HawthorneVillager.com

I am thinking of buying a snowblower for my hubby for xmas (also for me as I do most of the shovelling). Seeing Mattamy doesn't have huge properties I am not wanting to spend a ton of money, any recommendations for a small one that does the job

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Thistle Bay

Check out Consumer's Reports. You can't go wrong with Toro.
http://www.toro.com/en-ca/homeowner/sno ... fault.aspx

John Allingham
Owner & Certified Home Inspector
Halton-Peel Home Inspection
(416) 254-5869
inspect@peelhomeinspection.com
http://www.peelhomeinspection.com

Costco has always had great pricing on snow blowers. Maybe worth checking out what they have

Do not buy electric
Do not buy 1 stage

Buy a 2 stage machine. 5hp=about 200cc with a 22in bite this will be the smallest at least cost.

Also, going up the price scale 5hp 24in 5hp 26in then 7 or 8 hp with 24, 26, 28in

The best consumer machine is the Honda. Toro is high on the list as well. All machines ARE NOT CREATED EQUAL.

Not counting sales, the lower the price the lower the reliability.

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Ariens 2 stage. I base my opinion on consumer reports. There's a nice one available @ Home Depot. You can also opt for Ariens' little brother, also 2 stage, Sno Tek but this one has some plastic parts and therefore a bit cheaper.

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Some people are like slinkies. They're really good for nothing but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.

Hold on so you do most the shovelling but you want to buy him a snowblower? Sounds like my plan when I bought my wife an iPad.

Anyways that a little odd but my suggestion is get something you like. Cub cadets from lowes are nice I got one. Go all in and Spend a grand on a 2 stage gas. anything less then that your wasting your money Because they can't perform in every winter situation ie. Slush, ice, windrow crap etc.

Good luck.

Yes I agree if your going to get a snow blower get one that can remove the ice and heavy chunks of snow that the snowplow left at the end of your driveway. This will require a larger machine,but that pile at end of the driveways is really what you need a snowblower for.

I'm sure some are wondering ,,,,,,,

All two-stage blowers have power to the big wheels and single-stage snow blowers need to be pushed, pulled, usually on small wheels.

2 stage snowblowers are glorious beasts that make an otherwise tedious chore fun. Singles stage blowers need to be shoved into the snow and at the pile at the end of your driveway you will sweat to death as you push and pull the thing in and out of the pile. 2 stage blowers drive themselves forward into the wall of snow and can be reversed with a flick of the switch.

I would have to agree though, that if you have a very small driveway like one of the 3 story townhomes then a small machine would be just fine.

See the difference here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FI-AFIA56yo

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For Home Inspection services call Andy Shaw at Halton Home Inspection Service. 905 876 4761