After breaking my Ariens 9hp twice this year (stripped worm gear in auger case) I want something tough and reliable for years to come. With appropriate maintnance ofcourse. I think I have narrowed my search down to two models. Either the Honda 1032 or the Simplicity P1628E.
My driveway is about 150' long, 40' wide with a pretty good slope. I also need to go along the side of the house to maintain access to the propane tanks out back. Trouble there is the snow and ice comes off the steel roof packing in right on the path that I need to keep clear. This can be tougher that the snow at the end of the driveway after the plow goes through.
I like the Honda with tracks to get through the tougher stuff. Not sure if the Simplicity will tend to ride up on it. The downside of the Honda is the manuverablility (lack there of) and the inability to move the machine at all when not running. A plus for the track system might also be to climb the steps to my back deck. It would be neat to be able to snowblow the deck, but not sure if it is realistic to expect even the track dirve to climb the 25 steps up.
The upside of the Simplicity is it looked to be a little better built. Purely subjective from looking at them quickly, mayby it's the big steel plates instead of the tubes normally used for handle bars that make if look heavier duty. The Simplicity's cast iron gear case looks heavier duty and the drive mechanism seems like it might be more reliable over time (less complex and fewer parts.) The other thing I noted at my local dealers was the directional chute control. The Honda seemed potentially better. Well designed mechanical system. The Simplicity seems more convenient with the electric control and is easier to reach. I think as convenient as the electric system is, I would prefer haveing the mechanical system rather than look for replacement parts in an electrical set up. By chance can anyone say if the electric chute control will ever freeze up?
I'm trying to not factor in the cost of the machine, as I hope it will last long enough not to care. Is there really a clear winner among these two? Is honda engineering that good that it will outlast simplicities heavy duty machine? Is the track system worth the loss of some manuverability? Hopefully there is no bad decision between these two, I'm hoping someone can make some more educated points on either machine to help me decide. I hate to by one and then wish for the other. Thanks for any insight!
Thought I would add one last thing. My drive way is course gravel on a gravel road. For this reason I also thought that the height adjustability of the Honda track might be better. My Ariens always throws the rocks until there is a good base of ice/snow. Sometimes it digs the lawn going down the side of the house as well.
This message was modified Dec 29, 2008 by pgill
