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

Not sure if 2 stage snowblower purchases are on the decline that tip the scale in favor of a single stage, but Ariens have returned to the SS market.  Ariens 21" Path Pro.  The design looks like a safe bet, has all the right elements.  Nothing too revolutionary but it has a hinged cover easy service.  This is the only thing that sets it apart from other SS.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJ7zSo2cGBk

aa335 wrote:
great review.  If you ever get a chance to see how the new Toro 721 R-C stacks up against the Ariens please do.  Seems like it's a bit more heavy duty than the standard Toro single stage.

sparcx wrote:
One thing I can see that the Toro 721 is better already against the Ariens Path Pro is that the Toro is nearly 10 pounds lighter.  This is important to commercial snow clearing crews, as it is lighter to load and unload off a truck, easy and quick to move it around.  A very productive no nonsense snowblower.

If the Toro 721 QZ - C comes with the homeowner's conveniences like the Quick Chute and the Zip Deflector, this would be the winning combination.  The only thing against it will be price, definitely will be above the Ariens or any of the B&S single stage.  There's expressed interested in this model, and I hope Toro will phase it in their product line.

If Toro doesn't, one can always get these parts and put them on the 721.  It will be an expensive path though.

Snowmann wrote:
Agreed, it would improve on not having to hamfist the lever. 

However, I think the user interface and ergonomics could still be improved on.  Even other brands that does not enjoy Ariens legendary reputation has more friendly user interface.  Why not just take the extra step and get it done right!  I rather have a product that under promise and over deliver. 

Preliminary testing on the Ariens don't look so good compared to the competition. CR didn't like the stalling of the Ariens and recommended the Toro 621. I was already leaning towards Toro anyways because of their single stage reputation.  I imagine I'll pick up the new 721 which is probably  very similar to the 621.


Quote from CR

I don't usually trust CR reviews, and this time I think it's still bogus.  The only time I find CR credible is if they review salt and sugar.  If CR says it's white and tastes either salty or sweet, I'd believe them, otherwise no way.

I have two 160cc single stage snowblower and the engine is hard to stall.  The Ariens Path Pro has 208cc which CR states it stalls.  I find that hard to believe.

Maybe the Ariens wasn't designed to blow wet saw dust.  :)

I must admit in the You Tube Ariens Path Pro video, the snow didn't seem to be getting thrown very far (for a 208cc engine). You know they would have used optimal snow conditions to make this video. Perhaps the deflector's adjustment was restricting it somewhat...can't tell for sure. One would assume that with a larger 208cc engine you would either increase the rpm a bit to get better throw, or keep the rpm the same as competitive units and give it more torque to chew through EOD piles a bit better. The report states that it did neither of these. I question Consumer's credibility sometimes myself as I am an avid audiophile, and when I read their list of recommended audio components I often LMFAO!!!

slinger wrote:

LMFAO ???????????????????????

Laugh My (Freaking) (Arse) Off !

I hope that it's better than their previous design. I had an Ariens 722 (7hp single stage) and if the snow was slightly wet it flopped out of the machine's chute like tooth paste. Totally unusable.

Paul7 wrote:
Pretty safe bet that this model is better.  After all, its an Ariens.   After all, its nothing new and ground breaking in the design itself, it's been proven since 2008. 

By the way, the old 722 was just pure specmanship.  7hp - 22" inch cut, while the rest of the field is sporting 20-21" with 5 hp.  There's a 7hp moment in there somewhere, at a very narrow RPM range that the snowblower in application will never see.  If you're waiting for VTEC to kick in, it's not happening.  :)  A pathetic attempt at psychological salesmanship in its best form.  The old 722 had a nice build quality though, sturdy and beefy.  Sadly, most of the Toro's of the same vintage ran circles around the 722, sporting a modest 4.5hp engines.