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

OK, I picked up a site unseen Ariens Compact 26 snowblower for a good deal.  Now that I see it (and own it) I am not sure I want it.  I have about a 300' long driveway and live in the country where I get lots of drifing snow.  I am in the market for something bigger.  I am thinking 30" wide and I sure do like the idea of handwarmers.  I have been looking at several.  The Platinum Ariens, John Deere, Troy Bilt 3090 XP.  I know John Deere is not making their snow blowers anymore.  I heard they are made by Murry??  Anyone know if there is truth to that?

Looking for suggestion on which is the best to buy.  I live in NE Wisconsin and we get plenty of snow.  I want big, no tracks and something most importantly that is going to last with a little TLC.  If I pick a model without hand warmers, can I add them?

Thanks

kman522 wrote:
The JD units are made by Murray (which is now part of Briggs and Stratton Power Products). So are the Snapper, Simplicity, and Brute models and some Canadian Craftsman. There are a few scraps of Simplicity engineered architecture left in this mix, but not many. Basically the "Pro" models of the various brands and the Snapper and Simplicity "large" platform blower heads.

The Troy Bilt is made by MTD if you didn't know that already. They are generally not regarded as premium units in the context of the "usual suspects" in the premium category. With the real estate you have to cover I would recommend something regarded as more durable.

The Ariens Compact 26 has a 200 ft/min impeller speed advantage over the MTD/Troy-Bilt models. While the extra width would intuitively seem to help, the impeller is the capacity bottleneck on any machine. That said, you wouldn't be gaining much moving to the Troy-Bilt. The Ariens Compact 26 also uses a much larger friction disk than any of then the Troy-Bilt or Non-Pro Deere models. This is good for pushing hard through deep snow.

There is a hand warmer kit available from Ariens for the Compact 26. You're sure you need a larger unit? The folks on this forum should be able to steer you in the right direction. Snow will be coming soon enough, you might want to try out what you have before you make a hasty decision and take a beating on a trade.

kman522 wrote:

I have a Toro 1028 so that's 10 HP and 28" wide. I'm very happy with mine. Easy to steer and control. That said, I had a Honda 928TAS with tracks prior to that that I got rid of because my wife couldn't turn it. To be honest you won't save significant time getting a wider unit unless it's much wider. With high snow you usually have to take a bite of it anyway. Buyers remorse runs through all of us. So unless you are moving up to a big tracked Honda that's 32" wide. I'd save the money and use what you have. The extra few passes you will make with the 26" wide are not that big a deal unless you do this for a living.

kman522 wrote:

What else is it about this machine that you do not like? I just checked out the specs on the Ariens website and this appears to be a very capable machine. The 26" bucket provides a good compromise between clearing width and manueverability. If you're like most of us, you have other areas of your property that require snow removal such as walkways, decks, etc.... These areas are usually better served by a small to mid size bucket (22" - 28") rather than a larger 30"+ bucket. I live in the country as well and have used a Honda HS624WA (6 HP, 24" Bucket) for the past 8 years with no problems. I have 150' of driveway, several walkways/runways, XXX large deck, etc... I'd suggest you give a shot for a season and then decide if you need something larger. As for the handwarmers, buy a good pair of gloves and dress appropriately for the conditions and you won't have any problems. The only thing that usually gets me is the snow that blows back into your face when the wind is swirling in all directions - talk about a cold slap in the face!

Thanks for the reply guys.  I use to run an older JD snowblower, TRS 26.  Now I know I am going to sound like my father,  but my old JD just seemed to be so much more beefy than this Ariens.  Not knocking the Ariens brand, I am all for buying any American well made product when I can, but everything now a days seems to be cheaper.  My JD gearbox seemed twice as big as the Ariens.  On a bad snow storm, my JD did the job which I am sure this Ariens will do to.  I guess I am thinking if I move into the Platium series or anyones heavy duty series snow blowers, are they really made better than their regular models???

My JD was my fathers who owned it for 15 years then sold it to me and I used it for another 8.  I dont mind paying a little more for a higher end snowblower if they really are made better than the standard models.  Just not sure about that.

Thank you

kman522 wrote:

If you want a beefy well made unit spend a small fortune and buy a Honda 1132 although I think it has tracks as standard. Personally I'd use the one you have and use it until it breaks. which will save you many years of cash. My Toro works great I wouldn't trade it but I did ditch the Honda. The old saying "They don't make them like they used to" is certainly true. Everything is built much cheaper nowadays but they still throw snow pretty far and for many years.

I'd have to agree that in general the older ones were much better built.

Have you checked out the B&S  (Snapper, Simplicity, some Sears) large frame units? There's even a bigger line called Signature Pro (Simplicity)  or XL (Snapper).  Those are some solid machines. The brand differences are all relatively minor and once you've seen one model you'll recognize it in the other brands. Hand warmers, too.

But I have to say, with 300' of drifted snow to get through, I'd be looking at something you drive rather than something you walk behind. You won't be using it on a nice summer day.

For what you are taking about yes, you should look at the Pro's and XL's, but if you are looking at spending a small fortune and live in northern wisconsin, look at what a friend of mine does.

http://www.badgerlandminitrucks.com

He not only sells and delivers the trucks througthout the midwest, but also sets them up with a 46" blower too, look for his Vid's

Cheers,

Doug

skier1 wrote:

In the Philippines those are called Multicabs. I've driven a few of them and some of my friends have owned them over there. They generally have a 3 cyl engine. The good ones have a Suzuki engine. There are a handful of types but the big factors are how many valves and is the engine in the passenger compartment or outside underneath the bed the latter is better in the Philippines as they tend to get hot inside. I've seen these things hauling a LOT of stuff in the back. I never bought one because in any front end collision you'd lose your legs. but for a snowblower they'd be ok. They make a 4WD version as well. Alas no diesel engines.

All the ones that Badgerland sells are 4x4's.  Also due to regulations here in Wisconsin as well as the whole US they are limited to 1st gear and reverse, nothing more. You are right I would not want to get into any mess with them I have been in one (i'm 6'5 285) and they are not even as big as a Tacoma, even an old one. But for ranches, remote areas, hunting, all that stuff they are great. He also has Track kits for them, in addition to most of them being dump beds. if you saw that too...

Hand warmers?  Get those little "warming packs" and slide them inside a pair of snowmobile mittens (thank you Santa) and you will be all set.  300 feet of drifting snow is a lot. You can find an old beat unregistered plow truck for less than the price of a snowblower in many places.   My neighbor got a rust bucket  with a fisher plow for $600 (US).  Sure, it doesn't always start and makes the neighborhood look like a slum but I never complain when he's doing my driveway at 5 a.m.