Hi Bluesman, you didn't say what surface is paved or not. I think any snowblower in the range you are considering will do the job so I'll leave the brand pro/con alone.

My driveway is on a fairly steep hill near the bottom and my neighbor's is as steep as yours, both very slick blacktop. I used to do both with a Snapper 8hp 26" until I got my JD tractor. Your big problem will be TRACTION no matter what kind of equipment you use, tractor or walker. Here's some stuff I learned.

If your surface is paved, concrete or blacktop raise the skid shoes so the cutting edge is ON the pavement. This gives you at least one wheel to put on near clean pavement going up hill.

If you have gravel, get your skid shoes adjusted so you are just skimming the stones and not throwing too many. The top layer of gravel will give the traction you need.

If your machine has a differential and you can lock it out, do so. You need both wheels pulling uphill AND down for braking. Some machines have an "unlock" feature on one wheel to make manouvering easier on the flat or in the garage, you want it locked when you hit the snow.

With the newer "Sno-Something(?)" tires with their agressive tread I don't believe you will need chains if you are getting down to the pavement. I never bought any until I got the tractor. (Tractors are a different situation.)

Make sure you get a machine with a reverse gear because: If you find you have trouble getting through a big snow going back uphill, go back up and only blow going down. This is the only way I can get my neighbor's done. One pass in and I can't get back up blowing snow. I used to make a pass of about 10', back up and overlap that pass slightly and make another until the 10' section was clear. Not as impressive as a constant plume of snow the length of the driveway but it gets it done.

Hope this helps...

I don't have any steep areas to clear,but I still like the sheetmetal screws(3/8" long w/ 1/4"hex head)I put in the lugs of blower tires. They get a good bite in ice/packed snow w/o the constant bouncing up and down you get w/ chains.
JMHO,
Mike

Ariens is a good choice, but I would not buy it from HD. A dealer can give you a stronger constructed model than HD has and believe me, I see these in the shop and the difference is noticeable.

thanks for the suggestions. My driveway is paved with blacktop.

Do you think a 5.5hp 2-stage machine will do the trick? I read somewhere that you can get closer to the pavement with a 1 stage?

baymee, I don't understand what you mean about the construction of the snowblower? Doesn't HD get the same machine as other stores?

I'm not set on an Ariens (although it seems to be a well-constructed, well-priced unit from what I've read), so any other suggestions would be welcome.

thanks!

Ariens has been around forever and parts for old units are available.

The models of Ariens that I see come into my shop from HD have very thin metal throughout. The sides of the auger housing are always bent inward from hitting things, for example. There are many parts on the dealer items that aren't found on the HD, et al, units.

The difference between the HD models and dealer models are like night and day and I am not trying to exaggerate about this.

What people are trying to say is that if you go to an Ariens dealer you can get a model that is heavier duty than what you can get at HD. But the dealer will likely also have what HD is selling. So if you see the model St-5524 at a dealer, it's not going to be heavier duty - it's the same thing. But you will see models that HD doesn't carry that are made with heavier sheet metal and have tougher transfer cases (i.e., cast iron v. aluminum), etc. and will definitely last longer. Plus you will (theoreticaly) get better service from a dealer that should more than off-set the 10% savings you'll get from HD, but speaking from experience, choose carefully.

In any case, Ariens is a good choice. Be sure to service it regularly with oil changes and frequent greasings. And buy a handful of shear pins. :)

do you think a 5.5 2 stage blower will work ok? The only reason I'm concerned is because of the slope of the driveway. Also, I read that a single stage can get closer to the pavement whereas the 2 stage can't.

any thoughts?

I don't have experience with single stage blowers, but as hydroharold mentioned above, you can adjust the skids on two stage models to get the bucket right onto the pavement. This will work well if your the pavement on your driveway is smooth. If it's at all chunked up or if it's not level, the cutting edge may catch from time to time.

The 5.5 hp motor should work fine for the amount of snow you say you'll be blowing, but if it gets wet or if you have to blow out a big storm, you'll definitely feel it working - just slow way down. Even though the specs say you won't need chains because of the aggressive tread on the tires, don't rule them out if you find that you're slipping a lot going up that 45 degree incline.

5hp will work fine, but I think you would be better off with a 7hp. If you go with the 5hp, just make smaller passes if you have a lot of snow. Also, with the 5 hp, it will take a little longer with snow at the end of the driveway once the snowplow comes around. For your driveway, I would step up to something with a diff lock.

A concern I have is this 45 degree slope you have to negotiate. Most engines are splash lube & the maximum recommended angle for them I think is 15 degrees. Any comments about this?

Marty

I used to discount the 2 stroke machines, such as Toro, until I actually used one and then I fixed up an old beater for myself. They are pretty impressive and suitable for your slope.

"A concern I have is this 45 degree slope you have to negotiate"

I'll bet if you put a protractor on that slope it isn't more than 22 degrees. At 45 degrees, it is like looking at the slope of a mountain.

newjerseybt,

You might be right. The truth is that I don't know what the actual angle is - I didn't measure - I estimated - probably incorrectly. I any case, it's enough of an angle that when it snows 3 inches I can't up it.

Thanks for all your suggestions!

Bluesman13,

Ariens, Toro, Simplicity are all excellent brands of snowblowers.

Find a dealership, not HD or Lowes, and talk to them about your requirements. I believe a 5 hp to 7/8 hp machine will do the trick. Definately go for the two stage thrower. You can adjust the skids to get down to the pavement.

Enjoy the journey,

eal51 in western CT

eal51,
thanks for your post.

I'm pretty close to getting the Ariens ST- 5524. It's only a 5.5hp unit, but it is a 2 stage, and as much as I would liked to get a 7-8hp unit, they were out of my price range.

I'm new to all this, and I do believe in supporting the independent business, but why is it recommended not to buy at HD? I read in other posts some of the comments about HD (the "timmy" factor), but other than assembly, is there something I'm missing?

I'm not trying to be confrontive, I just don't understand?(i.e. I'm dense)
thanks!

Bluesman13,

The reason I deal with independent full service dealerships for garden tractors, snowblowers and the like is service and repair. I can change the oil and filters, but when it comes to major maintenance and the like, I need a professional.

HD and the big box stores can't offer me that. I am a customer number to them. My Simplicity/ Toro dealer knows me by name. He takes great care of my equipment and his prices don't break the bank!

So I buy from an independent for peace of mind. The day will come when a repair is needed and I know help is only a phone call away.

And I recommend my dealer to anyone who asks. I found him by several people I know recommending him.

Enjoy the journey.

eal51 in western CT

A 5.5hp 24 inch wide 2 stage !

Your kidding right!

Personnally I would not go below 7hp on a 24 inch swath, 8hp would be even better on a 2 stage, except perhaps if you are Honda powered than you can go a bit smaller.

I've got a 20 degree slope and I bought factory chains. Works well. If you are thinking of Ariens I would check out models with the cool (new last year) handlebar differential lockout. I haven't seen a post on it but it certainly looks neat. I have the diff lockout on the left axle and mostly I leave it locked except in light snow.

thanks to everyone for your advice. I ended up buying the Ariens ST-5524 based on the price and the size of the unit. Since I bought it from (I know) Home Depot, I need to go through the manual and make sure all the harware is tight and adjusted. I was able to save about $100 buying the unit from HD. I know many of you advised me otherwise, and I appreciate your feedback. I'm hoping that I don't regret my decision.

In any case, I just wanted to thank everyone who took the time to responsd to my post and give their opinion.

Maybe you should get a snow blower like the one
that the 'neighborhood gossip' used when he
cleared your driveway? At least you know his
set up worked on your driveway.

excellent point lbpod! I would have, but since me getting a blower is going to effect his "business", and coupled with the fact that I don't want to have anything to do with the guy, I felt safer asking around (like here) for opinions first. I read on another post that "you'll know next year which snowblower you should have bought". That is very true in my case. Hopefully I did whatever I could to lessen that fact. thanks for your post.

Congratulations Bluesman. Buying a brand name that has been around a long time is usually a good decision, and Ariens is such a product. And I'm sure that after you
use it for a while there will be features you wish
you had and maybe some that you wish you didn't have.
But you will figure out some 'work-arounds' and make
it work for you, that's the way it goes with me.
I bought a Husquevarna 24" with a 7HP about 6 years ago,
when my last son moved out, (I wasn't about to go out and
shovel). I didn't have a place like this to go for
advice, so I just asked around at work and among my
friends. I paid a big buck, but I'm one of those that
believes you get what you pay for. It's been a great
machine for me, but then again my driveway is flat,
which is a really big factor. Good Luck.
Oh, and by the way, now that you have your shiny new
machine....I guarantee a mild winter