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

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").  

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.

You asked and we replied,  I guess our collective knowledge and experiences don't add up to yours.

Enjoy your Consumer Reports special.

personally worked on some of those New SEARS units with the cable actuated snow deflector. I think that is the weekest part of the machine. Some have come from the factory all botched up. A traditional hand crank, of the speed crank Ariens usus, is simpler and more reliable.

Briggs Engine and Ariens would be my Ultimate machine.....

Emmo wrote:
Whenever one is in a discussion and puts themselves in a position of superiority, it means their argument holds no water.

SnowRemover wrote:
Someone came here with an agenda.

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...

Marshall wrote:
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.

      SR,

     I like Murray or MTD machines for where I live. However if I lived in heavy snow country,

I would buy Ariens, Toro, or a Simplicity Blower. Which ever brand I chose, I would buy their top of the line!!! 

Just my 2 Pennies worth!

                                               Fred 

Dave_in_CT,

Me: No one can show any statistics that the Craftsman is less reliable, it's all "word of mouth"..."
You: That's what is given here... "word of mouth" advice/opinions... mostly from experienced snowblower users... some from experts... some from others...

And I whole heartidly agree.  So saying, my Ariens has been running great for 30 years is wonderful.  But when I also read, the Craftsman are not as reliable, but this person isn't a Craftsman owner and can't point me to one shred of evidence, I have to question their reason for doing so.

On reliability you questioned plastic discharge chutes...
I've heard others say the paint chips off the steel and it rusts.  I've yet to hear someone saying the chute broke.

You said: Buy it at the Depot if you want... any Ariens dealer will service it... possibly other OPE dealers too...
Good Point, thanks.

You said: Dealers usually offer pickup/delivery for a fee...
Not if I don't buy it from them (Home Depot).

Me: "Ariens dealers won't let me return the unit if I don't like it (Sears will)..."
You: This is a plus... how about Home Depot taking a return ?
Another good point.

Me: "... for $150 I can get a 5 year "in home" protection plan with unlimited service calls ..."
You: 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...

The guy across my street has a Craftsman and they have a 48-72 hour turn around time.  If he fails to maintain the unit, the unit is still covered by their warranty - unless he fails to add oil.

Thanks for the good pointers.

SnowRemover wrote:
By coming here and posting a question, YOU empowered the forum into a postition of superiority.  Do you usually ask questions of those whose opinions or knowledge you don't respect??!!



SnowRemover wrote: Emmo wrote: Any unit with the pin-lock system, regardless of make, will be more difficult to maneuver than one with power steering or a differential.

Most get along just fine with the wheel pin lock out.   Only one wheel drives the unit allowing the other wheel to spin freely allowing you to turn it around with minimal effort.  You would pin both wheels for that "Huge dump".  Others pin both together all the time and just man-handle it.  It is much easier to man-handle on snow or ice covered surfaces as opposed to a dry showroom floor  or driveway.

Guess I wasn't clear enough!

You have been all over the place in terms of blowers. You came here looking at a Toro single stage 2450 and a $950 Sears unit.  You've talked about spending $1300 on a Toro 828XLE.  I suggested an Ariens  926 DLE (Which is a Pro model and is heavier built)which many members have been purchasing for about $1350 and that makes me a jerk?


SnowRemover wrote:
Guess what......until JD Power starts rating them, we're stuck with C.R.  That doesn't make them right.  I trust personal experiences, friends, neighbors, co-workers far more than CR.  They all use things in the real world for extended periods of time. CR doesn't.  My .02!

NONE of us told you to buy  the "Lexus" (well Hickster did, and it wasn't a bad suggestion ie the Honda)  but since you do live in snow country and didn't want to be bothered by maintenance (let alone a breakdown) we were trying to steer you away from the "Cavalier" and at least get you into "Toyota" territory.

Sorry for all of the bad advice!

I'm done.