Thank you again for your input. I don't really have an Ariens dealer close to me so HD is about it and the stores by me don't have either of these models on the floor. Do you have to stop the movement of the machine in order to use the Remote Locking Axle feature? I've heard it should not be operated under load. Also, what's the backfiring issue I keep hearing about on the Briggs motors. Is that just someone shutting an engine off without throttling down first? Steve, I like the idea of the Toro's dual triggers for steering. I've been a Toro guy for 30 years as far as mowers, trimmers etc. Just bought a new Zero turn this year. But they don't have this steering feature in a thrower at my desired pricepoint (~ $1300). Snowmann, I thought for sure I was going to buy a machine with a Subaru motor. You are starting to convince me that I really shouldn't put so much weight of my decision on the engine as that is going to be the last thing to go bad on the unit. I guess I'm starting to agree with your recommendation of the Platinum 24. But it's tough for me to give up on the Subaru...it's a $650 engine vs the Briggs 1150 series which goes for about $300 or so...
I guess it's tough to pony up the $$$ if you don't have it. I figure it's a huge savings over a plow if it lasts 10 years and the plows do an awful job and leave a lot of snow behind as well. For us we needed easy to use and reliable and cost while a factor was less important that being able to blow the driveway easily and without back breaking effort. The Briggs motor work very well no complaints with it yet. The dual triggers and the quick chute make doing the driveway a breeze for me. Just buy the machine you prefer and like to use teh best since it's a 10+ year decision.
"If you have more miles on your snow blower than your car, you live in New England." "If you can drive 75 mph through 2 feet of snow during a raging blizzard without flinching, you live in New England."
