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

We are in need of a new unit as our 10 yr old unit died last week. We live in WI and the past 2 years have required lots of snowblower use.

Here are the options we are looking at and have no idea which one is a good choice..

Simplicity 1924E 999.00
Arens 27L 1199.00
Simplicity 1226L 1099.00
Yard Machines 2-Stage 26 In. Electric Start Snow Thrower 699.99(Home depot).

We know we want a 2 stage and hoped to stay below $1000. Are we really taking a risk with the Yard Machine??

Any advice would be very helpful.

Thanks so much,

I would go with one of the Simplicity machines or the Arens. Yard Machine, like Troy-Bilt, is made by MTD. Likely the Yard Machine engine is made in China as that was the case on the Troy-Bilt that I purchased new in November 2008. That machine didn’t make it through the first tank of gas before a bearing in the drive system failed. I took it back to Lowe’s for a full refund (I was within their 30 day return period) and put the money into a John Deere 928E ($1,299), which is made by Simplicity. Note that Simplicity is owned by Briggs&Stratton, but they still seem to be making good quality machines.

A couple of points to consider would be, who will service the unit and what is their current turn around time?   Personally would avoid machines with Tecumseh engines since they are no longer building those engines, which is too bad because they made a quality product.  It's one thing to look at the specs on line, it is some times quite different to be able to find a unit, this time of the year in stock.  Let your fingers do that walking as they use to say.  Lowes and Home Depot both have good supplies but make sure you know who will service it.  In my area Sears has a 21 day turn around time recently and that was just too long for me.  Don't believe the sales rep, go to the service depart and ask how long it will take to get someone to look at it if you brought it in today?  I did notice some the Home Depot did have some new Ariens 927 LE units with Briggs snow max engines in and the selling price was $1050 locally.  Ariens, Simplicity John Deere, Honda all make decent machines, you just have to compare at your price point and see what you get.  Be picky about what features are offered at what price point but even the best deal won't do you any good if you can't get it fixed for 3 weeks.  Good luck and let us know what you are considering next.

Rick

From the line up you posted, I'd be choosing one of the Simplicity machines.  The I924 Simplicity model is their intermediate machine.   For the money, I'd step up to their large frame model to get easy steer, one hand operation, heavy duty cast iron auger gear drive, much stronger engine and probably an overall tougher more capable machine.  Go large frame. 

Tough to get a good choice this time of year, especially after a few snows.

Borat mentioned a good Simplicity and I don't think anyone will disagree.  But you may  have trouble finding one, so check Sears and John Deere. They both have the same machine (some Sears sell the Snapper brand, it's not one of the Craftsmans) with a different name.

Take a look at the specs and pictures of the following:

http://www.simplicitymfg.com/products/snowthrowers/large_frame/
http://www.simplicitymfg.com/products/snowthrowers/large_frame_dual-stage/specs/

http://www.snapper.com/products/snowthrowers/large_frame_dual-stage/
http://www.snapper.com/products/snowthrowers/large_frame_dual-stage/specs/

http://www.deere.com/en_US/ProductCatalog/HO/servlet/com.deere.u90785.cce.productcatalog.view.servlets.ProdCatProduct?pNbr=LP1695441&tM=HO
http://www.deere.com/en_US/ProductCatalog/HO/servlet/com.deere.u90785.cce.productcatalog.view.servlets.ProdCatProduct?pNbr=LP1695442&tM=HO

It could all boil down to what's available now, your confidence in the dealer, and who has the best price.  Oh, and your favorite color  ;)