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Well, when you're ready, here's some things to keep in mind.
Do you really need a 2-stage? The single stage blowers have come a long way and the Toro and Honda models are usually the best. They are light and easy to use. Can't be used on gravel though and probably not a good idea if you have a lot of landscaping rocks around.
If you need a 2-stage, Honda is the best you can buy but pretty pricey. Simplicity and Toro are also great brands. I have an Ariens that has served me well, and although I can see why it may not have done well in consumer reports (it's not the easiest to use), it is well built with heavy-duty components and should last a long time. It's handled everything I've thrown it at just fine over the past 4 years, but I will concede Ariens is not the same since they started selling at Home Depot. Look at things like the auger gearcase and the thickness of the steel. You'll definately see a difference between the premium brands and the rest.
Personally, if I had to buy again today, I'd buy a Toro, Simplicity, or a higher-end Ariens with traction control. Something in the $1500 range.
If you want one that's easier to turn, make sure it has a differential. On cheaper blowers both wheels drive together, which makes them difficult to turn. On some, like my mid-line Ariens, you can remove a pin on one wheel so essentially one wheel is driving and it's easier to turn. But this makes it tougher to control. Others have a wheel release lever to disengage a wheel. A differential is the way to go if you can find one.
Do you really need a 2-stage? The single stage blowers have come a long way and the Toro and Honda models are usually the best. They are light and easy to use. Can't be used on gravel though and probably not a good idea if you have a lot of landscaping rocks around.
If you need a 2-stage, Honda is the best you can buy but pretty pricey. Simplicity and Toro are also great brands. I have an Ariens that has served me well, and although I can see why it may not have done well in consumer reports (it's not the easiest to use), it is well built with heavy-duty components and should last a long time. It's handled everything I've thrown it at just fine over the past 4 years, but I will concede Ariens is not the same since they started selling at Home Depot. Look at things like the auger gearcase and the thickness of the steel. You'll definately see a difference between the premium brands and the rest.
Personally, if I had to buy again today, I'd buy a Toro, Simplicity, or a higher-end Ariens with traction control. Something in the $1500 range.
If you want one that's easier to turn, make sure it has a differential. On cheaper blowers both wheels drive together, which makes them difficult to turn. On some, like my mid-line Ariens, you can remove a pin on one wheel so essentially one wheel is driving and it's easier to turn. But this makes it tougher to control. Others have a wheel release lever to disengage a wheel. A differential is the way to go if you can find one.
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