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

Hello,

I have a driveway 40ft X 25ft + 60ft sidewalk, and get quite a lot of snow.

I wanted to get the 24" deluxe (for space) but found it hard to maneuver with both wheels locked, not bad with one wheel unlocked.

I was thinking of moving up to the 27" deluxe (larger than I need) which has the trigger for wheel locking for an extra $130.

My local dealer suggests I upgrade to the 24 DLE  with the automatic traction control, light, handwarmer for $ 464 more than the 24 deluxe.

For a little more I can get a Toro 828 XLE which has the power steering (also larger than I need).

Craftman has a 24" 249cc B+S power steeriing $ 1,000 - same features as the 24" DLE , but not sure about quality.

The locan dealer also suggest Simplicity 9hp 24" ST 2718 ?? for $ 1200. Lighter than the Ariens (not sure if it has traction control.

Can someone please advise which one is best bang for buck.

Snowman, you are the Ariens pro, is the 24 DLE worth that much more than the 24 deluxe or the 27 deluxe? Will Ariens have a sale

In Sept. or October that the Dealers will pass on to customers? I read that some Ariens had problems with the Friction Disk and Baffle plates

has to be installed, and chute control cable freezing. Have these issues been fixed in the 2009 units?

Thanks you all.

gsnow

gsnow wrote: I totally forgot about the lack of a shearpin - what a great feature (or non feature). I'm not sure if its patented by Toro, but I would strongly argue that if you work for a shearpin manufacturer, you better start looking for another job.

Oakville, your Pro machine must be a 2005 or 2006 as those are the only years that had the planetary differential with the remote lock trigger. It was replaced in 2007 with the Automatic Traction Control and was preceded by the planetary differential with the axle mounted lockout.

Gsnow, The Toro PowerMax is a solid machine. I believe they had a few early problems with some TSB's on the plastic and one on the drive, but the latest models are likely long resolved. Having driven this unit side by side with many other brands, I would comment that the volumetric capacity seems a little low. It seemed to "plow" before other brands'. The gearcase is nice. 4 lead worm, steel helical gear, 1/4" casting wall. The Ariens XS aluminum gearcase is similar except it has a true worm tooth profile on the gear for lower localized tooth stress and a hunting tooth feature for long term durability. You could do without shear bolts on either as both will probably stall the engine before any damage occurs (I know the Ariens will do this). Still, if it's my machine, I'm not going to hammer the gear case with grade 5 or 8 bolts and worry about the replacement bill when the warranty is expired. Shear pins are always a good idea and are there to protect and prolong the life of the gear box.

You could put up an argument for an Ariens Deluxe or Toro Power Max being the better machine. The balance could tip in either direction depending on what your preferences were, but the Toro 828 OXE is ~over $500 US  (50% more) than the comparable 27LE Deluxe. The Toro pricing is just pitiful. If you even out price, the Ariens is clearly the better machine. You could get a ST24DLE Platinum or ST30LE with a Subaru SX30 OHC for less $.

Lastly, I'm not clear why, but the exchange rate doesn't work out when comparing US to Canadian prices. I think there are some additional tarriffs that are probably based on selling prices for units sold in Canada. I'm guessing the tarriff rate is based on price because the Sno-Tek models don't appear to be marked up as much as the more expensive Ariens models. That said, the prices you have been quoted may be the best you can do. I also can't be much help for recommending dealers. I'm not familiar with your area. Shop around as much as you can for the best deal. Just keep in mind you don't want to drive 200 miles for service if you need the dealer to help you out. Some are less than helpful if you didn't buy the machine from them. It might be worth $50 or more to stay close to home. The (Canada for you) Home Depot price should be achievable from a dealer with a preseason sale, so shoot for that.

Duster, the Toro 826 OE has a pin-lock axle while the Ariens 27LE has the remote locking axle. Make sure you can live with the pin-lock before pursuing the 826LE. Larger machines like these can be difficult to turn. Make sure you're up to it.

Goofienewfie, PM me and I'll get you part numbers and details.

Gsnow, I just noticed you're referring to the Toro 828LXE not the OXE and you said the price is a "little more" than the Ariens 24DLE Platinum. The dealer must be cutting you a break on an older model with the Tecumseh 318cc L-head. Not a bad engine. Loud and vibrates alot though. Even with Tecumseh out of the snow engine business you should have no problems getting typical service parts (carb kits, etc) if needed. This engine is very mature and ironed-out so to speak. Good snow engine.

The Platinum 24DLE 921017 has everything the 27LE 921012 has with this addition of the handwarmers, quick turn chute, remote cap deflector, and Automatic Traction Control. The Ariens version of the Briggs 249cc engine also has a forged crank and ball bearing journals (which you won't find on the Toro spec Briggs 249cc engines on the 828 OXE).

I hope this helps.

Thanks snowman for responding. This forum is awesome, I am learning so much.

I went back to home depot today and was helping 2 customers on the features of the Airens vs Toro, Sno-Tek, Club Cadet, and MTD pointing out they are not all

 B&S engines etc. The sales lady was telling them the Ariens are made in China, I told her to confrim the facts, because I thought they are made in USA..

I sounded more like an Ariens salesman, they only had the Toro 826 LE in 2 stage not the 828 OXE. The 24 Deluxe LE feels heavier than the Toro 826 LE, strangely it also feels heavier than the 27 Deluxe LE , maybe more compact with the same components ? Is the subaru SX30 OHC a premium engine vs the B&S 249 cc?

The prices I quoted are cheaper than Home Depot Canada.

Yes I do realize the Toros are more expensive compared to Ariens, but since they have had less problems posted on the forums I thought that's the premium  for peace of mind. Also more Toro dealers near me.  If the problems for Ariens have been fixed, then the 24 DLE is a better buy.  I am not as handy and knowledgeable as goofienewfie.

Duster, if you are interested in the Ariens, the best prices so far is W.E. Enterprises out of Mississauga, you can google it. If you find it cheaper somewhere

else please let me know.

Thank you all guys for your help. I'll post more if I have any question.

gsnow wrote:
Ariens made in China? Nope.... All Ariens Snothros are made in Brillion, WI., USA (including the Sno-Teks). If she was referring to some of the engines, then this could be the case. The only snow engines available that are not made in China are the Briggs 305cc and 342cc (USA) and the Subaru SX21 and SX30 (Japan). Honda GX might be Japan as well, not sure.

The Subaru SX Snow Power OHC's are a more of a higher-end engine option than both the Honda and Briggs. They are available only from Ariens on models 920010 (ST24E Compact), 921019 (ST24E Deluxe), and 921020 (ST30LE Deluxe).

Thanks for everyones input.

gsnow-I contacted the dealer in Mississauga you mentioned,sound like very good people and better prices than HD.They deal Toro but recommended the Ariens over them due to the fact they do not use plastic like the Toros.Well that narrows it down for me,it will be a Ariens,just gotta decide which model.I pretty much have the same area as you have to clear.Thanks for your recommendation to the dealer.Good luck in your search for a machine.

Snowman thanks a lot for your input, if I get the Ariens I'll stay with the Briggs.

Duster I called W.E today as well and his prices have gone up $30 -$50 from last month and he will not budge. I was still researching in August. He claims he sold 400 units last year.

I called a few more places and found a place nearer me, it's Joy Equipment in Woodbridge, this place is now cheaper than W.E. 's new price.

He does not have any stock yet.

Good luck.

GS

I went through the same debate as you are a few weeks ago.  I had to decide between the Ariens Deluxe Platinum 24 or the Toro 826.  I liked the toro.  It felt lighter than the Ariens even though the weights are about the same (222 vs 224).  I was told that the toro only works with both wheels locked.  This makes it tough and tiring to turn.  On top of that, I have a small section of my rear patio that's only 30" wide.  The 826, at 28" wide would have been tough to get through.  So, I opted for the deluxe platinum 24.  Paid $1560.  Toro was $1499.  So, for $60 more, I got the handwarmers and most importantly, automatic traction control.  Along with the remote chute control, I think I got a good deal.  We'll see as the machine will get here in late September/early October.

Joed thanks for sharing your decision. Yes the Toros are lighter (easier to maneuvre) even without remote wheel lock.

The 24DLE is a better value than the 826LE if it holds up well in quality and reliability. If Ariens has fixed all the issues and no new ones crops up

as Snowman states then it would be a great unit.

 Having said that Toro owners are mostly happy and reported little problems.

So you got the unit from w.E. in Aug. his Sept price is higher.

Good luck.

Gsnow

gsnow wrote:

I wouldn't consider myself knowledgeable if it wasn't for forums like this.  I have learned a lot about these machines since I purchased one.  This is my first snow blower and it was bought based on research and recommendations from the internet.  I made sure to look at all possible machines and really sized up everything best I could.  But like everything, there are things you will later see that you  wish were different, but it is what it is.  Many of the things I did to my thrower would not need to be done by you for possibly three years.  My local Arien's OPE store, offered 3 year summarized service.  This is where they change the oil, grease up the necessary sections, etc..  The thing with my dealer is that you have to pay for it to be picked up and brought back and I do not have a pickup.  I could ask friends with trucks, but I would have to get them to wait or possibly go back to get it.  So I opted to learn what summarized was and do it myself.  This way I get to know the machine and when the three years is up I won't have to pay somebody to do that for me.  Along the way I noticed that things were rusting and seizing up quite fast in places that I didn't want to see it. So I decided to go an extra mile and take care of things that may need to be repaired in the future.  I don’t think the summarized service would go as far I did though and  I do wonder how it would have faired if I didn’t do something’s myself.

But in all honesty, with the three year warranty and hopefully same in summarized service I think these Arien's snow throwers will serve you well.  As for beyond that time, it comes down to maintenance.  I am a person that hopes to see my machine go 20+ years like I have seen many times in these forums. so I have done a few things that may help make things easier to maintain so that I can reach that goal.

I have not looked much at other throwers or blowers since.  But a quick glance at a few of this year products  and I am surprised to see that it appears as if prices have increased in my area.  When I purchased mine it came with hand warmers and differential and it was called the deluxe.  Now the equivalent seems to be the platinum?  I purchased mine 1130DLE for $2100 tax in with delivery and summarized service.  I believe the OPE was almost a few hundred more then from home depot at the time, but due to stock issues, service questions,  parts availability, unsure delivery time, sale price closing and no summarized service I went with my local OPE.   Now the Platinum is 2159 + tax at home depot,  with the taxes in my area that ends up being $340 more. 

I am not sure if it’s in this post or not, but I also seen borat posting about look into older stock for 2008 simplicity models.  So that means changes at simplicity too.   I was interested into the Toro as well and they have a good name, but the local ope dealer did not in my case. Plus for the money I got more on the Arien's, which were listed into my Pro's before.

I think it comes down to researching each machine and the companies that sell/support them.  With the right care either of these brand names have good lasting reputation in the past, Preference may always lead towards brands people own themselves.  Download product manuals see what things are required of each and how do you go about doing it.  Look at the features, warranty, price and service in your area.  Look at parts such as the gear case and augers/impellers for robustness.  Look at how to chute and deflector move and control think about how water would penetrate it.  Most machines with cables have freezing problems..   A excerpt from the Toro manual

"Preventing Freeze-up

• In snowy and cold conditions, some controls and
moving parts may freeze. Do not use excessive
force when trying to operate frozen controls. If
you have difficulty operating any control or part,
start the engine and let it run for a few minutes.

• After using the snowthrower, let the engine run for a
few minutes to prevent moving parts from freezing."


Excited to here new parts may be available to stop this on the Arien's.   Any how, after doing some looking I am sure you will come up with the best solution, I think you are already on the right path with choosing forums for help..   I found the parts manuals to be great reference when looking into the build quality inside the machine..   Arien’s has a great parts radar tool.  I have found similar tools for Toro and simplicity on the web as well.

I think once you pick a machine you might just get sucked into this ope world, maybe pick up a wrench or two ;) Nice machines like the Arien's has the ability to do that to some.. hahaha

The differential is really nice, I wouldn't worry about the size of the bucket, smaller bucket with same engine is nice. Yes you may have to make a few extra passes, but you will have enjoyed the passes more.  The bigger the bucket and they can get awkward/heavy even with differential.   I think a 24 inch platinum machine would be really nice machine, but if you end of driveway gets plowed in crazy, then you may want more..  Depends on your snow falls amount.   I would love to try my 11hp on a 24" bucket with differential; I think that would be deadly machine to operate. 

Good luck with it all.
Cheers GoofieNewfie