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

Greetings:

I'd like some help in ironing out specifics on snowblowers and the components that make them up (and make up their engines). I have collected some data from various places, but it seems that the manufacturers are VERY against disclosing any of the nitty-gritty details about the make-up of the snowblowers (which seems silly). I'd like to limit the thread to high quality construct (meaning at or near comercial grade) 24" or 28" 2010 snowblowers to try to keep things moving forward if possible. I'll start by listed information I've gathered on the two models I am looking at most currently. If you have any confirmed factual information, please post it; but I'd like to try to stay away from unconfirmed opinions or personal experience arguments if possible.

Ariens Platinum 24 (921017)
[Engine: Briggs & Stratton 1150]
- Moderate Fuel Efficiency *F
- Torque: 11.5 ft-lbs (SAE J1940) *WARNING: Class action lawsuit against B&S (and others including Honda) for creating a false standard J1940 to conceal horsepower fraud, so this number has no real-world value. Can anyone get a real number for this please, perhaps in SAE 1349 standard? Honda has corrected their HP/Torque ratings on their website, but B&S hasn't yet.  *D, *E
- Type: OHV *D
- Crankshaft: Ball Bearing  *Snowmann, *slinger

[Gearbox: SX Aluminum]
- Steel Worm Gear *G
- Bronze sleeve bearing *G (for sleeve), *Snowmann (for material)

[Movement: Drive Disc]
- Automatic Traction Control / Quick Turn *C
- Bronze Sleeve Bearing *G

[Auger]
- Serated *C
- Nylon Sleeve Bearing *G
- 14" *C

[Impeller]
- 14" *C

[Accessories]
- Light *C
- 120V Start *C
- Hand Warmer *C

[MSR]
- $1599 *C

Honda (HS724WA)
[Engine: GX200]
- Superior Fuel Efficiency *F
- Torque: 9.1 ft-lbs @ 2,500 rpm (SAE J1349 International Standard) *B
- Type: OHV *B
- Counter-Vibration *B
- Noise Reduction *B
- Crankshaft: Ball Bearing *A

[Gearbox]
- Steel Helical Gears *A
- Steel Ball Bearing *A

[Movement: Hydrostatic]
- Infinitely Variable *A
- Fixed 2wd *A

[Auger]
- Serated *A
- 14" *trouts2

[Impeller]
- 12" *trouts2

[MSR]
- $2299 *A

Notes
- SAE J1349 assumes 15% loss of power to internal friction; in reality, this is just an average and varies per engine (so less internal friction would mean the actual HP is higher) *this can be validated at any site that defines the SAE 1349 standard

Sources
- A : Honda Snowblower Specifications (http://www.hondapowerequipment.com/products/snowblowers/content.aspx?asset=sb_whychoose) (http://www.hondapowerequipment.com/products/modeldetail.aspx?page=modeldetail&section=P2SB&modelname=HS724WA&modelid=HS724WA)
- B: Honda Engine Specifications (http://engines.honda.com/models/model-detail/gx200)
- C: Ariens Specifications (http://www.ariens.com/products_snow/s_deluxe_platinum_group/s_deluxe_platinum_24/Pages/default.aspx)
- D: Briggs & Stratton Specifications (http://www.briggsandstratton.com/engines/other-engines/detail.aspx?series=1150+Series&id=%7BB8CACFAE-E522-4511-88F6-9DA80E1C1ADC%7D)
- E: Class-Action Engine HP Fraud Lawsuit (http://www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/Lawnmower_Horsepower_Fraud) *there are many other references, just google
- F: Personally inferred from many (>20) personal forum posts by different owners
- G: Ariens Parts Catalog (http://partsradar.arinet.com/scripts/EmpartISAPI.dll?MF&app=ariens&lang=EN&TF=Empartweb&loginID=ariensc&loginpwd=consumer)

*I can't seem to find the link to the online Honda parts catalog again (it was hard to find and I didn't bookmark it). If anyone finds it, please post the URL

So... no one will help or knows any specifics about the internals workings of the Ariens, Honda, MTD, B&S, or Husqvarna higher-end 24/28 inch models? Having to take a salesman's word on things, especially when they have already provided one or two completely false statements bothers me. I was hoping to compile the first-hand knowledge about these snowblowers from people who know how they work and make an informed decision on that. I'm just a consumer, not a mechanic; and I only partially understand the information. For example, I know that whether you use sleeve or ball bearings matters, but the life-time of each depends on the application and construction: thus, sleeve bearings may be a more efficient and longer-lasting design decision given a certain design for one part, but ball bearings may be more efficient and longer-lasting for another part.

From all users opinions and reports of maintnance that I've read thus far, the Hondas and Ariens' Platinum line are in direct competition, with the Honda having a name premium, quieter operation, and hydro drive, and the Ariens having cheaper replacement parts, more accessories, and quick-turn/auto-traction. That said, a couple of the parts on the Honda seem to be universally viewed as superior (f.e. the Helical gearbox vs Worm). I'm torn between the two; and I don't have enough information about the other brands to do comparisons with their equivilent models.

Please help?

Ok.  Let's start with how much are you willing to spend, your driveway info, who's using it.  This is more relevant than who makes what.  You do want to blow snow and put it somewhere, do you?

FYI, it is rarely for people to cross shop between Ariens and Honda, just like Ford Mustang and Porsche 911.  Different camps. 

User is a ~175lb male. I'm concious about over-using machines and will not be over-agressive.

Clearing surface is unimportant: it is possible/likely that I will someday move and bring my quality snow-blower with me. The goal is to not buy 'junk' that will need fixing and replacing parts every 3-5 years: once upon a time things were made to last, that is no longer the case and you must take care to investigate how things are built nowadays to obtain the same quality of prduct.

Durability (low rate of part replacement), efficiency, and longevity are primary concerns; ease of use is secondary; price is tertiary.

I'm aware of the Honda vs Ariens loyalty camps, but products change over time and people need to be aware of what those changes are and whether they further improve the machine, or further reduce production cost and hurt the machine (this is also why everyone makes so many blasted models); that's why the Kowasaki Toro's of the past were so popular and the newer ones (that I've seen) can't hold a candle to them. If I had to choose at the current moment, I would be in the Honda camp, but I also know that Honda does add some price tag simply for the name.

To give an example: if the Ariens compact 24" had all the same quality of components as the Honda, then it would be silly to pay more than double the price just for the Honda name and Hydrostat transmission. This is, however, not the case and also a reason why Ariens makes the Deluxe, Platinum, and Professional lines.

(Now if the companies would get together and put a Honda/Yamaha engine, a differential-equipped Hydrostatic transmission, Ariens larger impeller/auger sizes, and Ariens accessories on one machine there would be a whole lot less bickering on this forum and everyone who didn't go straight for a budget blower would be happy; but some dreams simply will never come true)

Electrocutor wrote:
Electrocutor: You have an identical twin brother - his name is DavidNJ. Sidenote, is anyone else hearing the theme music from the Twilight Zone right now?....

IIRC no Huskys have been sold in US by Sears since 08-09 model year unless it was a leftover store model.  They are still sold in Canada though.  I asked Snowblowerdirect why they didn't sell Husky Crown models.  Their response was --->  "We are not allowed to carry those because they are not allowed to be displayed online."

Electrocutor wrote:

FrankMA wrote:

Quack quack

Electrocutor wrote:

Too much ramblings, stick to shovels and leaf blowers

omg my friggin head hurts lol,,,how did this guy ever buy a house or anything??cape vs colonial vs  split level ranch??vinyl siding vs brick etc etc..Heres some advice pick from ariens pro or simplicity pro or honda or toro.They all have their pros and cons and go clean some snow and have fun.

Come on guys.  We know this is not David from NJ.  He would have started a separate topic for each subfunction check.

Shryp wrote:

actually it most likely is DavidNJ as he's asking the same type of questions. They are also questions that do not really need answering. What I care about is how well the snowblower is going to throw snow. How far and how reliable the machine is, is most important. If I am a fighter pilot I only fly the damn plane I don't have to repair it. That's the mechanics job.

My Toro walks right into the nasty stuff and throws it just as nice as can be. It's been reliable and I have no idea how to take it apart and fix it even if I had the time and interest to do so.

I had a Honda and that was good too. Not twice the price good but screwed together really well. Ariens is probably good for people who can turn it unlike my wife and she is working out too. here is a Vid.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9aImupcUPA

Maybe by the time she is done she can pick up the snowblower FOR Me!