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

It's summer, but I'm thinking about a new blower.  Sears has several Snapper's on their website, that as far as I can tell, are new models.  Snappers and Simplicitys websites do not show these. 

Sears has a M1227E and a M1429E.  You can see the model if you zoom in on the picture.  They also show the I927E as limited availability now.  It may be a conspiracy theory, but I believe Snapper is discontinuing the 'Intermediate' series, and these new 'M' models are 'Mediums'.  The specs from Sears don't quite jive as they list both new ones as 176 pounds in weight.  Both have electric chutes and 16" wheels.

Anyone seen or heard of these yet?  Emails to snapper have so far gone unanswered.


M1227e http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_07188765000P?mv=rr
M1429e http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_07188766000P?mv=rr

Those are more Murray than Snapper in relative terms. The transmission, blower head, and basic handlebar designs seem to be leftovers from Brigg's acquisition of Murray's assets a half decade or so ago. That is, these are derivatives of the Brute machines that are sold at Wal-Mart (Murray, I believe, is no longer a marketed brand). They are not terrible machines in my opinion, just don't confuse them with premium product. When Murray was still in business independently (supplying many Craftsman models) they were considered by many on this forum as "middle of the road".

Original Snapper designs are long gone in favor of re-styled Simplicity units; those in turn have largely conceded to Murray-originated designs. The only componentry left from the old Simplicity is the Signature Pro series, the Snapper XL, the John Deere 32" model, the blower head and chute on the "Large" platform Simplicity units, and the blower head on the Snapper "Large" units. However, after looking at Sears website, I could be led to believe the entire "Large" Snapper and Simplicity snow lines could be replaced entirely with Murray/Brute DNA.

Very interesting.

How would you rate these against the current Ariens deluxe series, say the 24 and 27, or to last years Snappers?  It appears the Ariens 24 has the pin lock axle, while the 27 has the remote unlock.  The 27" Snapper does not say anything about steering, while the 29 says it has remote unlock.

Aside from some feature differences (power chute rotation, etc), the advantage of the former Snapper "large" models from last season is that you get a full size "Simplicity Style" blower head. I don't see how these new ones could be marketed as "medium" platform models with 16" wheels and 27/29" widths..?

Comparing these to an Ariens 24" or 27" Deluxe results in a long list of advantages in the Ariens favor:

3 year warranty versus 2 year

The Ariens frame is fully welded (25 welds) from 4 pieces of steel. A gusseted box frame, solid section cross-brace, backplate, and a triangulated steel sub-frame (more of an engineered truss). The Snapper is a bolted together frame, with a simple flat doubler-plate under the engine.

The Ariens uses the large ~6" friction disk (.625" wide) while the Snapper employs the small 4.34" diameter disk (.5" wide) . The larger disk allows for a larger contact patch, more drive torque, and a longer lasting drive. The final drive ratio (ratio from the friction disk to the wheels) is also superior (over 15% better).

The Ariens spec'd 249cc Briggs engine employs forged crankshafts and ball bearing journals while the Snapper uses cast cranks and sleeve bearings.

The axle on the Ariens models is 1" diameter, the Snapper is .75"

The Ariens models use all steel dash panels, those new Snappers appear to use plastic.

The Ariens uses ball bearings on the high speed friction disk cross-shaft while the Snapper uses sintered bushings (not a great idea for high speed shafts unless submerged in a wet sump).

The large XS auger gear cases use larger drive shafts and a stonger alloy steel auger gear with a hunting tooth design for long term durability.

The Ariens Deluxe models employ a dual belt auger drive to allow continuous maximum power output to the auger without necessary belt adjustments from belt stretch (single belt on Snapper). The driver pulley for this belt drive is also heavy cast steel to handle continuous full power. The Snapper is brazed sheetmetal (another Murray part).

The Ariens uses a larger 14" impeller and 14" augers for increased discharge capacity and throwing performance (versus 12/12).

The 27" model comes with a trigger activated remote axle lock which is superior to the axle mounted lockout on the 29" Snapper. No bending down to lock the axle.

The list goes on...

These newer Snapper models (M1429E and M1227E) seem to have a few more convenience features though; remote cap deflector, 1" larger wheels, power chute features, drift cutters, but perhaps at the expense of performance and durability.

This is comparing a Ford Ranger to an F250 in essence.

Great info, Snowman, just what I needed to know.I also emailed Snapper on these and got a worthless reply from them.  Sounds like I need to finalize between the 24 or 27" Ariens deluxe now.

The 24" would be sufficient for my needs, but for $100 more the 27" gives me the remote axle unlock.

Thank you very much for taking the time to share all of that info!