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

Quick intro: From eastern Mass (half way between Boston and Providence RI). Need to invest in a snow blower that is robust yet easy to steer - well, one that has a good steering system. I'm about to have L4 & L5 vertebrae fused and during the healing process will need a blower that won't make me screw things up by bulling it around. Anyway, been doing a lot of research (lots of free time - disabled from work until back is fixed) and I am narrowing my search down to the Toro's OEX's (Power Max 826OEX, 828OEX, or 1028 OEX) and the Husky with power steering and the high impeller speed (11524E & 14527E) Questions, how do these steer? At this point that is the priority, I will tackle the other differences later. OR do you know of a RELIABLE machine that needs no body twisting or pulling to steer it. (I read reports that Troy-Bilt have unreliable reverse gears) thanks -Bill

Actually, Huskys don't have grip controls.  It's just "GEE  HAW" and then "MUSH" to start out.  After that, a single "GEE" or "HAW" will suffice for a turn in the appropriate direction.

The Husky , as you call it, is manufactured by Husqvarna, with 3 factories in the USA and mamy other around the world.   Their head office is in Sweden.

Steve_Cebu wrote:
Steve and everyone else:  I don't own a Husqvarna snowblower, but I have used one for a few extensive snow removal sessions at an elementary school I once worked at about 4 years ago.  I can't recall the model number, but it is 30" wide and has a 11HP (pre-torque/cc figure days) engine.  The Husky turned quickly enough when gripping one of the triggers.  It's not smooth turning like an Ariens differential unit.  The Husky was great for the on-a-dime turn.  To smoothly go around a corner, you have to grip and re-grip a few times to sort of imitate a smooth turn.  It's no big deal.  The point is that you don't have to muscle anything.  I must assume Toro's steering triggers have a similar effect when in use.  Triggers are triggers, I guess. (Update of 10-28-11:  After having bought a three-year-old Toro 1028LXE on 10-23-11, I tried out the steering.  It was very easy.  How it would compare to a new or very recent Husky, I don't know.  The one I used at work is from the 2006-2007 season.

Everything I've heard about Husqvarna snowblowers is that they build their own stuff.  Same for everything else they make, I assume, like lawn mowers and weed wackers, etc.

Steve, I don't think you'll find much is different with Ariens, Simplicity, and Husky.  Ariens has added cast-iron gear boxes across their entire regular line of blowers, and they have beefed up their control deck to 12-gauge steel, and they have a new halogen light.  They still have the ATC.

coasteray wrote:

Yes, my Toro will turn very quickly but speed is dependant on how fast you are going. In 5th gear it will turn very fast if you just grab the lever. The Toro is variable so if you squeeze a little it turns a little, squeeze a lot and it'll whip around in it's own radius. Cast Iron gearboxes are mostly just marketing. I was a machinist for a lot of years and we did work with cast iron, cast aluminum some of the time. Quality of the cast is a big factor not just the material. It's the gears inside the housing that concern me more. The Toro and Ariens gears seem pretty robust so the outside box being cast iron or aluminum isn't as big an issue for me.

I'd really like to find a dealer locally that has a Husky so I could check it out and compare it to the Toro.

Here's a link for the Husqvarna Dealer Locator: http://www.husqvarna.com/us/forest/dealers/dealer-locator/

Thanks, I used that and there is a dealer about 30 minutes or so from me. So I'm going to go down Mon or Tues and take a looksee at the ones they have and see how they compare to my Toro. I'll try and take some pics and see if I can actually test the steering if they'll let me.

@coasteray, Thank you for that info. I am hoping the Husky turns as easy as you say. If they are as equal to the Toro as you suggest, location of a dealer will now be my deal maker/breaker

 

@Steve, I'd really appreciate any feed back from you once you've had a chance to look at and hopefully drive a Husky

Norfolker wrote:

So far I've been too busy to go but I do have to get a workout tire for my wife, so I'm hoping this week but the dealer is actually about 40 minutes away. I've been going in the opposite direction all week. But once I learn something I'll be sure and post it.

My husq dealer showed me the Husqvarna 14527-XLS (part no# 961-930061) for only $1,400.00
it's a Hydro drive, so you can set it to ANY speed you like at any time. with all the goodies included:
305 cc B&S
Hydro drive (freeing up A LOT of engine power)
heavy duty auger
very high speed impeller
bar wight
drift cutters
heavy duty skid shoes
Electric start (including the wire)
heated grips
Hal. light
Big Snow tires
Fuel cut off switch
biger fuel tank
and last but not least....quick turn on a dime.

IMO this monster packs more stuff for the money vs. toro.

I also have back pain with high Dr. bills. so i needed an easy snow remover too...
I'm getting mine some time next week.

Hope that helps.

Where are you at?  We're not getting any Husqvarna hydrostatic models here the Midwest.