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

Hello to all! I'm VERY new to the usage of snowblowers. My whole experience is with the neighbor's 17 year old Ariens 824; I love that machine...
Anyway, I've done a lot of reading on this forum and others, and have narrowed my selection down to three machines, but would like some help making the final selection. First, here's what I'll be using it for:
I'll be using it on at least three driveways: 1. My own, which is lined with 1.5-2.5" river rock, and isn't too long. 2. My sister's, which is fairly steep and not too long. and 3. My aunt's, which is quite long (over 200') and is composed of very packed gravel. In addition, I regularly do the snow cleanup on the sidewalks and handicap ramps at my local church. Some winters we have a few wet snowfalls of a few inches each, and some winters we get dumped on with 2'+ per fall (like this one.) I also own an ATV with a snowplow on it, and my preferred method is to make a pile with the snow and then use the blower to move it to the middle of the lawn. I would also like to be able to use the blower on snow that's been packed somewhat by the city plows.
Taking all this into consideration, I kind of figured anything below 11hp was going to be too small. I originally didn't want to spend much more than $2000, but I'm willing to make a concession in the price for the right machine, as you'll see when I list the ones I'm considering. None of my local dealers have any machines in stock; I've called all of the local Ariens dealers, and both of the Simplicity dealers. No one expects to have anything until next fall. I've got two Simplicity dealers within 50 miles, and four Ariens dealers within the same distance. I'd prefer to buy local, but I don't see that happening at this point. I have found a few dealers online that have the blowers I'm interested in in stock, and they ship for free; I even get to escape the local 6% sales tax as an added incentive!

Here's what I'm considering:
Ariens
11528 DLE - 926016 for $2100
11528 DLET - 926025 for $2490
Simplicity
Signature Pro P1628E for $2000

I looked at Honda and consider them prohibitively expensive, and also considered the Ariens 9526 DLET - 926024 for $2190, but thought 9.5hp was probably too light for what I want to do. Toro doesn't have any more dealers in the area than Simplicity, and I think I'd prefer to stick with a professional model anyway. I am willing to take sugestions, but mostly, I want to know which of the three machines I've listed would be best for the applications I've listed.

Thank you all in advance for your help!

SteveinIdaho

My heart's not set on Simplicity; in fact, I was leaning more toward the tracked version of the Ariens because of the gravel and rock. So far though, no one has spoken up for the Ariens. I'm beginning to wonder just how good an idea ordering one would be.

Steve- My father has a 926LE Ariens and my son has a 1060DLXE Simplicity. Both are fine machines. The Simplicity handles better because it has the wheel disconnect feature which the Ariens does not. If it were the DLE Ariens the machines would be comparable and more than worth the money.

Ariens has suffered a little lately because it sells a lot of units through Home Depot and the set up and prep there leaves a lot to be desired. Many dealers are angry at Ariens because of their relationship with Home Depot and are no longer selling or servicing Ariens units. If you get an Ariens and it has the proper set up you will have a quality machine. If you get a Simplicity or an Ariens or a Honda or Toro and it is not set up properly it will be a nightmare.

In your situation I wouldn't be as concerned about which unit I was buying as much as which one I can get delivered at this time of year. The premium model Ariens or Simplicity  will serve you well. If I were buying the Ariens track model I would only buy the DLET which has some sort of traction control that helps in turns as opposed to the base model that has the tracks (axles?) locked.One of the guys on another site just bought an Ariens DLET and has had good things to say about it.

Marc

SteveinID wrote:
Your choices are all good ones. They are very comparable. For the wheeled models, it all boils downs to personal preference. Go over both units in detail and make the call.

A few pluses the Ariens has are:

Automatic differential (a clear upgrade over Easy Turn)
Higher volumetric capacity (larger impeller, augers, dual belt drive, faster gear box ratio)
3 year warranty

The Simplicity Pro has a few benefits as well:

A much quieter engine
Selectable heat for handwarmers (2 settings)
Electric chute rotation (this however may become problematic in the future)

I'm sure there are other differences that are pertinent.

Lastly, the track model Ariens you mention is ~40% slower than both of the above models (to facilitate the higher drive torque required for the increased traction). It's designed for the real heavy, deep snow. Make sure you are fine with this before purchasing it.

PK

Steven, I bought a carryover ariens 9526 dlet with the ohv briggs and I love it so far. The track model is geared lower than the same in a wheel model. I don't have any regrets on getting the 9.5 hp. It has all the power I need, even in the wind blown harder stuff in first gear it just keeps on walking through the stuff. I had a wheel 8 hp. "28" model before and if it was hard I had to lossen it up sometimes with the shovel first but not with this machine! You can lock the tracks for extra traction or leave them unlocked for easier turning. I suppose the 11.5 hp. would have more power but then the cost is higher also. Good luck with whatever you buy!!

Coldfingers

Coldfingers wrote:
I think you're better off with your 9526 than you would have been with the 11528.  Narrower is better in my mind
and no one has yet to disprove the rumor that the 11.5hp and 9.5hp engines are identical.

Paul

pvrp, that is interesting. I didn't know that. I had a 28 before and I honestly don't notice the difference using the 26 I have now except I had an 8 hp. L head tec. before and now I have the 9.5 ohv. briggs so I can really tell the difference in the deep snow. Love the new machine.

Are the 9.5 and 11.5 B&S or Tecumseh engines the same? I notice that with Tecumseh, both are listed as 318cc, is it the same with B&S?

SteveinID wrote:
I've done pretty thorough cross reference of the parts for the 9.5 and 11 h.p. B&S (20000 series).   I couldn't find any part numbers that didn't match.  Accordingly, I've come to the unofficial conclusion that the engines are one and the same.  From my personal experience of owning a 9.5 on a 28" Simplicity, and having twenty years previous experience with ten horse power Tecumseh engines, my "seat of the pants" dyno tells me that this engine is making more power than the other two ten horse power engines did.   I could be wrong but I don't think I'm alone in this conclusion.   Can't help you with the Tecumseh question.  Never researched it.

Well, I ordered the 11528 initially, but the company called and said it was the last one in stock, and that when they opened the box before shipping, they noticed the top of the blower was crushed. They asked if I'd like to switch to the 9526 DLET (for $300 less) or the 1332 DLET for around $300 more. I chose to go with the 9526 DLET and save the extra money. I'm still curious why the 9.5 and 11.5 HP motors list the same cc (318). Wouldn't that seem to indicate the same head, cylinder, and piston, but a difference in the carb?

Steve, borat seems to know whats going on with the 9.5 versus the 11 hp. engines. Good luck with your 9526 dlet!! I sure like mine so far, we will have to compare notes after you run yours awhile.

Coldfingers