Abby’s Guide > Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) > Discussions > What's the group opinion on Deere Frontier snowblowers?
Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions |
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bontaiJoe
 
If it's free, it's for me!
Location: Saylorsburg, PA
Joined: Jun 4, 2004
Points: 424
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What's the group opinion on Deere Frontier snowblowers?
Original Message Aug 2, 2005 9:20 am |
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I know from reading a lot of posts here that many here favor the Ariens and Toro walk behind snow blowers, and that Simplicity has a good reputation as well. Since I own older Deere tractors, I'm occassionally at my Deere dealer for parts and I have often checked out the Frontier snow blowers he has on the floor. They LOOK like they should be a decent machine, and a real plus for me is the handle bars are high enough that I don't have to bend over like I do on my brother's Honda track machine (a mighty fine machine but built for people 6" shorter than me, I'm 6'-3") I haven't used one, and didn't want to take up my dealer's time having him demonstrate one when I wasn't actually in the market, but I am curious as to why they don't get mentioned here. I know that they are built by Murray, but to Deere specs (I assume). Are they high priced junk? Good machines, but I can match the quality for less money with an Ariens? Or excellent machines that cost so much, that most folks can't afford them? I seem to remember they were pretty expensive.
"Man's mind stretched to a new idea, never goes back to its original dimension." -Oliver Wendell Holmes
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robmints
Joined: May 13, 2003
Points: 4691
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Re: What's the group opinion on Deere Frontier snowblowers?
Reply #3 Aug 2, 2005 10:14 pm |
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Joe, They are made by Murray. Not great, but not bad either. Better than MTD. As Chris said, if you can find a comparable "Murray branded" unit, you'll most likely pay a lot less (that green paint must be pretty expensive...perhaps it's made with real money to turn it green). If the Deere branded machine is $1,000 or more and that's within your budget, you may be better off looking at an Ariens, Toro, or Simplicity (assuming you can find one that fits). One thing the Frontier may have in it's favor is the Deere dealer who sells it. But like all other brand dealers, there are good and bad. LL My Deere dealer might sell them. But he does not stock them. He stocks Ariens Pro and Toro. The Murray/Deere's do have a 3 year warranty, ckearly stated and separated into an engine and chassis. The MTD bashing officially begins Aug 2. LL throws out the opening pitch, just like the President. LL I'm just joking a bit. I do sort of like my MTD though.
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ChrisS
Appreciate what you have already been blessed with.
Joined: Sep 16, 2002
Points: 2793
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Re: What's the group opinion on Deere Frontier snowblowers?
Reply #4 Aug 2, 2005 11:48 pm |
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The MTD bashing officially begins Aug 2. LL throws out the opening pitch, just like the President.
LOL.....
C
Honda 928TA, Ariens 924 STE, Toro single stage S-620, 95 Jeep Wrangler with a 6 foot Fisher Plow, many shovels, one 14 year old boy. Craftsman 01 1000 LTX pimp Gold LT 20hp Briggs OHV V-twin. Tough as it is ugly.
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faithfulFrank
He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep
to gain what he cannot lose....
Location: Batavia, N.Y.
Joined: Jan 20, 2004
Points: 1067
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Re: What's the group opinion on Deere Frontier snowblowers?
Reply #5 Aug 3, 2005 6:37 am |
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When I was shopping at my Ariens dealer, who actually is a BIG John Deere dealer...(ariens is a side line for him), I was looking at the JD Frontiers. The head small engine serviceperson just told me......."Frank......they ain't no Ariens" He went on to say that he was not impressed with them. Ariens used to make the JD snowblowers..they used to look just like green ariens. When they stopped, my dealer went against company policy and started being a ariens dealer. When the frontiers came out, they had to put them in the front window. He said they are ok for the price. The funny thing is that when the John Deere big wigs come down, they actually have to take the Ariens stuff out of the showroom. Corporate policy says nothing but green will be seen. Kinda funny....... Frank D. PS edited for spelling
This message was modified Aug 3, 2005 by faithfulFrank
Ariens 1332DLE Pro, Exmark 52" HP ZTR, Gardian Generac generator, Shindiawa T230 Excell/Honda PW, Craftsman rototiller, Favorite IPE- My Mac + Ipod- No Windoze for me!
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ChrisS
Appreciate what you have already been blessed with.
Joined: Sep 16, 2002
Points: 2793
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Re: What's the group opinion on Deere Frontier snowblowers?
Reply #9 Aug 4, 2005 11:41 am |
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Not MTD bashing, just calling it as I see it. I've often defended MTD as I believe they offer a product at price points that appeal to many, many people, Just saying you can do better...at a higher cost. LL
For the record LL I did not take you post as a bashing post, just your opinion and I felt that Rob was just having some fun and trying to keep the topic light.
"Just saying you can do better...at a higher cost." While I would agree with you when we are comparing most brands this is not always the case with all the units under the Murray name. Many times they are as competitively priced as an MTD unit if you do some careful shopping. C
This message was modified Aug 4, 2005 by ChrisS
Honda 928TA, Ariens 924 STE, Toro single stage S-620, 95 Jeep Wrangler with a 6 foot Fisher Plow, many shovels, one 14 year old boy. Craftsman 01 1000 LTX pimp Gold LT 20hp Briggs OHV V-twin. Tough as it is ugly.
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