Originally Posted by
Brian Elfert
I have looked all over online for the part and no go yet. MTD has the part list with a Buy Now button, but clicking the button says not available. I think I might be able to replace with a flange bearing. The question is how much time and money do I spend on something 19 years old? What if something else breaks that is definitely not fixable?
$800 in 2000 is only $1,200 today. I don’t know for sure that I even spent $800 on it.
Brian
Everything is "fixable". Just a matter of time, skill and money, but no worries, I understand exactly what you mean.
175' of driveway is a lot of area to deal with. I think if possible you should bite the bullet and buy a new one.
We use the Honda's at work pretty much exclusively, and they seem to be holding up well. I'll never buy another Honda product personally, but there machines are nice.
Ariens would be my next choice,but not the models from Home Depot and Lowes. Go to an actual Ariens dealer.
I have the Cub Cadet 3 stage, and it's nice, but it only truly shines in deep snow. In snow up to 4" that first impeller isn't doing much. Get 6"+ and now that impeller has something to do.
First thing to go will probably be fuel system related. Carburetors are plastic bodied these days, and rebuild kits are kind of a thing of the past. It's become a throw away part for the most part.
I also have an old Troy-Bilt, 5HP, from the late 80's, so I do know which part(s) you're looking for. You might try eBay, or the snowblowers.com website. Might be able to source a used part.
"The first thing you need to know, will likely be the last thing you learn." (Unknown)