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

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.

hey seabird - i called that guy in ancaster as well.  i found him and the old guy at complete rent-alls in burlington to be quite helpful.  ended up going whole-hog on a 926DLE - great machine - all the neighbours will be jealous.  with any luck, this winter will be like last winter.