Craigslist Snowblower (2024)

FAQs

Are cheap snow blowers worth it? ›

While it makes good financial sense to find an affordable snowblower that doesn't break your budget, keep in mind that it isn't worth anything if it can't handle the amount of snow you expect to see each winter. Less expensive snowblowers, generally speaking, are made to handle smaller jobs.

With even six or eight snowfalls per winter, it doesn't take long to add up to the cost of a nice snow blower that should last at least 10 years. The downsides? Maintenance and storage. Maintenance for gas models involves oil changes, belt tightening, and off-season storage.

While a snowblower costs anywhere from $100 to almost $10,000, most homeowners will pay between $250 and $2,000, but it depends on the type you want and need. Power shovels are an economical option for some assisted shoveling while areas with heavy snow might need a large gas three-stage machine for regular clearing.

At least two inches of snow should be on the ground before considering the snowblower, according to real estate company Rocket Homes. However, it also depends on what kind of snowblower you have.

Fortunately, three-stage snow blowers (sometimes called snow throwers) tackle that woeful winter chore up to 30 percent faster than two-stage models, Consumer Reports' tests find, in part because they can clear deeper snow with a single pass.

Q: How long does a full tank last? A: Small and medium Honda snow blowers are expected to have about 2 hours of continuous operation on a full tank. It is sufficient, as the average snow blowing time for a normal household is about 30 minutes.

Untreated gasoline left in the snow blower's fuel system can deteriorate quickly, causing starting or running problems and, in some cases, damage to the fuel system. By ensuring that all fuel put in your snow blower is stabilized, you can minimize the chances of deterioration and damage.

You can either drain it out completely, or you can mix it in a stabilizer. You MUST choose one of those options. Leaving in plain old fuel could potentially damage your snow blower. The fuel in the tank will oxidize and leave sludge inside the tank.

Ice breaking serrated augers

Our snow blowers feature deeper serrations, the better to cut through tough conditions. Need another example? Just check out our shear bolts. Honda snow blowers are equipped with easily replaceable shear bolts, unlike most of our competitors.

When is the Best Time to Buy a Snow Blower? The best times to buy snow blowers are January, when retailers start to clear out their inventory, May, June, and early fall when manufacturers release new models and offer discounts on older ones, as well as Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

What is the easiest snowblower to handle? ›

Honda single-stage, two-stage and hybrid snowblowers are exceptionally quiet, efficient and easy to use. Powered by reliable Honda 4-stroke engines, they start reliably in cold weather and help power through winter.

Can you scrap a snowblower? Yes, you can scrap a snowblower. Depending on the condition and age of the snowblower, it may be worth more to scrap than to try and resell it. Many parts of a snowblower are recyclable or have high scrap value including the motor, plastic housing, metal augers and shovels.

For occasional use, snow blowers, with around 5 horsepower and one or two speeds, are generally adequate. However, if you intend to clear large amounts of snow, want to work on slopes or if the snow is quite wet, a three-stage device with 10 hp or more is recommended.

All in all, we recommend the Ariens Classic snow blower to anyone looking for a machine that's a breeze to maneuver up and down hills and can cut through heavy, wet snow like a dream.

But if you get three or more big snowstorms per year, or can't afford to get trapped in your house while you wait for a plow service, a snow blower (also called a snow thrower) is definitely for you.

If a snow blower is newer, it will likely be easier to use. As time progresses, products tend to advance in terms of reliability and features, so buying an older snow blower means it may lack key safety features, self-propulsion or all-surface operation, or it might just not throw snow far enough.

For example, a two-stage may be an ideal choice for those with gravel driveways, since they don't clean all the way to the ground which helps avoid pieces of gravel getting into your snow blower's auger. It is important to also consider what features you'd like to have on your snow blower when making your purchase.

Is there a minimum amount of snow required to use a snowblower? There is no hard and fast rule about using a snowblower on a specific amount of inches, but most snow removal experts suggest using one on 2 or more inches of snow for best results.