Well we finally got enough snow to in southeast PA to put my Ariens snow thrower to the test.After many times of looking somewhat foolish using it to clear 3 inch snow falls...we just got dumped on with 28 inches.
The machine did everything it was designed to do.It had the power to throw the snow 35 feet away but what impressed me the most was the precision with which I could direct and place the snow.I have close neighbors so I didn’t want to blow it into their driveways.I was easily able to use the remote chute deflector to place the snow exactly 8, 12, 20, etc feet way as necessary.
It also easily handled the plowed EOD stuff.Even the wet slushy stuff left when the plow came through with a second pass.The remote axle lock/unlock lever worked flawlessly.Thank goodness because the machine weighs 292 lbs and would have been a bear to turn without unlocking one wheel.The 11.5hp Tecumseh engine started easily, had plenty of power...but was loud, really loud. Half way through I stopped to put in ear protection.
Bottom line is that for most snows in SE PA a small, easy maneuverable, 2 stage or single stage machine would be ideal.But when 28 inches of heavy snow falls...then over-kill is a really good thing.
