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

All of us that have new snowthrowers this year need to keep in mind that certain conditions/restrictions may apply to keep the warranty active. Be sure to read the manuals that came with the equipment. (For example: SnowRemovers new blower now only has a 45 day warranty, rather than the 2 year that came with it because of their warranty restrictions) Just a heads up for us "Newbies"!

Walt/Richie,

Just to be clear, my warranty is valid for only 45 days because I accepted payment for clearing my neighbors driveway?

Lousy hot cocoa ruined my warranty!

--SnowRemover

Hi Walt,

Yes, I read the "starting" guarantee, but the way I read it, it appeared to me that only Toro snowblowers with a GTS engines even have that guarantee.  However, I don't know what a GTS engine is.  I assumed it was the engine that come on the single stage machines. 

Boy, that's terrible!

It would really suck to have done all that reading, shopping, comparing, forum going, only to miss that part and loose a year and ten and half months of warranty on a new machine. I know I would be mad at myself. If there is anything we can do, let us know. I would say, to blow it off and not say anything but I know you hold the dealers to the stricktest integrity standards and wouldn't think of being any different yourself.

SnowRemover wrote:

Hi Snow,

Well, one could say that, but you don't have a store front and the manufacturer would have to prove that.  I'd have to say once you accept money, the rules certainly change, but I also look at it as splitting hairs.  You may be accepting money from a couple of neighbors, but it seems to me that a good portion of members on this forum do their neighbors driveways and walkways out of curtesy or simply just because they like snowblowing, I'd bet it is a little of both. 

I myself have never asked my neighbors in the past for money or even to chip in for fuel, and God knows they never offered money either, and you know what fuel costs today. But those neighbors live immediately next to me.  If a neighbor on another block approached me and asked if I could do their driveway, you bet I'd charge them.  I didn't pay all this money for a high end snowblower to take on the neighborhood all at my expense either.

 The abuse on the machine is still the same not to mention additional fuel costs and wear and tear on components.  I think a good many folks here have purchased a snowblower, and it doesn't matter the brand or size, for the most part, actually enjoy using them and look forward to big storms, myself included.  Besides, any repair shop that looks at your machine and compares it to one that really is being used commercially, if they are worth their salt, it would be very obvious which one has been abused.  I wouldn't worry about it.

Richie,

I clear my neighbors driveway at no charge.  In return, they brought me out some hot cocoa and by accepting it, I accepted payment.  Thus making me a business and voiding my warranty.

It was tongue in cheek. 

--SnowRemover

It is hard enough to remember my opinions, without also remembering my reasons for them!
--Friedrich Nietzsche

Snow,

That is what happens to me when I don't have my morning coffee, it affects my thinking process. 

I might be wrong here, but I believe Ariens 3 Year warranty on their Snowthrowers is the best in the business.

Richie and Snow,

The residential clause reads as follows: "Residential purposes means use of the product on the same lot as your home.  Use at more than one location is considered commercial use, and the commercial use warranty would apply." 

Given this, and that one clears their neighbors lot, voids the 2 year warranty and puts into effect the 45 day warranty.  Although one may or may not get paid or receive other types of compensation does not have any effect on the type of warranty for the equipment.

It is true that the Toro dealer who provides service may never know that one blew their entire neighborhood, but what comes into play here is that Toro trusts that their customers hold the same respect and integrity for use and maintenance of their equipment that their customers expect from them in honoring a warranty.

 I used Snow as an example, and not a reprimand, of any sort when discussing the warranty, only because he discussed his usage and it voided the residential warranty.  Snow also puts a lot of trust in documentation and facts.   Essentially the written word is what he appears to rely upon.  Then why not rely upon all of the written word; be it a review of a product, an instruction sheet, or a warranty.  Snow also said that he made the dealer not put gas in the blower until it was delivered, and he inspected it.  Does this mean it's o.k. to screw over the Toro dealer at first opportunity? 

 As you mentioned God in your reply I also find it odd that you also say nobody will find out in the same post.  Until God drives a spike into Chester County, the world does not spin around me.   We are all on the same ball, with nobody any better or worse than the other.  I go through my days as honestly as I know how and try to help those around me the best I can.  I also believe that God knows who and what I am, and what I try to be.  He gave his only son to us so that we could live honestly and just.  Let me rephrase that:  God let us murder his only child so that hopefully we would learn a lesson and start living the life he intended when he started spinning the earth.  I could never do that with one of my children, but he knows that, and that's why he did it for us.  So it is each persons decision how they want to live, or how honest they want to be.  The real test is not when one takes their blower in for service, or what they tell the dealer.  It's what is written by our name in heaven, and we should all hope that it says "well done though good and faithful servant"...because that day will start our eternities.    

Walt

Ariens seems to give a bit more leaway than Toro in terms of commercial use as per their web page, quoted below:

"he three year duration of this warranty applies only if the product is put to ordinary, reasonable, and usual personal, family, or household uses. If the product is put to any business, commercial, or industrial use, then the duration of this warranty is ninety (90) days after the date of purchase, or one (1) year after the date of purchase if the product is labeled as a Professional/Commercial Product. If any product is rented or leased, then the duration of this warranty is ninety (90) days after the date of purchase. "

Marshall wrote:

Marshall-Please check I think your tongue is stuck in your cheek!

Marc