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

Hi All,

I have read through the postings and would like some help selecting a snowblower from Home Depot. The Home Depot in my area sells Ariens. I have some gift cards with them which is why I have narrowed it to Home Depot. I have a 100ft, standard 2 car driveway, mostly mixed gravel. I also have a boat parking space so there is some extra mixed gravel driveway also. I live just North of the Quad Cities in Iowa. The last two years we have gotten a lot of snow, and some years, there is nothing. The last two have been medium to medium heavy wet snow with a max of 8 inches of snow.

I like to buy quality and overbuy instead of underbuy, so I have tentatively selected the Ariens Deluxe Platinum 24 (1349$) or Deluxe Platinum 30 (1599$). For the amount I have, do I really need the 30 or will the 24 be plenty? Any other suggestions or comments, would be appreciated.

thanks

In my opinion, your choice of the 30 would not only hlep you more, but it will also give you piece of mind. I had read elsewhere here that you can consider the total usage of a  blower to be 2-3" less that they overall with of the machine, so your 30" would actually be 27". I am also presuming that the 30 has a slightly stronger motor, and if you get a fair ambount of snow and any drigfting, then having any extra power will be nice to throw it that 5 feet or so farther.

good luck with your choice.

For that driveway, definitely the 30" model. You might even want to consider the non-Platinum 30" model. With that quantity of snow you won't need the 342cc engine, and if you're driveway is long and straight, the Auto Traction Control and Quick Turn chute will be of limited benefit. These features are preferable when there are lots of turns and obstacles around which you have to blow. Then then decision just boils down to hand warmers. Make sure you adjust the skid shoes per the owners manuals for the gravel driveway.

Thanks for the replies. I think I have actually decided on the Deluxe (non-platinum) 24". Home depot will not order the platinum 24" as it is not in their system. My neighbor actually has had a 22" 5hp toro two stage that he has used for five years or so and he said it has been more than enough and he would not want anything bigger. I figure that the 24" will have more throwing power than the 27" deluxe that has the same engine, plus the smaller footprint will be better for a mixed gravel driveway that is not exactly level (ie scraping highpoints). Am I correct in assuming these two points? Also, the driveway is very straight with a very slight downhill grade. So all in all, it might just be smarter to save the 400$ difference.

thanks again.

actually I just noticed that the 24" has a pin lock instead of a hand operated one like the 27 deluxe, is that a pain?

iowawoodcutter wrote: I have the pin lock on a 24" Ariens and can only say you get buy with it as long as you turn to the same direction all the time.If the snow gets tuff you may need to lock both pins for good traction.

Just picked up the Deluxe 27 at Home Depot for 741$ out the door. After 10% discount and 225$ in gift cards.

thanks

http://www.abbysguide.com/ope/discussions/39711-0-1.html

Hope you fare better with it than I did.  It's a great snowblower until you have to turn in a tight spot.

I noticed is pulls (or I guess pushes) to the left noticeably with the remote lock not engaged. This could be annoying but if it is I will just leave it locked constantly and pick it up from the handles and swing it around pivoting on the skid shoes at the ends of the driveway. Also, I would have loved the Plat 24 with the ATC, but out the door for it would have been 1375. At 741 out the door for the Deluxe 27, I could not justify the extra expense.

That's only because only one wheel is powering the machine.  Good luck standing on fresh fallen snow and lifting the wheels off the ground to turn it, as you describe.  Someone on this board once described it as wrestling with a bear.

Could have given you a great deal on mine.

I'll be thinking of the additional money as $30 year over the times I'll have it.  It is a lot to spend, though, on something typically used just a few hours every year.

Good luck with it.  It's great on those straight runs.

Grump,

I have done it before with my dads blower. His wheels are locked all the time and I just pick her up and swing it around. His is heavier than mine also and it did not bother my back, only if I have to bend over do I get back problems. Plus I am fairly young (35) and an avid weightlifter so it does not bother me as basically the same snowblower at twice the price would have bothered me.