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

A differential would be nice, some kind of trigger lock/unlock when your turning, but I'm learning to adjust my pattern to the new blower.  With the Ariens I could only blow about 20' so I had a different pattern side to side and then blow it straight again.  Also, I wouldn't have to have any real area to turn around whereas with the honda I need a good 48", otherwise its faster to back up

I find with the honda I have to be careful with the chute because I end up covering areas on the other side of my house I'd already snowblowed.  I literally blew a squirell out of a tree from 20' in the air. 

nhmatt wrote:

Yes, I usually back up if I have less than 15 foot instead of turning around.  To turn it around, I have to step on the pedal, raise the bucket, then turn.  After the turn, step on the pedal again, put the bucket back in normal position.  All this can be done in the same amount of time backing up.  However, with backing up, there's less effort and I don't have to reposition the chute.  Operating this tracked snowblower is like playing a musical instrument.  You have to methodical and practice often.  Reverse is painfully slow, but it is for safety in case you are walking on ice and have a slip or near a wall.  Don't want this thing to pin me against the garage door or a brick wall.  It is pretty strong in both reverse and forward speeds.

About your experience with the squirrel, I love to find a squirrel on a tree for target practice.  Heheh. Just kidding.

aa335 wrote:
Yeah, I keep telling the guys at work they owe me money for stopping the snowfall for them, but for some reason they're unwilling to fork over the dough. =-) Maybe I should threaten to return the blower and see what happens.

SteveinID wrote:
Well, my money is well spent this year.  This area already has received the average snowfall for the whole winter, and it was only January 13.   I don't mind the snow, just can't stand all that salt and dirt that the car bring into the garage.