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

I am looking for a new blower. I have about 1400.00 to spend . I am looking at the 2 machines listed above. I had an Ariens 824 for 28 years but have never had a Toro. I prefer the Toro dealer but both dealers are ok. Any Ideas on which is a better choice or other suggestions ?

Thanks Ivan

The Toro site says the 826 has the freewheel steering.

I asked the question at the beginning. I am in Mass and I just got rid of a 28  year old ariens 824 that was getting tired.My driveway is small but my end of drive way is about 40 or 50 feet so that is why I need the bigger machine. The dealers I want to go with have a limited selection . Price for the Ariens was 1319 and 1400 for the Toro. I can check other dealers but these 2 are some of the best on the north shore. Not sure if I can mention names?

Looking at the Toro website I don't see much difference between the 826 and the 828.Two inches wider and a little more heavy. Steering seems to be the same on both.

Tou say you need a bigger machine.  Bigger bucket?  The Ariens you mentioned has the same size as what you've got.  More hp?  These 2 machines are both about 8hp.  Both of these should throw further than you old one due to improved throw design, impeller rpm, etc.  You need to go into more detail about what you want the new machine to do that the old one didn't.

I got rid of my old machine because it was tired. Was getting hard to keep it going. I don't need the new machine to do more than the old one. I would like it to do the same only a little better.

im45us wrote:

Seriously come up to new Hampshire that's where I live and NO sales tax as long as you have a way to haul it. I can give you the names of several good dealers in the Manchester NH area if you'd like? Sales tax is a killer in Mass, but none of that here. You might get a great deal too. Last year was slow up here for sales, not all that much snow.

I was just saw the Toro 726 and the a mix of mid range and low end Ariens at Home Depot. Side-by-side, the housing on the Toro seemed a bit thin; obvious if you tap your foot against the side of the housing where it may brush a curb. Also noticed they added a long diagonal support behind each impeller blade; it doesn't appear any other manufacturer felt the need to do this.

DavidNJ wrote:

Well that explains it it'sa much cheaper one because it's sold at Home Depot. Buy a much better one from a Toro dealer. You won't dent the better ones so easily even if you are stupidly careless and actually do find a way to drive your snowblower into a curb at high speed ala NASCAR.

Home Depot sells (and for that matter stocks) the same units as the dealers. That 726 is $1000 at Home Depot, which sells, but doesn't stock, the full Toro and Ariens line. Which, BTW, is the same as the Ariens and Toro dealer here. The Simplicity/Deere dealer has the full line on display. Below are the 726OE and 826OXE. Point out the differences.

Steve, have you considered thinking before typing?

While we are on the topic, let's add the Snapper/Simplicity 26 LARGE FRAME (I haven't looked at the MEDIUM FRAME and can't comment). You can quickly tell the difference; the Large Frame has that black auger end housing on the outside, the Medium Frame doesn't. Well built, good reviews. These have a fair amount of nose weight to keep it down and have handlebars that pushing adds traction with minimum nose lift. Build like a tank. The chute deflection and direction is electric, two switches, one near either grip. In the showroom they seem quick and accurate.  A bit awkward to manuver outside of the snow though. That same design requires quite a bit of effort to raise the nose. No steering or hand warmers on the 26". This is similar to the 30" Deere I like, although that has the same Hillard AutoLok differential as the Ariens Platinum 24".

The Husqvarna Crown 24" has the same 249cc B&S engine, the same 'power steering' as the Toro, hand warmers, ball bearings on the auger, etc. http://www.husqvarna.com/us/homeowner/products/snow-throwers/11524e/ I've looked at the 30" that has a hydrostatic transimission available. The Internet has pictures both with the closed auger design pictured here and an open one like the Ariens, Toro, and Snapper pictured above. The Husqvarna brochure shows both on the same page! The dealers can't even find out from Husqvarna. My local Husqvarna dealer has never delived a Husqvarna Crown snowblower and doesn't know either.

Looking at these pictures I noticed the Husqvarna has a similar handlebar design to the Simplicity/Snapper/Deere. Note they are both angled up in front, even more so in the Husqvarna picture. The closer they are to perpendicular to the axle centerline the less pressing on them raises the nose as it adds weight for traction. Note in the earlier pictures the Ariens and Toro are close to horizontal, tilted slightly down in front.