I need a snowblower. Too much snow and too much driveway to keep shoveling. I am leaning toward a 30" Craftsman. I have ruled out Honda for the expense. Can anyone attest to the Craftsman reliability, durability and ease of use? Also, does anyone have other suggestions? I want self propelled, electric start, without plastic parts and controls for the direction and pitch to be up by the handle. Also one where you hold the handle with your hand and not just your fingers or thumbs and one that turns easliy.
I have lots of work to do so I might not read the posts until later but I would appreciate everyone's input.

i have an ariens. and i believe it meets all of the requirements you have. i love it. it has the electric start, all the controls are easy access. my lawnmower is craftsman and i like that. i dont know anyone with a craftsman snowblower though.

I live in Wisconsin. I don't always get snow, but when I do, it's typically heavy and it's cold.

Four stroke engines are a minimum. My personal experience is to get the very biggest and most powerful snowblower you can afford. You might think that you have a snow blower that is overkill for the level of snow that you have, right up until a freak weather cycle dumps 24" on you in about 18 hours. At that point, you'll be happy you went big. (And I'm not a guy that buys into the whole "Bigger is obviously better" thing, I'm comfortable with my manhood...) 30" is a pretty good call too if you can get it. The big difference between that and a smaller model is the number of passes that you might need to make in order to clear the snow.

The other big reason to get the most powerful model you can afford is that when it comes to snow, I typically see the heaviest and wettest stuff at the apron of a drive way where it goes into the street. City plows come by push snow there that partially melts due to salt application. That stuff is a chore to clear, but you need to clear it so that you can get your cars in and out of a driveway. At that point, you'll be happy you went with an 8 hp or better model.

We used Simplicity models when I grew up, I thought they performed well, and that was before electric start was common. My neighbor has a Toro that seems to work pretty well. You might want to consider a used model if there is a relatively reliable service dealer in the area. Snowblowers last a really long time if they are maintained, and I wouldn't rule out a used model if it ran well and was maintainted.

My new toy...

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_07188790000P?vName=Lawn+%26+Garden&cName=Snow+Equipment

We have a John Deere. We have had it for 21 years and it still works great! Electric start, so I just plug it in, push a button, unplug it and go. We have a 25 yard long drive way, two car width, plus a turnaround. I love it because, even if MOML isn't home, I can plow the drive.

Down this way when it snows, we have a holiday and try to make it last as long as possible. If we do get snow, it's rarely more than an inch or two. Sorry that I couldn't help!

They are talking snow up here for next week. Hope it doesn't snow on Thanksgiving; we have to drive 6-7 hours to get to the in-laws.

move south!!

She does - and very soon. Nanwa is a snowbird.

Before you buy, do some checking as it could save you some money. I know for lawn tractors and other lawn equipment, only a couple of companies make them and I think it is the same for snowblowers. The only difference is the paint, maybe a cup holder, and the price tag. If you look at a Home Depot or Lowes, you will notice this when you look at replacements such as blades.

We have a John Deere and love it...has all the bells and whistles-the electric start is nice. Definately need a 2 stage snowblower, and have some extra shear pins on hand.

Thanks for all the input so far.
I would love to move south - maybe when I retire - at 90.
I also have looked at an Ariens.
And yes, I noticed that the Craftsman is made by another company.
I haven't checked Toro yet but plan to do that. We might get a Thanksgiving snow and I want to get something by then. And Kurt, I think you are right about the four stroke engine.

why wait until you're 90?

it's beautiful here!

You know, family is here. Don't see any possibility of going south for the winter because I need my full time job.

Your Momma was a snowblower!!



(sorry coulnd't help myself)

I have a Toro but it is not electric start. It is not difficult to pull start however. What works best for me is to take my time getting out to the garage after a snowstorm. This gives my neighbor enough time to finish his driveway and start work on mine!

Last year we got an Ariens w/o a Honda engine. Husband hates it. It's difficult to start, and even though he bought big, he's not happy with it. It has confirmed his 'must have a Honda engine/or be a John Deere' theory.

I will have to see if the Ariens sold at Home Depot have Honda engines. That could solve the problem of wanting a Honda but not wanting to pay for a Honda.
(Actually, my mother was a snow angel maker not a snow blower.)

What is a snowblower? It's been 90 stinkin' degrees here for the last few days!

I'll trade for your 90 degrees come January and February when we generally have a few cold stretches lasting a few weeks of about 10-15 below with several days in the 20-40 below TEMPERATURE - not wind chill.
Oh man, just to soak up the warm sun on days like that!
No matter where you live there is something to complain about.
I thank God somebody invented furnaces. And snowblowers.

have kids.

...and your father smelled of elderberries!

SMAKED of elderberries!

Hire someone to plow.