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

I'm looking to order a Honda HS928TA (recoil only) snowblower in mid April so I'm guaranteed to get one in late summer/early fall, but have no dealers on Long Island that have anything in stock, so I could see the physical size of this machine.

So forum members, any additional thoughts on this machine?  I have searched various threads and there are many people suggesting the HS928 over the HS724, basically because of the limited hp on the HS724.

I currently have a Ariens 624 for the last 5 years, good machine, served it's purpose, but looking to take it to the next level.  My biggest issue with the Ariens is the EOD issue, not easy but it does it job, now looking for something that won't have an issue. 

I would like to see the machine before placing a down payment, but these snowblower are very rare on Long Island (track version) and all dealers claim this is a special order unit, they don't stock them.

I was impressed with the Toro single stage thrower.  That thing was moving lots of snow!

I agree.  The Toro single stage moves snow very well. 

Toro has many smart and efficient design on the previous 2450/3650 and the latest 221/ 421 platform.  I'm not too fond of the latest 221/421 largish chassis to acccommodate both 2 and 4 stroke engines.

However, Toro has pretty much outdone everyone else, IMHO in terms of efficient power transmission from the crank to the rubber auger.  The auger assembly is lightweight and strong.  Thin bucket sides to easily cut through snow, pivoting scraper bar to allow constant contact of the auger to the pavement.  The blue Quick Chute feature is icing on the cake.   Now if they can integrate the deflector angle, that will be the cat's meow.

nhmatt wrote:

I'd have to argue against your statement that "Nobody is buying Ariens anymore."  Ariens may have lost the customers you noted but they are still selling a boat load of product  through Home Depot and other outlets to the consumer at large.  So much so that in 2009, in the middle of a significant recession, this small family owned (non-public) company completed three significant acquisitions.  They acquired Treker Utility Vehicles which they re-branded as Gravelys, Parker Lawn Care Company (commercial vacuums and chippers), and Kee Mowers also re-branded as Gravelys.  Also during the last year their own R&D department developed and launched the first commercially available all electric riding lawn mower.

Look if it were up to me all OEM's would still be "making them like they used to".  My Dads 7hp 1976 Snowbird can still hold it's own against anything made today...foreign or domestic.  However as we've all seen OEMs go broke or get acquired, the Ariens Company is doing what it has to do in order to not only survive but grow.  If that means a shift in their targeted market, and it works for them, then so be it.  I suspect that none of us ever had the responsibility of balancing the books of a OPE manufacturer so I'm not going to question Ariens strategy.

Having said that, I really do miss the good old days when all products were well made and comparatively priced.  And when a company's market share and brand loyalty were driven by the quality of service provided by their network of authorized dealers.

http://www.gravely.com/uv/Pages/default.aspx
http://www.parkersweeper.com/parker-lawn-care-categories.php
http://www.wkowtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=10635960