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

What is the best blower for max 2 grand?? Leaning toward the Toro 1028 and or 1128OXE, is there anyting im overlooking? BTW this is not for me, its for my job.......

Thanks Steve for the advice on the 1128, my only issue is I cannot find one confirmed case of this thing jamming.....When I spoke to the dealer a few weeks ago he said he has not heard of an issue since 2006 when they seemed to be an "issue".

I went to another dealer the other day whom sold Toro and Ariens, I went there just to show my boss brother whats out there. We went in "interested" in the Ariens but touched on the 1128 Toro for a few minutes and I brought up the jamming scrapper. IMO this was a perfect time for the dealer to say yes this is an issue this is why you should go with the Ariens. But he too said he never heard of anything. I hope they are both rite being im using my boss as a guinea pig cause there is a new larger Toro in my near future!

stresst wrote:

Well it's the K.I..S.S principle at work here. I will be interested in how well it works and holds up over time and also how well it does with uneven pavement. My pavement at the top of my driveway is angled and I have to blow it so the machine is not facing that angle head on but runs with the right or left side higher than the other. It takes a bit longer but at least I don't blow snow into my mailbox.... as much...

I'm sure you will ove the power the 1128 has over your 826, now you will get paid to play with it.

Surprised guys who do commercial use Toro with all the plastic. Not anti Toro just figured they would go for the all steel.

Driving to work?  A 12K Kia will get you there just as fast as a 86K Mercedes Benz

Your choice

For $2k without a doubt the Ariens Pro 28 (ST28DLE)
http://www.ariens.com/products/snow-blowers/professional-snow-blower/pages/default.aspx

mvedepo wrote:

No doubt, well I disagree with that. Toro makes a damn nice unit for under $2k. Not everyone wantst to muscle around a 300 lb. monster that has no real help for turning. The Ariens differential is a joke compared to turning with a Toro. Ariens is a decent company but they are hardly the only company once you get into that price range.

From Toro's Service Manual regarding the pivoting/fixed scraper:

FIXED SCRAPER

Because the fixed scraper is bolted solidly to the auger
housing it is intended to be raised slightly off the ground
to minimize catching on pavement cracks and solid
objects. The amount that it should be raised depends on
how rough the ground is. The scraper is adjustable as
the mounting holes are slotted


PIVOTING SCRAPER

A pivoting scraper is more complex but has advantages
when used on paved surfaces. It can be set to scrape
down to the surface. Should it hit something solid, it
will slide rearward; two springs return it to the operating
position once it clears the object. However, use on a
gravel driveway may jam or damage the scraper, as
rocks can be forced between the scraper and housing.
Therefore, the pivoting scraper should not be used on
gravel surfaces


Good luck with your purchase

For 2k you can also look at the big B&S units, either the Snapper XL Frame series or the Simplicity Signature Pro. If I was getting a walk behind, they'd be at the top of my list, and I'd also look at the Deeres with the 1650 series engines.

Steve_Cebu wrote:
I agree the Toro's are very nice throwers.  But he is looking for a blower for a business.  IMO If I where looking for a business I would be looking at Professional grade blowers.  If you compare the Ariens Pro to the Simplicity Pro they are very close.  Except the Ariens puts a 420 cc on a 28" unit AND is a couple hundred cheaper.  A HUGE amount of bang for the buck!

As for the Ariens differential being a joke compared to the Toro, you are comparing apples to oranges.  That ATC is a limited slip differential for traction control. It is not meant to help steer the machine.

mvedepo wrote:

Well up here in New hampshire the guys who clear  the private schools and colleges use mostly Toro and Honda. These schools have to be done all the time to keep the walkways clear. I've spoken to dealers who sell Toro, Ariens and Honda as well as Simplicity and up here they go mostly with Toro and Honda. I do mean I have seen the machines being used so it's not just 3-4 dealers blowing smoke.

One dealer tried to convince my wife and I that the ATC's LSD was an easier way to steer the machine, which as you rightly point out it isn't. You muscle that machine around.

I do agree to do this for a business it's important to have a pro grade machine but true commercial machines cost a lot more than Ariens or Simplicity.