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

i am new to the world of snowblowers.

we live in Oakville Ontario which receives a far amount of snow each year.  average fall will be a few inches but the odd time we get the big snow fall and considerable drifting.  we have a double driveway about 40 ft long and 50 ft sidewalk.  i am looking for a machine that will handle the majority of the snowfalls we receive and would like to keep the size of machine to a minimum primarily due to expense and storage space.

i am looking in the used market but not 100% sure I want to buy used due to the lack of warranty and generally i'm not that comfortable assessing the condition of a small gas engine.

the machines i'm considering are as follow:

Murray 5hp, single stage, 21 inch with Tech engine CAD479 at HD

Ariens 5hp, single stage, 22 inch with Tech engine CAD661 at local dealer.

Toro, 3.25 hp, single stage, CAD569 at local dealer

Based on my research the Ariens is the superior machine however it comes at a 38% premium over the Murray.  Toro seems to be a good name but based on specs the Ariens seems to give you better value.

Bearing in mind my needs and that cost is a factor, is the Murray machine adquate? 

Would the Ariens and Murray both have the same engine or does Tech make different engines for different mfgs?

Are there other options out there that would fit in my budget. ie. $400-$700

Thanks

You didn't mention how long your driveway is and what the End of Driveway (EOD) is like. I have a neighbour who has a Honda single stage. She is happy with it but is happier still to see me coming down the street with a 2 stage unit. so a lot depends on how well you take getting bogged down occasionally. I have 11HP and still get bogged evey so often but then I'm claning 20-30 driveways and I tend run run the machine in 6th as much as possible, could be I'm just impatient.

Bottom line is that a single stage will probably work but you will probably spend more time whan you might want whenever it is deep and wet. If its icy they all have problems but a two stage has less.

well after a bit more research at the dealer i have narrowed down my choices.  the guy at the dealer recommends the single stage for the wet snow that we get here in Ontario and also because some of the hp in a double stage goes towards the drive and since i'm in my mid 30's i should have no problem manuvering the machine.  his choice would be the Toro based on performance and longevity.  I'm torn between the Ariens 7hp and Toro 5 hp and am even considering the Ariens 5hp just because of price point.  In the end I want the best machine for the money.

Ariens 722 - 7hp  with electric start CAD810

Toro 2450 - 5hp recoil start CAD800

Ariens 522 - 5hp with recoil start CAD660

still debating between the three but getting there, any feedback on these models would be appreciated.

seabird wrote:

Given those prices, the Ariens 722 is an easy choice over the Toro. I would prfer to err on the side of caution and get the bigger machine...but I don't want to spend your money. The smaller Ariens will work, but it will take longer to do the job in a heavy snow. If you can live with the trade-off, that's up to you.

AZ

thanks for the feedback.

this morning i was thinking the same thing, 7hp Ariens figuring more hp and electric start.  however i dropped by the dealer today and asked the salesperson a few more questions.  i asked which unit he would buy between the 5hp Toro and 7hp Ariens at basically the same price point and he said the 5hp Toro.  He said he has used both units  and the Toro outperformed the Ariens.  The superior performance and build quality were his key reasons.

now i'm confused more than ever going back and forth between the two and also throwing in the 5hp Ariens every now and then.

ive done more research on the units on the internet and the Toro does have a lot of positive feedback while info on the Ariens is limited.

would like to hear from anyone who has the 722 Ariens.

Hi, I have an old Viking mid 70s  21 inch 1 stage  with a tecm 7hp telling you boy this machine eats the snow, whatever  slushy

one flaky or thick is the condition but mine is all metal new ones are rubber auger less dangerous.

if  its 7 hp go for it but 5hp hummm.....

Denis

I'm partial to Ariens...but I did own a few toro single stage blowers years ago.  Both i'm sure are good units.
With the Ariens you get a 3 year warranty, and with the 722EC you also get the quick turn chute rotation.

I know it is easy for me to spend other peoples money, but i'd advise you to get want you want and need.
The only thing worse then spending too much is not spending enough and ending up with a underpowered unit that every year you say to yourself, "Jeez, I wish I went bigger."

Something you will own for years and years.....the bigger/better is only a few extra bucks per year.

Cry once when you buy it, be happy you did for years after.........

Frank D.

thanks for the words of wisdom frank.

i'm pretty set on price at the $800 mark, its really between the 5hp toro and 7hp ariens.

features are not as important to me as: 1st priority - Performance 2nd priority - Build Quality.

i think both are acceptable on the build quality, however i'm not convinced the ariens will outperform the toro just based on hp.

this is the $64k question.

I guess I'd ask.....
What feels better to you?  If they are at different dealers, what dealer has the better service?  Talk to the guy(s) that are in the back and really work on them daily....ask them.
I'd rather talk to the service guys then any "salesman".

Good luck! tell us that you decide......

Frank D.

well, bought the ariens 722 today and feel good about the purchase.

i talked to several dealers who sell both toro and ariens and the one that sold me was the service person from a dealer in Ancaster Ontario.  The sales guy was out so I was put through to the service man.  in his opinion both are well built machines but he liked the build quality and engine of the ariens over the toro.  i asked him which unit he would buy between the ariens 722 and toro 2450, both by the way are at the same price point, he opted for ariens with the extra 2hp, adjustable chute and electric start.  even if the 722 and 3650 were even money (i.e. both 7hp and 6.5hp models) he still said he would opt for the ariens.  the general sentiment i rec'd was that toro's pricing is slightly inflated due to marketing costs and yes they do sell more units overall, but mainly due to marketing i.e. people are more familier with the toro name and some buy for this reason alone.   for my purposes i.e. strictly residential, i opted for the extra 2hp, 3yr warranty and electric start. in the end i dont think i could have gone wrong with either, but i do feel good about my decision.  units in my area are selling out fast before the season starts but the prices were fixed at every dealer.  my local dealer was sold out so i ended up buying from a small local hardware store near my work, but will problably end up getting all my servicing done locally.

i should mention that my local dealer would have opted for the 5hp toro over the 7hp ariens, however it just made more sense to me to buy the bigger engine while still staying with a reputable brand.  i dont see how the 5hp toro could significantly outperform the 7hp ariens, if at all.

thanks for all the feedback

CONGRATS on your new Ariens!
let us know how it works out for you......!

Frank D.