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

Hello and thanks in advance for your thoughts.

I originally had my sites set on the Craftsman 88790 which Consumer Reports had listed as a "best buy" for overall rating with regard to price. After a considerable amount of reading here and at other sites I think I'll pay a little more and stay with one of my local dealers.

I have an Ariens and Toro dealer nearby, one 8 minutes, the other 12 minuets, so availability is easy.

Quality machine that is EASY to handle is my criteria.

I started looking at the Ariens 926LE but salesman really thought I should consider the DLE with the differential. I like the idea of the differential and the trigger to lock them together when needed. The 926DLE looks very nice. I know Ariens makes quality equipment.

Today I looked at the Toro LXE series with the two handle mounted trigger controls to completely disengage either wheel for easy maneuverability. Again, this also looks like a very nice machine (828LXE and 1028LXE identical, one at 8 hp, the other at 10hp. Consumer Reports rated them very well.

One machine use differential as default, and you lock them up when needed.
The other has them locked up as default, and you release one or other when needed.

Two different ways to run a machine. Very interested in hearing thoughts from people that have used one, the other, or both of theses.
-Thanks