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

HI,

I am thinking about buying an Ariens 624 e snowblower to replace a 2 year old craftsman 8.5 HP blower that just is not reliable in any way shape or form.

My questions are is this a good machine (hopefully alot better than what I am struggling with now)?

Also I live in NH where we usually get about 60" of snow a year in ave storm sizes of 4-10 inches. Is 6hp big enough to handle this? My driveway is somewhat long but mostly only 1 car wide except by the house where it widens out. It is also a paved driveway.

Any info on this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

I can offer my two cents for your consideration.  I had a 5 hp 24" Ariens for years.  Used it on a 40' double wide driveway.  I usually would make my first pass down the middle of the driveway lengthwise and clear half the driveway in one direction and the other half the other direction.  It would handle 4-10 inch snowfalls to my satisfaction with one big exception.  The end of the driveway snow when the plow came by.  Both the 5hp 24" Ariens and myself as the operator got a workout trying to clear that EOD snow.  Even though it was self-propelled I often had to push, giggle and wiggle and flat out try to muscle it through the EOD.  I think it struggled because of two reasons.  The machine just didn't have enough weight nor big enough tires.

The 5hp machine only weighed about 135lb and had 10" tires.  Last year I got an 11.5hp Ariens that weighs 290lbs and has 15" tires...the EOD snow is no longer a problem. I just aim it where I want it to go and the machine does all the work.

So my advice...with your single wide driveway I wouldn't worry about going from 8.5hp to 6hp.  The six is powerful enough to handle 4-10 inches.  BUT if the 6hp Ariens isn't as heavy and/or has smaller wheels than your 8.5hp Craftsman I think that you'll notice that difference with the EOD snow.

Good Luck

We've been getting heavy wet snow quite often in recent years in New England.  I believe your better off with a higher horsepower machine that will handle this.   

First of all, I'd go bigger.  Secondly, I'd think twice about buying a new Ariens.  They're not the machines they used to be.  If you're going to spend big bucks, look at Simplicity or Snapper.    They're pretty much the last premium consumer grade machines that are still well built.   

first of all how well can you handle the machine?if a larger machine is not a burden to handle i would go with an 8hp no less. i asked that question to a co worker in 1985 when he bought his 6 hp ariens, he told me he would by a 8hp next time. i took his advice and bought the 8hp ariens for my self the next year.i have had the same machine ever since .originaly bought for a city driveway and now i use it for a 16'  wide by 125' long country driveway. i am a large person so the size doesn't matter to me. if size doesn't throw you physically go for the larger one.it will work less,may have larger tires and cutting width , be heavier,and probably hold up better in the long run. go for a name brand! you get what you pay for.just my 2cts. mkd

Thanks to all for your advice it is very helpful. As to buying name brand I most definantly learned my lesson on that one with the sears craftsman experience I have been dealing with. Less than 2yrs old and basically useless because it is so undependable.

For me it will be name brand from a local dealer from here on out.