Looking for a new walk-behind snowblower, ours just died.

[MilesToEmpty]

So here in MD, we jsut got a "blizzard." I measured 31" out front.

Anyway currently we have, and have had for 15+ years, a MTD 8/26 2-stage blower.

We live in a nice community and usually Im the one to clear off the neighbors driveways and sidewalks.

Also have our property in WV that we've used this at many times to get down the driveway to our cabin.

Anyway, the wheel drive doesn't work anymore... It will try to, and the blower will move a few inches then just stop. It really is giving no efford to move anymore.

So Im going to take a look at it this week and see if I can see anything.

But we're looking for a nice (sub $1000) blower around the same size. And looking for a NON-MTD blower. We really dislike MTD products.

 

[Kubota 2350]

The drive has a friction wheel that is adjustable.
I think you can make it work again with an adjustment.

 

[Thomas]

Kubota 2350 given great advice,also check chain drive spocket for the wheels,maybe pin shear.

 

[MilesToEmpty]

Well I poped teh cover off. Everything in there is coated with oil... so something leaked somewhere.

But the wire engaging the friction wheel was about 2" looser then it should have been... Looks like its jsut worn out. I fabbed up a wooden spacer and slapped it on to the pulley on the outside and it tightened the cable up.

Now the speed F6/R2 doesnt like to move. I remember this happening about 4 years ago, cant remember how I fixed that though?

 

[DGS]

Well I poped teh cover off. Everything in there is coated with oil... so something leaked somewhere.

But the wire engaging the friction wheel was about 2" looser then it should have been... Looks like its jsut worn out. I fabbed up a wooden spacer and slapped it on to the pulley on the outside and it tightened the cable up.

Now the speed F6/R2 doesnt like to move. I remember this happening about 4 years ago, cant remember how I fixed that though?

Iwould think that after 15 yrs that little machine doesn't owe you a cent so why not get a new one as this tired old girl will cost more than it's worth to fix
There are a lot of good makes out there now (Toro,White,JD)
Good luck finding one with all the storms that have been around
Regards
DGS

 

[Bigturk]

As others have posted your 15 year old blower is worn out. I am surprised that you dislike the MTD as it has lasted well. I purchased an all metal Ariens two years ago to replace my worn out MTD which my brother-in-law is still using. I prefered the MTD over the Ariens, forward gears were lower and reverse gears were higher.

Many of the brands White, Toro, Poulan, are now made by MTD.

Good luck with your search.

 

[Pops15]

I'm also surprised you don't like MTD after getting 15 years out of an MTD snow blower. I've got two 24" Troy Bilt (MTD) snow blowers and like them allot.

 

[wallace]

MTD is not what it used to be 15 years ago!
I hate saying it but if you don't have a good dealer local goes to Lowes and buy a new John Deere it is made by Simplicity.
But by all means buy from a dealer if you can that way you have piece of mind that it was set up properly.

I have 2 used ones listed on my web page (used equipment link) you can check out, the one is like brand new but it is a big one...
I will crate it and ship it if we strike a deal

 

[MilesToEmpty]

As stated above, MTD isnt what it use to be.

I got her to run pretty darn good, after we got home with a new 24" TroyBilt from Lowes. Before you could hold it on any Speed and it wouldnt move, and the gears were very tough... Now the Speed selector is smooth as a baby's bottom, and it'll pull you across the ice and snow lol.

It'd been an excellent machine, but the new MTD products just dont compete.

The TroyBilt is a 2" smaller machine, but it starts on the first pull, has electric, and it was the last one at Lowes. (They got 3 in when we were there and we got #3 lol)

 

[Pops15]

As stated above, MTD isnt what it use to be.

I got her to run pretty darn good, after we got home with a new 24" TroyBilt from Lowes. Before you could hold it on any Speed and it wouldnt move, and the gears were very tough... Now the Speed selector is smooth as a baby's bottom, and it'll pull you across the ice and snow lol.

It'd been an excellent machine, but the new MTD products just dont compete.

The TroyBilt is a 2" smaller machine, but it starts on the first pull, has electric, and it was the last one at Lowes. (They got 3 in when we were there and we got #3 lol)

MTD owns Troy-Bilt or vice versa. I'll look through my owners manuals. Thats where I saw it.