Ariens or craftsman

Dasaras

Joined: Dec 11, 2005
Points: 2

Ariens or craftsman
Original Message Dec 11, 2005 10:47 pm

We live in Cleveland and get dumped with snow rarely, but when it happens it is 6-8 inches. I got a MTD single stage 5.5 HP 21" that rarely is able to throw the snow off our driveway. Major considerations before this buy was : garage space is limited, driveway is small, 2 car wide, 4 car long. small sidewalk. Need only for our home. I plan to return to HD because it is not having any punch to the snow throwing from the center of the driveway, all it does is dumps it on the side of the driveway and I have to re do the sides again. Everyone is out of ariens here and was thinking of buying a 5.5 HP Ariens, 2 stage 21". Read the forum and got concerned bec I have paid 400 for MTD and Ariens is 680 for the 5520. Not in stock anyway, expected next week. Alternative is my neighbour bought a craftsman 5.5 HP 2 stage from Sears for 450. With sears warranty, can get it fixed locally. Dont know if Ariens dealer will fix if I buy from HD. Any thoughts, maybe other models: Toro? Cost, repairs and garage space are major considerations. Thanks in advance for any input

PCPC

Honda 1132 snow thrower, Simplicity 1060 snow thrower, RedMax EBZ8000 leaf blower, older Snapper self propelled mower, Echo weed wacker, 20 + year old 16" McCulloch Chain Saw, wheel barrel with a flat tire, and a rusty shovel!

Joined: Nov 26, 2005
Points: 26

Re: Ariens or craftsman
Reply #9 Dec 25, 2005 12:50 pm

It's hard to believe that your single stage works that bad. You should try checking to make sure that the belt is ok. My first snowblower (on loan from my brother in law at the time), was a 3.5HP Snapper. It would stall, in the EOD (if you went too fast), but other than that, it went through snow like a wolverine with PMS. It would throw the snow at least 20-25 FT. That was an awesome machine. I used it even after I got my Honda, for the lighter snow storms. My brother in law has it back now, and is still using it.

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