Plenty of different choices out there, but the big ones to focus in on would be either Toro, Ariens, or Honda (I currently don’t own any of these and I’ll explain below)
From what I have heard/read, the new Toro’s Anti Clogging Feature works well, and the machine’s are solid. Toro doesn’t make a 30″ model, but their 28″ machine (OHXE) has a good motor for the size and if I were looking at Toro, it’d probably be the machine I’d look at/get.
Ariens, best bang for their buck has to be the Deluxe 28 SHO (Super High Output). Has the same size motor as their 30″ deluxe model….but can clear more snow an hour than the 30″. Ariens came out with an EFI motor for some of their models….spendier, and everything I’ve read……people have been opting for a carb’d engine over the EFI….one because it is new, and 2, if fuel issues do occur, it’ll be a spendy repair at a dealer vs a possible carb swap or repair at home.
Honda, spendy but good also. I’ve seen where the new HSS928 models have had clogging issues. The HS928 models were solid.
For myself, I currently own a Simplicity Signature Pro (Commercial) Series, and I don’t think their is another brand out there that has as stout of a frame as this. Handle bars are C channel steel. They are a solid machine also, however you don’t hear much about them due to lack of marketing and varying independent dealers (whereas toro and Ariens are sold on almost every street corner) If you have a dealer around you, Simplicity is another brand worth checking out.
Someday, I may just make a road trip up to Canada and pick up a Yamaha snowblower. These machines are the cats meow (even over honda) however they aren’t sold in the US.
Good Luck in your decision. Be sure to focus on engine size before bucket size and avoid the 3 stage machines (Troy-bilt with the middle auger pulling back) Mostly just a marketing gimmick.
Steve
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