Abby’s Guide > Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) > Discussions > How Much Power Do I need
Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions |
|
SnowRemover
Toro 828LXE
Location: Near Albany, NY
Joined: Jan 12, 2005
Points: 139
|
|
How Much Power Do I need
Original Message Jan 12, 2005 1:56 pm |
|
I'm looking into a snow blower/thrower. I live in upstate NY (near Albany) and would estimate we get about four to five storms a year with about 8". There are the rare NorthEasters that may drop 15" every three or four years. My driveway is on about a 3 degree grade, one car length in width for about thirty feet, then it opens up to about three car lengths wide (in an L shape) for about twenty feet. Is a single stage thrower too small, or will it work but just take more time to clear the snow? I see CR reviewed models recently and liked the single stage Toro CCR-2450 which I can get online (free shipping, no tax) for $537 at SpeedWaysales.com. The two-stage model they liked was a Craftsman 88790, which Sears has on sale for $949. I would love to hear what people think about the two-stage versus one-stage, especially if you live in the Northeast near Albany, and what models you think are the best. Lastly, I HATE maintenance, and the Ariens web site scared the bejeesus out of me with their maintenance section (You must tighten the drive belt after 20 hours of usage. Then in the drive belt section it says, "Be careful, if this is not done right you may be injured or killed").
This message was modified Jan 12, 2005 by SnowRemover
It is hard enough to remember my opinions, without also remembering my reasons for them! --Friedrich Nietzsche
|
SnowRemover
Toro 828LXE
Location: Near Albany, NY
Joined: Jan 12, 2005
Points: 139
|
|
Re: How Much Power Do I need
Reply #28 Jan 13, 2005 1:12 pm |
|
"The 926 DLE Emmo mentioned is THE machine"Now we're talking about $1350 or more. I could buy a 9hp Craftsman and a single stage Toro for small jobs at that price. I'm trying to keep it under a $1,000. From what I'm hearing, the Ariens 8526 won't be easy to handle if I'm at work and my wife wants to clear the driveway. No one can show any statistics that the Craftsman is less reliable, it's all "word of mouth", yet I can't find any more posts about Craftsman problems than Ariens or any other company. Many people state their Craftsman is running great at 15, 20 or more years. If I didn't want the finger control steering available on the Craftsman for $949, I could get a 9hp Craftsman for $699. And if I buy an Ariens at HD, they don't service it, so I have to go to a local dealer who wants $1,049 for the Ariens that HD has for $900. Ariens is just too confusing to buy, too much maintenance without "risk of death", difficult to use without male hormones, Ariens dealers won't let me return the unit if I don't like it (Sears will), and for $150 I can get a 5 year "in home" protection plan with unlimited service calls (raising the price to $1,100 vs $1,049 for the Ariens at the dealer). The Ariens is only a 3 year limited warranty - requiring "The purchaser must perform maintenance and minor adjustments explained in the owner's manual." or the warranty is voided AND I have to haul the unit (not exactly light) to a service facility for repairs. So, unless someone can show me where my numbers, stats and facts don't add up, I think the Craftsman is the way to go. I know the Ariens owners need to defend their purchase choice (like all the Chevy Cavalier owners) but the facts just don't add up to get an Ariens.
It is hard enough to remember my opinions, without also remembering my reasons for them! --Friedrich Nietzsche
|
ChrisS
Appreciate what you have already been blessed with.
Joined: Sep 16, 2002
Points: 2793
|
|
Re: How Much Power Do I need
Reply #29 Jan 13, 2005 1:16 pm |
|
OK Snow, Then get the Craftsman. C
Honda 928TA, Ariens 924 STE, Toro single stage S-620, 95 Jeep Wrangler with a 6 foot Fisher Plow, many shovels, one 14 year old boy. Craftsman 01 1000 LTX pimp Gold LT 20hp Briggs OHV V-twin. Tough as it is ugly.
|
Jonathan
I am a marvelous housekeeper. Every time I leave a man I keep his house. -Zsa Zsa
Location: Near Albany NY
Joined: Sep 12, 2004
Points: 320
|
|
Re: How Much Power Do I need
Reply #30 Jan 13, 2005 1:18 pm |
|
I haven't found my 11528 DLE too difficult to turn with both wheels locked. If you have an asphalt drive I don't think you or your wife will find the smaller 8HP unit too difficult to turn with one wheel unlocked. That said, if your gut tells you to go with the Sears and service warranty, I'd go for it.
2004 Ariens 11528LE, Troybilt Horse "Big Red" Tiller (original), Troybilt Tuffy Tiller (original), Sears LT1000 mower, Lawn Boy 7073 21" mower, Stihl FS55 RC trimmer, Poulan Countervibe 3400 chainsaw
|
SnowRemover
Toro 828LXE
Location: Near Albany, NY
Joined: Jan 12, 2005
Points: 139
|
|
Re: How Much Power Do I need
Reply #33 Jan 13, 2005 1:39 pm |
|
You asked and we replied, I guess our collective knowledge and experiences don't add up to yours.
Enjoy your Consumer Reports special. Whenever one is in a discussion and puts themselves in a position of superiority, it means their argument holds no water.
This message was modified Jan 13, 2005 by SnowRemover
It is hard enough to remember my opinions, without also remembering my reasons for them! --Friedrich Nietzsche
|
Marshall
As Long As There Are Tests, There Will Be Prayer In Public Schools. ;- )
Joined: Sep 16, 2002
Points: 7730
|
|
Re: How Much Power Do I need
Reply #34 Jan 13, 2005 1:44 pm |
|
"The 926 DLE Emmo mentioned is THE machine"
Now we're talking about $1350 or more. I could buy a 9hp Craftsman and a single stage Toro for small jobs at that price. I'm trying to keep it under a $1,000. From what I'm hearing, the Ariens 8526 won't be easy to handle if I'm at work and my wife wants to clear the driveway.
No one can show any statistics that the Craftsman is less reliable, it's all "word of mouth", yet I can't find any more posts about Craftsman problems than Ariens or any other company. Many people state their Craftsman is running great at 15, 20 or more years.
If I didn't want the finger control steering available on the Craftsman for $949, I could get a 9hp Craftsman for $699. And if I buy an Ariens at HD, they don't service it, so I have to go to a local dealer who wants $1,049 for the Ariens that HD has for $900.
Ariens is just too confusing to buy, too much maintenance without "risk of death", difficult to use without male hormones, Ariens dealers won't let me return the unit if I don't like it (Sears will), and for $150 I can get a 5 year "in home" protection plan with unlimited service calls (raising the price to $1,100 vs $1,049 for the Ariens at the dealer).
The Ariens is only a 3 year limited warranty - requiring "The purchaser must perform maintenance and minor adjustments explained in the owner's manual." or the warranty is voided AND I have to haul the unit (not exactly light) to a service facility for repairs.
So, unless someone can show me where my numbers, stats and facts don't add up, I think the Craftsman is the way to go. I know the Ariens owners need to defend their purchase choice (like all the Chevy Cavalier owners) but the facts just don't add up to get an Ariens. Someone came here with an agenda.
|
Dave___in___CT
Deliberate often... ...decide once...
Location: West-Central Connecticut
Joined: Sep 17, 2002
Points: 3159
|
|
Re: How Much Power Do I need
Reply #35 Jan 13, 2005 1:48 pm |
|
Hi... Answering a few of your points/questions... "No one can show any statistics that the Craftsman is less reliable, it's all "word of mouth"..." That's what is given here... "word of mouth" advice/opinions... mostly from experienced snowblower users... some from experts... some from others... "Many people state their Craftsman is running great at 15, 20 or more years. " Same with other brands... ... but like most any outdoor power equipment... today's machines are not built the same... a close inspection will reveal some of the differences... some are obvious... like plastic discharge chutes... "And if I buy an Ariens at HD, they don't service it, so I have to go to a local dealer who wants $1,049 for the Ariens that HD has for $900." Buy it at the Depot if you want... any Ariens dealer will service it... possibly other OPE dealers too... "Ariens is just too confusing to buy, too much maintenance without "risk of death",..." "The Ariens is only a 3 year limited warranty - requiring "The purchaser must perform maintenance and minor adjustments explained in the owner's manual." or the warranty is voided AND I have to haul the unit (not exactly light) to a service facility for repairs." Is the Craftsman blower maintenance free ? Dealers usually offer pickup/delivery for a fee... "Ariens dealers won't let me return the unit if I don't like it (Sears will)..." This is a plus... how about Home Depot taking a return ? "... for $150 I can get a 5 year "in home" protection plan with unlimited service calls ..." I suggest you read the fine print... ...and ask what the guarenteed turn-around-time is... I doubt this plan includes "normal maintenance and wear items" that you dislike about the Ariens... Deliberate often... decide once... I know it's not EZ deciding... Please let us know what you choose... Dave...
Whether you think you can or you can't... you're right.Henry Ford BCS Tractor & snowblower
|
SnowRemover
Toro 828LXE
Location: Near Albany, NY
Joined: Jan 12, 2005
Points: 139
|
|
Re: How Much Power Do I need
Reply #36 Jan 13, 2005 2:02 pm |
|
Someone came here with an agenda. I did not come here with an agenda. I came hear to ask people their opinion. If simple questions like how do you move the snow thrower without finger controls is something that can not be answered, but the next sentence is "Sears is crap, Consumer Reports doesn't know what they're talking about, take my word and buy the Ariens", what should I be thinking? Don't confuse lack of a cohesive argument on some (not all, some) members posts with me having an agenda. I can still be turned, if someone can articulate (and maybe provide some reliability links) with why the Craftsman is not all it is cranked up to be.
It is hard enough to remember my opinions, without also remembering my reasons for them! --Friedrich Nietzsche
|
|
|