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

Did I make the right call?

I've been looking at used and new snowblowers for a while now, and researched a bit on this site.  Narrowed it down to either Simplicity, Ariens, or new Toro.  Also John Deere, since they were made by Ariens.

I've been partial to Simplicity, because my 1969 Simplicity Sno-Away S7 still runs.  It's just showing it's age. 

So I found a used mid-90's Simplicity 860 with electric start on Craigslist for $400, and another used mid-90's 860 without electric start at my local Simplicity dealer for $500.  The one from the dealer comes with a complete tuneup and adjustment, and he offers a 30 day warranty from the first time I use it (first snowfall).  Both are 8 hp with a 24" cut.

I'm planning to buy the one from the dealer, mainly because of the warranty.  I figure if I buy the private party one I would pay around $75 for a tuneup anyway, so they are both the same price. 

Although if I want to do some overkill I think I can get a 10 hp with a 32" cut for around the same price.  I just don't think I need something that large.  

I'm in Minnesota, so we get a fair amount of snow.  My driveway is 2 cars wide, and about 2 cars long.  Plus I blow a path around my house for the mailman.  So it's not like I have to clear a parking lot or anything.  

Opinions?  Ideas?  Did I do the right thing, or should I have just bitten the bullet and bought a new one? 

Thanks Jobul.

I have looked at the new ones, my local dealer has an 8526 in stock.   That's one of my problems, I keep thinking that for a few hundred dollars more, I can have a new machine.  If I'm not careful I'll talk myself into a $2,000 blower.  The money isn't a major issue, I can always make more, it's just that I'm cheap and am having a hard time justifying $1,000 - $1,500 for a new snowblower.  But it may be the smarter option, since I would know exactly how the blower has been used.  Plus it would have that new snowblower smell! 

The old 860's were made with what Simplicity now calls their commercial grade frame, which is built like a tank.  I think Simplicity now calls them the Signature Pro series.  

The new Simplicity Large Frame snowblowers look like any other blower, and I read on here that they are made by Snapper (which is owned by Simplicity) so I don't know if that is good or bad.  I like the rigidity of the commercial grade frame that's on the old blowers, while the newer ones with the tubular steel handlebars seem weaker.   Does anyone have any experience with the large frame models (L8526E or L9528E).  I'd probably get the L9528E if I buy a large frame, just for the easy turn feature.   Are they good or bad?  How do they compare to Ariens or Toro?  I'm partial to Simplicity because my current one has lasted so long, but I know that it's an entirely different company since then.  Are they still holding up as well as they used to?  Or has quality gone down since Briggs & Stratton purchased them?

I've got to stop thinking so much.

Oops.,  I spelled Jubol's name wrong.  Sorry.

Rick,

Just for you info.

A  Simp pro heavy duty  9 26 with 25 hours on it, 5 years old went  for $610.00 .

                                                                                 Fred

i have an older simplicity 860se and it is better than anything i can find to buy today

I spoke with my local dealer today, and he's going to hold the $500 blower for me through the weekend. I told him that I was considering his and the $850 one at the other dealership. His recommendation was to buy the $850 one if I could afford it. Got to love an honest dealer. So I'm going to the other dealer tomorrow to talk with him. I don't think I can go wrong with either machine. I just like the one that looks newer.

So by next week I should have a "new to me" blower in my garage.

RickJ,

Where do you live??

Check out Ebay for a blower!!!

There is an 11 32, 1 year old in Jersey!!!

                                                 Fred     

I'm in Minneapolis Minnesota.  So it would be a long drive to get that one in New Jersey.  My brother is a pilot who works out of New Jersye, but I doubt they'd let him take that back on the plane.  So I have to pass on that one.

I have been watching eBay, and Craigslist.  I've passed on a few good machines already.  So I'm torn about the $850 one at the dealer because I know as soon as I buy it someone will list one on Craigslist for a lot less.  But there's always going to be a better deal out there somewhere.  I just want to be sure that I have a good reliable machine in my garage before the snow flies.

Well, I pulled the trigger and bought the $800 machine.

It looks new. You can barely tell it's a used one. So hopefully this is the last snowblower that I buy.

Thanks to everyone on this site. Reading all of the information on this site was very helpful.

Now I can start shopping for a better lawnmower.