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

Take pity upon me. I've been lurking here, and I'm looking for some suggestions on a snowblower.

I've narrowed it down to four snowblowers (all around $900 to $1,000):

Cub Cadet, 10 hp, Tecumseh L-head, 28-inch

Husqvarna, 10.5 hp, Tecumseh OHV, 30-inch

Craftsman, 10.5 hp, Briggs OHV, 30-inch

Arien, 9 hp, Tecumseh L-head, 26-inch

The Husq and the Craftsman look to me to be made by the same manufacturers. The Sears guy told me that theirs is made by Murray. Yikes! I actually prefer the first three for ease of use. Of course, I'm aware of the Ariens reputation, though the 9-hp model isn't overly impressive.

Any thoughts? (My driveway is 25 by 50, and I live in Maine. Snowfally can be heavy, but the worst part is the pile at the end of the driveway that's caused by the snow plow!)

Thanks,

David

Thanks for the help here. I'll put out one last call for counsel:

I'm looking at either the Toro 10 hp Tecumseh L-head, or the Ariens LE 11.5 hp Techumseh OHV. Both have a 28-inch bite. I don't want to sink the money in the pro model, and I believe I can live with the cast aluminum gear box based on a chat with the service manager of my local dealer. The dealer carries both Toro and Arien.  I'm probably leaning toward the Ariens at this point, but could be swayed. Interestingly enough, the sales staff recommends the Toro over the Ariens LE and Ariens pro line based on its "tough gear box." The service department, however, recommends Ariens based on the no polycarbonate/plastic justification.

Plastic/metal aside, I'm hung up on the engine choice: I like the Arien's OHV but it has less displacement, 318 cc vs 358 cc on the Toro L-head. Which is going to work harder/last longer, the OHV with less displacement and higher hp, or the L-head with more displacement but less hp? What sayeth the engineers? 

I have the day off on Friday, so I plan to make my purchase then. I figure I can't go wrong either way.... I wish I had a strong color preference, orange vs. red. That would would make it easier

Go with the Ariens, greater HP!!

You may not need it, but when you do for EOD, it's there!!!!

                                                   Fred

I ended up getting the Toro 1028LXE after all from a different dealer.  He was able to match the price of $1399 and give the 1 year financing.  He also gave me free delivery since he is only 5 minutes away.  It is scheduled to arrive this Saturday.  I'm glad that decision is made.  It really was a very tough decision between all the snowblower choices.

Dsharp - Obviously I voted for the Toro over the Ariens 11528LE (which was a big contender with us too).  I think either machine will be fine as far as the engine goes and it came down to which will be easier to use.  Nothing was able to beat the joystick controls for me   My husband  preferred a plastic chute too and the Toro has a 5 year warranty on the chute so I am not worried.  We also preferred the lighter weight of the Toro.

Good luck with your choice.     

dsharp wrote:

The Ariens XS style gearbox (Aluminum and Cast Iron styles) is easily the equal to the Toro, and in some ways better (although the Toro gearbox is of good robust design). I can elaborate if you wish.

I don't really agree with their "so strong it doesn't even need shear bolts" propaganda though. That's like removing the seat belts from a Ford Excusrion just becuase it's so big.

PK

Nice spelling I have there. "Excusrion" and "Becuase". Moderators, where's the ever so helpful edit button?

Thanks Snowman, Jubol, Cleblanc et al:

The deed is done: I got more snowblower than I need, at least I hope that's the case. Got the Ariens ST11528LE from the local dealer. Same price as at the big box, but with free setup and delivery, along with a $98 warranty extension. That makes five years total and the dealer will retrieve it if there's a problem; furthermore, the dealer will send a snow plow if it snows while it's in the shop. Pretty nice.

I know the pro-level is better, but I think the aluminum box will work. The service manager says the alminum box has brass bushings compared to bearings in the pro models. But he says he has seen the brass bushings work 30 years with proper maintenance. (Snowman, does this sound right?) In fact, he told me this will be the last snow blower I buy if I take care of it. I'm only 40, so this was a little disturbing. I hope he means it'll last 60 years ;)

Cleblanc: I'd be interested in hearing your experience with the Toro. I like it a lot -- it's lighter and more maneurable even without the triggers. One reason I decided on the Ariens is that they seemed to be the preferred equipment in Maine. I think it'll have decent resale if I get relocated.

Thanks again

David

 

One final thought: I fired up the 11.5 OHV Tecumseh in the parking lot. It's like any other snow blower engine -- it's loud as heck! I didn't notice any difference in sound compared to my neighbor's Ariens L-head... People hoping for a quiet engine shouldn't get their hopes up with the Tecumseh OHV,  IMHO

dsharp wrote:
I read the same thing about OHV being "quieter". I didn't notice a difference, they were all loud. I always wear at least ear muffs and almost always have plugs in as well. Damage to ears accumulates so you need to save them all the time.

Interesting side note. I to a rock concert and wore ear plugs. I tried taking them out once or twice and found that I could hear the music and the singing better with the plugs in, the group sounded better with the volume turned "down"..

dsharp wrote:

David,

The internals of the XS Aluminum gearcase are the same as the current Pro Cast Iron gearcase (although the Pro has the superior cast iron & carbon steel housing). The former revision of the Pro Cast Iron gearbox (the one without the Ariens logo on the front) had a pair of tapered roller bearings on the input shaft (924,XXX series units). These were unnecessary as they worked no better (or longer) than the current PM bearings and thrust collars. Wet sump/oil bath applications for PM bearings (bronze bushings) are hard to beat because of the hydrodynamic effects of leaching oil. The XS style gearboxes were designed to eclipse all others in robustness and benchmarked against the top competitive design . It will outlive the rest of the unit as long as it remains properly lubricated.

PK

Thanks for your response. I now feel even better about the purchase.  I've already checked out the part of the owners manual about changing the crank case lubrication. I think I can handle that. Too bad the warranty on the Tecumseh isn't as good as the overall machine warranty! Looks like two years? Oh well, it should last a long time as well with regular maintenance.

The beast was delivered today. Now I've got to clean some toys out of the garage to make room for it!

Happy election eve...

David