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

I'm considering updating from a 1993 Ariens ST824 to a newer machine.  Recently, I've been looking at a few Ariens Platinum and Pro models, a few of Simplicity's Large Frame and Pro models, the John Deere 1330SE, and the Toro 1128OXE, as well as used but recent models with a Tecumseh OHV engine or Briggs OHV.  Wheel and chute controls are an issue with a lot of people, so does anyone have experiences to share?

Differentials:

1)  Does anyone have experience with Ariens' "Automatic Traction Control or John Deere's 1330 SE differential ?  Does the Ariens know when to go to locked-wheel drive, or when to come out of it back to differential?  Will this design hold up after many years of usage?  Does the JD stay in differential mode, or does it have the locked-wheel option?  How do these blowers feel in operation?

2)  How does Simplicity's "Easy Turn" feature feel when turning left or right?  Don't you also have to stop the machine to go into and out of this mode ?

3)  Same questions about the Ariens Deluxe models with that left-hand trigger release feature.

Chutes:

1)  Then there are those new electric chute controls on the Simplicity Large Frame models and John Deere 1330SE.  Does anyone have any stories about these?

 2)  Toro has their "Quick Stick" feature, but how long can it last before the plastic parts break?

3)  Ariens' "Quick Turn" feature seems pretty nice, but I'm not sure about that cable release lasting long, and many guys have complained about having to constantly re-adjust it, or it flops around too much.  Also, the chute  deflector cable seems to freeze up a lot with some users.  Any comments here?

4)  Why can't Ariens just go back to a crank system that doesn't allow the chute to wander around at all?  Ariens, I hope you are listening.

 

trouts2 wrote:

You should ask the admin directly through pm. I'm sure they won't respond to such question publicly. See TOU.

Deleted double post

Steve_Cebu wrote:
Thanks, Steve.  I like that idea.  At this point, it will probably be next season.  I don't want to wait that long, but due to a new computer, external drive, and monitor coming up soon, I don't have much choice .  I saw your videos on You Tube, and I was very impressed with your Toro's performance.  I also like a few of the Ariens machines, so it's kind of tough to call right now.  One day I think Toro's 1028OXE would be great, the next day I think Ariens' Platinum 24 or 30, or Pro 26 would be great.  I must be confused .

coasteray,

what you are  feeling is very normal and will not get any better after the purchase either.  it is really is no different than buying any new hot toy.

coasteray wrote:

I know the feeling.   That said it's best to go out and actually try them at a dealership. Toro's quick chute takes some getting used to but once you've mastered it, it's great. The way and Ariens steers is very different from Toro's twin trigger steering. I had a Honda 928TAS that proved to be too much of a hassle and my wife couldn't use it at all. It also tended to wander left and right a lot. When you consider that tracks are a pain to move to begin with relative to pulling a lever, the Toro made more sense.

I think if you get to a dealer and Demo as many as you can while there is snow on the ground, you'll be able to make a better decision. Snowblowers steer very differently on dry bare tar than they do on snow and ice. Height of the handles is also a factor, some are short and in the videos with my wife you can see she has to reach up to the handles. They say it's worse if the handles are too short aka you are too tall. This isn't an issue for me, but for tall guys it could be.

You probably wouldn't buy a car without test driving it, neither should you buy a snowblower without testing it first. Most dealers have demo units (not sure about this late into winter) so try everything. Let the dealer steer you into testing as many brands as he sells and compare them. For me the Toro won out in every category. For you it might be Toro or Ariens or Simplicity etc... Heck it might even be a Honda!

I know what you are going through with a new PC. I've been trying to decide between a Sager 8150-S1 and a Sager 8170-S1 no question about most bang for the buck but 15.6" or 17.3" size is where I'm stuck, gotta order this week and that's about a $2k purchase.

I sold a 28 year old Ariens 824 and bought a 1024 simplicity pro. I love the power and how it works. It took a little getting used too but after the storms we have had here I am very with my purchase. Easy to turn and I love the power chute now that I am getting used to it.

Steve_Cebu wrote:
I'm wondering about Toro's extensive use of plastic for the 1028OXE as well as their other Power Max blowers with Quick Stick.  I've seen Toro's machines a number of times and always wonder about the long-term durability of the plastic dash and the associated plastic parts for the Quick Stick operation.  Then there are the plastic handles, and the plastic levers for the wheels and auger/impeller which of course have the cables extending down from them.  I honestly worry about the wires snapping off of those handles at some point.  Maybe my concerns are unfounded?  Perhaps the plastic used in all these areas is very durable.  It certainly won't rust.  The chute and housing plastic doesn't really bother me as it seems to be very durable in these areas.  Any thoughts? 

Actually, the Toro 1028OXE (I'd prefer the 1128OXE, but I don't like that  moving scraper bar idea) truly impresses me, but after my experiences with Ariens' steel build for so long (my 1993 ST824 , plus the ST1032 workhorses at my school job), I guess I naturally wonder about the plastic.  So far, no one seems to be complaining about Toro's plastic, and I haven't seen anyone mentioning problems so far.  But it's only been, what, about three years they've made these newer models?  Time is the only way to tell, I guess. 

Honda?  Well, it would be interesting to come across, say, a nice, used 928WAS wheeled model, but it would depend on the price.  One knock I have against Honda is that the wheels are permanently in a two-wheel locked setup.  I wish they would give us a lever to disengage the left wheel (like Simplicity, or Ariens Deluxe) for ease of turning and putting away the blower when done.

It's gonna be fun to see what I end up with, though. 

coasteray wrote:

The thing is many people worry about the plastic on the Toro's but you rarely hear of the plastic parts failing. You can be certain that if the plastic parts had even a moderate failure rate, it would be all over the Internet. Sure the cables do need to be adjusted every so often. That's just normal maintainance. This isn't el-cheapo plastic it holds up really well. I think people believe steel is better for everything. It certainly easier to sell people on the idea that steel is better because it's stronger. The thing is steel doesn't mix well with snow and ice compared to plastic. Although there is steel to support all the plastic pieces that Toro uses. Ariens and other companies know it's easy to sell people on steel. The thing is most people know nothing about steel, just taht's it's very strong and durable (not all steel is). I was a machinist for 15 years. I've worked with Steel, Aluminum and damn near every grade of both as well as many other materials including Copper (miserable stuff to machine) that was much tougher than your average steels. We also did a lot of work using materials that commonly get refered to as plastic. My father has over 50 years experience with materials and being a Master Tool & Die man knows his stuff. He can tell you what a material is from just looking at it. Some "plastics" are better for certain jobs than steel.

I'm not saying that steel machines are bad, just that it's easier to sell an all steel machine than one with any plastic due to the perception that plastic is cheap. Some plastics are pretty damn durable and expensive. The cast iron gear boxes are another easy sell. Dealers tell you how durable cast iron is. Well ok, but I've worked with Cast iron, we made products where we'd job out Cast Iron because we wanted cheap weight or bang for the buck pricing. Cast aluminum (probably a blend) is also cast. If my dad was up from FL I'd ask him what material they are casting the Toro gearbox with and how good it is. Casting is pretty common, look at a matchbox car, that's diecast. Casting is cheap, durable and if done correctly, well made. If done wrong or you get bubbles in the material it won't last.

Look at an Bridgeport Milling machine versus an Enco, the brunt of both machines is cast iron. Enco's are crap.

That said Ariens makes a good machine along with other brands. Honda is screwed together really well. I had one, but turning it is no fun as you say.

Once you get to a dealer and can test things out it's a lot easier to choose which is best for you. Ariens sells a LOT of machines every year, so they have to be doing something right. Toro also made in America sells a lot of machines also.

You know you got the right machine when you are happy to use it when the white stuff covers your driveway and you laugh at the plow as he pushes in another 18 inches of snowy, slushy, salty, grey and white crud at your EOD after you just finished clearing it.

I have no issues with plastic used on snow throwers.  In my twenty plus years of use with Craftsman machines I had no issues with the durability of the plastic chutes.  Keeping them on the machine was another thing.   I have no issues with steel chutes but I do have issues with them only being painted on the inside.  Fine for pure snow but not so good for eod deposits that contain gravel and salt.  To me, the best arrangement is a steel chute lined with plastic.  As with my modification and new Yamaha machines.  That way, you get the best of both worlds.

Heck, it's been 44 years since Dustin Hoffman was told that the future is "plastics" in The Graduate.

Plastic is often a superior material to metal in many applications: lighter weight, corrosion-free, naturally lubricated, tuned flexibility and can be equally as strong. In the steel vs plastic "quality perception"  department, I'm more inclined to go with the company using advanced plastics.

Toro's innovative impeller, housing, chute and controller in the very traditional snowthrower market (MTD for example), give me confidence that the plastic parts are well thought out also.