Based on my 7 years experience with a large suburban yard
(not 2 acres) - I'd say -
- buy new - 10 year depreciation less than $200/yr
- any well known make - I went Sears for service
- 12hp enough 14/16 a luxury
- manual trans fine for open areas
- only advantage of hydro might be getting SO to drive it!
- forget snow blade - it's not lack of hp it's lack of
weight and traction (even with chains) - get separate
snowblower - not much more expensive than buying a blade
and much better - much easier.
"If you want to turn and mill buy a lathe and a mill not a
3-in-1"
YMMV
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