[.ca] YardMan 31AS2B5-801 Single-Stage Snow Thrower with ...

• Comes fully assembled; oil included; covered by 2-year, limited warranty
• Single-stage snow thrower; push-button electric start
• 21-inch clearing width; 11-inch intake height; rubber-edged auger automatically propels machine
• 5-horsepower, 4-cycle Tecumseh engine; heavy-duty; quiet; fuel-efficient; no need to mix gas and oil
• Reversible, replaceable scraper blade; easy-to-pull engine cord; foldable handle for storage

Amazon.com Review:
Say goodbye to frustrating, sweat-inducing pull starts--this compact, highly-maneuverable, single-stage blower is a cinch to get going. A simple push of a button activates the reliable electric starter. Equipped with a robust 5 horsepower engine, this snow thrower clears sidewalks, driveways, patios and porches in a fraction of the time required to shovel by hand. A four-cycle engine means no messy mixing of oil and gas. The manual drive system lets you regulate how fast the engine runs, while a self-pulling, rubber-edged auger lends positive traction to help propel the machine forward and leave a clean path behind. Clear snow as high as 11 inches, to a width of 21 inches. This YardMan snow thrower also comes loaded with thoughtful features. An auger/clutch control system keeps the engine running after the bail is released, eliminating the need to restart. A large handle makes it easy to pull the engine cord--even when wearing big, bulky mittens. The replaceable scraper blade is reversible to double its life. A folding handle minimizes vibration, plus saves garage space once warm weather comes. Best of all, the unit arrives fully-assembled with the oil needed for operation--so you can start clearing snow the minute it's unpacked. This outdoor tool weighs 80 pounds and is covered by a two-year, limited warranty. --Mary Park

starts very easy:
I have used my new yardman 3 times and I am on my 2nd v-belt. I have an old toro before they came out with the shute and it still has the orginal belt on it. I like the idea of not mixing the oil with the gas. The engine starts easily and it hasn't stalled on me yet which is great. I might try a 34 and a half inch belt next time and see if it last better. The snow was on the heavy side but I can't control mother nature. I have a long driveway. I tried the electric start once and it works but it starts on the first or second pull so I don't have to use it. If it wasn't for the v-belts I would rate it higher.

doesn't throw well & too many problems:
The specs on this machine sounded great for me -very lightweight but could handle up to 10" of snow, a decent motor size and clearing width for a single stage. However, it has been nothing but trouble. First, the belt broke after the first 5" of clearing heavy snow. That was replaced, but then there were problems starting it. The second winter (this one), we have had a lot of snow. It gets through 6" fine, but it can't throw snow even 10' from one side of the drive to the other, so I end up doing it twice, or three times - very weak in that regard! In addition, it took a lot of time to get it to work this season, and it doesn't leave a clean driveway, even if you do it twice, so I end up shoveling for the last round...and then it snows again. Altogether, it has been a major disappointment. Better than a shovel, but most of the time, my neighbor blows it with his two-stage.

Short Life Span:
I was warned in advance about this this company (MTD/Yard-Man), but could not resist the price at the time. I now know why this company receives such low quality ratings: their products are of very low quality. Expect it to work for one or two years. Then expect to pay $100 a year to fix the parts that break on it. They cannot take long term use. We average, maybe, ten light to moderate snowfalls a year. Motor failed during the second year (just within the warranty period). Third year: the augur broke!! Yup, 4 inches of snow was more than it could take. That would have been a $150 repair. However, I know when not to throw good money after bad. I will be purchasing a Toro, Craftsman, Honda or Ariens - they are all rated superior to this company. By the third year, you will save $100 per year.

Plowed great cut right threw our recent heavy snow fall:
I just go this machine the other day and I am happy with it the fact that I don't have to mix the oil with the cad is great! 5.5 hsp my only problem with it was that on small amounts of wet snow it keept clogging because it needs more of it to throw it so I found myself cleaning it more than usual but when I had to tackle the thick slushy stuff it worked fantastic I even did 10 other homes with it that day it really can move the stuff! I like it's size also I was going to purchase a larger blower but opted for this one to save on storage space. I would recommend it for early snow removal and not stuff that has iced over you would need a bigger blower with cutting blades on it to tackle that.