Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions |
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NHsnowman
Joined: Dec 17, 2007
Points: 12
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best brand
Original Message Jul 29, 2008 11:01 am |
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Hi all, Just curious, what brand of snowblower do you think is the best and most reliable. I learned my lesson a while back with getting what turned out to be an unrelaible machine. Since people on here seem to know quite a bit about snowblowers i thought I would solicit opinions. Thanks
This message was modified Aug 6, 2008 by NHsnowman
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wittapp
Joined: Aug 18, 2008
Points: 17
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Re: best brand
Reply #4 Aug 18, 2008 10:53 pm |
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"What is the best brand?" is a very general term. There is best brand at no cost consideration. Then there is best value. If money is not a concern, I'd say Honda is likely the best you can buy. However, if value is important to you, Honda is NOT a good deal. There is no way that a Honda will last two or three times longer than say a Simplicity. Nor will maintenance be two or three times less. Any decent domestic brand (Ariens, Toro, Simplicity, Husqvarna, even some high end Craftsman machines will do most everything the Honda will for around one third the cost if properly maintained. To me, value is more important than ultimate best. The best value I have found has been Simplicity. Very well built, overhead B&S engine, trigger controlled two wheel drive engagement, strong controls and cast iron gear case. Lots of quality components at a very decent price. Check one out.
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dave66
Joined: Sep 15, 2008
Points: 7
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Re: best brand
Reply #5 Sep 16, 2008 4:50 am |
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"What is the best brand?" is a very general term. There is best brand at no cost consideration. Then there is best value. If money is not a concern, I'd say Honda is likely the best you can buy. However, if value is important to you, Honda is NOT a good deal. There is no way that a Honda will last two or three times longer than say a Simplicity. Nor will maintenance be two or three times less. Any decent domestic brand (Ariens, Toro, Simplicity, Husqvarna, even some high end Craftsman machines will do most everything the Honda will for around one third the cost if properly maintained. To me, value is more important than ultimate best. The best value I have found has been Simplicity. Very well built, overhead B&S engine, trigger controlled two wheel drive engagement, strong controls and cast iron gear case. Lots of quality components at a very decent price. Check one out. Husqvarna is actually a Swedish brand rather than an American one.
This aside, I agree with the best value analysis. In my experience with Ariens, Toro, & Craftsman I have found the Ariens to be the best value bar none. The lack of service with a Craftsman negates any upfront savings & the Ariens has a broader, better designed line compared to Toro although I wouldn't say Toro is junk but snowthrowers do not seem to be the priority to Toro that it is to Ariens. I'd make the opposite statement for mowers...
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dave66
Joined: Sep 15, 2008
Points: 7
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Re: best brand
Reply #7 Sep 16, 2008 12:39 pm |
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there are only a handfull of manufacturers. alot of people use these mans and put there name on the unit. example sears craftsman snowblowers......... depending on the exact unit they are made by M.T.D or MURRAY. husqvarna by poulan. toro by toro. lawnboy by lawnboy. MTD by MTD MURRAY by MURRAY ARIENS by ARIENS. Thanks for pointing that out & I am aware of that. The quote was "domestic brand" & Husqvarna is not a "domestic brand" despite being manufactured by Poulan. The brand is Swedish regardless of who actually makes it as was pointed-out that Honda is a Japanese brand even though their OPE is domestically-produced.
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