Birddog Posted November 2, 2014 Share Posted November 2, 2014 Live in Calgary, front double garage driveway and walk out front, so not a lot of snow to move, looking to buy a snowblower, any suggestions? one stage or 2 stage? Got a bad back and a lazy teenage kid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
murray Posted November 2, 2014 Share Posted November 2, 2014 Al, I went through this last year. After asking around and checking out KIJIJI, I finally settled on a single stage Honda. My considerations were as follows. Single stage unit is smaller in size and easier to store away when not in use. Single stage will clean down to the concrete where a dual stage leaves a thin (1/2") layer of snow over. Honda reliability. Ease of starting. I settled on a 7 HP unit and in retrospect, I think a 5 HP unit would be adequate. I would have been happy to buy used but could not find one. Murray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdangler Posted November 2, 2014 Share Posted November 2, 2014 Cervus Equipment, the John Deere dealer out by Crossiron mall has John Deere & Ariens snowblowers in the showroom. Wasnt paying attenion to the price but they have quite a few. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianR Posted November 2, 2014 Share Posted November 2, 2014 :Birddog;I hav had a Honda 621 snowthrower.I don't no what a 1 stage is .It doesn't have the traditional auger.It has kinda paddles that have a rubber strip attached.It cleans right down to the concrete.I have owned it for 9 yrs,starts 1st pull after stored in a unheated shed.It has done 3 neighbors & my frt.drive/walk for all those yrs.Replaced the rubber on the paddles,last yr $69.00...Best investment I have ever made,for the winter.. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgib01 Posted November 2, 2014 Share Posted November 2, 2014 My scenario is similar to yours, in terms of my property. I have a 24" Ariens, which is great. Also had a Poulan in the past that was rock-solid as well. I find that most light snowfalls, I still tend to shovel... it's only the big dumps that I use the snowblower for, and am glad on said occassions that I have a 2-stage unit. It takes my neighbor 2-3x as long to do his driveway with their single stage Honda when we have big snowfall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverDoctor Posted November 2, 2014 Share Posted November 2, 2014 I have a Ariens that I've used over the last 2 years and I'm extremely satisfied with it. All metal no plastic parts and lots of power. Also has an electric start (plug in with extension cord) which is really nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ParsonsBruce Posted November 2, 2014 Share Posted November 2, 2014 For my acreage I have a 4x4 John Deere utility tractor with a bucket. Actually I can't wait for the first heavy snow fall to get out and play just like a kid with his dump truck in the sand box. Brag, brag, brag. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbowtrout Posted November 2, 2014 Share Posted November 2, 2014 I buy all my toys here in Cochrane. http://www.equipmentexpress.ca/ Looks like a stage one will work for what you need. But hey you can never go wrong with more power Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
murray Posted November 3, 2014 Share Posted November 3, 2014 I agree about the MORE POWER statement but two big factors made the decision for me. The single stage units, no matter what brand, clean right down to the pavement. That and the smaller units, ie: single stage take up significantly less room in the garage when put away. That was a big factor for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricinus Posted November 3, 2014 Share Posted November 3, 2014 I've a Honda 520 single stage and it handles the combined sidewalk and front double driveway with ease. Murray's points are bang on plus it is way more maneuverable than the bigger units.. Plus it starts like every Honda product.. Mike 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ParsonsBruce Posted November 3, 2014 Share Posted November 3, 2014 I just got back from a weekend at Sylvan Lake and now I see why you guys are discussing snow blowers instead of fishing. No snow in Sylvan. The lane is plowed now it's Miller time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronanmd1 Posted November 3, 2014 Share Posted November 3, 2014 I find that a back pack style blower works very well. The majority of snow we get is so dry that unless you have a huge space to clear, the push style thrower isn't really necessary. I have a husquevarna. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wayne Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 If your property drifts in I would recommend getting a 2 stage blower, if not a single stage thrower should be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ÜberFly Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 Do not get a pull start! Total pain in the ass!! P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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