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

i don't see to many discussions for husky's. i have an 8527sbe and it's built pretty solid. i like the fact that it has metal rods instead of wires for the the operation of the machine. it has a b&s ohv engine. got it on a tax free day in mass 3 years ago. paid 800.00 bucks for it. how do husky's compare to the big names.

I wish my Craftsman (Husky clone) had solid rods but the cables worked well enough for me last winter. I keep mine in a heated shed so freeze ups aren't a problem. jack wrote: Mine is closely related to a 10527SB but with a 30" intake, B&S 1450 series engine, standard drift cutters and 16" x 6.5" tires

I have a Poulan PR624ES which is basically a black version of the Husqvarna's (the shipping crate only said Husqvarna on it).  The reason that I chose it was purely financial.  I wanted to get an Ariens but they were out of my range.  For the price that I was looking at this was by far the best built one.  One of the guys that I work with has a Poulan and had nothing bad to say about it.  I have used mine in two early storms this year and have no complaints.

Sport

Husky and Craftsman come from the same plant. Sounds like there's a good possibility that Poulan may as well. I've owned Craftsman machines for twenty years. With moderate maintenance, they'll last a good long time. Myself and my neighbour bought exactly the same model of Craftsman 10/29 snow throwers twelve years ago. After ten years of hard use, mine was beginning to show a bit of cracking at the welds on the auger/impeller housing joint. Two years ago, I decided it was time to buy a new machine. When I started doing some comparison shopping, I found that the Toro was ridiculously priced, Ariens was also too much money for what they were offering. Cub Cadet was also over the top price wise. It was obvious that the brand name-automatic-price-gouge phenomena was in effect on those models. I went to Sears and looked over some of their machines and they had a couple I found interesting but they too were fairly pricy for Craftsman machines. If I recall correctly, the Craftsman I looked at (10 h.p. B&S engine with hydrostatic drive) was around $1700.00 before taxes. It's a nice machine alright but almost $2000.00 for a Craftsman? Don't think so. It was still early fall so I went for a ride out in the country on my KLR650. I ended up going through this little rural village that had a farm implements/tractor/hardware store right on their main street. I pulled in to see what they had. The old guy behind the counter said they only had one machine left over from the previous season stored out back in an old shipping container. We went and looked at it and I was a little confused because I'd never heard of Simplicity before. After giving it a good look over, I was thoroughly impressed with it's build quality and features. It was a brand new 95/28. He said that he'd be willing to give me a break off of it's $1700.00 price tag. I asked him how much. He said $1500.00. I said is that out the door? He agreed. Now that's a bargain. . Just about any snow thrower can do moderate work and last a long time provided it get's proper maintenance. What I learned is that the Simplicity will shine when the others begin to falter. I can work with the Simplicity with much less fatigue than I could with my Craftsman machines. When the condition get extreme (30" wet snow for example) the Simplicity can handle it. You can get the job done with a Craftsman/Husky/Poulan (AYP) but you will be paying a premium in effort and time. I know that from first hand experience.

Borat, In a lot of ways I wish I would've looked around more before purchasing the unit I did. I was definitely a green horn when it came to snow blowers. The problem in my area is that no one stocks them in Western Washington so no opportunity to feel and touch. I didn't find this site until after the purchase. I know… I should have waited. Hindsight doesn't do me anything good now but if this one ever fails me in future I will probably pick up a Simplicity, JD or Honda. This assumes the quality of those have not deteriorated to the level of a current day MTD product. I service all my own equipment and would be willing to learn a little welding if necessary to keep this one together. You probably utilize your blower 10x more than I have the opportunity for. I would hope with my minimal use it should last me a long time. Like all my equipment I always do a pre & post inspection of my equipment. I'm a stickler for draining carbs/tanks when not in use, always using fuel stabilizer in everything and lubing everything with a wear point. This one seems to do alright with deeper wet snow. I usually have to plow out 2-3 feet whenever I get to my cabin. I think if I had to deal with hard EOD's it wouldn't be the best for that since it has a less aggressive auger and the housing is a thinner steel that would likely flex quite a bit in the really hard stuff. I see the landowner series Husky's have 40% thicker auger housing steel. EDIT: Here is a video I took last January of it in action---> http://tinyurl.com/yztaxld

I'll tell ya snowmachine, you're more progressive than me. Hell, took me over twenty years to figure out that there might be something better out there. Live and learn. By the way, my neighbour's 12 year old Craftsman is still hanging in. It's seen it's share of abuse too. Last April 1st, after we had the 30" of snow, quite a few of us on the street started digging out around the same time. I had my driveway cleared then went to the assistance of a woman two doors up. Her driveway is similar to mine and the neighbour right beside me. Actually, hers and mine are a bit bigger than the neighbour with the Craftsman. I had my driveway and her driveway finished then helped the guy next door do the end of driveway snow. It was actually kind of funny. The old Craftsman's 10 h.p. Tecumseh L head was barking and pounding away just to get the snow a couple feet past the snow thrower. My Simplicity was plastering the light poles with wet sticky snow two thirds of the way up. It sure took a good flogging that day. I know it's not a fair comparison between a two year old and a twelve year old machine. However, the lady I helped out had her four year old 11 h.p., 29" Craftsman parked in the snow at the bottom of the driveway out of fuel. I tried to do her driveway with it and parked it after one pass. The Simplicity was just that much easier to use and much more efficient moving heavy snow.

You know, Borat, sometimes you love to just thow out these statements like it's some sort of confirmed forgone conclusion.

Simplicity  is not the ONLY machine out there worth it's money!  You might think so cause you own one and have had good success.  But don't try and mislead  everyone.   Your statement that Husky and Craftsman are made in the same plant implys they are the same quality. That's like saying Cadillac and Chevy are the same.  How do you know for a fact that Husky and Craftsman are made in the same plant?

Yomama said: "How do you know for a fact that Husky and Craftsman are made in the same plant?" Do some research. If you do, you might think twice before making inflammatory comments and challenging others without knowing any better yourself. I'm certain that there will be more participants here to confirm that Husqvarna and Craftsman machines come off the same line albeit with a different paint job.

Yo, Yomama: or is that YOYOMA? Here's a link that will give you some information regarding Husqvarna products built by AYP. The same outfit that manufactures Craftsman and many others.............. http://www.m-and-d.com/scan/MM=e85a40c54eb2de8fc034e4c54ba20a57:550:599:50.html?mv_more_ip=1&mv_nextpage=AYP%2dSears&pf=sql&id=9kFDj7Sq&mv_arg=

You're such a jerk Borat. To imply that  you know from ready   something, somewhere on the internet that the augers in a Husky are the same ones or   quality that are in a Craftsman, only a different color because AYP owns both is stupid. 

I like facts based on proof when making a decision on purchasing a product, not facts based on assumptions.

Calling me YOYOma just shows me you resent being challenged on anything you say.

Everyone else, my advise is that if you want to find out about how good or bad the Husquvarna     snowblowers are,  make it a point to actually go see   them, and take Borat's words of wisdom with a grain of salt.

I wrote  to Husqvarna and asked them to give me some facts on their blowers, and here is their response:

Discussion Thread
Response (Richard Haynes)	12/02/2009 03:01 PM
Husqvarna owns Craftsman and Poulan. However, the Husqvarna line of snow blowers have different features. The Husqvarna blowers have improved control levers and contact grips. The engine pulley has been strengthened to a split steel design and is reinforced welded 360 degree. Belt tension has been improved for longer belt life. Drive gears strengthened. Impeller pulley has been strengthened. Stronger impeller blades The shear bolt design has been improved. The impeller housing is thicker and reinforced So for anyone out there looking at buying a snowblower, I hope you find this info more beneficial than Husky is a Craftsman in sheeps clothing.

I don't think Craftsman is owned by Husky,  Craftsman has  contracted Husky to build a price point line of snow throwers.  Husky also owns Poulan ( wich is the parent name of  Weedeater brand)...    This  pretty much sums it up at Wikipedia.....

Poulan brand today...

The Poulan brand name is used primarily for outdoor power equipment, such as chainsaws, lawn mowers, and leaf blowers, aimed at the mid-level consumer market. Since Poulan is owned by Husqvarna, the two brands often share technologies. In recent years Poulan has offered a more upscale "Poulan Pro" brand employing a black and gold color scheme instead of Poulan's traditional green. As a result, Poulan products have been pushed even further downmarket.

Along with Poulan and Husqvarna brand products, Husqvarna also provides lawn mowers, tractors, and other yard equipment to Sears that are sold under Sears'  Craftsman house brand name. Most mid-level Craftsman products are slightly altered Poulan products.

-end

Now for husky info--- this is a list of stuff they own as the parent company and a list of Brand names they produce for other companys/stores (prviate label)

Brands Owned

• AYP (American Yard Products)
• Bradley (as in David Bradley. Roper purch. company from Sears and began building tractors for Sears)
• Flymo website
• Gardena AG website
• Husqvarna website
• Jonsered website
• Komatsu Zenhoa
• Lawn King website
  • Lawn King Rally
• McCulloch
  • McCulloch Pro
• Partner website
  • Partner Pro
• Pioneer chainsaws
• Poulan website
  • Poulan Pro
• Rally
  • Rally Plus
• Rodeo
• Roper
  • Roper Rally
• Talon
• Weed Eater website
• Yard Pro

[edit] Private Label Brands Produced

• Agrasamit
• BERNARD Loisirs
• Bestgreen
  • Bestgreen Comfort
  • Bestgreen Serie Or
• Central Park
• Columbia
• Companion (for Sears)
• Craftsman (for Sears)
• Fleurelle
• Gardol
• Handy Power
• Hurricane
• Huskee (for Tractor Supply)
• Klippo
• Lazer
• Mr. Bricolage
• Performance Power
• Predator
• Prestige
• Prim
• Royal
• SARP
• Sentar (for Univert)
• Statesman (for Southern States Cooperative)
• TAGA
• Uniropa
• Val Garden
• Verts Loisirs
• Westfalia
• Wizard (for Western Auto)
• Zenoah

------ This is a list of what  wikipedia has for info right now,   give it a year and it will change...   Husky and all its subgroups that bought and manufacture things under contract can change in a flash...   ( all it takes is a better contract with someone new)..

One reason why things bought from sears will change in appearance from one year to the next and none of the old parts stock fit.....

Friiy

"So for anyone out there looking at buying a snowblower, I hope you find this info more beneficial than Husky is a Craftsman in sheeps clothing." I'm certain that if you look deeply into the comparison between Craftsman and Husky, you'll find that in Mr, Ma's list of differences, Husky in is likely comparing their best machines with Craftsman's bottom line products. If you look at Craftsman machines and Husky of the same or similar model/features, they're probably far more in similarity than they are different. Yoyo: You're drinking the Koolaid!

No Borat, you are drinking the Simplicity koolaid!

-----------------

I am not trying to say that Husky's are as good as other options but they definitely not bad either.  They  have some upgrades over cheap craftsman or MTD throwers.  At least in the U.S. market all the craftsman throwers are basically the same.  Same build platform only different sized engines and buckets.  All the craftsman stuff out there is pretty bad compared to anything else you can get.  The huskies might have some nice features but at their lower end I would rather go with an Ariens or a Sno-tek which is also made by Ariens.  One thing I definitely know is that Husky uses thinner metal than the other premium brands.  I know this since I have actually seen a husky in person.  Ariens did a very smart move with their Sno-tek line since they used a cheaper platform and engine but still provided "trickle down" technology from their orange units.

One other thing.... most of them have friction disk drive, until you get to the $1800 US price point for hydrostatic.  I haven't seen their tractor design so I don't know the quality of that.  In 2009 they are using Chinese engines after techumseh's absence.  Forgot the manufactuer for the engine.  Their cheapest 208cc 24 thrower is $900 here in connecticut.  For that price a $600 Sno-tek is a much better option.  Heck even the 24 deluxe at the promo price of $900 US market price would be better than the Husky.

---------------------------------

Personally I think that it all comes down to features and price.  Assuming you picked something in the premium category, which I include Husqvarana/Poulan in there too.  The point I am trying to make is that you can get more feature/performance for better price.  If Husky changes this, then they will be the better option.  As the price increases value can be found in other brands, depending on what you are looking for.  So one brand can have really good low priced models.  While another brand has more bang for the buck at the expensive side of the spectrum.

Nothing wrong with KoolAid if you're thirsty

O

That is interesting frily, I have been looking at chainsaws and the older poulans were pretty good saws but now people that have them are saying the news models, even the pro line, aren't as good anymore. I know husquvarna makes good chainsaws so the poulans must be their lower speck models then also. Interesting.

Ok guys kool down, this forum is about the friendly exchange of info. The good folks here are just relating their own experiences.

I was in purchasing for a large corporation for 30 years and if I learned anything, it is that marketing & sales folks are always trying to find new language to try to differentiate their product from the rest so you will buy them. It's up to you to challenge them, then decide if what they are saying makes any sense or is just a lot of smoke & mirrors. Are these features that you are willing to pay for, do they add functionality to the product, are they just cosmetic or are they just so much marketing hyperbole. Inform yourself, then decide, before you spend your money.

iLikeOrange wrote:

The "Koolaid" that you often hear being referred to is the Jonestown recipe. Nothing like a styrofoam cup full of warm Koolaid served out of a 45 gallon drum after a sermon from Jim Jones.

Yeah a bit too slight on my part.

Coldfingers wrote:

     When I sold husky Saws a few years back,  Husky really did not make small saws (10, 12, 14 and 18 inch bars)....  But after husky bought Poulan,  all of a sudden Husky hade in the new year line  all the small saws....  The only problem is that these saws were part for part the same as the Poulan saws sold through Sears...  The saws were the same, except for color of plastic,  placards, and gas cap shape..  Sears even was able to undercut the Husky dealers by about $20 bucks a saw, or offer a the same saw without a chain brake evan cheaper...  These saws weren't bad saws,   But they had flaws... The smaller Sears/Husky/Poulan saws were made to be run a few times a year...   Gardeners who bought these saws found soon that they were not made to the husky Quality (Husky, Stihl, Echo saws are made to work a few hours a day and are repairable).   These saws though they not very costly were oddly put together..  (lots of self tapping pk screws and screws into plastic) They did not reflect the quality of Husky saws that we sold in the past,  hense we stopped stocking them, we could not be proud selling them..   The Husky/Sears small saws I see now may also  resemble the Mcculloch Beaver line of saw (14-18 inch cut saws)..  Since Mcculloch is now owned by Husky,  I wonder what crossover is being used where...

    I think the "Good Poulan Saw" you are thinking of is the Super 25,  it was a good running 12-14-18 inch  saw made in the 80's and 90's and sold at Sears and department stores.  the saw saw a long service life and was a very powerful pruner/ limber for homeowner use..(very simple and easy to work on, but kinda heavy)

The good old days,   yes it was sold under this name too ...

Friiy

opecrazy wrote:

Do ya think? Put a Husky/Craftsman beside an equivalent Simplicity, Ariens or Toro. Tell me which one you choose.