jeffreyd00

jeffreyd00 t1_j1ineyc wrote

Congratulations!

I don't known your driveway/walkway layou but the only shovel I needed during our new england winters was for the front stairs.

I was always able to get close enough to and around the cars etc with the snowblower that I could get into and shuffle the cars around then finish up with the snowblower.

Someone else may have other feedback but that's what I always did.

2

jeffreyd00 t1_izqbqck wrote

I'm not an Apple fan but you should definitely get a MacBook with an M2 chip and the most ram you can afford.

Check into the educational discounts, assuming they still do that.

If you get used, get a MacBook refurb (current generation only) directly from apple.

1

jeffreyd00 t1_iz4w2kl wrote

Southern US = Heat pump or bust

Reliability ratings from consumer reports Five brands got a top rating of Excellent for satisfaction: Trane, American Standard, Bryant, Lennox, and Carrier. Armstrong and Ducane earned Very Good satisfaction ratings, as did Rheem and Ruud. The other 12 brands earned a rating of Good (average) for owner satisfaction. (None received a Fair or Poor rating.)

4

jeffreyd00 t1_iz2dhsj wrote

Consumer Reports rated the Culligan FM-15A Faucet Mount Filter kinda high for $30.

Or you could get the Amway eSpring 10-0188 Water Filter for only $1200. It was rated 94 out of 100. It sits on your counter.

1

jeffreyd00 t1_iyscoci wrote

Glad to help. Noise cancelling is not gonna do it. You will absolutely need over the ear, ear muffs. These things are definitely louder than a Deere. Over 85db.

Our driveway was 150' x 8' plus two parking spaces and took a solid hour with our 8hp Ariens. Obviously the lighter the snow the faster you go. The deeper and heavier the longer it'll take.

Also about the slicer bar I spoke of, if available, it helped the most at the end of the driveway where we'd get plowed in.

Lastly, don't be surprised if you start being charitable and removing the super heavy stuff for your neighbors.

Keep the questions coming.

Also, make sure to have any maintenance done end of season and a check before next season.

Run the gas take till empty at the end of season . change oil and plug begining of every season. Keep extra sheer pins on hand and use stabil in the gas.

Some units might need gearbox greased etc. Check owners manual. Take care of any chips off the paint asap to me prevent rusting.

4

jeffreyd00 t1_iys7p25 wrote

Edit: Check one this model, it probably has most everything you are looking for and scored above the $3300 Honda in consumer reports. Toro 38842 Snow Blower $2400

Growing up we had an Ariens 2 stage 8hp 30inch with techumsa (sp?) engine. It lasted 20 years.

Definitely get chains on the tires. get a slicing bar, it'll help guild you in drifts and lock of the higher snow into the auger assembly. Get one with hand warmers and a light!!

I checked consumer reports for you. Top rated are a couple Toros and an Ariens. Honda is in there as well but it's not rated any better, has tracks and costs 1200 more than the others.

What you'll hate. Insane vibration and really really loud. You must wear hearing protection. Really good quality hearing protection and like I said get one with hand warmers because you will freeze your fingers off using these thing. Also be prepared to manhandle the heck out of it. All of them are heavy and cumbersome though youll want that weight to push through the heavy stuff.

30"-32' width is the sweet spot imho.

Feedback from someone from the N. E.

7

jeffreyd00 t1_iy5pzzf wrote

one more thing about the Solar panels. put the new roof on first or look into getting an all in one solar roof. https://www.roof-crafters.com/learn/cost-gaf-timberline-solar-energy-shingle-roof

also before spending money on solar, make your house energy efficient. lots of attic insulation, insulated windows you might even benefit by upgrading your HVAC if it is old.

Otherwise you might end up having to install a much bigger and more expensive solar system.

3