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

 Folks,

         You, who have the Ariens 11528LE, how would you rate them?

As good or better than Toro or  Simplicity. Please give me your thoughts.

                        Fred 

Fred are you looking at buying new OPE? 

 Marshall,

      No, this is for a friend in Moultonboro New Hamshire. He needs a better blower than my MTD.

He does not have a computer, as I do, with access to a great wealth of info.

                                                            Fred  

Fred I don't own one. But I am an olympic grade lookie lou. The 11528 form Ariens is the hardest to maneuver  machine I have ever tried.
The larger Simplicitys have a free wheel trigger. The big Honda with tracks is a close second to the Ariens, but seems lighter somehow. I don't know if it is, maybe red makes me feel strong.
If he can leave one wheel unlocked, it might be OK. Not a very likely situation, IMO though.
I think I would see if he might try the 926DLE. I think It is about the same price, and the two inches is not usually enough extra to save a pass, unless the drive is real wide.

Hi Fred,

I have an Ariens 11528. So far it’s been great, but we haven’t had that much snow up here on Canada’s east coast. What we have had was that real heavy wet stuff.

Anyway, enough of that, I picked the Ariens over the Toro 828LXE for the following reasons:

• It looked tougher than the Toro
• The gauge of the metal was heavier
• It had far less plastic
• Had more HP and the same cut size
• Ariens had a longer warranty (3 yrs compared to two)
• The 11528 had the newer Tech OHV engine compared to the older L head on the Toro
• Ariens have been making blowers since the early sixties
• The comments and feedback that I found on this site were a great help

The only thing that the Toro had, that I feel I missed out on, was the “free wheel” steering. I hear the Ariens 926DLE with the differential can he had for about the same price as the 11528 - your friend might want to look at that. I also find it a bit of a beast to maneuver. Also, the Ariens was more money than the Toro. Hope this helps.

 

Chuck

Chuck1,
How did it do in the heavy wet stuff? That should be a big deal to someone making a choice. Anything that runs can throw powder.

Rob is right on in my opinion.

Believe it or not it is easier to turn a big Honda Track unit than a wheeled unit because the surface area of contact is spread out more it that makes sense.  Moving them is a different story lol...

C

Like a knife throug butter - no sweat! I've had people tell me that I'm nuts using my blower to go through it. They tell me they shovel the stuff. I tell them that why I spent the $$ - did the shovel'in thing for far too long!!

I bought my 11528 in sept 03. I am VERY happy with it. I compared to all the usual suspects, came down to buying the Ariens.

 It works in deep snow, and the slushy stuff. In fact last year we had a layer of slush and I did not even think about using it from past experiences with a 5hp snapper. Someone on the old site said give it a try. I tried it and was amazed the machine was pretty much throwing water and it did that REAL well. Maneuvering can be tough but when ya get to a big machine with out any turning type of assistance, that is what you get. I used it soon after major surgery, and again soon after having surgery to have a bicep muscle reattached, and was able to handle it both times.  The speed is good, starts well , has ohv engine. my 2cents .

Thanks Chuck.

I guess I'm getting a little soft thinking that your beast is heavy. I'm sure it beats the shovel though. It looks like one of those deals that blows up over Carolina and moves up toward you, might get to you by Monday or so. That's if you can believe the weatherman.

I looked at the 11528LE & 926DLE

I went with the 926DLE because of the Cast Iron Gear case & Lock out Diff.

I have a 30 + yr old 824 with a cast gear case & lock out & it still runs great.

I just thought it was time to get a new one. I think I make a real good choice with the 926 DLE

Just my 2 cent's

Brent