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I am currently using three Toro snowblowers, and am convinced that less is more. I think the single stage is fine for all but a very few snowstorms, and those can be done in stages, either as it snows, or in small bites after it drifts over the cars. The two stage are often large, heavy, and difficult to manuver. They don't get down to the pavement very well in my experience, and take up a lot of space in the garage. Also the two stage tends to clog with a wet snow.
I have a 10yr old Toro CCR2000 with 4.5hp. It is single stage, 20", electric start, and set me back around $700. I conned my neighbor who was paying $25 to a service into paying me $15/snow, and the machine has payed for itself. It will go through anything that has landed in the past 10yrs. It handles wet snow over a foot with ease. This week we had freezing rain on top of snow, and it scraped up the ice and water and threw it out. Dry snow cannot stop this machine. It is well worth the money to me, but sounds a bit out of your range.
My mom bought the small 16" Toro. It is a champ. It will not handle the big loads that mine will, but with patience it will throw practically anything, including the ice and water of yesterday. Wet heavy stuff will have to be done in stages, but it will throw snow 5X faster than your dad could shovel it. It costs around $400 with electric start, which I recommend in case your mom ever has to use it, at the preseason prices. May be able to buy at lower price at the end of the season too.
Not sure, but think both the Sears and JD are built by MTD. I know some who have had the Sears and it has not held up. They may be better now, but doubt they would hold up as well as Toro. Also don't think they do as nice a job of clearing snow- as fast or far.
My mom had a Toro for 25yrs before it's first breakdown. Ignition parts, new scraper bar and paddles, and it is now my backup and running strong. I use it for light snows. My Toro has gone 10 yrs without a blip, and still starts on the first pull. Point being these are pretty durable machines.
I also like the chute on the Toro. Throws the snow where you want it to go, and gets it up high to clear the winter's accumulation. Very satisfying machines that should last 20yrs+ with care. If you just spread that cost....
posted by 159.116.2...
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