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

Unfortunately my Simplicity Snow Tackler, complete with the New York Giants theme, quit on me after the last storm here in Conn.  I want to upgrade to a 2 stage unit, however, I'm a bit confused as to what to buy.  Supplies in the area are limited, seems everyone and his brother needs a new snow blower.

I have a medium size driveway, 2 cars wide and about 60 feet long.  I also have about 200ft of side walk.

My basic questions are:
1. Are the units at the big box stores so bad that they will quit on me in only a few years?

2. What features are worthy of spending a bit more money on?  For example, Easy Turn (or it's cousins on other manufacturers machines), one hand operation, ect....

I've been looking at the Cub Cadet 524 because of it's "easy" moverability, Troy-Bilt 26in from Lowes, Ariens 624, Toro 826.

Obviously very different machines with different prices.  Any help would be appreciated.

Smolinski7- I would stay away from the Cub and the Troy-Built. The 624 Ariens is a nice little machine but if it were me I would want something a little bigger. The Toro 826 would be my first choice of that group.

However if you have been using a small single stage up till now the 624 Ariens may meet your needs. I live on a Cul De Sac and could get away with a small machine except even in a 4" storm the plows have no where to put the snow. As a result I wind up with a glacier at the end of the  drive way. Each home has it's ownrequirements and you have to choose accordingly. The Toro is also going to cost significantly more than the 624 Ariens. I saw it listed at somewhere around $1400 and even the discounted price was about $1200. The Ariens lists for the E model(electric start) at about $1000 and can be bought for around $900.Not  inexpensive machines  but you get what you pay for.Quality is hard to come by at this time of year. especially at a discount.

Good luck,

Marc

I purchased a Troy-Bilt 21inch from Lowe’s in November 08. Well it lasted for less than a tank of gas before a bearing on the traction wheel shaft cased up and started making a loud screeching sound as the shaft turned in the bearing. Luckily Lowe’s has a 30 day return policy that I invoked to get a full refund. I then purchased a John Deere 928e from Lowe’s. It’s really a Simplicity in John Deere colors and while it’s bigger than I need most of the time, I bought it because above all I need a reliable snow thrower, and short of spending a grand more for a Honda, the Simplicity (John Deere) is about the best brand out there (Simplicity was purchaed by Briggs & Stratton in 2004, but they are still making good equipment). Toro is another good brand, but I would stay away for anything made by MTD (Troy-Bilt and many other brands) You’ll also notice there are many posts on this forum for problems with Ariens, so either they sell way more machines than anyone else or they have way more problems than anyone else. No brand is immune from problems, but you go with the odds and hope you get a good machine.

One thing for sure, get a two stage thrower. If you buy from Lowe’s you can use it for a while and if you don’t like it you can take it back within 30 days for a full refund.

I just found a Snapper Model 1695571at Sears.  Seems like a good machine, better than the other Craftsman, Cub Cadet, or Troy-Bilt I''ve been looking at.  However, it doesn't have power steering.  How big of a deal is that?

By power steering, do you mean easy steer?  Easy steer just disengages one wheel to allow the machine to turn easier.  It's nice but not absolutely necessary.  If I had to choose between a Simplicity without easy steer and any Craftsman with it or differential, I'd be going with the Simplicity.  In my opinion, quality trumps gizmos every time.

Does anyone have any recommendations for a good snow blower under $1000.00?  I know Ariens makes the 624E, but I worry about that model because it can be found in HD.  I can't help but think that Ariens was trying to "dumb" down the unit just to hit a price point for the mass consumer.

So far the "Snapper" I've seen at Sears.com is the best.

My basic questions are:

1. Are the units at the big box stores so bad that they will quit on me in only a few years?

 

No.  As much as MTD gets flogged they are a decent machine for the money.  The new ones with the OHV engines are looking pretty good to me.  They are not as good as the better brands but will last if you take care of the machine and do the maintenance.  They can easily last 15 to 20 years and fairly easily. 

 

   I’ve seen lots of 640F type MTD’s over the last few years and other close model 524 and 826 models by MTD from the late 80’s through 2006.  They were taken care of and still in very useable condition. 

 

   The buckets and frame are generally light but will last if not abused.  Cleaning off the inside and the back of the bucket is a must for an MTD. 

 

The plastic chutes are cheap but rugged.  I have not seen a broken one yet.  The worse I’ve seen is one with a set from having something lean on it probably over a summer.  It was misshaped but still tossed fine. 

 

The cranks are an eyesore of cheapness but turn easily and last for years easily.

 

The light build causes the front end to lift in big piles but so do Toro and Ariens.  They just lift a few feet into the pile later.  So you don’t take a full cut and work down say a two care wide pile in a couple extra passes.  Most of the snows at least in my area Eastern Massachusetts are not so big.  There are 4-10 snows a year and  most are 2-6 inches.  You only have a disadvantage for a few bigger storms and then only at the end of the driveway.  For a big snowfall on the driveway you might have to go one speed slower than a heavier machine.  It’s not such a big disadvantage.  For most of the snows during the year the lightness is an advantage.  The 826MTD is easy to move around, very easy.  The models with the fatter tires are a pleasure to buzz around with.

 

MTD parts are not as robust but are fairly inexpensive to replace.  But it’s not like the cables are going to break every year to two.  They can last a lifetime and do.  The friction disk is about the smallest in the industry that I’ve seen.  It also can last for 15 years.  If you keep jamming the machine into piles and forcing the handles to dig in the disk will probably go in seven or eight years but it’s inexpensive to replace.

 

The Sears Snapper is an ok machine i.e. not a cheapie and at a decent price.  The 624E is a nice machine for the money also.  It’s not a top Ariens but not a top price either.  If you were going to garage an MTD, use it properly and do the maintenance I would not rule out an MTD.   "You get what you pay for" but the MTD is not going to rattle and fall apart.  If I lived on the UP in Michigan or mid-state Maine I’d be going with a better machine.  Here in Eastern Mass an MTD would be fine and last for many years.

I just went out to Sears and bought the Craftsman 88999.  I chose this particular model because of the "power steering."  I know it was suggested to choose quality over gizmos, but I REALLY like this gizmo.  After looking at my neighbor attempting to maneuver his machine in the middle of our sidewalk, I think it is a feature that is well worth it for me.

I also bought it because it came with the B and S 250cc engine.  I just couldn't buy anything but American made.  The engines made in China are too knew for me; they don't have a history like B and S.

I did consider the Snapper 1695328 and the Toro 828LXE, however they were way out of my price range.  I just couldn't accept dishing out over $1500.00 for a snow thrower that would only be used on average 5-6 times per winter.  That brought me to the Cub Cadet 524 SWE.  I was very tempted by it because it was the size I wanted, 24in, and about $100.00 less than the Craftman.  However, the engine is made in China.  I figure that if it was a better more reliable engine than the Briggs and Stratton in the Craftsman 88999, it would be placed in more of the higher end machines.  However, it's not.  That engine is only found in the units engineered as entry level machines in order to keep the cost down.

I know I bought a lesser quality machine compared to some others, however, I am fairly handy and can fix just about anything on my lawn tractor, so I figure as long as the engine is good and I keep up the maintenance, which is never an issure for me, this machine should last 15  - 20 years.

Thanks for the help.

Smolenski7:

It sounds like your application will be light to moderate duty at best.   You shouldn't worry about the machine lasting under those conditions.  I owned two Craftsman machines over the last twenty plus years and have neigbours who have been using Craftsman machines just as long.   We live in Canada in the Northwestern Ontario near Lake Superior.  We get tons of snow and our machines see hard service.   My machines see fairly reasonable maintenance.  The first Craftsman I owned I bought used (abused) and it was literally "hell on wheels"  I learned a great deal fixing that machine.   The last Craftsman I owned I bought new and it was a decent machine.  My neighbours are no where near as maintenance oriented but their machines are holding up pretty good just the same. Sure.  They've had a few minor problems but nothing they couldn't fix.  Overall, they've held up well.  Craftsman machines are very well appointed for the price range and tend to be the higher end models made by whoever is building them for Sears at the time.   As long as you keep things adjusted, fasteners tightened and moving parts lubricated, it will last you.   I bought a Simplicity for two reasons.  It looked like a well built machine and the price was very good.  Actually, it was less money thant the Craftsman I was comparing it to.     

Smolenski7 wrote:

Hello

This is my first post, and this is my first season owning a new snowblower, but since I have just gone through the same types of decisions myself I thought I would share my experience.

I think the most important thing to keep in perspective above all else is:  What is the job you are trying to accomplish? How much snow are you trying to move and how far in what amount of time?  E.g. Do you need to throw heavy wet snow 25 feet, or do you need to throw much less distance. For me, throwing it 25 feet would often put it right on my neighbors drive way, and there is no benefit in that ;)

Keep the job in perspective and dont get  caught up in features you may not need.  I can comment on 2 machines under 1000 dollars,  one of which my father in law just bought and one which I just bought. My driveway is two car wide by 45 feet long so it is fairly small but seems not far from yours. My father in laws is 1 car wide, but about 75 feet long.

The ariens 624E my father in law bought  for about 900 meets every needs he has, except that it runs up a little in the end of the drive way snow pack the city plow leaves behind . Havent tried a front weight yet not sure if that would help, but  Bottom line it gets the job done just needs a second pass down there to clean up. With the 1 driveway width, we arent talking significant time either way. Generally I like some things about this machine a little more than mine, it feels a little more solid with a litter heavier gauge steel  in the bucket I think than mine, and it throws heavy wet snow several feet further than mine thanks to its Tec OHV engine.

For my machine I went with a Poulan 5524, a small  2 stage thowers for 650 out the door. http://www.poulanpro.com/poulanpro/getProductsForCategory.do;jsessionid=4F9EFBEB2B6DB64671531A4AFCB616D8?categoryID=SNOWTHROWER As far as I can tell this is the same machine as the Husqvarna 5524 except that the Poulan uses chain in the drive system while I believe the Husky has no chain. So far after a total of about 20 inches of wet snow over 2 storms and a nice 3 foot mess at the end of my drive way each time I have no regrets here. The ariens would blow this snow a bit further with its OVH engine, but the only time I have wished Id had more was at the bottom of the driveway in the wet snowpack I could not throw completely from one end of the drive way to the other with is probably about 15 feet I guess. The last 4 feet or so I was throwing snow that Id already thrown once. Also has the same issue as the Ariens of running up a bit in the end of driveway bank, but since the bucket is taller its actually throwing more snow it seems(just not as far). All in all, For the price I paid though, I think I did just fine, and with the headlight the Ariens does not have I am happy. Would be nice to have a 26 or 28 inch wide machine with 8+HP, but did I need it? No.

So, try to pick the right tool for the job. Oh, and maybe Id miss the easy turn if Id ever used one, but on these 24 inch machine I have no trouble turning it myself as long as I am not in the highest speed when I trying to turn.  As far as homedepot that my father in law bought his ariens, I dont think the machine was "dumbed down" at all. Its still an all steel  machine and has the Tec OHV on it.  Was that worth 250 bucks....hard to say...time will tell as they get older.

Happy Hunting!!

Happy Hunting!!

Happy Hunting!!

Happy Hunting!!

 

Smolenski7 wrote:
All Briggs model 12 and 15 engines (205/206cc and 249/250cc)... Made in China.

PK

Snowmann wrote:
Well that's disappointing to hear.  More jobs being sucked out of America....

Are you kidding me?  My Briggs engine is made in China.  Well, at least it's a Briggs and not a no name.  I can get some solace out of that.

Smolenski7 wrote:

Couldn't you hear the difference in the exhaust note?   Listen closely.  You'll hear a little oriental twang.... I'm told that it's due to the "Hop Sing"  muffler they use. 

Is it true the Chinese engines run better with sesame oil?

Being manufactured under license for B&S, chances are that it will be a fine engine. 

 I just get a little pissed with all of the manufacturing jobs leaving the Continent.  

Snowmann wrote:
If Snowman's statement is accurate -- we need to ask B&S to update their website... below is from their FAQs (link follows). It is widely known that B&S has plants all over the world, but it was my understanding from the local newspapers, that the reason was primarily to serve those markets -- rather than to ship heavy, cast-iron bore engines all over the world for subsequent final product assembly. Certainly, local news is biased for the hometown company, but still.


Are Briggs & Stratton engines, pressure washers, generators, etc. made in the U.S.?

Over 90% of our engines and products are manufactured in the USA.

The only exception would be the Vanguard horizontal shaft, V-Twin and 3-cylinder liquid cooled engines (All Vanguard vertical shaft single cylinder engines are made in the USA). The Vanguard horizontal shaft and V-twin engines have many of its components made in the USA and are assembled in Japan.

All Vanguard engines are engineered in the USA.

We design, engineer, and assemble the vast majority of our generator and pressure washer products in the United States. Please refer to the packing label for a specific country of origin information.

http://faqs.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/faqs.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=1393&p_created=947899980&p_topview=1

I couldn't find anything that said B and S makes their engines over seas.  In fact, I found an article stating that the labor in China became too expensive, believe it or not, and that the plant moved to the Phillipines.

Smolenski7 wrote:
The model 12 and 15 horizontal shaft engines were made in Rolla, MO (plant closed in 2007). Now made in China. 305cc and 342cc (models 20 and 21) still assembled in USA. It's a fact.