recommended large track drive snowblower

[Builder]

Want one-looking for used, but with all the snow we've had, CL & other sources are pretty light right now.

Must have:
9+ HP
track drive
~30" cut.
Under $1,500

Any reccomendations for brands?
Only have seen pics of Yard Man. Heard MTD builds them for Sears, too.

 

[jimdiesel1]

I am no fan of tracks, the Sno hog tires do very well. If the machine would break down, it is nearly impossible to push it back to the garage with tracks. They are much harder to turn and simply not as convenient. I have owned a Honda then later a Yard Man with tracks, and I sure don't miss either one.

 

[Scooby074]

Honda without question, but i doubt youd find one for 1500. At least you wouldnt here.

I have a 928, Its awesome. always starts, never clogs crawls up stairs and ramps without problem. Tracks a straight line better than wheels IMHO.

Another great thing about tracks is the added floatation will allow you to crawl up drifts. Ive blown out drifts 5 ft+ by climbing up on them and blowing them out.

I will agree that in a tight area with lots of turning wheels can be easier to maneuver, but the benefits out weigh it for me.

Honda has an 1132 thats 11 hp 32" cut. It costs the same as my 928, but mine is delux with electric start and electric chute rotation.

Another great feature of Hondas is Hydrostatic. Youll always have the exact correct speed to keep the engine and fan loaded (so it throws well) without overloading.

Plus the thing will throw 50'

About my only complaint besides price (although its worth it, just hurts at the time of purchase) is the handles are a little short if your tall (im 6'1). Ive thought about welding in 6" extenders but i just cant bear to cut my machine up

 

[Builder]

I am no fan of tracks, the Sno hog tires do very well. If the machine would break down, it is nearly impossible to push it back to the garage with tracks. They are much harder to turn and simply not as convenient. I have owned a Honda then later a Yard Man with tracks, and I sure don't miss either one.

That's valuable input.

Let me throw a little more fuel on the fire: This will also serve as a "doomsday" snow removal machine. I will be plowing lanes & driveways with an M-7040 and a power angle plow/rear 3pt snowblower.

I figured if I the 7040 wouldn't run for some other reason out of my control, a large tracked snowblower could be hauled around in my pickup and get the jobs done (albeit much slower-but better than nothing) as a emergency backup. It would also be great for around my house or other small areas for normal use. I thought a 30" 2 stage with tracks & ~9 HP would be enough to get the job done.

 

[Matt_Jr]

I used a track snow blower once about 8 years ago. Big walk behind an untrained animals. Most likely the problem was just me, the user, but it seemed like it needed man handled a little more in tighter areas, and I didn't like it. But I bet they're unstoppable. My neighbor has a yardman with tires and chains on it, and he loves it. I guess it's more about preferences, and if you like tracks, go for them. I'm that way about some stuff too. If I got it in my head that I want something, there's no going back. I won't be happy with any. To answer your question, in my area, you'd be hard pressed to find a tracked one around here for that much. I've seen some for over $2000 used. Ouch.

 

[aczlan]

What I have:
I purchased a 2-3 year old Craftsman 11/30 for $350 a few months back. I use it at a hotel clearing the sidewalks and going curb edges in the parking lot (if I don't do them the plow guys leave a mess there), it has done relatively well. I would NOT recommend it for commercial use only because it uses a 1/2 size belt (37.5ish inches long) so I cannot get a kevlar belt for it and have to use an automotive belt. Otherwise, I could recommend it or something like it for backup clearing sidewalks. I tried a track drive one and was not very impressed. Not worth the extra $ to me.

Drive system:
Are you looking at tracks for the traction? If so, I would recommend instead a machine with steering brakes. I have never needed more traction than I get from the "snow hog" style tires and the only complaint handling wise I have had is that it is hard to turn on the sidewalk when the tires are locked together.

Size:
Having a 30" machine and clearing 60" sidewalks, there are times I wish I had a 32" blower as I cannot get it all in 2 passes, if you are getting this to clear driveways as a backup I would go with a 32" or larger blower. Otherwise you will be blowing for a LONG time.

Other Options:
Have you thought of getting a 300-400 series Deere with a blower/blade and a cab? Something like this perhaps? It could still fit into a truck with the right ramps but would be faster and more comfortable to use than a walkbehind. Another option what I would like to have is a front mount mower like this. Either could be used in the summer to mow and act as a backup for wintertime.
You might appreciate the cab and being able to sit down in such a situation. I know that walking behind a 11/30 craftsman wears me out quickly and I am only doing the sidewalks for one building.

Just my $0.02

Aaron Z

 

[oldnslo]

Ariens also makes a very good product. Not sure what used ones are selling for in your area though. Ariens wheel types also have the option of either one wheel drive or locking them together which is real nice feature for ease of turning or pushing through heavy snow.

I bought a 8 HP 24" cut wheel type last year used for $200.

If you can hold off till spring there may be some good deals on blowers that people bought in the spur of the moment and now don't have a place to store them or need the cash.

Roy

 

[Builder]

Good advice. Helps me rationalize/see things through other users. I know I need at least 30" & 9 HP from experience with my smaller one and what the bigger ones do.
I can yield on the tracks to a large tire. Since it will be used on sidewalks, manueverability would be better on tires. I hear the same complaints about tracks-"tough to steer".
Looks like dropping the track drive will drop the costs considerably, too.

 

[Builder]

What I have:
I purchased a 2-3 year old Craftsman 11/30 for $350 a few months back. I use it at a hotel clearing the sidewalks and going curb edges in the parking lot (if I don't do them the plow guys leave a mess there), it has done relatively well. I would NOT recommend it for commercial use only because it uses a 1/2 size belt (37.5ish inches long) so I cannot get a kevlar belt for it and have to use an automotive belt. Otherwise, I could recommend it or something like it for backup clearing sidewalks. I tried a track drive one and was not very impressed. Not worth the extra $ to me.

Drive system:
Are you looking at tracks for the traction? If so, I would recommend instead a machine with steering brakes. I have never needed more traction than I get from the "snow hog" style tires and the only complaint handling wise I have had is that it is hard to turn on the sidewalk when the tires are locked together.

Size:
Having a 30" machine and clearing 60" sidewalks, there are times I wish I had a 32" blower as I cannot get it all in 2 passes, if you are getting this to clear driveways as a backup I would go with a 32" or larger blower. Otherwise you will be blowing for a LONG time.

Other Options:
Have you thought of getting a 300-400 series Deere with a blower/blade and a cab? Something like this perhaps? It could still fit into a truck with the right ramps but would be faster and more comfortable to use than a walkbehind. Another option what I would like to have is a front mount mower like this. Either could be used in the summer to mow and act as a backup for wintertime.
You might appreciate the cab and being able to sit down in such a situation. I know that walking behind a 11/30 craftsman wears me out quickly and I am only doing the sidewalks for one building.

Just my $0.02

Aaron Z

Thanks for the suggestions. I need something that's pretty small & light, easy to transport and store in my house garage (shop is running out of space). Wife needs to be able to use occassionally, too.

I have considered a blower for my garden tractor, but they are a royal PITA to take on/off, but I haven't ruled it out.

 

[aczlan]

Thanks for the suggestions. I need something that's pretty small & light, easy to transport and store in my house garage (shop is running out of space). Wife needs to be able to use occassionally, too.

That would be the issue with a tractor mounted machine, are these properties close enough to drive the big tractor to? If so, would it be feasible to drive a smaller tractor to them?
It would probably be a pain to try to get a riding machine into your GMC being as it has the service body (only 4' wide on the inside?) and a very tall set of ramps would be needed to get it into the IH dump truck...

I have considered a blower for my garden tractor, but they are a royal PITA to take on/off, but I haven't ruled it out.

If you can find a shaft drive one they aren't too bad. Much easier to get on and off than a belt drive blower and they will probably be a better quality blower as well.

Aaron Z