Posted: 11/3/2007 4:46:35 PM EDT
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I found what I think is a good deal on a Yard Machine 5.5hp dual stage snow thrower from Menards. Has anybody had any experience with these? I'm going to be doing a smallish driveway and sidewalks. Probably end up helping a neighbor or three as well. I live in Central IL so we only get moderate snowfall but it drifts like a mofo due to the winds. I'm not looking for anything heavy duty. Decent? OK? Garbage? |
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Just as with 90% of the lawn mowers and tractors out there, the snowblowers are all made by the same 2 companies, MTD and AYP. The Yard Machine is an MTD product, and is the same product as many other machines with a different paint job. The machine will be fine for your needs. |
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I just saw that when I went to their web site. They appear to make Yard Machine, Craftsman. Troy Built and probably others. :) Of course if I buy this darn thing we won't get more than 2" of snow at a time for the next five winters. I borrowed a 2.5hp single stage model last year when we got 14" of snow but it didn't have enough power. It couldn't throw the snow far enough to clear the driveway. It still beat using a shovel. The freakin' drifts were up to my chest in spots. |
I can only speak for Ariens. My brother has one that's 30 years old. Drips oil all over, looks horrible, but still runs fine every winter. I've had a new one for 3 years with no issues. |
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I pulled the trigger tonight. I hope that I actually get some use out of it. I actually have a bit of buyer's remorse at the moment. It probably won't snow more than 2" at a time for the next 4 years. I hope that I got an OK deal. I was hoping to get an additional 11% price match off but Menards dropped their price to be $ .01 below the competion so they wouldn't have to price match. Dirty dogs!  I went with the 5.5hp 2 stage yard machine with 6 forward speeds and 2 reverse. |
| I have an 8 hp Yard Machine that is ten years old w/o any problems so far. Keep the drive cable adjusted so the drive wheel doesn't slip and burn up, paint over the bare metal in the spring, and change oil and it will go for many years. Ariens uses the same engine but the chassis is a little more rugged. Downside they cost three times more. |
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I already miss my fathers blower. Every year I'd spend a few hours getting her running again, and every year she'd come back to life after a can of quickstart, carb cleaner and some liberal pounding with hammer. The thing is older then I am and has never had any real care but still throws that snow a long ways. I have no idea what model it is, all the markings have long since faded, but I'm pretty sure its a toro. It's a four stroke of some indeterminate displacement with a recoil starter and skid steering. It's a loud son of a bitch too. The 'muffler' rusted out years ago and sounds a lot better then my neighbors riced out civic. It just won't die. Now that I've moved to Tennessee it's not really a worry for me anymore. I still miss it though, it was a lot more fun running the blower then shoveling like my sucker brothers had to. |
