You definately need a garden tractor for your described needs for mowing slopes and snow removal. Anything less than, you will put too much stress on your tractors transmission and you will be buying again in a few short years or so. Next, definately purchase a Garden Tractor from a dealer for the support, repairs and parts. You will be spending some dollars on your purchase so you will want a dealer that will be there to stand behind your purchase. I would concur with the guys above with at least looking at the John Deere line. The current X500 line would suit you well. I have owned JD mowers. The dealer suppport is GREAT! You will not be disappointed. If you want to safe a few bucks but still have a great, durable and very reliable garden tractor, go with marineguy's advise and look into the John Deere GT series. JD sold these through 2006. Last year I was looking at the X500 series line but after much researching, I feel I could get what I needed from a newer GT series. I saved some money and got the attachments I wanted. Good luck to you!

Here is a follow up to my June 28, 09 post: It has been two years since the purchase of my HS724WA. Powerful, quite, smooth, maneuverable, fuel efficient - but not reliable. Back in December I took out the Honda to prep for the coming snow. Filled the tank with fresh gas newly treated with stabilizer. Couldn't start the machine with the choke on. It would start with the choke off after many pulls, but wouldn't run for more than about 30 seconds. The local repair shop suggested it was a dirty carburetor. I doubted that since it is only 2 years old, I use stabilizer, and drain the tank at the end of each season. After forking over the $50 pickup-delivery charge, the shop tried cleaning the carburetor three times to no avail. They offered to tear apart the carburetor to determine the cause, but suggested a new carburetor ($47) plus labor ($50) would be a cheaper and safer route. Furthermore I was infomed that I overfilled the tires, causing the back end to ride high, causing the auger to scrape. Apparently the Honda tires "don't have memory", so once overfilled, they remain enlarged even after letting air out. $200 to replace the tires. So 2 years after spending $2000 on an HS724WA, I have to drop an additional $350 in repairs. Obviously I am a little disillusioned by the whole experience. I'll take the blame for the tires, though I wish Honda was a little more vocal on how finicky they are. I am aware they require 8psi and religiously check the pressure throughout the season, using my bicycle pump to make adjustments. I have an analog VDO pressure gauge that works well for my automobile (32psi) and will register 8-60psi. Apparently it is not accurate at 8psi. I recently purchased a low pressure (0-15psi) gauge for $28. Ironically the Honda receives better care than I ever gave my Yard Machines/MTD blower, which ran reliably without problems for 10 years. I like the machine otherwise, but will no longer be able to speak enthusiastically about "Honda reliability".

Hi Kathy..I bought a new Ariens 926 LE last year. I live in Northen Ontario where we get lots of snow and we've had a couple of blizzards this year that were real doozies. My blower works great except it doesn't want to start when it gets cold (> 0 far). I bought it from a local dealer who gives me great service in that he comes to pick it up as soon as I call him and has it back by the afternoon. The first time he said it was bad gas. The second time he said the spark plug was loose and I was getting no compression. The third time he said you have to prime it til the gas is pouring out. He said this is because of the strict emission standards put on it. Does it get below zero where you are and if it does, does your machine start OK? Thanks

I know everyone likes two stage snowthrowers. But I have to tell you, I live in west Michigan and we get something called lake effect snow which is typically wet and heavy. But we don't normally get dumped on. I have used single stage snow throwers for years and just picked up an 8hp used Simplicity commercial two stage last year. I only pulled out the two stage 3 times last year. The single stage handles most snow falls very well some just adequateley, but makes up for any shortcomings in maneuverability. It is SOOOOOoooo much easier to use than the huge two stage that given a choice, I'll take the single stage for all but the worst snow falls. You have to wonder if it is worth having a two stage for the rare major storm? Nothing wrong with smaller two stages but they are definitely harder to handle than a single stage. My drive is 20' x 70'. A really large drive way would swing you toward the two stage. An average size like mine might swing you toward a single stage. I have always found Simplicity and Ariens and some toro dealers great sources for information. You might try visiting them, explaining what you have to blow off and see what they recommend. They will not steer you wrong and they know your local snowfalls. Good luck whatever you decide!