riding lawn mower attachments used for snow removal

[winterh]

Thank you all. Good suggestions. I think I am leaning towards a good quality 42 inch zero turn for mowing and a big powerful separate snow blower for winter. Many years ago I had a Craftsman snow blower and got kind of turned off by the whole idea of them. Thing weighed a ton and broke more than it worked. Will do some research and get as good a one as I can. Any recommendations on brands? Is it worth getting the treads over the tires? I saw mention of Ariens so will check them out. Just from looking online I think $3000 is more than enough to get me everything I need in a snow blower.

[John Mercier]

Originally Posted by winterh

Thank you all. Good suggestions. I think I am leaning towards a good quality 42 inch zero turn for mowing and a big powerful separate snow blower for winter. Many years ago I had a Craftsman snow blower and got kind of turned off by the whole idea of them. Thing weighed a ton and broke more than it worked. Will do some research and get as good a one as I can. Any recommendations on brands? Is it worth getting the treads over the tires? I saw mention of Ariens so will check them out. Just from looking online I think $3000 is more than enough to get me everything I need in a snow blower.

I started with a Craftsman also, ergonomics made the weight and bulk of it sort of a chore. I went to the Cub Cadet and used that for years. Latest is an Ariens due to the double belt - I have a metal roof and when it unloads it tends to be the heavy wet stuff.
I haven't purchased a new one in about six years, so I the technology has probably changed.

[Loub52]

I’ve had some ups and downs with my 28” Toro, but overall had a great experience over the course of the past 16 seasons. I hope to have it last one or two more seasons.

Favorite features are a stick swivel to direct the chute while moving and a headlight.

I can’t count the number of times I’ve needed the headlight either early in the morning or later in the day. I paid roughly $1,000 for it new. Cringing at the potential price of the next one.

[DickR]

Well, for a walk-behind, here's a tracked Honda HSM1336i 36 inch 389cc machine, at Aubuchon for a mere $8300 (https://www.hardwarestore.com/brands...SABEgJpavD_BwE)

[TheProfessor]

Originally Posted by DickR

Well, for a walk-behind, here's a tracked Honda HSM1336i 36 inch 389cc machine

Well . . . my first snow blower/thrower was a 24" tracked one. One of the many brands that MTD markets. Good brand name. Purchased from a local dealer - one that will actually repair if needed.

After a coupe of years - one track came off. So with tools in hand attempted to get track back on. After an hour of twisting and turning. Got track back on.
As soon as make first turn - track comes off. Go through procedure again. This time longer. Seeking any necessary adjustments. Next time out. Track off again with first turn. Would have been easier if I had 3 hands. Next storm. Track off again. Another hour or more getting back on. Placed it Craig/list. Sold it. To a younger person that just might have 3 hands. Ran good. Always garaged.

Next purchased a wheeled 24 inch Ariens frome dealer on Route 16. And this time got heated grips/handles - an absolute must for me.

Note that I could not find any snow blower that has an engine Made in USA.
Thank you China (again) !

[Whimsey]

About 4 years ago I traded my 10 year old Ariens (which served me faithfully but had a lot of trouble with the hill in my yard) for tracked Honda. The Honda was much more costly but runs great and handles the hills and plow drifts effortlessly, but is less nimble in the turns. Never had a problem with the tracks. You can't go wrong if you stick to those two brands.