love it. My previous one is an MTD 26inch 8hp but the problem is the handles are too low, I have to bend over and it kills my back. The Husky is taller and very comfortable to handle, it has power steering! I don't know what all the fuss is about spraying the chute with Pam or anything else, I've never had to do that, and I've had all kinds of snow. I agree about slowing down, my normal speed is 3 and I often get down to 1 in close quarters.

Pkfish Loc: Wilson Wy

Just had 6 feet of snow this last week. Yeah 6feet! Been clearing snow ever since. I've used a Honda 8 hp with tracks and screws in the tracks for years. It has a head light and electric start(never needed the electric start) This blower will out do any other 8 hp out there. Every year or 2 I spray paint the inside with a Marbel light glass impregnated paint. The 11. Hp is really a beast but too much for me to get up to my deck. Wouldn't buy anything but a Honda. They are spendy,but worth it. Never had 1 problem with it and it gets abused. Good luck!

Bridges Loc: Memphis, Charleston SC, now Nazareth PA

I have used both single and 2-stage models and the 2-stage is measurably better. In real wet, deep snow though even the 2-stage will clog. They now have out a 3-stage model which I would imagine is an attempt to improve on this problem. I have not used one of these nor know anyone who owns one but it might be worth looking into.

Mike N Loc: Fairbanks, Alaska

I have a 9 hp 28" Honda and i love it. It has tracks, but I think that the wheels might be better if used over pavement, easier to turn and move around when not running. I just love the hydrostatic drive. Infinite speeds with the the movement of the control lever. When going into reverse just slide the lever to the rear and reverse. No move stiff/frozen shifting from forward to reverse and the speed can be set so easy to exactly what is needed for the job. Pricey, ($2700) but I would get it again in a second.

Billbobboy42 Loc: Center of Delmarva

I have looked at many models and brands, but never saw a 3-stage one mentioned. Perhaps it is too new and available only on a specific brand. I will have to do a Google search and see what crops up.

Straight Shooter Loc: Newfoundland, Canada

My first snowblower was Walmart's cheapest, and it was not good: couldn't handle heavy, wet snow. Then I treated myself to an Ariens, and the difference is incredible. Night and day. Easy to operate, never clogs, very reliable. Love it.

Bill MN Loc: Western MN

Billbobboy42 Loc: Center of Delmarva

Did a Google search on 3-stage snow blowers. Only two brands popped up: Troybilt & Cub Cadet, both made by MDT. I will pass on those two. For the moment I have narrowed my brand interest to Ariens, Honda, & Husqvarna.

Billbobboy42 Loc: Center of Delmarva

Used speed 2 all the time.

Djedi

I used to swear by Ariens until a couple of years ago when I purchased a relatively new one (owned by a retired person that moved away I was told).
I tried it at the dealership and it worked wonderfully.
Brought it home and it would would not start. Tried so many times that the electric starter was starting to smell.
Took it back to the dealer. You guessed it- started first time. He monkeyed with it a bit, I then starting it a few times there and went on my way looking stupid.
When I got home I tried to start it (to get it out of the truck). You guessed it again- would not start; no way, no how. Burned out the starter.
Brought it back to the dealer. Asked if maybe it was the difference in altitude. The shop is at about 400 feet above sea level. I am at 1200 feet.
Dealer said it had nothing to do with it. Of course it started (now by hand) on the second pull. He said he could play with it some more, but he'd have to charge me ($75/hr).
I told him I'd take it home and play with it a bit more myself first. I then did some on-line research. Most Youtube videos talked about adjusting the carburetor, but mine had no such adjustment.
That's when I learned about the new EPA approved carbs, one of which having been supplied on my new snowblower. I followed one "expert's" advice and bought a new, old-style adjustable carb and installed that. It worked ON THE FIRST PULL without my even touching the adjustments. I then followed another video on tuning the carb and replaced the starter. I had been using it for the last two years (infrequently due to warm winters) without incident. But the story continues:
Then, at the beginning of this season, it started, but ran very sluggishly until it just stopped and would not re-start. This time I just used my arm-starter since I didn't want to burn out another motor.
Back to the internet. Several people in my area had a similar issue. Seems that in spite of my faithfully adding Sta-bil to the gas before storage, I still had some 2 year old gas in the tank (only had to snow-blow once last year). Opened the bowl on the carb and found - WATER! A small pool at the bottom of the bowl, with gas floating on top.
Lesson- DO NOT buy 10% ethanol gas for your small engines, especially if you cannot use the last tank full before the end of the season! I now use premium, no ethanol gas and will empty the tank after the season.
W

Bmarsh Loc: Bellaire, MI

I used to have to take my Stihl chainsaw to the repair shop every spring because I was using 10% ethanol gas and I was told that if the gas is more than 45 days old, to get rid of it. Now I use "recreational fuel". (No ethanol) and have no problems. Thanks EPA!

clickalot Loc: Chicago area

I second the comment on using cooling oil spray. I have a single stage Toro and find that spraying the shoot and blade before starting to blow snow helps a lot especially with wet snow.

Billbobboy42 Loc: Center of Delmarva

Agree 100% on using non-ethanol fuel. My Ariens is 13 yrs old which means it was not made to use ethanol gas. I also use non-ethanol gas in my newer engines just in case.

Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

Oh, there are lots of good brands, I am sure. I think it is hard to prevent the clogging when blowing wet snow though maybe some do brands better with this than others.

One trick I know about dealing with this is to spray a light lubricant into the front chamber, and into the ejection spot. People use things like Pam or silicone spray, etc. This helps the snow keep from sticking. Your choice of lubricant. I have tried it, and it does help though you may want to keep it on hand to give it another spraying midway.

woodemp

I live in North East Canada and I run a 12 HP Sears Model. 2 stage. It blows snow great. When the snow is very wet it becomes a plow. I've used other models and none of them can blow very wet snow. Our snow isn't usually so wet, when it is I use a scoop.