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

Yeah now that I found a pic of the Toro version, I can see the differences.  Also interesting is that the plastic on the Toro looks more heavy duty in the picture alone, I can only imagine looking at it in person.  I played with the Craftsman version over the weekend, and the whole setup didnt move very easily for being all plastic, and the chute would actually squeeze together when moving because of the fact that it took so much effort to get it sliding.

Oddly enough the Toro version looks similar to the Ariens setup, except the Ariens setup has 2 separate sticks.

I guess its the little things that set every brand apart........if I didnt know any better I would have just assumed the Craftsman version was just as good as the Toro version.

-Chris

The closer I seem to get to purchasing one, the further I seem to get. Does that make sense? nope.. lol

Well let me explain.  Today I almost bought the ariens. But I decided to give my ol man a call. Since he is after owning several machines.  He is usually away for work, so today was the first time I got to speak time him. He currently owns a 928 with track. Absolutely loves it and I knew this before even talking to him today.  Thing is I cannot afford that size of a machine from Honda. So I start telling him about the ariens and the features and comparing it to toro, etc..

When I get to the drive type. Disc o matic he stops and says nope.  He is not a fan of the disc. Says the snowblowers he has had with that has given him grief. Freezing up, etc..  Truthfully I am not mechanical and couldn't compare it to the honda.  But he explains the clutch system they have.  I sort of understand it. Plus telling me its 4 stroke which is better as well.

so he suggest instead of buying the 11hp ariens. Why not get a 6hp honda.  Stating that the hp is more of a macho thing they reality in most snow conditions.  Saying that the 6hp would do me 99.8% of the time.  I kinda like the idea of no belts. no fuss.

Another thing that puts me a little back on the ariens, is that tecumseh was sold last week.  What will the future hold for model support and parts supply.

My father also told me the tecumseh engine cannot hold a candle to honda.  Black smoke, freezing carbs, noisey...    The hondas are ohv and have a muffler system to quiet it more.

What do you guys think.  I usually tend to listen to my father, but he is not familar with the ariens. He understands the technology. after all he is a journeyman millwright red seal interprovincial. He knows gears. But doesn't know ariens.

What do you people think? 

The honda is a 6hp track with manual chute control sticks and electric start. about $200 more then the ariens. 

Newfie,

Honda is the Rolls Royce of snowblowers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How ever on their site, smallest tracked blower is a HS724TA.

Its MSRP is $2149.00 in US dollars.

Maybe they are selling different blowers in Canada???

You can not go wrong with a Honda!!!

Read the Honda reviews on the site that I sent you.

                                                           Fred

Newfie,

Just checked Honda, Canada and the have a 6 HP Tracked blower!!

Electric start is $1999.00!

Hand start  is $1869.00!

Which are you looking at? Either is great, but I would go with the Electric start!!

Love to spend other folks money!!!

Sent you an email "viewtopic" !

                                                      Fred

Fred you been a great help.. Thanks for the e-mails.

Yes looking at the 6hp electric start. Only thing I don't like about it is the chute controls are levers that you have to grab to rotate and another to elevate.  The 7hp model is a 6.5hp and has chute controls. I haven't done a lot of comparison on these models as I was looking at the 9hp for comparison to the ariens.  My ol man is so confident in the honda and wants me to have nothing else, he offered to pay the difference between the ariens and the honda.. woohoo..

However, I just don't know if 6hp is going to be good enuff for the winters we get.  He seems to think so. I have read the the smaller hondas are comparable to some of the larger models in competition.

If you were in my shoes would you jump at the honda? or would it be the bigger ariens? 

Thanks

Newfie,

If your dad would spring for the 9 HP Honda price difference, I'd say go for the Honda.

If not, go the Ariensor Toro, where you live you need at least 8 Hp+, the more the better!!

                                                 Fred

Don't let the bells and whistles fool you.  What you want to look for is a rock solid chassis, bearings instead of bushings, steel instead of plastic, control rods instead of cables on components that can freeze and demand force to move, overhead valve engine, single and double wheel option for traction and maneuverability.  You will not find all of those qualities on the box store models of Ariens or Toro.  You will find them on the Simplicity and Honda.  If you buy the top of the line Ariens and Toro you will get it but at a heavy price.  The best unit for the money is the Simplicity.  A 9.5 h.p., 28" Simplicity with all of the above qualities can be had for $1500.00 Canadian and even less if  bought from the U.S. 

According to an engineer that works for Ariens, the Box store Ariens are the same as the dealers!!

Toro the same!!!

                                    Fred

Well if that's the case, it would appear that Ariens and Toro have begun to compromise their build quality.  The ones I checked out at HD didn't compare to the Simplicity.  I also looked at a used 2005 Ariens that was built pretty stout..  It was their 36" model with cast iron auger gear  drive and 12 h.p. Tecumseh o.h.v. engine.  The wheel lock was down at the wheel and it looked to me like the engine had been worked on.  I didn't like that so I passed on that deal.   Also, the dealership  wanted more for the used Ariens than I paid for a brand new Simplicity.   Do a side by side comparison with an equal priced anything to a Simplicity.  You'll see what I'm talking about.      

Do the box stores sell all of the Ariens and Toro models?  I was under the impression that only select models were available in the box stores and that dealerships sold the higher end models. 

   

Borat,

It's, I like Ford and you like Chevy, we could debate this till H#$L freezes over!

However Toro  and Ariens makes  good Snowblowers!!

Also if you compare Simp's this year to 3 years ago, Simp has cheapened it up big time !! IMHO

                                                                                       Fred