There is nothing really available in Canada for less than $1000. At that price, the best unit (based on spec) seems to be the Canadian Tire unit (8.5 hp, 26" width).
In the USA, availability starts in the $750 - $800 range (6 to 8.5 hp,
24 to 26" width) and some decent units can be had for $900 (9 to 9.5 hp, 28" width).Basically, for what you can get in the USA for $900 would cost you $1200 in Canada.
What you can get in the USA for $700 - $900 would cost you $1000 in Canada.
I bought a 8hp, 24" blower at Sears in either Dec 2005 or Jan 2006. It was on sale - for $800. Who knows what it cost in the US at the time, but it was probably something like $650.
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Lowes (USA)
11 hp, 30" $1100 9.5 hp, 28" $900 8.5 hp, 26" $770Home Depot (USA)
Cub Cadet Z-700 10 hp, 28" $1000 Ariens Sno-Thro ST824E 8 HP, 24" $950 Ariens Sno-Thro ST624E 6 hp, 24" $750
Home Depot (Canada)
Cub Cadet (model not given) 8.5 hp, 26" $1200 MTD Pro 10.5 hp, 30" $1200 Murray 10 hp, 30" $1200
4 throwers @ $1000 (2 Toro, MTD, Murray)- 6 to 8 hp, 26 to 27 "
- nothing in the $500 to $1000 range
Sears (USA)
9 hp, 28" $900 (on sale, reg price = $1050) 7 hp, 26" $730 (on sale, reg price = $800) 5.5 hp, 24" $700 (reg price)Sears (Canada)
- Nothing less than $1000
- 1 unit at $1000 (9.5 hp, 27")
- 5 units at $1200 (9.5 - 11.5 hp, 24 - 30")
TSC (USA)
- 1 blower (8.5 hp, 30") but website won't give price
Meijers (USA)
- no snow blowers listed on website
Sams Club (USA)
- no snow blowers listed on website
Costco (USA)
- no snow blowers listed on website
Canadian Tire
- 1 unit between $500 and $1000 (5.5 hp, 22") $800
- 8.5 hp, 27" $1000
- 7 hp, 26" $1200
- 10.5 hp, 30" $1200