EmailBest Reviewed
Snow Blowers
- Electric power shovel Toro Power Shovel *Est. $110
- Single-stage electric snow blower Toro 1800 Power Curve *Est. $330
- Single-stage gas snow blower Toro Power Clear 210R 38587 *Est. $580
- Budget two-stage gas snow blower Craftsman 88957 *Est. $600
- Powerful two-stage gas snow blower Troy-Bilt Storm 3090 XP 31AH55Q5711 *Est. $1100
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Powerful two-stage gas snow blower
- Powerful 357 cc engine
- Heated handgrips
- Power steering
- Joystick chute adjustment
- Electric push-button starter
- Headlight
- Heavy
- More power than some may need
- Bulky
The two-stage Troy-Bilt Storm 3090 XP can handle heavy snowfalls and wet, heavy snow, but it incorporates features that make it easy to handle as well: power steering, single-hand operation, heated handgrips, a headlight and joystick chute control. With a 30-inch clearing path and a single-pass snow cut depth of a maximum of 21 inches, this model can clear lots of snow quickly. The Craftsman Pro 88830 (*Est. $1,000) is essentially the same snow blower as the Troy-Bilt model; both are manufactured by MTD. If you don't need this much size and power and are willing to forego extras like power steering and a headlight, experts recommend the Craftsman 88957 (*Est. $600) or its Troy-Bilt equivalent, the Storm 2410 (*Est. $600).
ConsumerReports.org conducts comparison testing on the Troy-Bilt Storm 3090 XP, along with seven other two-stage blowers, for its latest ratings update. The chart identifies the Craftsman Pro 88830 as a comparable model. Paul Sikkema at MovingSnow.com reviews the Craftsman Pro 88830, and Tim Carter has a video of this model on his website, AskTheBuilder.com.
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Our Sources
1. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe
ConsumerReports.org includes an earlier version of the Troy-Bilt Storm 3090 XP (with a 305cc Briggs & Stratton engine) among eight two-stage snow blowers in its latest ratings chart. Snow blowers are ranked based on objective tests of their performance. The chart includes the Craftsman 88830 as a similar model whose performance may be expected to be comparable to that of the Troy-Bilt 3090 XP. To be sure you get the newest version of the Storm 3090 XP, look for manufacturer's product number 31AH55Q5711.
Review: Snow Blowers Ratings, Editors of ConsumerReports.org, Oct. 2009
Paul Sikkema reviews the Craftsman 88830 and give it a Best Buy tag. He writes that "the value for the dollar is good enough that you should seriously consider this machine if you regularly blow more than 6 inches of snow on driveways larger than 16 feet by 80 feet."
Review: Craftsman 30 Inch Two Stage Model 88830 Snow Thrower Review, Paul Sikkema, Aug. 28, 2009
Tim Carter's four-minute video gives safety tips for using a snow blower, and shows Carter operating the Craftsman 88830 (the model number is identified on the owner's manual to which Carter refers during the video). He demonstrates the 88830's features and says, "I love this machine."
Review: Craftsman Snowblower Video, Tim Carter
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