Ed
For $200 what can you say ??
The engine should be ok since it doesn’t run that frequently …. However they can see a good amount of torque when they do since that motor is driving the blower fan /auger and the drive train … A big dump of heavy wet snow puts a load on them
I would try to start the thing absolutely cold (7 hp should have a way to start it electrically ... as simple as plugging it into the wall) Those bigger engines can have some kick (can put a hurting on the shoulder if it wont start). If it starts ok see how well it goes into forward and reverse (it should also have a couple gears/speeds forward and at least 1 speed reverse ) If you need to hand push something that big ….A shovel works much better!!!
As far as how its going to handle snow …. Ya need snow to know!!! With the two stage make sure the auger spins ( slow) and that the blower fan paddles (real fast) and are in good shape, if they are bent up or damaged the thing will throw snow as good as an old man with prostrate trouble !! [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] They should have shear pins (especially the auger) in case ya try to snow blow something ya shouldn’t have….even with that we have damaged the blower fan.
Not all are created equal. We have had Ariens ,Simplicity and John Deere ….. the Simplicity kicked butt !! Would go through anything Vermont had to throw at it ….The Ariens we had was just to small and the Deere is ok …
The starter and the blower fan needed work two years ago …. That was a $200 bill ….
Now for just a few more dollars [img]/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]
Diesel and 50” path ..Arr Arr Arrr
