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

My driveway is 54 ft. long; varies between 12 & 19 ft. wide. Basically flat, asphalt. In Mass., so the snow can be brutal, a foot or more, sometimes every week. Then there's the giant 2 ft high packed snow/ice dam at the end of the driveway after the town street plows. I've had two Ariens 2-stage Snow Blowers: A 7 hp, 24 in. that ran really well for about 8 years, then didn't. Recently, an Ariens 5.5 hp 20 in. with an "L-head" engine that was almost useless; I sold it after 1 1/2 seasons.

I think I'm going to try a Toro single stage this time. HD has the 221E E/S for $669, & the 221QE E/S for $719. Both have the the "zip deflector" (?). Only the The QE has the "Quick shoot". It would be nice to "change the chute direction without even slowing down" (for $50), I'm not sure it's worth $50 tho.

There's an Ariens 2-stage 24 in. Model 920006 for $799. I can't even tell how many hp the engine is, or whether it's an OHV? (205 cc Briggs and Stratton engine). I do know it's a 169 lb. monster.

My gut says to buy the Toro 221E E/S before they sell out, or HD stops offering free shipping.  Any advice?? TIA!

The 920006 is about a 5hp engine.  It’s one of Ariens compact  models so similar to the 5520 you sold   It would collect a bit better because of the increased width but have as much trouble with high wet snow or compacted end of the driveway pile.........The single stages are great if you have a special need to get something small and easy to use.  They do fine on lesser snows and slush and toss a mile.  trouts2

One thing this discussion has done is to get me to rule out the Ariens "compact 24". The Deluxe 24 has a larger engine, so I may check that out. The 5520 wouldn't throw even dry snow far, & was completely useless on heavy wet snow. BTW, "heavy wet snow" seems to be increasingly all we get in the metro-boston area. There are times you could make sno-cones out of it.

Last winter, I shoveled (ouch!). But my neighbors had a snow-plow truck guy that I hired a few times for $30-$40 per. Hopefully, I can get a Toro single stage for smaller snows, & hire someone for those 1-2 ft. monster storms. Increasingly, buying & housing a 200 lb. snow-blower in my tiny garage, with my aging back, doesn't seem that realistic.....

One thing I have observed about Ariens,every year there's a modification to the previous model.Geez can they not get it right?But snowmann always makes it sound like Ariens is on the ball improving previous models etc etc.Bigger this,thicker that blah blah blah.Hey Ariens get it right and you wont have to change the change from the previous year.I understand making improvements but I dont think thats what Ariens is doing.They r fixing their screw up from the yr before.They must be experimenting with inferior parts and then fixing it.

Now tell us what you really think Mikie....

here in PA those Toros are a little cheaper.  Our HD also has SnoTek by Ariens.  I think the 24" was $599.  It looks the same except its all black, has a plastic shoot and chinese engine...no idea how it will hold up to the comparable Orange model.  I have an older toro 3350 (I think) single stage.  Is great int he snow but if I am getting a foot I try to get out every 6" or so.