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

Buck, what kind of boat did you run?

I think I like the DLE series so much, I'd go with the 9hp DLE for roughly the same price as the 11hp LE, but either one would make an owner proud.
I have a DLE, and like the free wheel  steering very much.......it makes all the difference in the world.

Frank D.

My Ariens 11528LE is the first snowblower I have ever used or owned so I have nothing to compare it to. I had some problems early on that were related to the dealer not doing the initial belt run in but those appear to have been solved. I have had to experiment with the skids to deal with my gravel drive. I have put 4.5 hours on the machine removing a few 3-5" snowfalls and it has performed flawlessly and up to my expectations.

I like my Ariens 926 DLE.  Is your friend very strong?  If not, maybe the 926 DLE with easy turning is in order. 

Marshall

I drove in the 280 Class Imboard Hydro plane

The Boat was a Ron Jones Hydro Named     The Buccaneer E101.

Doubble world record holder 115 MPH stright. away record / 86 MPH compition record

National Hi Point champ 3 time's

National Champ 2 times

TheBuck101 wrote:
Buck, that's great. I would like to drive one someday, holding out hope!  

I have never been 115 MPH on the water. I have though run 98 MPH in a 20ft Shadow, tunnel vee bass boat down the Mississippi in a timed race. In that boat it seemed like 208.    I don't think I could repeat that today, my nerves are not what they use to be. But, the upside is, my common sense has improved.

Marshall wrote:
Thats probably why you're still with us today!!

           After all the good comments on the 1128LE and Chris's statement that the 1332LE at HD for $1316.oo was a steal, he bought a blower.

We went to HD early this AM (0700) and he bought the 1332LE for$1316.00.  Which he thought was a super steal!!

It is more than he needs, but overkill is always better.

Thanks for all you help.

                                                   Fred

jubol wrote:

Man that is the steal of the century!!!!  Good for him Fred..........

SAWEET machine there......

C

 WOW!! What duh deal  

jubol wrote:

I bought the 1128 Pro new last year and have had lots of problems.  Worse for me was the lack of support from Ariens.  I'm planning to get a Honda next year.

I've never had a problems with support from Ariens.  It was always great.  What was/is the problems you are having with it?  Talk with a tech from Ariens and ask for email so that you can follow up with them.  I send pictures through email, and they also called me to resolve things.  I had a bent auger housing on my 1128 LE.  They would fix it, but I wanted to upgrade to professional model.

You made the correct choice for choosing Honda.  I do remember now what probelms you had with your snowthrower, and am very sad to hear about them.  Let us know what model Honda you decide to get, and how you are enjoying it.