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

Here are the facts I can find:

 

Model	Toro	Craftsman
Price	$1,294	$1,190	(all taxes, extended warranties included)
Warranty	2 yrs	5 yrs	(both in-home / in-home pickup)
CR rated	# 1	# 4
Free wheel steering	Y	Y
Horsepower	8 hp	9 hp
Wheel Size	15 “	16 “

 

Everything else (clearing path, etc) seem equal.  Normally I would jump on the Toro, based on its superior rating, not only for this model, but for many of their other models that have consistently done well in CR ratings.  The only caveat is, in a big storm (15” or more) does anyone think the extra 1 hp of the Craftsman will make a difference.  Two people I work with have Ariens (hard to believe I don’t disclose everything about my life in one post so this fact might shock some people).  One loves his 8.5hp Ariens and says it is more than adequate even in 15” storms, the other disagreed and traded in the 8.5 hp Ariens for an 11hp Ariens.  The “end of the driveway” was the argument for the latter co-worker getting a bigger machine.  Both co-workers say their wives could not use their Ariens due to handling is difficult (especially getting it out and in the garage where the pavement is dry).  So for me, the Ariens is not a product I want to consider.

 

I’m curious as to your opinions specifically about the hp between the Toro and the Craftsman.  Is it necessary to get a bigger machine (I live in upstate NY, but not in Syracuse or Buffalo – near Albany, where we get about 60” year in total snowfall). 

If the choice is between 1 horsepower and quality, choose quality. 1 more horsepower will never pay a really noticeable dividend over the long haul, but quality always will.  Even if 1 less horsepower is noticeable, it will simply take a little longer to do the job.

I'm biased, I chose a Toro.

AZ  

Hi AZ,

I agree with you.  If you're capable of going in either direction, quality should be priority.

The Murray built machines for Craftsman have higher bars.For me that is a handling factor. To bad they'r going belly up. Mine handles pretty good.Bigger tires are better too.Toro is better quality.I would buy a Toro before Ariens.OHV motor if you can get one.

navihawk wrote:

Don't hold me to it, but as far as I know none of the Toros have an OHV engine. I'm not knocking the Tecumseh SK's,  but I am happy with the R*tek two stroke in my Toro 726 and very glad I have it.

AZ

Just for the record, I want to say to everyone, this forum has no allegiance to any manufacturer over any other manufacturer nor do any of it's moderators. I know the regulars here know this because they have been around long enough to see all kinds of different brands being recommended by all of us. This is mainly directed to the new folks that are clueless, through no fault of their own, to any history of the forum.

All of the moderators on this site try their best to recommend what they feel is best for the members with the information members provide. If it happens to be brand X, then that is what they feel is a better solution. If it happens to be brand Y or Z, then they feel that is the best option based on the information provided.

With exceptions of course, there are some givens in the OPE world. One of them is that the Simplicities, Toro's Snapper's, Honda's Deere's, Kubota's, etc. of the world, are a better quality machine as a whole than products from MTD and Murray in what they manufacture. Most usually, not always but, most usually in the world of Outdoor Power Equipment, the more you spend, the better quality you get. The "you get what you pay for" rule is close to being correct most of the time in this industry.

If we error on anything, it's that we try to err on the side of quality because we want you to be a happy customer with whatever it is you decide. If we always recommended the cheapest solution, I can promise you we would have many folks hot under the collar with us and would not be doing anyone any favors!

Personally, I subscribe to the buy more heavy duty than I need theory because my equipment always lasts and doesn't get worn out in a few years. I try to keep in mind that not everyone wants to buy like I do and that price is a huge factor as well. In general, we try to recommend the best machine possible for your needs and pocketbook!

Our recommendations are based on facts taken from hands on experience,  knowledge of those we trust that have provided their opinion, a history of the performance of the product and our experience in looking at new models with new features and coming up with an opinion on what they may or may not provide you. We are not always right, by any means, and we will disagree between us from time to time. But, be it known and believed, our passion about this field is high and we are here for free to give answers and suggestions.

We are in no one's pocket and no one is paying us for doing this. Being this is a new forum, actually a new site starting up, I thought it might be nice for some folks to know this in order help them understand us and our motives better.

OK, enough on that. Marshall    

Quote: Hey Lint, what about the machines the dealers start up to test it before delivery as part of inspecting it?

Marshall.....
That's why I think it is a better idea for SnowRemover too buy from the bigbox.....That way he can be sure that the product comes in a sealed box...right from the factory.  (Making sure that the shipping bands havent been tampered with.)
Trust me....I know how these crooked dealers operate...They have dealer network that operates between Canada and the States. Because Canada's winter starts in mid-July, the Canadian dealers have all of these "returned" units stock-piled too the rafters.
There is a "window" before the first snows hit down here that they can send these ragged-out, defective units, down too Cuba, where all of the defects are cleverly hidden by cuban prisoners. (They really know thier stuff.)
From there.....they are shipped too Bolivia and then back up too the dealers in the States....where they are then re-sold too unsuspecting American consumers..
It's a nasty buisness...I know. But it just goes too show how far these kind of people will go too cheat the unsuspecting customer. Ya gotta watch em!

Marshall wrote:

Hey Marshall,

Glad you wrote that post, I think it really needed to be said.  As for the above quote, that's probably the most true statement of all.  Perhaps we all would love that Honda 924 in our garage, but how many could really afford it? The Sears Craftsman line has a smart way of marketing their snowblowers, give a large name brand engine, usually OHV, at a relatively low price compared to Honda, Simplicity, and Toro, and you make easy sales.  I've seen their snowblowers in the past offered with 9hp engines, for something like $600.00.

Nice post Marshall !

Why not add it to your "Snowblower Questions, please read before posting. TY" post ?

Opps... should be post.... not posy ! LOL...


Dave...

Thanks Richie.

Thanks Dave, that's a good idea. 

You could look at this another way - You get to buy a new machine every couple of years instead of being "stuck" with it for 30+ years... Buying NEW OPE is cool & assures a new toy for one to play with...

Marty