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

Really these units are similar, but if you ask a dealer you'd think they were exact opposites.  Never used a lever traction system like the Toro, but did briefly try the auto trac on the Ariens.  I live 1/2 hr from Brillion WI and really do feel an attraction to Ariens, but that is another issue... Help me out guys!  I'll be pissed if I choose wrong.  Price is the same.

No backfiring on my Toro which has a Briggs & Stratton on it. All last year no backfiring and this year it started up with one pull. I just slide the fuel to off and let it run out by itself and no backfiring.

Mine didn't have a fuel shutoff so I added one. Easy to install and cheap. At the end of the season I usually let it run out of gas, pull carb bowl off and drain fuel there and then empty remaining fuel out of gas tank.

Purchased an Ariens Platinum 24" 1 month from a local dealer, not HD.  Haven't used it yet but after numerous starts and stops from full throttle and with run times of up to 20 minutes, it hasn't backfired yet.