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

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.

Looked at the Simplicity L1428E and it looks very good . Two questions. 1. chute rotation is electric and I like to keep it simple. I know that Simplicity makes a great machine but will this be something I am always fixing?  2. How important is the dealer if you are really buying a great machine. My 28 year old Ariens that I just sold was in a repair shop one time. My local Simplicity dealer only sells the signature pro models and not the other models so I will have to travel about 1 hour away for a dealer. I might as well go to New Hamshire to avoid the sales tax if I am traveling that far.

DavidNJ wrote:

It's obvious you don't think at all, unless it's anal retentive BS and yeah I can tell the differences since I have the 1028OXE which is one up from the 828 which is on the right.

You can clearly see the dual trigger controls on the rear of the handlebars and the bucket is slightly taller and wider.

You know only what you read you have no practical experience with any of these models.

Stop being a Drongo, if that's even possible for you.

That is about the features, but not about the design. Both have idential scoop designs.

You definitely sound like someone who bought the fully loaded MTD for Sears or Lowes.

DavidNJ wrote:

Since I have videos of my wife and I using the Toro 1028OXE on YouTube, clearly you are a half wit.

You are also the one who bought an MTD and will likely buy another after you have satiated your OCD in this forum.

Good luck with your Toro. Just saw a Husqvarna Crown at a Husqvarna/Toro dealer. the Toro looks and feels like Pinto compared to the Husqvarna Crown's Mercedes. Of course, the Toro was more expensive.

DavidNJ wrote:

Keep on dreaming, no way you will spend any real money on a snowblower. You'll buy at Home Depot or Sears for certain. All talk, no action.

Oh wait maybe you'll buy one at Walmart. Either way you'll end up with something that is less efficient than a motivated 12 year old with a shovel.

This is the Toro impeller. It is the only impeller where the manufacturer thought it was so weak it needed a thin stamped reinforcement:

This is the scoop on a 24" Husqvarna Crown:

Note the reinforcing bar on top, the stiffening beads all over. The thickness is even visible in this picture. It appears to be the stiffest I've seen, although I haven't compared it back to back with the Simplicity Large Frame or Pro. The auger design is 'different', and I haven't figured it out.  The handlebar geometry is the best I'be found so far. I can put my hands on the grip and press down with my weight (Must have been over 100# of force) and the scoop stays on the ground. Pulling back on the handles raises the scoop. The key is force down on the grips pushes through the axle not around it.

The console is also well laid out. The cable chute rotation is a bit ununsual, but the control is precise and easy to manage. Only the Simplicity/Deere/Snapper electric controls are easier.

By contrast the Toro looks like it should be sold at Toys-R-Us, which probably explains why Steve is comfortable with it.