I think that the marketing folks have completely diluted the meaning of Professional/Commercial grade. A few years ago it meant something. Four years ago I purchased two Ariens 21 inch walk behind lawn mowers. One was their standard consumer duty machine and the other was commercial duty. There are MAJOR differences between the two.
The consumer model came with a 6hp Intek engine and weighs around 110 lbs. The commercial model came with a 6hp Robins chain driven OHC engine that as smooth as butter. This machine weighs 130 lbs. Where ever a plastic part was used on the consumer machine a steel part was used on the commercial model. And where steel was used on the standard model, heavier gauge steel was used on the commercial one. The list goes on...Friction drive vs heavy duty gear drive; spin off oil filter...etc.
I’m troubled when I see Simplicity market their “Pro Commercial” line of Snow Throwers. (Yeah...they use both words). Their 28” Pro Commercial machine weigh exactly the same as their 28” non-Pro consumer machine. The only difference I can see is channel handlebars and Power Boost...which is a feature, not a beefed up design.
My 2006 Ariens 11528LE non-Pro machine weighs 289lbs while the 2006 Pro model 11528 weighs 293...virtually the same.
Maybe I’m delusional but I think that for the premium charged for a Pro/Commercial machine it should be built noticeably beefier than consumer models and with appropriate maintenance work all day long, seven days a week without a hiccup.
Now I’m seeing the term “Prosumer” being used to designate snow thrower grades. It seems like the marketing folks have even confused themselves.
