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

Is there a measurable difference between the volume throughput of the Ariens 14" impellers compared to the more common 12" ones? Is this "volume throughput" a meaningful spec such as CFM is for an air compressor? Is there a downside for the larger impeller such as less manuverability? Is the extra weight in front helpful?

I'm glad you're happy with your new Ariens.  I have the same unit-- well, the Platinum one with traction control-- and feel that the motor is plenty powerful. I'm blown away by how far it shoots the snow-- it's like a cannon!  But, I haven't yet faced anything deeper than an 8" snowfall. 

For years I've used a 1975 vintage Ariens (that I bought from the people who sold us our home in 1983) to blow our drive and that unit certainly didn't have the oomph that the 249cc-- (what is it... about 9hp?) has, so I'm grooving on the new power of my recently acquired blower.  I guess with deeper snowfallls, there's no such thing as too much power, but short of a massive dump in the high Sierras, I think I have enough HP  to cope with whatever a New Hampshire winter can deliver.

By the way, whereabouts are you using your snowblower?

I think the 249cc engine is in the 7.5 to 8 h.p. range. B&S 305 series engines are rated from 9 to 11 h.p. depending on which label they slapped on the motor. Personally, from my experience with the B&S 305cc engine, I'd say it's a solid 10 h.p. and possibly a bit more.

I'm on long Island...It's been a while since we've gotten 24"+ in one shot, and who knows when it will happen again, but it sure feels good knowing I won't be shoveling from here on out no matter what happens...I have a gut feeling we will be getting more this year... The sharks were starting at $150 per driveway to plow, so if we get one good dump a year it pays for itself. I probably shouldn't stress the machine too much right out of the box and let it break in slowly...