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

I have to buy  a new snowblower this year. I finally gave up on my Ariens 524, just too small at 5 hp and 24in.  I have an L shaped house and the top of my drive is about 50 ft. by 35 ft. in front of the garage. My truck is always parked on the side opposite the garage, so I end up with a 50X35 ft. E shape and have to blow the snow about 40 ft. to the edge of the sloped drive that goes on down to the street, about 24X70. The ariens just wouldn't throw that far. My neighbor sometimes comes over with his 9hp X 30 in. Sears blower and he just goes in circles on the enclosed part gathering snow without blowing and then blows it out when he reaches the edge. A large scoop is a plus.  I got an email from a place in NH that will sell me a Toro 1028LXE for $1431.00 or a Husqvarna 10527 SBE for $975.00. The Husky has a 10.5 hp Tec. Engine and a 27 in. path. Toro is 10 hp land 28. Both have the same controls, remote chute, power steering, etc. Both prices are tax and shipping included. I am wondering if the Toro is worth the extra $475.00. I live in NE ohio and we get about 4-5 in falls 6-7 times per year and a couple 10-15 dumps a year. Appreciate the advice.

I

I was in the same boat as you.  I have a 5hp Ariens with a 24 inch cut.   It wouldn't blow the snow far enough for me so I bought an 11.5 hp Ariens.  The extra hp made all the difference and now I have to lower the chute deflector so I don't blow snow in my neighbors driveway 40 feet away.  An option that I considered was to install a "Clarence Impeller Kit" to my 5hp Ariens.  The kit cost about $30 and claims to significantly improve the throwing distance of snowblowers. 

yes all of toros snowblkowers are the best i personaly think the single stage re better but its up to you i know your like what are you is he thinking but the single stage acttualy pullt you and are beeter for hevear snow i noticed that with my 2000e and my power max

I don't want to come across as a Toro basher but..............there is no way they can justify the ridiculous difference in cost.  Toro is riding on it's history and charging a heavy premium just for it's name.  I've also noticed that the newer Toros aren't nearly as stout as they once were.   Yet Toro still prices them as though they were.  That's the rub.  Other premium snow blower manufacturers have also begun to make economy models.  However, they have also priced them accordingly.  I own Husky products.  Personally, I think they are one of the best "underrated" values out there.  Buy the Husky.  It's probably as good, if not better than the newer Toros.  Why give  $475.00 to Toro?

Hi,

How come you are getting so cheap prices on snowblowers down there, in USA? Here in Canada, a MSRP for Toro 1028 is over 1800 CAD, and Husky 10527SBE is listed at over 1500 CAD. I am jelious.

Dron

Dron,

I just bought an Ariens ST926LE for $599 CAN at Home Depot.  Bought last year's model reduced from $1300.  Shop around...the deals are there...just not on Toro's.  I priced them as well and could not justify the cost.

Would love a copy of a maintenance manual.  Bought my neighbors blower from him. It's an 8 with the tecumseh...have no manual though................can't thank you enough...Looks like I'll be using it tomorrow.  

Sorry, forgot my e-mail on that last message on the maintenance manual...swamimatu@yahoo.com...thanks