Best deal on a snowblower? I need to save some $$$

[moopdog]

I still think a snowblower is NOT the best option for our house (driveway is too long, steep and rocky). But at this point, hubby wins. So we're looking for the best way to save money on this pricey product. We can't skimp out though it needs to be a rugged model in order to work.

Are there any % off sales at the major places like Loews, Home Depot, Sears, etc? Any thing I could use out there? Thanks a bunch, we are beginning to panic now that we've seen the price of these bad boys!

 

[vicki_c]

You might want to look into a used one, maybe check Craig's List as a starting point. Or a small local place that does small engine service & repair (lawn mowers & snow blowers) to see if they have any used ones for sale.

Especially given your uncertainty, it might be best to start out that way and you might find a good deal. We had a brand new high-end snowblower when we moved to Florida a while back and we sold it really cheap because we just needed to get rid of it (I wished I had it this past winter now that we are not in Florida anymore!).

 

[moopdog]

Oh....I totally agree with you. I've been wanting to go this route. But once again - hubby wins. He doesnt say "no", but it's clear he wants a new one for some reason. I've finally thrown my hands up in the air over this matter. Now we just need a really good deal!

 

[vicki_c]

LOL! It's a toy. My neighbors in WNY had ones with cup holders, heated hand things and little plastic shelters! Of course, it was WNY and most of that was actually pretty necessary!

I would just watch the Home Depot ads. If you have a HD credit card, they usually have 6 months no interest for purchases over $300.

Good luck!

 

[mrodgers]

Sorry, no deals that I can tell you. My wife works at Lowes, so I got mine at 10% off, plus an additional 20% off from her Christmas time discount last year.

All I can tell you is, bigger is better. Don't go with the cheapie single stage. I wouldn't go any lower than 6 hp 2 stage (don't know what the 6 hp equiv. is today since they don't rate HP any more.)

If it's rocky, there are cleats on the bottom that you use to raise it up. I have no problems in my gravel driveway, though I do leave about an inch layer of snow. Also, a snowblower would probably be pretty safe on a steep driveway I would think. They only go as fast as you select the gear, though I do wish mine would go a bit faster in reverse. The bigger 6 speeds like mine will go pretty darn slow in 1st gear, yet pretty darn quickly in 6th gear. I generally use 3rd or 4th depending on the depth of snow on my perfectly flat gravel driveway.

I ran through the neighbor's when I first got it. The snow was well over 2 feet deep (about a foot above the blower auger) and it just powered right through. When the snow is above the auger, you do have to take smaller cuts as the snow on the sides will fall in on top of the machine and behind you as you move. I cut half a width when I was clearing the 2+ feet and it worked fantastic (also really cool since there was no one beside her house and I was throwing it halfway across her 2 acre yard, heheheh.)

 

[Gigi22]

If you don't want to spend the money, and your DH will agree--you could get a snowblower service to do your drive this season, and purchase a blower cheaply in early Jan., when the post-Christmas sales are on.