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:

Hi Brian, no I haven't had any issues with the plastic chute although the dealer tells me it's a good idea to use Pam on any machine. I can't see it sticking for very long on the augers. The dealer also sells Ariens and they suggest using it on ANY snowblower. It can't hurt, but I've never needed it. Nothing has stuck to that plastic but snow will stick on the augers and inside the bucket. But nothing bumping it a couple of times on the driveway won't clear.

I've had good luck with the Sno-Jet spray:

http://www.snowblowersdirect.com/Ariens-2983500/p824.html

http://www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/part-number/SNO-JET/0071/071

I've had good luck using spray furniture polish, WD40, PAM (or any cooking spray for that matter). You can get an Institutional size can of furniture spray polish at HD or Lowes for cheap $$$ which usually lasts me a season or two. I heard that RainX is supposed to work pretty good as well but have never tried it myself.

FrankMA wrote:

Just don't get RainX near anthing that's rubber or plastic it eats it away. We used rainX on my wifes car and it did a number on her winshield wipers and door trim and I didn't get any on the door trim that I saw. I suppose if you had an all steel unit that RainX might work, but I have a plastic chute so I won't try it. Car wax works wonders they say, but seems like a lot of work.

Steve_Cebu wrote:
I've used RainX off & on for several years and never had any problems. Maybe you got a bad batch or something? It would be odd that a product intended for use on a windshield would eat the rubber wiper blade and/or plastic trim. Not saying it did not happen, just seems unusal.

FrankMA wrote:

Sadly I looked into it and it's a common problem. You don't want to get it on the trim, seals or wipers. I think they have a warning on the bottle. I'm not sure if it's a new formulation because all the years that I have used RainX I've not had a problem until last year. Either way I won't use it I'd wax before using RainX again.

I looked at the back of the bottle and it said: "Do not use on plastics unless approved by the manufacturer....". It also said to not get it on any painted or clear coated surfaces. That's a little scary, especially when your using the spray bottle!

FrankMA wrote:

Yes it sure is and it literally eats away the plastic. I've not seen any problems with the paint on my wifes car. Needless to say we no longer use RainX. I really liked it too.

Not sure I'll continue to use as well. It's a great product as far as performance goes but the possible side effects may not be worth the risks. It is nice cruising on the highway in a raging rain storm and passing other people without using your wipers and not really needing them anyway!

FrankMA wrote:

There is another product that we use now it's called Aquapel. Nasty if you breathe it in but it works a LOT longer than RainX. I treated my car about 19 months ago and it's just worn off now. No way you will get it sprayed anywhere because you pinch a tube and wipe it on your windshield. It's got to be very clean tho. Also you can't use your wipers for 48 hours or so, so that it will have time to cure. They don't tell you that on the package but it's true. More expensive but works great. We have enough to do our front windshield and rear window in one tube. It will not work on a snowblower tho.