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

Hi,

Just wanted to ask a quick question.  Someone asked me for advice on a snowblower, in their price range considering all dealers within the region most brands were out except those by MTD and AYP.  The exception towards the upper end at the price limit was the John Deere 1028E and a Craftsman professional.  So Ariens, Honda, Toro, Snapper, Simplicity are all out and the used selection is quite poor at the moment.

I don't know what is available for options in the U.S. compared to Canada but this Craftsman professional from the picture looks like it could be a Snapper/Simplicity blower?  It has the B&S engine with a cast iron gear case, steel chute and many other features.  The chute looks very similar but the bucket is 27" wide with a height of 18.75".  I can spot the MTD and AYP one's easily by looking at them by Craftsman.

Spec was similar on both with the same B&S engine (305 CC 14.5 trq) with the exception the Craftsman Professional was regular price quite a bit more and on sale for the same price and comes with more options (heated handles, power chute,.....)

Anyone have insight on who makes that particular line of Craftsman professional blowers?  Any thoughts on the 1028E by JD/F as compared to this craftsman model? 

One other brand to look at is SnoTek.  They are made by Ariens, but at close to the MTD prices.  They are not fancy and don't have all the gizmos of the other brands, but I heard they are built a little sturdier.  The 24", 26" and 28" all share a 208cc engine though.  Not sure how it will do in heavy snow.  I don't have one myself, but haven't read any major complaints yet.

Check out this Ariens Sno-Tek Model #920402 at Home Depot for $599.00. I've checked them out and they look to be a decent machine for the money. Here's a Youtube link that shows this machine in action. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=mkeTWYHJYwA   

Can you post a link to the Craftsman in question?
Craftsman snowblowers have been made by everyone under the sun..
without a photo, we cant really know exactly what you are referring to..

Scot

I beleive this to be the exact one we were looking at.  According to the manual it says 19.75 inches intake height (I beleive this is what the Snapper and Simplicity units are) but it measured 18.75".

http://www.sears.ca/product/craftsman-professional8482-27-305cc-dual-stage-snow-blower-with-ez-steer/671-000088716-1696102?ptag=2

We did check out the SnoTek blowers online and in store.  According to the HD Canada site although they only have up to a 24" with a 208 CC LCT engine and did not see anything bigger at the local HD store without going to Ariens or Cub.  That size SnoTek might be a bit light for a country dirt driveway of near 20 feet wide and fairly long where we generally get the heavy wet snow.

It is hard to rate Craftsman snow blowers because they change  suppliers every year .

In Canada , up until the 2012 models,  Husqvarna built their higher priced models and of course these were good machines,

The 2012 models are built by  MTD and Briggs,. The ones built by Briggs are the same as the John Deere models (except they are not green)

srgallan wrote:
Wow, that really does look like a Simplicity!
thats new..first time I have seen a Craftsman (probably) made by Briggs..
(Briggs & Stratton now owns the Snapper, Simplicity, John Deere and Murray snowblower lines..since 2005)
They make snowblowers based on two ancestral "platforms"..the old Simplicity "Pro" platform, for the high-end models,
and the old Murray design for the mid-level machines..
This Craftsman looks like the Murray pattern..

IF this really is a Briggs-built machine, I would consider this a definate step-up from a traditional MTD-built Craftsman!
based on the photos, in 90% confidant it is a Briggs..(but not 100%..would need to be other photos and angles to be certain)

and I dont think we have these Craftsman models in the US..Might be a Canada-only model..
Very interesting..Briggs announced just this year that they are dropping the John Deere branded snowblowers next year,
and Deere dealers will begin selling Honda snowblower instead..
Looks like Briggs made a deal with Craftsman to pick up the slack..

Scot

Definetely a briggs engine, we checked them out in person and it had the briggs engine booklet.  It does seem to follow the simplicity design mostly with some exceptions.  I am not familiar with the old Murry you are referring too.  Sears also has the non-pro model that's basically identical minus the motor controlled chute and I think the hand warmers for much cheaper.  They seem well made so we are inclined to beleive in the price range we are looking at this may be his better value.

The service vs the Deere model too seemed better.  They would come to the home and pick it up or service it on site vs having to deliver it without a truck to the deere dealer.

Anyways, thanks for all the responses.  I was not aware that Briggs owned those lines of equipment now.

"They would come to the home and pick it up or service it on site" I believe there was a thread here last year by some poor guy who was told there was something like a 3 week wait for service. Then the part needed wasn't on the truck so it would have to be ordered THEN schedule another appointment to get it installed. Break down in January, all fixed by spring!

sscotsman wrote:
Guess we shouldn't be surprised.  I wonder who's going to make the JD blowers in the future?   I'm trying to imagine the design changes that may come with the change.  It will also be interesting to see what the Briggs/Craftsman models will look like.  This only leaves Simplicity, Snapper, and Murray brands under the Briggs umbrella.

coasteray wrote:

No one is going to make JD blowers in the future..after this year, there will be no more new JD snowblowers..

JD dealers are going to sell Honda snowblowers instead.

Scot