All we have ever used at my work is Ariens. They see a workout. Our typical clean up takes about 4hrs. https://www.ariens.com/en-us/snow-products
Just be sure and get one with electric start. Pull starting something at 6 AM when its below zero sucks. Ariens is a good choice.
I have had good luck with Toro. Have an older 2 stage "Power Shift" from the 90s and last year bought a "Power Clear" single stage with electric start for my 3 kids (teenagers) to use for the light to medium snows. Of course your dealer's attitude and customer service may make or break a deal as to where/what you buy.
I've had 2 mtd the older one seemed to work better than the new one, but I like the cable chute control of the new one copied to the that gand screw of the older. Both mine had electric start, but really after the first start of the year they both started within 1 or 2 pulls and I spent more time rolling a cord than just pulling it a few time. But after a few extra pulls the electric start sure is a nice backup. Both of mine would clear 8 inches or so, again the older unit handled the wet heavy snow better with clogging. The new unit has individual drive tire engage and disengage trigger so just leaving it go in forward , grab the disengage trigger and if flop's right around and swing the chute and go
I have an old Bolens 10HP 32" cut. It has electric start but I only used the electric start the day I bought it (used) in 1992 to make sure it worked, ..... never used the starter again because it always starts on the first pull (fuel on, choke on, prime 3 shots, pull), ...... BAM! I snapped a connecting rod and it punched straight through the main case about 7 years ago. Since Tecumseh was out of business I was lucky enough to find a NOS short block. It still starts on the first pull and throws the snow into the stratosphere. Ariens of that era are equally as good. If I was to purchase a new one today it would be a Honda with tracks, ..... or maybe a BBB version of this! Larry
Same here, 10HP. Love it. Electric start but it will also start with 3 pumps of the primer and 1 pull even after 10 years. Not sure if its true but some say that the Ariens you buy at stores like the Home Depot are not the same as you get from an actual dealer. The chain store versions are made cheaper? I got mine from a friend who got it from a dealer so I cannot really verify one way or another, could be an urban legend.
I live about 10 miles from the Ariens factory, so.............I bought a Honda. Areins is a good snow blower, but after a lot of research I ended up buying a Honda. NOT cheap....but in the long run I found it to be the best investment........and it does work well! The controls take some getting used to, but once you learn them it's great. I was hoping that when I spent $3000 on a snowblower that I'd NEVER HAVE TO USE IT!!!! But that didn't happen! LOL If you can afford it, it's definitely the way to go! HONDA-HSS1332AAT 13HP 32In
I have an MTD, 10 hp 2 stage, good unit, no issues. Last year a rock got jammed in one of the augers, didn't shear the pin/s but smoked the 2 belts. While replacing the belts, I noticed on the gearcase for the augers it was stamped MADE IN USA
I used to pay someone $100 a time to plow but that adds up in a snowy winter. Bought a Troy-Bilt Vortex 2490 and now do it myself. Great machine. It's a three stage system that really helps with chopping up crusty snow. Seconded for electric start! Heated handles are nice and a good throw distance. Of course - you can't beat the help of a good woman! Snowblower action starts at 0:22
I had a Simplicity that was awesome. It was a 1964 model and I used it for 40 years. I gave it to my sister-in-law still in good running condition. In about 2002 the throttle cable broke. I went to the Simplicity dealer for a replacement, and of course it was no longer being made. The dealer called the company, and two days later I received the engineering drawing for the part and a contact number for a company that would make it for me. I sent the drawing to the company and I had a perfectly-fitting part in about a week. Service at it's best. I don't need a 'blower here in sunny SW Florida, but if I still lived up Nawth I would buy another simplicity just for the service. As I recall, the cable was about $18.
Simplicity brand is about as good of quality as you can get. They actually design and build all the garden tractors for Duetz Allis. Keith
Electric start, 2-stage, self propelled, remote controlled chute, match hp to width (IMO 10 hp for 24"). If you don't want to be completely covered in snow, get aftermarket vinyl "cab"...best investment I ever made. When using, don't wait until snow stops, blow when snow 8-10", otherwise you use blower like a snow shovel. Easier to make multiple passes at speed, rather than "digging" into snow bank and waiting for blower to clear. Finally, before snow falls, walk area to be cleared and remove branches, newspapers, etc. You can lose shear pins and possibly worm gear if you don't.
I have a single stage Toro Snow Commander that I use 90% of the time it works great for regular snowfall and easy to maneuver. However if the snow is really deep the single stage isn't so good because you use a lot of energy pushing it into the snow. I also have an older Craftsman 2 stage 9.75hp which only gets used when we get big snowfalls. Its nice cause it drives itself and will go through anything. A little too much for just a few inches but works great. The other brands MTD and Ariens that others mentioned are great machines as well. Also like others said get the electric start. Save some pulling time when they sit for the summer otherwise after the first start of the season my machines start in 1-2 pulls .
I blow my GRAVEL drive - about 1000ft.... I go through many shear pins, but the baby is still going (knock on wood). I have the skids at their highest adjustment. I had a small toro that did an impressive job for its size, but moved up to a sears craftsman about 17 years ago, only repair has been new axle bushings and a new chute (remember the gravel?) I do not think a craftsman would be a good idea today, who knows where they are built. Too bad. Luckily the current drought this year has left us with only dusting for snow.