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

About to buy a two-stage snowblower. Fairly large driveway with large open space as it turns into bays. One-stage Ariens not cutting it. Might buy the Toro 826LE for about $1,299 but wondering if there's something better in that price range. Ariens? Another brand?

My recommendation is simple:  Simplicity/Snapper or the present day John Deere, which is being manufactured by Simplicity/Snapper.  Next would be Toro, Husqvarna/Craftsman, Ariens, (not necessarily in that order),  if you can find one in that price range.   

Will look at Snapper/Simplicity although not sure they are available in my area (Chicago). Today, saw an Ariens ST27E (Briggs&Stratton) that looked pretty good. Anybody know anything about that model. The salesman said it was new.

If your looking for longevity in your snowblower I'd suggest staying away from blowers that use too many plastic parts  MTD does this a lot, also I personally prefer to have steel rods and no cables connecting the drive and auger handles to the snowblower,  cables tend to break on blowers that are used frequently.   As another personal preference I prefer a tecumseh engine over Briggs and Stratton because if your a do it yourselfer they are a lot easier to work on and get parts for.

dancurry -- No opinion myself, but you should search other threads here regarding Tecumseh vs. Briggs. Tecumseh just went under - ceasing production 6 days ago. While there is general consensus that parts will not be an issue for a long, long time, you should have the whole picture before making a decision.

My personal opinion is that it's more important to have a trustworthy local dealer than to get the absolute best value.  With products that have a life expectancy of 10-20 years or more, but get redesigned every 3-5 years, it's really difficult to get good, real-life reliability data.  Performance data is easier to get, but how significant are the differences?  Sure, one may have a better throwing distance, but I don't think it's worth saving a hundred bucks or having to go further for repairs just for something that may or may not save one pass on the driveway.  The width will have a greater effect on the number of passes, and that's easy to compare.   Some features, such as the Ariens differential versus the Simplicity remote traction lock, may influence you but may also just be a matter of personal preference, difficult for you to judge without using both.  Likewise for the various styles of remote chute control.

There may be issues specific to you.  With some driveway layouts, you may really need maximum throwing distance, though we were fine starting in the center and throwing to the closer side.  If you have back problems, you may want to look at maneuverability, weight, and even the height of the handlebars.  If you have limited storage space, you might want to consider a good 24-inch two-stage.  With a serious slope (and no back problems), perhaps a track-drive should be considered.

I wouldn't consider the mass-market brands (Craftsman, MTD, etc.), but among the well-known name brands - Ariens, Toro, Snapper, Simplicity, even Deere or Honda, I don't think you can go wrong.  Other than the Honda, which seems to command premium prices, I think you'll find that you'll get comparable value for comparable prices.  Which brings me back to my original point, choosing the dealer first.  We chose an Ariens primarily because our local dealer stopped carrying Toro, and the Husqvarna is too new a brand (to us).

Gary

I understand Snapper and Simplicity are the same company but are the snowblowers identical? The websites look similar but it is unclear. Is a Snapper snowthrower as good as a Simplicity?

dancurry wrote:

Pretty much same machine with different graphics and shade of red. One is just as good as the other.  They come off of the same production line. 

Upon Borat's advice, I looked at a Snapper 1428 today. It looks nice, certainly could do the job and more. Wondering if it isn't too much machine for my driveway, which is fairly large and turns into a four-car bay. It's a common drive with the next door neighbor. All told, we could probably put 16-18 cars in our paved space. Chicago area, so snowy but not Buffalo or Canada. The salesman was curiously hinting it was too much machine, but I don't think so. Any thoughts out there? This is a great forum.

I looked at a snapper 14/28 earlier and liked it except for the plastic chute, guess I'm used to metal ones. Does the simplicity have a plastic chute as well? We don't have them around here.

Plastic chute. The salesman (who wasn't pushy at all) claimed that plastic chutes are better because the snow doesn't stick to them.

I don't mind plastic (actually polymer) chutes other than the attachment area at the base.  This to me, seems where they might eventually weaken over time.  I've owned a couple machines with plastic chutes and they held up for a good ten winters each of hard use.  Plastic or steel wouldn't necessarily be a deal breaker for me.  I'd be weighing in the rest of the package.  My Simplicity came with the steel chute.  I've lined it with plastic (Krazy Karpet) and it's very slick.  Nothing sticks to that and it's pretty durable stuff.        

As I mentioned above, I saw a Snapper 1428E at a dealer and then called another dealer who had a 1226E, which essentially is the same machine with a 26-inch throw and 11 hp engine instead of 13 hp. I was going to order the 26, but saw that it doesn't have the wheel release feature. The 28-inch is $1250 and the 26-inch is $1199. I can't decide. Anybody have any thoughts?

My current machine has pin lock which is a real pain since I do a lot of turning. Having some way to easily turn is a good thing. At the same time I have a 26" swath and an 11HP B&S and the things generally makes the snow go elsewhere with impressive speed. 13HP sounds like overkill and may make the machine too heavy.

For me easy turning is the most important point for my next machine.

I've been looking and reading about these two machines a bit recently
Better engine not just bigger (intek series instead of powerbuilt i believe), wider path, light, easy turn all for $50 and only 7lbs heavier
I dont know why you wouldn't get the 1428.

dancurry - I'm new to this forum as well and have found the insight provided by those that participate to be of great value.

I just bought an Ariens 1130 DLE. So its 11hp, with a few features I'm not sure I could do without. Firstly, it has a differential lock, which means it turns very easily. In fact my aunt, who is not particularly strong loves to use it and even does the neighbors driveways and sidewalks as a courtesy because she loves to use it.

Secondly, the chute is turned by a lever up on the handlebar, near all the other controls. Also, the chute flap, which directs the arch of the snow is also lever controlled. (Please note I may be calling these things by improper names). All of these features I have found to be incredibly useful and perhaps impossible to live without.

To give you an idea, I used the machine for 7 hours the other day after a 14" snowfall, basically doing good deeds for my neighbors. And after all that I didn't have the slightest pain in my back or arms. Machine is simply amazing. It had no problem taking down 30' berms left by the snow plows the city employs to clean up the streets.

But I agree with an earlier poster, I would first start with a local dealer. Find one you can trust will stay in business because at some point you will need service and it will most likely be the only place you can get it done in a timely manner. I would stay away from Home Depot. Mine local store only sells the stripped down versions. Non professionals put them together (which is not a big deal considering they are for the most part assembled at the factory, but they rarely tighten things effectively). And the local authorized service dealer will only deal with the HD machines for warranty service when all of their customers have been served. Which could take months if you put it in for service next Sept, Oct.

I paid just under $1300 for it new and it is worth every penny. If I were you, I would search this board for maintenance tips. Basics things you can do to extend the life of your machine and keep it in fine working order. Plus it will save you the expense of having professional service for minor issues you can handle yourself.

Best of luck with your purchase.

Those sound more like torque ratings rather than horse power.  The smaller unit has 11.5 ft. lbs. torque which would equate to around 8 h.p.  The larger unit  is between 9.5 & 11 h.p. with  between 13.5 to 15.5 ft. lbs. torque, depending on power advertising/model.  The smaller unit probably has the 248cc  B&S Snow Engine which means no electrics for a light and obviously, no light. 

The larger unit has the Snow Max engine with power &  light.   If the engine on all of the large frame units are the B&S 20000 series 305cc models, they are, from my research & experience the same engine despite advertising of different ratings.  My 9528 Simplicity is supposed to have a 9.5 h.p. rated engine.  I have had two ten h.p. units in the past and have used numerous other machines with ten to eleven h.p. ratings.  The 9.5 on my machine is more powerful than any ten h.p. engine and a good as any 11 h.p. units I've used.  So, I believe that if you buy their 28" unit and it has a 305cc engine, you can pretty much rest assured that it will be 11 h.p. unless Briggs & Stratten have actually done something to the engines this year to reduce horse power in the lower rated models.   

You will have to decide on your needs to determine if you require a bigger machine and a light.  You can always get a portable battery powered light to wear on your head or mount on the machine.  Lights are nice but not essential.    

Not so concerned about the light, but easy turn is nice and, as was mentioned, for $50 extra, why not get the more powerful machine. Thanks to everyone. I'll post pictures when I get the 1428.

dancurry wrote:
If you want easy to turn you should buy an Ariens with a differential.  Imagine being able to easily
follow a snaking  path or to turn corners in your driveway without having to do anything, without
having to slow down or stop, while maintaining power to both wheels.  Only a differential will let
you do this.  I think it would be worth it to test drive the various machines if you can.  Robustness,
power and durability are certainly nice but most snowfalls are not huge storms and nimbleness
can be nice to have.  There would have to be a big difference in quality for me to give up the
differential on my Ariens.

Paul

Upon Borat's advice, I looked at a Snapper 1428 today. It looks nice, certainly could do the job and more. Wondering if it isn't too much machine for my driveway, which is fairly large and turns into a four-car bay.

It's not too much machine.  I made a mistake years when I was deciding between a 5hp or an 8hp machine.  I got the 5hp and it worked until the blizzard of 1996 came through with 28 plus inches of snow. 

Get the bigger one...you'll appreciate the power when a major storm hits.  Also the more powerful unit will let you throw snow farther which is important when blowing across a section that you already cleared.

Also, who ever said that maneuverability was important was spot on correct.  With a lager machine either the differential or remote wheel lock is a must.

If you are going to buy brand new and want to spend lessnthan a grand, I'd go to Sears and buy what's on sale.  Nothing smaller than 8hp/24", because when you need a snowblower you need a big one.  4" is easy for any machine, but 8" or 24" at the end of the driveway?  Keep in mind after the first year you will have to tighten belts and other things, because it won't run like knew after is gets broken in.

I like hondas, because I've used them with great success.  I've also used older areins, and toro 1-stage.  The toro 1-stage was really good for fresh snow, and you could lug it around real easy (up on the deck, ect.)

Ariens are now on my "love to hate" list.  If you want the support of a dealer and better quality than big box stores, I would suggest either a 2-stage Toro or Simplicity, they look like beefy machines.  I'd take a lightly used Honda over any other machine, and a smaller Honda will do the work of a larger machine.  Something to keep in mind if you have tight spaces in between cars.  A 724 honda will beat a 1028 machine, simply because you don't have to stop. 

And they throw the snow farther and don't get clogged.

http://www.getdropbox.com/gallery/361475/1/Snowblower?h=6d232d

Just got the Snapper L1428E. Hasn't snowed yet. All our earlier snows succumbed to a freak 65 degree day last week. The dealer, Wasco Lawn & Power, Wasco IL, (far western suburbs of Chicago) did a nice job prepping the machine. I forgot to ask: What octane gas should I use. Manual says "at least" 87 octane. Can't wait for the big snows.

Hey Borat, this is about the third Simplicity/Snapper blower you've sold since I've been on these boards. You ought to get commission. I'll attest to your advocacy. Seriously, thanks for the good advice. I was about to buy a lesser machine, I think.

Thanks for the compliment.  I wouldn't recommend something I wouldn't buy myself. 

Believe it or not, I'm not a brand loyalist.  If Simplicity begins to go box store style and compromise the build quality of their machines, they'll go on the sh!t list too.   As long as they keep building them the way they're built now, I'll recommend them.  Take time to make sure everything is lubed up good (grease axles, chain drive system, (cover friction and drive disks while lubing inside the housing),  grease the auger shaft and the Zerk on the right side wheel.  Check the routing of the cables to ensure they don't bind or contact the exhaust.  Give it a good run once you get some snow.  If everything is working well, carry on.  Change your oil after the first two or three hours of use.  Put in synthetic oil of recommended viscosity and you'll be set.    Enjoy your new machine.  Let us know what you think of it. 

By the way, regular pump gas is fine.  Run a bit of  Seafoam through it every so often will move any moisture out of the system and clean carb, valves and combustion chamber. 

Used the Snapper L1428E for first time today. Amazing how easy it cuts through everything, including EOD stuff. Not a huge snowfall, about four inches, but enough that would have given my retired one-stager a rough time. The Snapper seemed like it was almost laughing at this amount of white stuff. Takes a few minutes to get used to maneuvering the big machine, but releasing left-wheel to spin around helps a lot. Snowing again heavily so I'll probably have another run later on. No glitches at all. Biggest difference is I can throw snow far enough I don't have to go back and forth across three wide driveway. I can go down lengthwise and throw to either side. Very happy with purchase so far.

Glad you're happy with your purchase.  The remote lock/unlock is a very useful feature on a 250 lb machine.  I think that you'll find your Snapper has plenty of power to cut through 8 to 12 inches of snow just as easy as it handles a 4 inch snowfall.

Here is a picture of my finished driveway after first use of Snapper L1428E.  About six inches total with two snowfalls.

The picture didn't work. 

Four inches of wind blown/packed snow will just whet it's appetite.  I clear a 70' path around the back and side of the house to the area where the gas & water meters are so they can be accessed by the readers.  This area is particularly prone to drifting and packing.   If I get a foot of snow on the driveway, I'll have  two and a and a half at least back there.  This is one of my favourite places to blow snow.   I have the whole back yard to blow it and can use the wind to my advantage.  The Simplicity goes through drifted/packed snow with consistent ease.  The engine changes tempo but rpms don't drop past 3500 to 3550.  It just keeps pumping a solid stream of snow until the job's done.  After a big snow, it's not unusual for the snow thrower to run a good two hours with only brief interruptions of max power demands.  It might not be the best snow thrower out there but I don't see too many on my block (and there's lots of them) that  are out-performing this machine.  Even the guy with the new Honda isn't moving snow like this thing.  I will admit however that his Honda looks a bit small.  Might only be a 7 h.p.   That combined with inexperience might be contributing factors.   

I remember my old Craftsman machine even when it was new, didn't have the overall power, balance and efficiency of this thing.  As it got older, it began to loosen up and you could feel the frame and handle flexing, vibration increased and even though the engine ran well, efficiency fell off considerably.  I suspect that as the machine aged, wear was taking it's toll and the sloppier it got, the more it worked against itself.   I guess only time will tell how weld this machine holds up.  It's on it's second season with about 25 hours on it and it's still running like new. 

  A job that I used to do reluctantly has now become fun.  The more snow that falls now, the better.   "Bring it on."  I say!