I used this earlier in the year with a few smaller snow falls. But the historic snowfall we had this week proved this snowblowers worth. My driveway is about 12 feet wide and this thrower will throw from one side to the other. The chute is very manageable and engine is quite and seems to run for about an hour an half under heavy use on a tank of fuel. Not sure as it was never empty when I stopped. The tines will freeze with snow but believe it or not spraying the inside with Pam seems to stop the snow from clinging to them. It does have an electric start but mine will always start on the first pull. 18 inches of snow... no problem additional 12... no problem.Dumb plow drive who plows your driveway shut after you just cleaned the drive way.... no problem. That snow was packed hard and high and the blower chewed right threw it and it was easily 12 inches worth. For the money its great. It comes with extra shear pins but buy a couple of extra. I haven't needed them but you never know when you might. Two down points, one, no light and two. Make sure you clean all the snow out of the wheels, chute, tines, ect. there are so many spaces that snow gets lodged that when you get it your garage it melts and you have a ton of water every where. Get a large drip pan or something to park it on to catch the melt.
I purchased this machine a year ago in February 2015. I used it 10 times. I tried to start it up in January 2016 and it would not work. I purchased the 3 year service plan, which ended up being worthless and had the serviceman come out. After a 5 minute consultation, he told me it was the carburetor which was not working on many of the same machines. It took almost a month to get the part. Guess what... the replacement didn't work. He tried another new carburetor a few weeks later and guess what... IT DIDN'T WORK! The serviceman deemed the machine defective and we tried to get the machine replaced. By now it's the end of February because of the delay on the part and trying to get it replaced. We can't get a replacement as promised by Sears service because IT'S THE END OF SEASON. I guess the end of February is the end of winter in the Northeast. I feel lied to and ripped off. I'm going to sell it to a friend for parts and scrap metal and go somewhere else to get a new one for next winter. In short: Useless machine and useless service. DO NOT PURCHASE!
Purchased this in Dec '18 after my other snow blower finally let go. Issue 1: When I purchased it, I was suppose to receive $350 in points which they subtracted $100 worth during the check out process. 2: I used the machine 7 times during the course of the winter and on the second use I noticed some noise coming from the machine when engaging the auger. I am not sure if it is a belt or bearing issue. I went today to my local sears repair facility to be told by the manager that I WILL bring it home and call the repair service to come out and visit my home. I am responsible to pay for the service call because I failed to buy their "Service agreement". Dude better watch himself because he might get jacked in the jaw the next time he tells someone what they are going to do. These are made by MTD and are pure junk. Spend your money on what you want but I would suggest purchasing from a reputable retailer that will handle issues instead of a fly by night pos business. Sears is junk now and I will never freely give them anymore of my money.