Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

Hello folks,

I found this forum by doing some research on which snow thrower to purchase. We recently purchased a new home with a large driveway, in my last home I had a deal worked out with my neighbor who plowed my driveway for free (what a sweet deal that was!) Now with the new home I obviously need to figure out how to get rid of the white stuff.

I live in Rochester New Hampshire, we average about 60" a year in anual snowfall. The driveway is 17' at the road by 78' long & fans out to about 44' at the bottom. It is a gravel driveway with a slight hill going up to the road.

A close friend of mine purchased an 8.5 hp Ariens two years ago & of course recommends one. I went shopping with him at the time & we looked at everything. Now it is my turn & I am looking at everything as well. From what I have seen I do not want a Craftsman b/c of all the cables & cheasy build quality. Which is a shame because I own a DLT3000 riding mower from them that I like alot with the 20hp V-Twin Kohler. I have looked at the Yard Machine's at Home Depot as well as the smaller Toro's they have, none of them looked like something that would last for a while. I still would like to check out the Husky's & Simplicity, both are available in my area with a little drive time. I was in S. Portland & spoke with a salesman at Chad Little Equipment. He recommended the Ariens 926DLE for my needs, his recommendation seemed solid. He pointed out the benefits of the steel gearcase vs. the alluminum, it made sense b/c of the gravel in my driveway. He also pointed out the differential which really has me sold.

Now my questions are the usual, will the 9.25 be enough HP, of course I don't want to underbuy. I also see I can purchase the 11528LE from HD or Chad Little for less money than the 926DLE & get a little more HP but lose the steel gear case & differential. It does have the remote axle lock on the handlebar which works similar but different. My budget really isn't an issue, I want a good deal but I also want to spend what I need to spend to get a quality machine that will last & do the job. Tough call, so do I buy the bigger machine with less features or the pro model or to make it even worse do I look at other brands & start over. I won't even mention the fact that I CAN put a snowthrower on my lawn mower & cover more ground quicker. HELP!

As tallyhoe mentioned, there are plenty of Aluminum gearcases still out there.  I think the bearing between the impeller and the drive pulley will go long before anything happens to the Aluminum gearcase. 

I was given a 1988 8HP Ariens that sheared the TWO pins in the gearcase.  One was a solid 1/4" steel groove pin, the other was a 3/16" steel pin (the rolled-up in a C-shape sheet metal kind).   Both pins were sheared into three pieces.  I was quite surprised, and perhaps even a little bit lucky, but  it didn't damage the Aluminum case at all.

However, I do have to admit that a cast iron gearcase does give an additional (in only perceived) level of confidence. 

I'm partial to Ariens, but that's only because I have a few of them.  No experience with other brands. 

Best of luck

OK, I FINALLY made my purchase today. We picked out the Toro 828 LXE. I thought about it & realized that my wife may have to use it while I am away on business. I brought her to the dealer with me, they sell Ariens & Toro. We had her try the chute controls & she picked the Toro, it really is easier I have to admit. I noticed the Ariens chute controls locking up in the showroom, even on "perfectly" adjusted ones! I know the Ariens is built better with heavier steel & more bearings but the 828 seems easier to use. Now I just hope I made the right decision & it is every bit as good as the 926 DLE that was sitting next to it.