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

Does anyone have any feedback or experience with the Ariens 722 single stage snow blower?   Not so much how it compares to a 2 stage snow blower but mainly how it compares to other single stage machines.  Also snows that it handles best and snows that push it's limits.  Thanks.

aa335 wrote:

i believe the 3650 has a manual chute control.

The 5 hp. that we had had a lever on the chute so you just leaned over and turned it by grabbing it, the 3650 or 6.5 hp has a rod that comes out of the housing and runs up to the handlebar like a two stage does. Problem is sometimes the chute on the 3650 gets stuck and you think you are going to break the rod off trying to free it. In other words, the 5 hp. was much easier and more trouble free with that design. I looked at the new toros out this year and see they have a cable running to a plastic handle to turn the chute with and I can't help but wonder how that will stand up. They all have a "20" inch throat and are pretty much the same otherwise I think.

seabird wrote:
Funny you should mention the Toro with the Suzuki engines.  I've recently have taken interest with those engines and would also like to pick up a used Toro to fix up over the spring/summer season.  Would you happen to know which models/year of Toro that has the Suzuki engines?  The new Toro are either Tecumseh or Toro's own engines.  I'm not sure how good is the Tecumseh 98cc engine that's on the Powerlites

i don't know the definitive dates and models but i believe the ccr1000/2000/3000 series and possibly a few other of the ccr models prior to the 2450/3650/snow commander had zuki engines.  these were made from the late 80's to mid 90's i think.  i havn't googled but i would be interested to know as well.  from what i understand the ccr2000 in particular with the 4.5 zuki engine was basically replaced by the 2450 with the toro rtek 5hp engine. i've heard that the hp rating on the zuki is under rated in this case is a stronger engine.  i was also told that the new toro single stage machines are fitted with plastic carbs and can be finiky sp?..but are cheap to replace at only 30-40 bucks. good luck and if you find out more on the zuki engine dates, please post them up.

Well my big snow thrower would start today but I picked up a used single stage  Ariens 722 a few weeks ago so I had my first opportunity to use it.  Here's a quick review.  We got about 4-5 inches of very wet, very heavy snow that was just starting to get an icy crust.  The machine did a great job of moving it as long as I was shooting it straight ahead.  I have a double wide driveway and it was too heavy for machine to let me start in the middle and blow it to the sides.  It would only throw the snow a few feet.  That was a shame because the remote chute lever works like a charm.  I think it would of thrown better had it been a fluffier snow. 

Anyway I just aimed the chute straight ahead and went from side to side and it did the job.  It even moved the EOD plowed stuff as long as I took half cuts and fed into it slow.  The only pushing I has to do was at the EOD.  The rest of the time I just lifted the handlebars and let the auger do the work.  Considering the heavy wet snow I'm satisfied with it but I would not want to be without my two stage.

seabird wrote:

I'm seeing quite a few CCR1000 and CCR2000 on craigslist that are selling 50%-75% price of a comparable new models.  I think these were trade-ins and someone fixed them up and post them for sale.  Prices are a little high though at this time of the year, probably can do better in the spring.

I think I try to find a cheap CCR2000 since this is the middle model with ample power.

aa335 wrote:

what exact prices are you seeing?  as a reference i bought 2 used ones for 100-140 each.  basically all that was needed were new paddles and a carb clean.  the cheaper one did require some work to the housing but nothing too costly.  when you are looking at them be sure to check out the belt housing cover at the bottom.  most are worn and allow snow to get in the belt area that in turn creates slippage.  you can do a diy fix or just buy the new part for around 25 bucks. 

seabird wrote:
I saw a CCR1000 used for $220 and a CCR2000 for $400.   Both of these have new paddles and scraper bar.  The carb is also cleaned.  The prices are still high though.

where abouts are you located? that does sound high unless they are in good shape (i.e. housing) with new paddles.

I'm in northern Illinois.