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

I'm going to be buying a snowblower in the very near future, and am debating between the two. I've heard many great things about both machines. I used a freinds Toro last winter, and noticed that it didn't pull itself along as well as my old mtd.  Just wondering if the Ariens would be the same. If anyone has any experiences with either of these two, that would be great. Also, which one would you buy?  Here are the links to the two I'm looking at :  http://www.toro.com/home/snowthrowers/gassinglestage/ccr2450.html   The Toro 2450 GTS

http://www.ariens.com/snow_products/single_stage_sno_thros/522_ec/    The Ariens 522 EC

Any Info Would Be Appreciated

Snowmann can correct me here, but I think the Ariens has a lifetime waranty on the rubber auger paddles - Toro does not. The Ariens paddles are roughly $40 each if they have to be purchased. The Toro ones will run about $45 for the pair. I like both machines, both move snow well. As for your friend's Toro, it may have had well worn paddles, which will cause it to not propel itself. Tough call here - both are NICE machines. I feel you would be very happy with either one!

Marty

I just went through this exercise last month...I wound up purchasing the Lawn Boy Insight #33005 (Same as the Toro 2450, just has a green case). I got to use it last week and was very impressed with the power and throwing ability with the heavy wet snow. The Lawn Boy has a couple of features that the Toro does not...Adjustable height handlebar and a single lever chute control for side to side and height control (the Toro has the lever for side to side but have to grab the deflector for throwing distance). Lawn Boy had a $50 rebate until the end of October so making the decision was fairly easy (plus I traded in my 20 yr old Toro S200 and got $50 to boot).

Marty is correct that the paddles on the Ariens has a life time warranty on them. Don't know too much more than that on the Ariens.

bbwb

Oops almost forgot, the Toro/Lawn Boy is around 6-6.5 horse power (as best I can make out on the internet).

bbwb

The performance specs of the LB more closely match the 6.5hp Toro 3650.

Same engine between them...

bbwb