joecool85
Addicted to ArboristSite
That's some big money for a blower. I'm going to be picking up my uncle's 1970 Toro 724 today or tomorrow. I'll try to post some pics when I get it. $45 btw, not too shabby.
Snowblowers what kind would you buy?
- Thread starter saginaw22
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That's some big money for a blower. I'm going to be picking up my uncle's 1970 Toro 724 today or tomorrow. I'll try to post some pics when I get it. $45 btw, not too shabby.
I have always enjoyed Toro, and sold them for a number of years. But, I'm giving a Simplicity 826 a try this year. Like it so far, we have close to two feet (northern VT) on the ground with more coming Sunday. Like to get at least 15 years out of the machine. Durability is the name of the game for me. The simplicity doesn't throw as far as some of the others, but it appears to be a pretty high quality staight forward design without all the "bells and wistles" that migth break down the line. I was also looking at Ariens and Honda. The best $/hp was the Simplicity.
CharlieG
Addicted to ArboristSite
I've got an Ariens 724 30year old handme down. With wheel chains it knocks out my 300 foot driveway no problemo. Available at Alamia for a good price. Home Depot also carries it-forgot the price. Usually about 1/2 price in the spring, but that does you no good now. I recommend the Ariens, in the size you can afford....there is no replacement for displacement!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ASEMASTER
ArboristSite Operative
THE best ever built!
these were the best snow blowers evr built inmo they just don't stop.
these were the best snow blowers evr built inmo they just don't stop.
No problems with the Tecumseh engines on any blower I've used, and I used to make my living clearing snow with blowers. Change the oil and you'll be fine with B&S, Tecumseh, or Honda.
In terms of brands, Ariens, Simplicity/Snapper (they appear to be the same unit), Toro, and Honda seem to have the best machines in terms of build quality and durability according the the folks on plowsite and elsewhere. Toro probably has the best dealer network, at least in the places I've been. Rumors of JD's quality going downhill persist, though I see lots of newer JD 2-stage machines in service and working fine. If long-term durability is your primary concern, the top-of-the-line Ariens have cast iron auger/impeller gear cases, too.
For my money, I'd probably go with Ariens or Simplicity for a large-frame model, and the Toro 522 for a small-frame machine. These units seem to have the best reputations as solid performers, and the little Toro is super simple and looks to be nice and nimble.
That said, I don't have much first-hand experience with the new machines since I'm still running a 1968 John Deere...
hockeypuck
ArboristSite Operative
I had to use my fathers 8 24 toro (brandy new) today to clean his drive out (he is returning from FL, boy is he in for a surprise) and I was surprised how light and easy to use it was. They must have speed up the impellers to because it seem to throw the snow father than the old boat anchor toros, but still not a honda.
NapalmDeath
ArboristSite Operative
I bought this Simplicity 8526 last season. Fairly pleased so far.
wdchuck
Addicted to ArboristSite
The local tractor dealer called me about a trade coming in, Simplicity 13hp, 38" cut, $1500, 10hrs.
Repeat customer, wants to get a 4wheeler/plow instead.
Waiting to see this machine, try it out, might be a good deal for us.
Then keep the JD 726 as a backup.
Repeat customer, wants to get a 4wheeler/plow instead.
Waiting to see this machine, try it out, might be a good deal for us.
Then keep the JD 726 as a backup.
hornett22
Addicted to ArboristSite
Simplcity is a great machine.
my local dealer is great.
my local dealer is great.
joecool85
Addicted to ArboristSite
Turns out the 1970ish Toro 724 I am getting from my uncle is actually a 1969 Toro 832! Just a wee bit bigger than I was thinking, which is perfect! It hadn't been started in 10 years, and started after only 5 pulls (gas tank had been emptied years ago but still smelled AWFUL, just put in some new gas - 2 stroke mix actually, it's what I had on hand - and it started). I do need to tear down the carb, it has a stuck float valve so gas spills out like crazy out of the carb, and the throttle butterfly is jammed at full tilt so it revs like mad lol. Should be going perfect as soon as I fix that. 
We got 8" of snow as of a couple hours ago, with more to come this afternoon/evening. Fired up the old JD this morning and once the crappy gas burned off, it ran super. (Oops, I'll admit - I left gas in there all year, albeit with some Stabil that didn't seem to do much good, it would seem...)
No problems with the 8" of snow, or with this heavy, churned-up, compressed stuff - it was pulled off the roof with the roof rake, shoveled into piles on the patio, blown out of the patio on to the walk and the surrounding grass, and then from the grass by the walk to an area of the yard around the corner of the house. Cleared 4' paths to the wood pile, to the area where the dogs crap, and cleared all but an inch of snow from the dog area. I also cleared the street alongside the house, cleared the crosswalks at a couple intersections, and did four neighbors' houses, too.
Based on an informal survey of the neighbors, a couple folks who have 2-stage Ariens units were experiencing a similar level of enjoyment to my experience with the old JD. A couple other neighbors with Box Store and Craftsman blowers were struggling with their machines when they got to the icing-like stuff that had been driven over with the car, though even the 15" drifts of the lighter stuff was no problem at all. The folks with the single-stage MTD machines seemed to have it the worst - belts squeeling, chutes clogging, struggling to keep 'em running. The Toro single stage users seemed quite content, and even the Powerlite units were keeping up if you only gave them a 1/2-2/3 width bite at a time.
No problems with the 8" of snow, or with this heavy, churned-up, compressed stuff - it was pulled off the roof with the roof rake, shoveled into piles on the patio, blown out of the patio on to the walk and the surrounding grass, and then from the grass by the walk to an area of the yard around the corner of the house. Cleared 4' paths to the wood pile, to the area where the dogs crap, and cleared all but an inch of snow from the dog area. I also cleared the street alongside the house, cleared the crosswalks at a couple intersections, and did four neighbors' houses, too.
Based on an informal survey of the neighbors, a couple folks who have 2-stage Ariens units were experiencing a similar level of enjoyment to my experience with the old JD. A couple other neighbors with Box Store and Craftsman blowers were struggling with their machines when they got to the icing-like stuff that had been driven over with the car, though even the 15" drifts of the lighter stuff was no problem at all. The folks with the single-stage MTD machines seemed to have it the worst - belts squeeling, chutes clogging, struggling to keep 'em running. The Toro single stage users seemed quite content, and even the Powerlite units were keeping up if you only gave them a 1/2-2/3 width bite at a time.
AngelofDarkness
Addicted to ArboristSite
My $0.02
I would go with the Toro. Don't be turned off by the plastic chute, it's durable, rarely clogs and the slick surface doesent allow snow to stick to it. Aeriens used to make a good machine but they seem to be cheapening them a bit lately, I did not like how thin the metal on the auger housing was on the newer Aeriens.
Simplicity/Snapper is probably a good machine as well. I do not think Deere still makes snowblowers and I don't think Deere ever made their own blowers.
Hondas are good machines but parts can be very expensive. I also wouldn't like a Honda engine in extreme cold, in extreme conditions simpler is better and I would stick with a cast iron L head engine.
I had an old 826 when I lived in Big Rapids, that thing was a tank! Mine had an 8HP cast iron Kolher, I could not stop that engine, ever!
Hey Computeruser, looks like how I spent my Sunday morning as well!
I would go with the Toro. Don't be turned off by the plastic chute, it's durable, rarely clogs and the slick surface doesent allow snow to stick to it. Aeriens used to make a good machine but they seem to be cheapening them a bit lately, I did not like how thin the metal on the auger housing was on the newer Aeriens.
Simplicity/Snapper is probably a good machine as well. I do not think Deere still makes snowblowers and I don't think Deere ever made their own blowers.
Hondas are good machines but parts can be very expensive. I also wouldn't like a Honda engine in extreme cold, in extreme conditions simpler is better and I would stick with a cast iron L head engine.
I had an old 826 when I lived in Big Rapids, that thing was a tank! Mine had an 8HP cast iron Kolher, I could not stop that engine, ever!
Hey Computeruser, looks like how I spent my Sunday morning as well!
NapalmDeath
ArboristSite Operative
If I had to do it over again, I would have gone with the Toro also. After recently looking at the Toro's I was real impressed with thier chute control design. My Simplicity is nice but the Toro's are even nicer.
STLfirewood
Addicted to ArboristSite
We don't get much snow here in St. Louis. Over the summer I was at an auction and I bought a snowblower. It was a snapper 5.5 hp This hing was new it had never been used. I paid $125 for it. I was going to sell it but I didn't. Well yesterday we got 6-8inches of snow. Man I was shocked at what this thing could do. I had fun just using it. It throws snow almost 20ft. It was geat until I hit a chunk of asphalt and broke the shear pins. Oh well I'll fix it and wait for the next snow. I think I did 6 driveways before it broke. My 3 year old was playing in the yard and I covered him up. He thought it was funny.
Scott
Scott
icon4x
New Member
Wow. Another Crusader
I have one of these guys. I think it is from 1968, or so. At least the engine is. It has an Ariens Tecumseh H60 engine, though, so I don't know if it is original. My Crusader is green, and quite long because the impeller is mounted perpendicular to the auger axle instead of parallel. The only complaint I have is that I need to kick the auger engage handle because the clutch is a bit sticky, and the engine is mounted so the exhaust blows behind, toward me. I stink after snow blowing.
But, nevertheless, 6 forward speeds, one reverse, one drive belt, an impeller chain, and an auger chain. Does a decent job, and starts on one pull, even when engaged. No need for an electric start
Does anyone no anything about Crusader? I've been trying to find information about that company, and I can't find anything
<img src="http://new.arboristsite.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=61211&d=1197902348">
This ol' girl fires up from hibernation after 3 pulls. Introducing the 'Crusader'. Not sure of the year or make but it really shoots the snow. Not as nice as yours computeruser, nice job on the paint. I gotta get me some of those chains....
I have one of these guys. I think it is from 1968, or so. At least the engine is. It has an Ariens Tecumseh H60 engine, though, so I don't know if it is original. My Crusader is green, and quite long because the impeller is mounted perpendicular to the auger axle instead of parallel. The only complaint I have is that I need to kick the auger engage handle because the clutch is a bit sticky, and the engine is mounted so the exhaust blows behind, toward me. I stink after snow blowing.
But, nevertheless, 6 forward speeds, one reverse, one drive belt, an impeller chain, and an auger chain. Does a decent job, and starts on one pull, even when engaged. No need for an electric start
Does anyone no anything about Crusader? I've been trying to find information about that company, and I can't find anything
<img src="http://new.arboristsite.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=61211&d=1197902348">
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AngelofDarkness
Addicted to ArboristSite
That is an unusual arrangement. It looks like the main auger is chain driven from a gearbox behind it. The motor is also mounted with the crankshaft parallel to the main axle, also different.
You could probably use some 3/4" pipe fittings a d build an exhaust stack that shoots it any direction you would like. Maybe use an increaser and put in a big 1 1/2" section as an expansion chamber before the muffler and add a rain cap on top.
You could probably use some 3/4" pipe fittings a d build an exhaust stack that shoots it any direction you would like. Maybe use an increaser and put in a big 1 1/2" section as an expansion chamber before the muffler and add a rain cap on top.
Heated cab is the only way to go......
.
icon4x
New Member
It is an unusual arrangement, but it actually works pretty well. Not as well as a normal impeller set up, but it shoots fluffy snow about 20 ft. It has a hard time scooping up heavy wet snow, which I think is because of the impeller set up. It only has the width of the impeller blade to scoop the snow from the auger instead of the diameter of the whole impeller. Just have to go slower.
I was thinking something like what you mentioned for the exhaust. Even if it just exhausted to the side, that would help. Or better yet, exhaust it near the shoot so it gets blown away with the snow.
stipton
ArboristSite Member
Nice! A long lost brother!
According to my father in law, this was bought at a local hardware store, before Walmart killed them all, back in 1965-66. Still runs like a champ. Mine offers only foward and reverse.
I have searched on the web but have not found any info on it. I will look tonight to see if I can see any engine info and post the results.
AngelofDarkness
Addicted to ArboristSite
I thought about routing the exhaust on a snow blower to blow at the chute and keep it warmer so snow would not stick to it, dunno if I could keep it warm enough though with all that snow going through it.
By far the worst part of snow blowing is when the wind blows the airborne snow back at your face. It really sucks. They make those little snow cabs and I have used one once, I did not like it, it obstructed my visibility, kept fogging and icing up and was not tall enough for me.
By far the worst part of snow blowing is when the wind blows the airborne snow back at your face. It really sucks. They make those little snow cabs and I have used one once, I did not like it, it obstructed my visibility, kept fogging and icing up and was not tall enough for me.
icon4x
New Member
Oh, I forgot to mention the setup. The crankshaft is mounted parallel to the main axle in the gear box. The rubber drivebelt wraps around a couple pulleys in the gear box. When disengaged the belt just is loose enough so that the crankshaft does not turn it, but not loose enough to fall off the pulleys. When you engage the motor, a spring loaded pulley drops down and puts a lot of tension on the belt. That starts to turn the the main rod in the gear box. The spring pulley actually adjusts to the load automatically. It's pretty cool to watch. Under various loads you can watch the engage handle go up and down as the spring pulley adjusts.
One of the axles in the gear box has a chain around it that turns a pulley on the impeller axle (also parallel to the auger axle and gear box rod). That also has 2 tension pulleys in the middle of the chain that adjust to the load, as well. There is a clutch that slides on the impeller axle. It's not a normal friction disc clutch, though. The chain spins a sprocket that has 2 "studs" on the side of it. When engaged, a spring forces the the other part of the clutch (that has 2 "claws") over to grab the "studs". That part is keyed to the rod, so when it catches the spinning part, the whole thing starts to spin. The impeller axle has another chain (on the outside you can see the chain cover in the picture) that drives the auger.
Simple, but effective.
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