Forums Archive Index > Outdoor Power Equipment > Old snowblowers
Date: 27 Dec 2006 9:14 am
Hello. New here and glad to have found this great site.
I am looking to get my first snowblower, but want an older, used machine.
The machine I use now is a Mongomery Wards 5/20 single stage and I was impressed by this little "can do" machine. Need something bigger however.
I am looking at a Gilson 32 inch 10Hp machine now. What are your thoughts on Hp/size/handling? Should I keep to 8hp?
When we get a dump here it is usually 24 inchs or better. But thats not always common. We just got one however and its obvious when these hit size matters!
Can soon change to wet snow when temps warm up. City pushes all street snow into gutters/driveways. You know the story... I have a small drive, but also several shut-in senior citizens drives/walks and about 300 yards of walkway. I also will have parking on the street.
Any makes I should aim for? Thanks for the help.
Joshua, excited to get a good old workhorse.
Date: 27 Dec 2006 9:38 am
Hello and welcome. First off bigger is not always better, Yes the more hp the better but the bigger the bucket and machine the harder to move around . If your 5 was doing ok for you I would consider an 824 or 724 or if you find an old 10 with a 24 bucket that would be great . I have an 1128 Ariens which I love but I find myself using my Honda 624 most of the time because I am getting old :cry: and it is easy on the back . When I got my 1128 it was because I thought the bigger the better . I almost got the 1336 and my salesman talked me out of it and I am now glad. Hope this helps . Right now on Craigslist or Ebay there are a ton of old blowers. Around here in Mass we have had NO SNOW and 45-50 deg weather so they are selling cheap . I myself love the Ariens because the parts are a dime a dozen and to me they are very easy to work on. Also the Honda is one dynomite machine but very expensive even used . Toro makes a great machine , Older Lawnboys which is the same as Toro , Gilson is a great machine but not sure about parts .
Date: 27 Dec 2006 9:53 am
Thanks. I was just going to edit and say I wanted more power rather than swath. I'm not too hung up on size.
I do not want to take a 1/4 width bite just to be able to handle the conditions, which is what I have been doing with the little single stage.
Joshua
Date: 27 Dec 2006 10:01 am
Welcome to the forum.
If you were going new, one of the most insane width/power ratio machines is the Simplicty P10524E , 10.5hp / 24".
http://www.simplicitymfg.com/s_commercial_snow.php
Date: 27 Dec 2006 10:21 am
I see a lot of 5hp two stage machines for sale. Toro, Gilson/Wards, a Snapper 24 inch wTec 8hp? and Jacobson 26/8 Imperial Heavy Duty(they say).
What are your thoughts on 5 hp? Is it enough?
Is a Jacobson a good machine? The Snapper has that engine that is not so loved by many.
The 5hp single stage can't handle what we've gotten, so would a two stage be as underpowered?
Joshua
Date: 27 Dec 2006 10:50 am
Jacobson was a good machine but no longer around . The engine is a tecumseh so parts are still around for that. If the body is clean and solid , if you grab the auger shaft and make sure there is no wiggle , try to rock the wheels and make sure they are tight, all bearings feel good , the auger is not rusted to the shaft , it starts and runs strong , the oil is clean, the PRICE IS RIGHT , it is worth getting . Snapper is another good machine just check it as above . Again , If it were me I would look for an old Ariens 724 or 824 . You cant go wrong . What is your budget ?
Date: 27 Dec 2006 11:05 am
TheKneebiter wrote:
What is your budget ?
I'd like to keep it under 300.00. I also realize that in my area right now snowblowers are in demand. Anyway, if I have to wait I will. The Jake I was looking at is sold. It was in great shape and selling for 185.00.
So is the Gilson 32 going to be too big a machine? There is also a 32 inch Toro 11hp for 225.00
Joshua
Date: 27 Dec 2006 11:18 am
The Toro would be a great machine if it is clean. as long as you are ok with moving a big machine around you will be ok. Are you 20 ? 40 ? 60 ? Heart problems ? Healthy ? I do not have a hard time with my 1128 but once you use the smaller lighter machine and see that it does just as good a job you wonder why you got the large machine . But if you need a blower and there are no smaller machines around then for the right price go for the larger machine . You could always put it back on Craigslist under barter and swap it for a nice smaller machine if you find it is a bit much
Date: 27 Dec 2006 11:52 am
Hi Joshua & WELCOME! :D
I would think that anything from 24" to 28" in width would do the job since you were getting by with your Wards 5/20. I wouldn't go less than 8hp. That will give you a good combo of power to clearing width ratio. Snapper & Toro are fine machines, as are Tecumseh engines. The Gilson could be difficult woth obtaining parts, and that is a BIG machine at 10/32.
Good luck & have fun!
Marty
Date: 27 Dec 2006 12:00 pm
OK, I am now going to keep the swath under 26 inches, unless I find an amazing 26 inch machine. I know that I will not like the wider swath, like a 32. Its not the weight so much the flexability in tighter places.
And of course throwing the snow it eats while not bogging.
I am 47, but it great shape/strong.
Keep the feed back coming. The more I learn the better. In the meantime I'll go into the achives.
Joshua
Date: 27 Dec 2006 7:03 pm
The Gilson 10-32 geardrives arw nice machines with big impeller, especially in it's day. Today's machines with that bite get a few more HP. The 32inch bite will do well with a good charge of powder but there is only so much wet snowbank it will take at once. Originally that machine was released as an 8 HP machine and the was a dog. At the time B&S didn't have a big snow engine that would fit so they got Techumsehs (oh well). The1987 model had a B&S engine. and that was the end of Gilson
As others have said this is a big solid axel machine. If you had a parking lot or even a long driveway where saving a pass would mean a lot to you the it would be nice. In small quarters it would be like a bull in a china shop. But it would be a very nice bull :)
One sold recently on EBAY:
http://cgi.ebay.com/32-Inch-Gilson-10HP-Tecumseh-Snowblower_W0QQitemZ180063524015QQihZ008QQcategoryZ42230QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Pete
Date: 27 Dec 2006 8:54 pm
I suggest look into old Simplicity snowblowers I have one from early '70s 8/28" weight about 300 pounds but it maneuverable at small quarters and perform equally well on wet , powder or partially frozen snow especially good on EOD in first gear twenty inches deep full width with no problem
Date: 27 Dec 2006 10:46 pm
Spectrum wrote:
In small quarters it would be like a bull in a china shop. But it would be a very nice bull :)
I just looked at a 28 inch machine and that is bigger than I want. Now that I have seen one in the flesh I KNOW that its going to be 26 inch or under. Those 32 inch machines must be massive!
BTW, was there a problem with the B&S engines?
I guess at this point its the old "what machines to avoid" thing.
Joshua
Date: 28 Dec 2006 8:16 pm
Blackstream wrote:
BTW, was there a problem with the B&S engines?
No The B&S engine was dandy. It was better that having Tecumseh rods all over the place. After 87 Gilson was the bastard stepchild acquired when Toro bought LawnBoy that had purchased Gilson a year earlier. The Gilson designs were retired after a few LawnBoy branded runs.
Definitely not a machine to avoid but it wants to be the right machine for the user.
Pete