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

For the past 15 years I've had my driveway plowed but this year  my neighbor/plow person informed me he was no longer plowing so I decided to get a snow blower. I went to HomeDepot to look at snow blowers and they had a reconditioned Ariens 1332le for 1300.00,  it seemed to fit my needs and budget so I bought it.

When I went to pick up the blower  HD accendently sold the machine again. They offered me a new 1332le for the same price. My question is should I stay with the 1332le or look at a 1332dle. I talked with a local Ariens dealer and he said the quality of the LE wasn't very good and I would be lucky to get 5 years out of it. However most here seem to feel the quality of the LE is good. Thanks for any comments.

I have approx 200' of 2 car wide driveway, plus a path to a shed about 100' feet from the house + walkways to keep clear. I wanted something wide and powerful.

This would be the first time I ever heard of an Ariens dealer talking down one of his own products.  Maybe he just wants you to buy it from him rather than HD. What was his price? How much of a discount were you getting from HD on the reconditioned machine?

The recon was 1300.00. The dealer I spoke to doesn't carry the LE line. They probably don't want to compete with HD.

Most of the component parts are the same - so I'd question how valuable that dealer is. You can look on the parts radar and see for yourself. 

The differential and other features of the DLE make it more useful if you get a lot of snow. And it is more manueverable. Can't answer that for you as you don't inclue the most important factor: how much snow you get.  Average snowfall varies across states and regions from about 15" to well over 100". Most folks don't want to spend $2,000 for a motorized garage ornament.

I live just north of Boston and it can be feast or famine. Some years 1 big snow fall to having 10. I picked up the LE yesterday and will stay with it. I'm going to do the break-in today. Thanks for your comments

dear xtreetoes,
Congrats on your new purchase!   I'm sure you will  like your new ariens. The new features for this year look great.
I bought a new 13332DLE last year andam pleased with it. I'm sure you will like your 1332LE, it's a powerful unit!

Wax her up real good now, and be sure to change the break in oil after 5 hours, if I remember correctly.   I use only synthetic oil,
5w-30  in mine.  I was going to use 0w-30, but it was harder to find, and I was told the 5w-30 was fine.

I like the newer tires on the new models......they look a bit better then what came with mine.

Paul from Ariens, (Snowmann), visits here and is very helpful in answering any problems you may have.  He is the only company person from any snowblower company who does......that says alot.

Again, Congrats!

Frank D.

Thanks Frank. I've got the Porter Cable ready to go for the wax job. I will be running German Castrol 0w-30 in the Ariens. That's the oil I use in both my cars so I have some stock.

Given that you've got one run of 200' and another of 100' the pro model with differential is nice but since you will probably be going straight most of the time turning isn't a big deal. I had a look at the Ariens at my local HD and the trigger control that disconnects the wheel from the axle is real nice. Its making me question whether the differential is actually worth it. I still thiknk so but its a real close call unless you do a lot of driveways with a lot of turning.

Nibbler,
I agree.......if they had that last year, perhaps I would have boughten the LE instead of the DLE.....(although i did get an awesome deal on the DLE

Frank D.

I have a pretty straight  runs so turning isn't an issue. My main concern was the longevity of the LE vs the DLE.  Looking at the LE I'm sure it will last. Oh and saving close to 1K on the LE vs DLE was a factor. Now I'm torn between wanting snow and enjoying the warm weather which =  lower heating costs.

By buying a new snow blower you have nusred it will not snow much for a couple of years.....