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

Stopped at HD and they had a Ariens 824E for $950.

Lowe's had a Troybuilt 8.5-26 for $750.

I couldn't find a new 824E listed anywhere online. Someone told me that the equipment supplied to HD & Lowe's are of cheaper quality from the factory. That's why I'm a little skeptical to buy from them.

Same guys told me that if it needs repair, some shops won't touch them.

any comments? Is the quality the same?

How's the Troybuilt for ruggedness?

I'm looking for the most HP in a 24-26 width cut. I'm a HP junkie.

Typically the large box stores sell the "Consumer" level of unit. As far as I've seen there are no special "cheaper" big box units, they are the same as what you will get anywhere else for the same model. Big box stores don't service what they sell, they either replace or send you to a local dealer. Whether the local dealer likes the situation or not seems to depend on the individual shop and how much money they make off of the relationship.

Dealers will also have the "Professional"  level of units which are made more robustly and have more features.

Whether the difference between "Consumer" and "Professional" is significant is a personal choice/needs thing. I lean towards the "Pro" level stuff.

You can have too much power on a blower, if all you ever clear is one 30' x10' driveway then a 1336DLE is a bit of overkill. Its also a matter of how much weight you want to schlep around, the bigger units are heavy and less maneuverable. The smaller units are lighter and more agile.