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

I am looking to get the craftsman 2 stage snowblower. Anyone have this or have heard about this model?
It is a 305cc Briggs & Stratton engine with 13.5 torque.
CRAFTSMANŽ/MD 24" Wide Dual Stage Snowblower
http://www.sears.ca/gp/product/B002KS9RE0/sr=1-13/qid=1251694816/ref=sr_1_13/179-4957276-6470238?ie=UTF8&searsBrand=core&mqnodeid=396784011

How is the craftsman brand compare to Toro or Ariens? I am getting mix reviews on craftsman, some say it they are good, and some said to stay away from it.

Any suggestion or comments will be appreciated.

Joe.

The blade was there to protect the cinderblock from being eaten.

Seriously, I broke a couple shear pins getting too close to things. Because it digs SOOO GOOOOD you're able to chomp through areas you can't get with a lesser machine. Two examples for me were the corner of my wood pile and a shovel my daughter left in the yard. It chewed the 1" dowel handle up and finally broke the shear pin when it reached the plastic blade. You could seriously chew the first 4" of sod off your lawn if you feel like it.

I don't think there's a machine out there that won't clear a driveway, at least once. Just don't buy an Ariens. My driveway is paved, and about 6000sqft. The tracks are a sacrifice on flat pavement, but now I don't have to shovel to my wood pile or my oil tanks, and the little rat dog gets a dog track in the back yard. For a "standard" 40 x 20 flat driveway I'd get a 724 Honda, or 824 toro or comparable simplicity. Smaller is better when you've got cars in your way, and an extra 4" in the bucket isn't going to save you any real time. Better to get a smaller bucket/engine ratio. Anything is going to seem an amazing improvement compared to a hand shovel.

This is very similar to unit to mine that I bought last year. A few differences from mine includ 30", 14.5, and obviously the color. Video in my signature at bottom. It worked well for me last winter.


jclub wrote: