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

From what I have read, some of you wrestled with a decision to purchase Toro OXE models and Ariens platinum models for different reasons over the last couple of years.  Would those that did wrestle with this decision last year or beyond, speak to your experience with your purchase and whether you were ultimately happy with the choice you made or would you have made a different choice?  I have this delemma this year and it is making me nuts.  Toro 826 oxe or Ariens Plat 24. 

I have spoken to 2 different dealers that sell both machines and both reccomend the Ariens over the Toro. 

Thanks for sharing your experience and thoughts!!

Briantun wrote:

Keep in mind that the Toro is far from being tinny as has been suggested. It feels lighter because of how it is balanced. We have a lot of rocks that line our driveway. Big rocks and I've bumped them a few times and not had any dents or other problems. The Toro 1028 OXE is a really terrific machine. The quick chute is so easy to use. That said Ariens does make a good machine as does Simplicity and Honda. The main problem with Honda otrher than price is you will get a workout moving it around. I had a tracked Honda 928 and it was a bear to turn. For others it might be easier depends on your back. My wife being small was the main concern.

Ariens had a lot of durability but about the same size engine and the Auto lock differential wasn't all that great for us so we passed on it. They did have a model that could only turn in one direction, for the money it didn't seem worth it. The Simplicity would have been my second choice but I wasn't able to try it blowing snow. So that's a guess based on looking in the showrrom for that model.

The Toro 1028 did everything we wanted a sowblower to do and the price was good, so we got that. It throws heavy wet snow pretty darn far, at least as far as the Honda 928 we had. We rarely get powder snow here mostly it's heavy and wet.

This pic is the only one I have where you can see distance, the snow is wet and heavy and only about 6 inches deep so it's not a big bite for this machine. It's throwing it about 40 feet or so. I did pick up a piece of granite that was about 2" thick and 3.5" long and it threw that about 30-35 feet or so, it didn't snap a shear pin or bend anything. I will probably do some distance tests this winter and see how far it throws different types of snow depending on what we get.

Thanks, Steve!  The picture is great!  I also like the quote warning against PC at the bottom of your page.  I have to admit the Ariens Platinum has the feel of a tank.  It looks like you would have to beat it with a crowbar to cause any type of damage, but I want something I can maneuvar more easily, that gets the job done and will hold up over time.  I have not heard or read anything concrete in the negative about TORO durability.  I have also heard that the TORO may be more susceptible to scoop rise than the Ariens.    

At this point, I am leaning toward the TORO.  Looking forward to trying them both at a local dealer soon.    

Briantun: Where do you live and what kind of snow conditions do you typically deal with? I only ask because if you don't get a whole lot of snow, you may want to consider a single stage. There's some nice one's on the market that can handle a lot more than most folks think and they're very manuverable, easy to handle and less expensive than a 2 stage.

Hi,

I live in northern WI with a long driveway.  I have been using a neighbors 2-stage Ariens Deluxe.

Important question to ask and thanks!!

Briantun wrote:

You're welcome, glad to help. I switch quotes around every so often. I found that one a while back, and I agree with it. I'm opposed to PC in any form.

Anyway the Ariens is a well built machine, I just don't think it's built any better than the Toro, but as I said for us my small wife had to use it. I'll post a link to her using it she's 4'10" and 84 lbs. Look how high the handlebars are compared to her and yet she can easily handle it. Her main problem is when she tries to muscle it around while it's under power, you can't do that it just pulls you along. :)  She's getting better at it tho. I had concerns about the plastic chute as well as the plastic joystick and so far so good. I had a Honda 928TAS with tracks and I think all snowblowers will rise up if they are going too fast. I drove the Toro slowly into hardpacked plowed up snow that was mostly ice and it chewed it up and spat it out with a vengeance.

My main advice is try them out and see which one YOU like the best, different machines handle differently for different people. I'd buy the Toro again over the other machines. The quick chute makes a difference and the dual trigger steering is great too. I use gloves rated for pro skiers at -35F so I don't need heated grips. Try them both out and let me know what you think. I'd be interested in your opinion after you test them.

Here is the link of my wife. Keep in mind she had only used this once before. She's looking forward to using it again this year, so more videos later on.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uUBRE7vsRU

SteveCebu,

Have her hop on a snowboard and just ride behind the snowblower.  With the trigger steering, that should be no effort at all.   :)

aa335 wrote:

That's a good idea except my wife would probably fall, she's very blonde in many ways. Black hair, but truely blonde inside.

It would stop her from trying to pull the machine backwards while she is walking with it tho.

I decided to go with the Toro 826 oxe over the Ariens plat. 24.  I do think they are both great machines.  The Toro is better for my use and feels better in my hands. 

I went to several dealers, considered online sellers.  In the end, I went with a local dealer:  delivery and assembly was included; the snowthrower cost was $1,299.00.  I read something about the skid shoes leaving red marks on the drive?  Steve or others have any experience/advice with this?  

Thank you all for your advice!   

Briantun wrote:

Congratulations! It's a great machine, I'm certain you'll be very happy with it.

As far as red marks, I'm sure the paint came off after the first use. I am looking into replacement skids because mine are wearing down. In all fairness my skids are set very very low on purpose. But those ones with the wheels look good. I'll price out a pair of metal shoes and see which is cheaper. But our driveway is pretty old and while it's noty cracked it's not pure black any longer. It's also not 100% flat either so there are probably some scrapes here and there that I might notice if I went out and actually looked for them which would mean doing the leaves which after the heavy rain and hail we had today won't be happening for a while.

If your driveway is pristine and brand spanking new, you might be better off with a skid shoe that is smooth and like teflon or something. For me I don't notice it. I just don't want to buy skids every 2 years if there is a better option available.

Steve_Cebu wrote:

That's about right as far as wear & tear on the skid shoes goes. I went through about 3 or 4 sets over the 10 years I used & owned my HS624 and a couple of those sets were the commercial skid shoes. Those are about 1" thick bar stock and do definitely last 5X longer than the residential skid shoes. The scrapper bar is another item that sees a lot of action but I only replaced one of those. These are however, typical wear items and will need to be inspected & replaced on a fairly regular basis. Just part of the snowblowing experience!