Back in 1971 my dad bought an Atlas snowblower, it was an all-metal single-stage, just one auger that spun so fast you couldn't see it when it was running. If the motor was running the auger was rotating. Only the drive wheels were engage-able. Not once ever did I or anyone else have to stop and clean the chute, that thing kept the chute clear by brute force. The only thing that ever stopped it was a railroad spike one of the kids left on the driveway. Stopped the thing so suddenly the engine's flywheel sheared its woodruff key. No replaceable shear pins in those days. I replaced the key and used it another 10 years. Ended up giving it to my neighbor when I couldn't start it and bought an MGD. (turned out to be bad gas). I think the neighbor's still using the thing...
I now have a 3-stage Cub Cadet--
CUB3X.jpg
While I'd love to give it glowing reviews, I can't. As to everything except throwing snow it's wonderful! Joystick chute maneuvering, wheel unlocking (power steering), headlight, heated hand grips-- and the thing IS wonderful at blowing fresh powder. But we never get fresh powder, our snow is always wet, and the other thing it's wonderful at is packing wet snow in the chute until it's plugged tight. It came with a chute-cleaning tool. IMO it shouldn't NEED a chute cleaning tool. And I won't even get started on how many shear pins I've replaced. (Of course, many of those busted pins are my fault )
The single stage machines these days, they work, but those with a chute are worse than my Cub. And those that only shoot snow forward, not good on large driveways.
If I was smart I'd re-invent that old Atlas and start making the things