Abby’s Guide > Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) > Discussions > Torn between Ariens 30's and Toro 1028OXE
Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions |
|
mvedepo
Joined: Oct 1, 2011
Points: 32
|
|
Torn between Ariens 30's and Toro 1028OXE
Original Message Oct 1, 2011 4:48 pm |
|
Having a tough time deciding between the: - Ariens 30 Deluxe
- Ariens 30 Platinum
- Toro 1028OXE
I don't have a huge driveway but I am on the outside of a curve and get HAMMERED by the plow. It's not uncommon to get a 30+" berm at the end of my driveway. And being from southern WI it's rarely the light fluffy stuff. The catch here is that I am a pilot so sometimes I am on the road when we get pounded (Murphy's Law). This means that my wife (5' 105") wife needs to be able to maneuver the beast. She doesn't need to do a ton of turning. She will mostly be going down the drive and reversing back. Throwing distance is also important to me. Here are my likes and dislikes: - Ariens 30 Deluxe - I like: crank chute and price.
- Ariens 30 Platinum - I like: 342cc engine - Torn on the ATC and chute control
- Toro 1028OXE - I like: Chute/deflector stick, how light and maneuverable it is, the power triggers, 305 cc in a 28" unit. I dislike: Some of the components feel flimsy. Especially the triggers and Powerstick.
I am leaning towards the Platinum but no one, even at the dealers, can really explain the ATC to me. When the drive isn't engaged and you pop open the diff do both wheels rotate freely? If not is it the inner or outer wheel? If the drive IS engaged will the ATC help or fight you if you are trying to do a 180 turn? I have read conflicting reports on this. May also consider a Simplicity L1528E or L1730E but haven't actually seen these units. What do you guys think??
This message was modified Oct 1, 2011 by mvedepo
|
FrankMA
Location: Merrimack Valley/Northeastern Mass
Joined: Jul 1, 2010
Points: 587
|
|
Re: Torn between Ariens 30's and Toro 1028OXE
Reply #2 Oct 2, 2011 9:22 am |
|
Read this thread by Steve_Cebu, it should answer many of your questions and he provides youtube links to some of his videos. Steve's wife is small as well and she can manage to use the Toro with no diffculties. http://www.abbysguide.com/ope/discussions/54727-0-1.html
This message was modified Oct 2, 2011 by FrankMA
Toro Wheel Horse 522xi GT, Honda HS928TA, Honda HS621AS, Honda HS520A, Toro CCR3000 (work in progress), Honda HS624WA (sold 08/23/2010), Stihl BR550 Backpack Blower, Stihl MS250, McCulloch MS1635, Honda EM6500SX Generator
|
Intruder
Joined: Sep 29, 2011
Points: 11
|
|
Re: Torn between Ariens 30's and Toro 1028OXE
Reply #5 Oct 2, 2011 5:43 pm |
|
I too had some concerns with the longevity of the quick turn, one lever chute controls.... just seemed to me to be a part that could break easily.
|
aa335
Joined: Nov 29, 2008
Points: 2434
|
|
Re: Torn between Ariens 30's and Toro 1028OXE
Reply #7 Oct 2, 2011 11:33 pm |
|
I don't have a huge driveway but I am on the outside of a curve and get HAMMERED by the plow. It's not uncommon to get a 30+" berm at the end of my driveway. And being from southern WI it's rarely the light fluffy stuff. The catch here is that I am a pilot so sometimes I am on the road when we get pounded (Murphy's Law). This means that my wife (5' 105") wife needs to be able to maneuver the beast. She doesn't need to do a ton of turning. She will mostly be going down the drive and reversing back. Throwing distance is also important to me.
I wouldn't recommend anything larger than a 28" if you want your wife to use it. In fact a 24-26" would be more reasonable. Something that weighs less than 220 lbs. If you want your wife "needs to be able to maneuver the beast", she would have to work out and be in top physical condition to tame the beast. So far, I haven't able to find a "beastly snowblower" that's a gentle giant to recommend. Actually, Yamaha and Honda have them, but you would have to import these models, and they are $8000 or more. You should really bring your wife to the dealers and try out the models you are interested in, if she's going to be using it. No point analyzing Pro/Cons unless you are the sole operator. Has your wife ever operated a snowblower, a lawn mower? As far as Ariens ATC, I never got any good answer on what that means. There's no electronics so how could it control traction, automatically? It's a snowblower, too primitive to utilize automotive technology analogy.
This message was modified Oct 2, 2011 by aa335
|
mvedepo
Joined: Oct 1, 2011
Points: 32
|
|
Re: Torn between Ariens 30's and Toro 1028OXE
Reply #8 Oct 3, 2011 12:05 am |
|
She has been to the dealer. The Toro 1028OXE was by far the easiest for her to maneuver. However, she wasn't keen on the build over the Ariens. Now if we go with a 28 Deluxe, it has the 250cc engine, same as the 24 Deluxe/Platinum. Is that engine undersized for a 28?? Also if I could order a Husqvarna 14527E that seems like it may be the best of all words for me. - 305 cc
- Hydrostatic
- Power steering (similar to the Toro)
- High Speed Impeller
My question is the disc style auger. Any benefit? I see its only on their higher end Crown Series.
|
aa335
Joined: Nov 29, 2008
Points: 2434
|
|
Re: Torn between Ariens 30's and Toro 1028OXE
Reply #9 Oct 3, 2011 1:18 am |
|
Now if we go with a 28 Deluxe, it has the 250cc engine, same as the 24 Deluxe/Platinum. Is that engine undersized for a 28?? Also if I could order a Husqvarna 14527E that seems like it may be the best of all words for me. - 305 cc
- Hydrostatic
- Power steering (similar to the Toro)
- High Speed Impeller
My question is the disc style auger. Any benefit? I see its only on their higher end Crown Series. 250cc for 28" is slightly underpowered in general. It is very underpowered compared to the new machines sporting 300cc+, anemic compared to the Ariens Pro 28 sporting 414cc. The Husqvarna model you are interested in does not have hydrostatic transmission. That style of auger doesn't seem too aggressive on chipping ice and breaking down hard packed snow. Check out Honda and Yamaha high end snowblowers, they still have the open type ribbon augers with very aggressive saw tooth serrated auger. It can chip concrete while sharpening itself. Don't ask me how I know.
|
FrankMA
Location: Merrimack Valley/Northeastern Mass
Joined: Jul 1, 2010
Points: 587
|
|
Re: Torn between Ariens 30's and Toro 1028OXE
Reply #10 Oct 3, 2011 8:09 am |
|
"She has been to the dealer. The Toro 1028OXE was by far the easiest for her to maneuver. However, she wasn't keen on the build over the Ariens."Sounds like you found the perfect snowblower for your needs in the Toro 1028OXE. A 10 HP engine with a 28" bucket should provide plenty of power and maneuverability especially with the power assist steering that your wife will appreciate. What is it about the build quality that concerns her on the Toro? Trying to find an easy to use machine your wife can operate and the snow eating animal that you want is going to be tough to find. Once again, to me it sounds like the well balanced Toro 1028OXE fits most if not all of your requirements.
This message was modified Oct 3, 2011 by FrankMA
Toro Wheel Horse 522xi GT, Honda HS928TA, Honda HS621AS, Honda HS520A, Toro CCR3000 (work in progress), Honda HS624WA (sold 08/23/2010), Stihl BR550 Backpack Blower, Stihl MS250, McCulloch MS1635, Honda EM6500SX Generator
|
|
|