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

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.