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

Hello everyone.  New to the group, and I wanted to get your opinion on the snow blower mentioned about (Yard Machines 10.5 HP, 28" clearing width).

I have paid for one of these after seeing the deal that Home Depot had going on.  However, I have not taken delivery yet (because I have nowhere to put it until I close on my house next week).  Has anyone used one of these, and if so, would you recommend getting one?  Are there any reliability questions with this machine?  I've read that that some people question the build quality and use of plastic parts.

I know that there are a lot of Ariens fans on the board, and Home Depot has dropped those prices significantly as well, but is the quality significantly better to justify the higher price?  Please note that this won't be used as a money maker, but just by me, since I'm moving to an area with a significant snow fall.  I do have some 20% off coupons for Home Depot which are making me want to upgrade to the Ariens, but wanted to get some opinions first. 

Any help would be much appreciated.  Thanks for reading.

what is the price difference, ie bottom dollar to bottom dollar?

How long do you expect to own it?

Do you usually buy quality or buy cheapest?

Does the yard machine have  mechanism on the handle bar that assists you in turning?

Jubol:
 - I live in Colorado (moving to the mountains with more snow)

Solara:
 - I just called Home Depot, and they actually dropped the price on both snow blowers.  The Ariens will end up being cheaper than what I originally paid for the Yard Machines (no brainer there)

 - I expect to own it for as long as it runs (or until I move somewhere without snow, which won't happen anytime soon)

 - I buy quality all the way

 - Yes, the Yard Machine has turning helpers (wheel locks on each side).  Don't know if this is similar to the Ariens


Like I said, I called Home Depot and they've dropped their prices yet again.  I also won a 20% off coupon on Ebay.  Those two combined make the Ariens cheaper than what I was willing to spend on the Yard Machine, so I'll probably stop by tonight and cancel one and order the other, provided that it's of better quality with features similar to what drew me to the Yard Machine originally.  Feel free to provide any more insight that you see fit.  Thanks!

Matt,

Buy the Ariens!!!

MTD' machine are great where I am, but not for you!!!

                                                       Fred 

Absolutely go with the Ariens.

You also get a 3 year warranty with your all metal machine. I own 2 machines. I never had a problem with either. Just make sure you get one with a properly assembled chute or better yet, get one in the box and assemble it correctly yourself which is what I would do.

Friends don't let friends buy MTD snow throwers......

Someone posted on another board that some Home Depots now have some Ariens at 50% off! Like an 11528LE for less than $700.

No brainer is right. Let us know what you end up with. Good luck.

I happened to see a Yard Machine on display today and was not impressed. The skids seemed to be attached with machine screws rather than bolts. Perhaps I missed them, but there didn't appear to be any grease fittings on the auger shafts. I'd be leery of buying one.

Watch out with those HD specials. If you buy now the price is right except, you better check it out before you run it. I was in a HD today and watched two guys unpacking and setting up blower after blower without checking any of the critical adjustments. I doubt you'll be able to get anything still in the box because they want to clear it all out. Buy it,take it home and go through the manual with a fine tooth comb and you'll be just fine. Mine came out of the box and was quite out of adjustment but the manual was very clear. Now it runs like a charm but no SNOW. Good luck 

Well I went to Home Depot last night to "return" the Yard Machine and purchase the Ariens 11528LE.  The sale price for the Ariens was $649, with an additional 20% off (thanks to whoever mentioned going on ebay to buy some coupons!), plus tax...the total came out to about $550!

Also, I did get one that was still in the box.  However, the HD salesman was telling me that there was a factory issued repair to be done on the fuel line.  They indicated that they could do the work, but I thought I'd ask here first (excuse my ignorance, but I don't know the extent of the work...he explained it as gluing a part to the fuel line).

Thanks for the tips guys.  Now I just have to wait for the next big snow storm!

However, the HD salesman was telling me that there was a factory issued repair to be done on the fuel line.  They indicated that they could do the work, but I thought I'd ask here first (excuse my ignorance, but I don't know the extent of the work...he explained it as gluing a part to the fuel line).

The HD salesman is incorrect. The work has too be done by an authorized Tecumseh service dealer.