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

Hi everyone,

I'm currently shopping for a snow thrower and could get a really good deal on a MTD Gold with the following specs:
    * 11HP 318cc Tecumseh OHV engine: Quieter running, better fuel economy, cleaner burning.
    * 28” Clearing Width
    * Electric & manual start: No need to pull. Manual back-up.
    * 6 Forward, 2 Reverse Speeds: operate the snow blower to match the conditions.
    * Single Hand Controls: leave one hand free to operate chute
    * Remote Chute Tilt & Crank - both aim snow in the desired direction
    * In-Dash Yardlight: improves low visibility
    * Tool-less Drift Cutters Included
    * Space Saving, Folding Handles
    * 12” Impeller
    * X-treme 12” Augers: serrated edges penetrate through snow chopping it up for faster removal.
    * 16.5” x 4.8” X-trac Tires:  heavy duty treads provide maximum traction.
    * New Poly Slide Shoes:  to help prevent driveway marks and scratches.
    * Arctic Tested High-Impact 6” Polymer Chute: won't rust, dent or crack!
    * Embossed Side Panels: provide added strength
    * Durable Automotive Style Powder Coated Paint
    * Assembles in minutes
    * Oil pre-filled in engine
    * 2 Year Limited Warranty

What's good, what's bad? I know quality isn't the same as an Ariens, Honda or Simplicity, but as I wrote at this price it's a hard decision. It's less than 4 months old and the guy is asking 500$ CAD. Here in Canada, a similar Ariens costs 1500$.

I got a 10 year old Sears NOMA about 5 years ago and have done 10-20 driveways every year since. It has required maintenance such as belts but I expect to get a couple more years out of it. I am lusting for an Ariens 9526DLE but until the NOMA dies its not worth it.

At $500 it sounds like a very good deal.

Buy it, I've had an MTD 10 HP , 28 " that I purchased at Sams Club approx 10 years ago. Take care of it and it'll work fine. I've added Mobil 1 5W-30 and a new plug every year.. Toro's/Ariens are in a different class but are in no way as heavy duty as they were everal years back. I was always jealous of these makes but now the sheet metal, etc. are not much different. I'd say some of the assembly methods are still much better with these but the MTD will be ok....

I make sure to store it inside my shed and it always fires up after one/two pulls. I live in Dracut, MA.

I agree. I was just looking at a couple Ariens models at Home Depot the other day. They are tin cans compared to what they were several years ago.

Well i cant say to buy an mtd because they are the junk of junk, but at 500 take it