I think Ebay would probably be your best bet for a used snow cone machine. You can at least get a good idea of what they're going for.
ConcessionStands.com will let you comparison shop all the major snow cone machine brands so you can get the best price.
Snow cone syrup is commonly used for adding a flavor boost to a snow cone. A snow cone without syrup is simply just shaved ice in a cup. A syrup will make the taste pop and the experience more enjoyable.
Craigslist would probably be your best bet. As of this writing they had more than six listings. You could also try one of the party rental companies in town like FunTyme Rentals. They may have used equipment for sale.
The sell small snow cone machines at target for a good price. They don't do much heavy duty ice shaving but you could probably get four snow cones out of it with little trouble. If you're making more than that you'll want a bigger machine because it takes to long to shave the ice. The Disney Ice Shaver is kid safe and costs less than $30. I also saw some used on amazon.com for less than $20.
snowplough
The sugar content in a snow cone can vary widely depending on the amount of syrup used and the size of the cone. Typically, a standard snow cone may contain anywhere from 20 to 40 grams of sugar, primarily from the flavored syrup. Some larger or extra-sweet versions can exceed this range. It's always a good idea to check the specific syrup used for more accurate nutritional information.
Cone thread is thread typically used on an overlock "serger" machine. It is thread wound on a cardboard or plastic cone, and is much bigger than a standard thread spool.
A snowmobile is a motorized vehicle designed for winter travel on snow, typically with skis in the front and a caterpillar track in the back. A snow machine, on the other hand, can refer to any equipment that generates snow artificially, such as a snow cannon used in ski resorts.
Snow cone machines have been around for a long time. In 1919, at the Dallas State Fair, an inventor named Samuel Bert sold hand-shaved, syrup-flavored ice in cones. It was such a big hit during the fair that, a year later, he started selling snow cone machines nationwide until he died in 1984. Another man, Ernest Hansen, liked the concept of snow cones, but felt the texture of the ice was too coarse. He experimented with his own version, and patented the first ice block shaver in New Orleans in 1934. This machine made a shaved ice treat that he called a snowball, which had a lighter and fluffier texture like snow. Hansen also started marketing his machine, and modern versions are still used in commercial settings today. Ice shaving machines and snow cone makers can be found in stadiums, coliseums, and parks; on ice cream trucks and peddler carts; and many dessert restaurants have them, as well. But desserts similar to snow cones have been popular for a long time, even before Hansen’s machine was invented. During the Roman Empire, snow was gathered from the mountains and brought into the city, where syrup was added for a delicious treat. Asians around the 19th century also enjoyed shaved ice desserts. When immigrants came from Japan to Hawaii, they brought their hand operated, ice shaving machines with them. These machines made a fluffy product like Hansen’s, which became very popular and were called Hawaiian Ices. Snow cone machines are simple to operate; ice goes into the hopper, it gets pushed through the blades, and comes out as shaved or crushed ice. Stronger pressure on the push handle makes a coarse ice, and lighter pressure makes a fine textured ice. They are so simple to operate that smaller, counter top snow cone makers are available from major appliance brands for personal use. They are even available as toys for children, including the famous Snoopy snow cone maker that originally came out in 1979. And because of the popularity of snow cones and snowballs, the snow cone machine will more than likely be available on the market for many more generations to enjoy.
The first snow machine in Saskatchewan was built by a farmer named J. W. "Bill" Smith in the early 1950s. He created the machine to help with snow removal on his farm, and it was a notable innovation for the region. Smith's invention laid the groundwork for the development of snow-making technology used in winter sports and recreational areas.
There are special machines used to shave ice. Most double as a snow cone maker also.
Plowking911 is a good website to find used snow plows and information on them.
Crushed ice is used for snow cones because it has a light and fluffy texture that easily absorbs the flavored syrup, creating a refreshing treat. The small ice particles also make it easier to eat and enjoy compared to larger ice chunks.