Purchased an Ariens deluxe (with larger engine) last fall and I LOVE IT!

Using snow blowers for 35 yrs never drained the fuel tank at end of season, I add fuel additive to a full tank and run for 10 min, never had a problem. Dealing with old fuel is a problem I don't need. Good vidio!

People complain about MTD products but I've had good luck with everything so far. In particular my Storm 3090 Xp snowblower. It's been an absolute beast for 9 years now. No trouble at all except the right tire goes flat after a few days.

Excellent overview and general info on how to select a snowblower to match your needs. However auger width should not be a determining factor if you get more snow. Auger width is subjective if you have large open spaces with no obstructions then go wider. If you have obstacles or a smaller driveway smaller auger widths are the way to go. Also remember the wider you go the more engine power you will need to get the same results you would get from a smaller auger width, power per inch is important when working on the plow pile.

Great video but something not covered is a mistake I made when buying my first snow blower. Buy a blower that fits you and your height. I bought my first blower based on features of the blower itself and value vs others on the market. What I didn't do was buy based on what would be the most comfortable to use while also considering value and features. Bottom line is I bought one that was too tall for me to use. I realized within 30 minutes of running my new blower that my wrists were killing me because of the bad angle my hands where at as I grasp the handlebars. There were not adjustments that could be made to change this so I had to live with it or I choose to live with it. Years later however when I was again in the market I corrected my mistake and bought a smaller blower which fit my body type and truthfully does I think a better job. It takes up less room in my shed and is easier to get into tighter places like sidewalks and around cars. Bottom line is bigger, more powerful isn't always better when it comes to snowblowers.

Greetings from Alaska. We love our 1st gen Ego snowblower. This looks like a great way to fill the gap between that and our Honda HS1132 mini tank.

Great video thank you for making it .

thanks for the instructional video....excellent!

Thank you for the reviews. Great starting info.

I have owned a Cub Cadet 826 Trax machine for over 40 yrs. Always inside garage when not being used. Still runs like a champ and it has a plastic flexible chute having no issues. Living in Iowa it has had plenty of use. Electric start and rubber tracks and power steering are a must for 2 stage machines.😀👍

I didn't know my snowblower had an electric start until then and it works

nicely instructed and very helpful information while selecting powerful machine for job

I live in northern australia, why am I even watching this guide we have never had snow haha

A single stage (fast rotating auger/thrower) can jump in heavy compacted snow like a plow curl. A two stage (auger and throwing impeller) can eat through compacted and wet heavy snow. All metal parts is best. A three stage unit can get stopped by the front auger in compacted snow. I have a 28 inch wide, two stage, 8 hp all metal parts snow blower and I haven't been stopped by anything yet. I even clean up the plow curl by the mailbox really well.

After 30 years of moving snow in Northern Minnesota, here's a few real world tips for buying a snow blower. #1 is NEVER, EVER buy a snow blower with a plastic output chute. They WILL fail. And usually when you need it most. #2 Stay away from anything controlled by cables. They rarely last. They freeze and fail. Again usually when you need it most. #3 You don't need to buy new. I have a 45 Year Old Ariens that blows snow better than a LOT of the new machines.

Something to consider when buying -- look for machines with bigger wheels and tires, don't know if CR mentions this in their reviews since I'm not in the market. I have a 7/26 MTD (YardMan), some 25 years old now. One of its best features is larger wheels, i.e., the rim diameter, plus it has higher profile tires. I had never given it any thought until I tried someone's much newer Toro (that cost three times as much) and noticed the much smaller wheels and tires on it - it had less traction and was heavy and more difficult to maneuver because of them, especially in deep snow and curbside snowplow piles. 6:06 Re maintenance, the best thing for gas powered small engines - STOP USING ETHANOL GAS. I started using non-ethanol 91 octane gasoline (where I live, not every dealer/brand carries it, but many do and it is readily available) five years ago in ALL outdoor equipment - snowblower, mower, chain saw, leaf blower, weed wacker, power washer, etc. (for two-cycle engines, just mix oil as usual). I haven't had any carburetor issues since. The higher octane costs a bit more but considering the relatively small amount used over a year, it is cheap compared to the expense and hassle of carburetor and engine repairs.

Well, he is correct, low air affects traction, it gives you more of it. My 20+ year old blower that I used to have, the tires were so old and stiff I could run them with zero air pressure.

City living here, clearing a small driveway (on an incline) and the street entrance that gets friendly blocked by the city plow trucks. Canada location. I think a 22" gas snowblower is the right size, but my neighbor has this electric one stage that actually (almost) does the same job with some extra shoveling. A larger snowblower will have a stronger engine for the compacted snow (I usually have to throw twice the snow because of the place geometry). However a larger 24" or more snowblower is also difficult to handle in small spaces and inclines. If you don't have tons of snow and you have plenty of space where to throw the snow, a single stage electric snowblower will be much less maintenance and much easier to use. Keep in mind, gas snowblowers become quite some maintenance machines even after 2-3 years and unless you are a DIY mechanic, that means lifting it on a trunk and bringing it for repair$$$. Most of small ones have the same OHV engine that never starts at the end of the summer (ethanol in the gas kills these carburetors kzfaq.info/get/bejne/fN6KebWKqMepdKc.html) and now it just ate the friction disc. If I was to recommend, look for a machine that has tall tires (wheels), that will give it nice ground clearance under the belly, so it doesn't get stuck in deep compacted snow when your handled it around. By all means, DO NOT buy a cheap brand, I repeat, just don't throw your money by the window. Cheap chinese brands will decompose faster that your trees leaves. Don't forget to enjoy your work when throwing snow against the wind during that snow storm!

In the off season, with my blower in the summer (and mower in the winter), I'll disconnect the spark plug wire and crank the machine a few time to keep the oil circulating and maximize lubrication.

Good overview and well done vid, some good info. However auger "width" is not a good determiner of how high the snowfall should be limited to, this makes no sense. There are 24 inch machines out there that are more powerful than 30 inch units, they sometimes have powerful engines and offer more power per inch which is an important measurement of blower power not auger width.

This is the most informative video thank you so much

From youth to now IMO your best bet is to go for the best tool in the industry (Our locally made Ariens or Honda), keep up with that tools regular maintenance, use ETHANOL FREE GAS and use lubricant spray on the chute and on the blades. This'll ensure you, as a homeowner, that your snow blower will work to its best ability. Take it from me, I learned the hard way. Also, HAVE BACKUPS just in case (electric snowblower, cordless, shovels, plow, salt, sand, etc.).

Just a heads up some of these 2 stage snow blowers now days have Plastic impellers in them .I have an old Ariens ST624 model 10970 and a 5 year old Ariens Sno tec20 E .Both get a shot of Sea foam in the tank every spring and start first or second pull every fall.

Cero advertising 👏 and thank you for all your info about snow throwers ... I have a craftsman 24 208cc 2 stage 4 cycle

I can't stress enough: get the power steering. The solid axle blowers are very difficult to turn in lumpy, bumpy conditions and dangerous for you if you slip doing it. The split axle on the power steering models allow you to turn far more easily. They overcharge for power steering, but you really need to get it, especially for the larger models. Forget the 3-stage. Get the steering. You won't regret it.

They missed the mark in this video. For instance a key part of long lasting any small engine is to run all the gas out of the carburetor after use, especially at the end of the season. Which if old gas is left to sit in, it can cause the carb gunk up quickly over time. Also look at the construction. Examine the thickness of the steel and welds used to join the parts together. It's common for these steel parts to corrode/rust over time. Parts that are tack welded and/or of thin material may break sooner over time. Thick welds and solid bolting points will be more durable. Does the snowblower have metal parts where warranted? For instance Craftsman made a blower with an ABS plastic carb, and the owner had it replaced under warranty because the gas was causing the plastic to leak. Also think of the snow being thrown out of the chute, which do you think is better. In my mind metal is better for durability.

Good buying guide. However, should have mentioned the dangers in not following safety precautions may result in amputations.

I was talked in to a 3 stage, big mistake it will not go through hard packed snow, just pulls it in and takes out the shear pins. also will have a hard time in deep wet snow have to shovel a path so you only use 1/2 the width of the blower, how ever they are great for light dry snow and the end of your drive way as that snow is broken up by the plow. I have had 2 stage and only 1 shear pin in 8 years my 3 stage well over 30 in one year. and as many as 3 at a time in wind packed snow. Back to 2 stage for me.

I bought an old John deere snowblower and put a brand new engine on it should last for a long time.

3 stage for my next snowblower, for sure!

Many snow blowers have adjustable skids to adjust the scraper of the blower above the ground. Electric start you have to plug into your house electrical outlet is totally pointless, so when the machine dies on the other side of your property you have to run sometimes multiple cords in order to use that feature, given the ridiculous prices on these blowers a simple 12V electric start with on-board battery would make far more sense, otherwise stick to the manual recoil start.

I live in Winnipeg, just shoveled my driveway and it took me 45 minutes, we had one feet snow ❄️ yesterday, I need a snow blower so badly

The worst snow is not in Northern Minnesota, its in places far to the south. That is because slushy wet snow freezes into ice, and the wet snow weighs ten times what the light well frozen never melted snow in places like Minnesota gets easily blown by even the weakest snowblowers. So if you live where the snow is usually wet and started out as Sleet, then you'd better own a HONDA SnowBlower. Read the reviews of the Honda Owners, not the CR ratings that hate the Honda because it costs more. CR ONLY tests brand new snowblowers, and for a time they all work fine, but the more they work the more the friction whell needs adjustment and replacement. Doing that when it is hallway down your driveway and the temperature I s 10 degrees Farenheit, is what carrying your Cross means. Good Luck, Don't let them sucker you into buying the friction wheel machines, you will discover it was a bad deal.

Toro got rated the best performing snowblower when professional companies did tests. They're just so ingenious and understand what matters and what doesn't. For instance Toro's no shear pins and a hardened gearbox is awesome!! And it works I've encountered it myself. Smacked right into a car rim under the snow I didn't know was there at my house. The machine stopped immediately no stress on the system. Started it right back up and on my way. Anti-clogging system is amazing. It makes the snow lighter by recirculating some of it back in front of the auger. It makes it easier to throw, you can throw more snow, puts less stress on the system, the belts and the gearbox. Not to mention because it keeps recirculating the snow making it lighter and fluffier It allows you to go through thicker, deeper, wet snow easier.. Someone said and was incorrect saying Ariens throws more snow in Toro throws it further. If you look at the specifications Ariens throws 65 tons per hour, the Toro throws 2,200 lb per minute which comes out to about 66 tons per hour. Not only does Toro throw it further it throws more!! And one more thing Ariens always talks about how it has thicker metal and that's what everyone says better made blah blah blah This is also not true. Toro has discussed many times why they use plastic in certain places.. they claim plastic last longer, does it rust, it's more slippery so snow doesn't stick to it, in some cases plastic can be even stronger.. Same thing with the metal they use on the housing.. Yes Ariens is thicker But according to what I read Toro uses a special type of metal that is a lot stronger per its size. So in other words you can get the same strength with thinner metal if you use a certain type of metal and a process... It saves them money, you money and does not change the longevity of their products.. Not to mention lighter and easier to maneuver. Oh and did I mention THE QUICK STICK!! SOME PEOPLE JUST BY TORO IS JUST FOR THAT NOBODY ELSE IS EVEN COMES CLOSE WHEN IN TERMS OF CONTROL OF THE SNOW EVEN ARIENS IS MOST EXPENSIVE MODEL THAT IS COMPLETELY ELECTRONIC!! The quick stick is amazingly ingenious also!! Toro just seems to know what matters and know what doesn't.. A lot of old school guys favor Ariens That's just how they are no matter what. OH ALSO DID I MENTION. IN 1951 TORO WAS THE FIRST COMPANY IN HISTORY TO MAKE THE FIRST STAND BEHIND SNOWBLOWER FOR THE CONSUMER!! ;)

Part of my driveway is gravel. Can I still use a snowblower on this?

Have a Ariens that I used one time for 1/2 hour to make sure everything was ok with it. Brand new from Home Depot. Paid $650.00. Put it away, the next time I went to use it , could not start it with the elect starter. Starter went bad from just setting there. It went BAD. Ariens told me to take it to one of there dealers, the whole machine. I told them that it was still new and I only used it one time just to start it. it was now two years old and we some times don't have bad winters. I was stored with no gas in it and I changed the oil. I had to get a new starter from Amazon and it took two days, by then the snow storm was over. Put new Starter on it and it fired right after two pushes on the starter. Ariens want me to take it to a dealer that would have cost me Big Buck's. I fixed it for $64.00 from Amazon and free shipping. Ariens price for the starter was $160.00 plus shipping and tax. Ariens would not do anything for me, time to sell this junk, Also could not pull start. I would rather pull a truck up a hill than try to start this snow blower. Time to sell this Junk!

I got an old st28 Arians that's 25 years old but still runs great and is in pretty good shape for its age! Starts easy and has plenty of power yet! Would like to upgrade to something with more bells and whistles ,good running and easy starting with lots more power , any ideas?

Check out The Snowblower Song by Flooded Cellar the challange of winter getting the blower to run

People prefer to believe true what they prefer to believe. I think if Consumer Reports believes that shoveling is easier than using an electric snowblower they have about as much credibility as the Better Business Bureau has been shown to have.

I think you mean first!

If i spend 3k ... is cheaper to get a very good bottle of jack and a good shovel... it will also keep me in good shape!

Seriously, using pliers to adjust the guides? Where is a proper wrench?

after 25 years of my Craftsman snow blower I'm in the market for a new one i have gone over lots of nominees for title of best snow blowers any suggestions for a 2 stage with a powerful motor ?

No mention of battery power units

could have skipped the vid and just given folks the only advice about snow blowers they are gonna need. get a 9hp or more Honda.

"click on a chapter to skip ahead" um we cant do that

Easier to shovel than use an electric snow blower??? Lol, my back and arms and heart would argue with you on that. Just cleared 12 in snowfall with an electric Snow Joe, and it was a HECKUVA lot easier than shoveling that heavy mess. Just take smaller bites and take your time.

So what snowblower would be good for a double lot n a half?

bob cat snow thrower the best

Bad advise about spark plug gap allways check

honda makes the best blowers.

Buy Honda !

Hello! I was coming here to know what's the différences and avantages of the 3stages blower.. I'm disapointed to know how bad they are's.. I'm an old man now (65) but I'm drive any kind and tall of machinery all my life, begining to drive at 7 years on the farm here in Québec country. Have I to say snow is my ADN ennemy? .. If you want to buy a snowblower, buy only the better one. Buy a Honda or a same. .. Or call your close professionnal driveway cleaner..

There's a reason why Ariens in Toro the American companies for the most part in Toro being the first company to ever Make the walk behind snowblower in 1951 DON'T DO THREE STAGE SNOW BLOWERS!! Because they know it really doesn't matter.. It's kind of like a gimmick.. And it's not really a third stage by the way It's part of the second stage just flipped around that spins at a higher speed.. And if some instances it could be worse. One big thing about three-stage snow blowers that's bad is I'VE READ THAT THEY'RE MUCH MORE HARD TO MAINTAIN FOR SOME REASON.. they recommend a professional do it. And in tests they really don't do better for the most part if you put the best two stages up against them.. Not to mention they're usually more money. And I would never buy a Cub cadet never never never not this day in age. They're made by MTD in the company is Not very good. They're not made very well at all not me to last.. they don't use a very strong metal where needed.. there's just so many issues with MTDs.. breaking all the time. Remember club cadet in Craftsman are MTD made.. I heard people say they've had club cadets for a long long time well maybe a long time ago they were made better not now.. I wouldn't touch those with a 10-ft pole.. I've seen snow blower companies talk about what a pain in the butt did to work on things were not done with care.. they're always breaking down.. I would pass on the Cub cadet or a Craftsman.. I stick with Toro and Ariens with Toro in my opinion being the best with their technology always trying to innovate and they know what matters and know it doesn't.. there's a reason why they got rid of the best snow blower when it comes to performing.. Toro with all that experience building the first stand behind snowblower in 1951 for the consumer they know what they're doing.. ;)

Want to know which company paid them the most to report their machine?? Look at the blower rated #1.

Never buy a Friction wheel driven snow blower, they fail under heavy load, so you end up trying to shove the 200 pound machine into the roadside ice encrusted and wet salt melted piles. A Honda Snow blower has a Hydrostatic Transmission and not a cheap friction wheel drive, so 20 years later it runs like new, never fails you when the work is at its worst, but it has a Honda engine not the Chinese made POS motor, and that along with the hydrostatic drive saves your back, and gets you back in the warm house while the friction wheel CR recommended snowblower has turned into a lawn ornament that'll work again next summer.

No honda's or Yamaha's ?

Is... is that Ken Jennings?

its like none of the guys in the video know how to clear snow

How needs eletric

Just use battery power ones for small driveways

You forgot keeping a clean air filter.

👍🇺🇸

If your snow blower won't start, 95% of the time its the carburetor. So, learn to clean and adjust the carburetor and you will be a happy owner.

Why was the snowman smiling?

three stage are no good for hard packed show, they pull it in in one peace and take out your sheer pins I have had to replace as many as 10 in one morning, they do good at the end of your driveway as the snow in broken up by the plow. Have also had trouble in whet snow with them burning up the belts, seems to put too much weight and the belt slips and gets destroyed I have and 2 stage blowers last over 10 yr no problems, Have had the 3 stage only 3 yr. and used over 50 sheer pins and 4 belts so far. Will never buy another 3 stage.

Using a pliers to adjust the skids..😆..any respectable snowblower doesn’t have a plastic discharge chute, made to fail..!

At 2:42 NOT MODERN!

The Cub Cadet Snowblower, needs a Better Lighting System. The Light on Cub Cadet Snowblower. Does not show much Light in front of the Blower !!!

ONE THING THERE ARE 100% WRONG IS THAT A CORDED ELECTRIC SNOW BLOWER IS HARDER THEN REGULAR SHOVELING. THAT'S A COMPLETE INCORRECT DISINGENUOUS STATEMENT. I owned a Toro corded 15 amp electric snowblower for 13 years.. I use that for all types of snow even 4 ft snowbanks. You throw it on top of the snowbank and you just make your way down zip zip zip zip right to the ground with no problem. YOU CAN'T DO THAT WITH SHOVELING WITHOUT PUTTING TREMENDOUS STRESS ON YOUR HEART. Yes with deeper snow a self-propelled model is obviously best.. and a single stage is much more difficult than a dual stage you use more energy cuz you're pushing.. BUT SAYING IT'S EASIER TO SHOVEL THAN USE A CORDED ELECTRIC SNOWBLOWER MIGHT BE CREATING A NEW TYPE OF DUMB.. I CAN'T BELIEVE THEY SAID THAT.. MAKES ME REALLY SECOND GUESS IF THEY REALLY KNOW HOW TO DO REVIEWS..

I'm curious. Do you find the serrated auger an improvement over the older smooth ones of older machines.

Blower is 2 stage ... Single stage are throwers

2 stage???,3stage???,wheels,tracts???horsepower???And how much do you want to spend????Parts and service????Hydro,or manual????Buy the most expensive you can afford.

I paid someone to do it, my time is more precious

Let's be real, Yamaha are the best. Just KZfaq their work.

the

Unbelievably out of touch. I guess that what happens when you test snow blowers on livestock bedding at 70 degrees fahrenheit.

How about no mechanical knowledge?

I don’t like this video. I have a tiny toro gas snowblower and it can cut thro 9 inches easily

recommended for 0-4 in of snow... LOL... recommended for 0 in of snow :)

boooooooooooooooo

Typical consumer reports....biased toward MTD

Husqvarna is the worst in any class. So stay away from this brand.

I don't think the narrator or the writer have spent much if any time clearing snow.