JCinPolandME

The dealer I mentioned that had a sweet price on the 828LXE is Philbrick Sales in N Hampton NH.  Their price is nearly $100 cheaper than any Toro dealer here in So ME, so with the $60 in no tax, its a no-brainer for me to take the drive down 95 to NH.  Is that where you got yours?  Any thoughts on them as a dealer/servicer?

I was a bit sketical of Philbrick because they sell on eBay, but I've talked to other granite staters who say they're a reputable outfit.  Most likely I would use local dealers for service, so it might not matter.

Good points AZ, no doubt when its 6AM and there's a foot of snow blocking our trip to work, you can't afford a breakdown.  Isn't that what snowdays are for?

As I mentioned, the same dealer services both Husq and Toro, and said a lot of their commercial clients are getting the 1130SBE-XP Husky and they haven't seen them back in for repairs.  And those guys beat on blowers.

How long has AYP/Poulans been making blowers?  Do they tend to not hold up like the Toros/Ariens?

After another day of online research, I am leaning back towards the Toro 828LXE.  I just wonder about the choice to not pay for the OHV.....

So my situation:

• new homeowner, 150' long gravel driveway with large turnaround area
• busy town road frontage where I'm sure they'll leave me a lovely EOD mess
• would like to spend under 1200, just a target not a rule

I started out really looking only at Ariens and Toro, and read many articles here that made it clear that they are both quality machines.  Another thing I read here started to get me looking elsewhere, the OHV engine.  You have to spend at least 1300 for an Ariens 1128LE to get OHV and even more for the Toro 1128 OXE, and at that point everyone says spend the extra 200 and go for the PRO Ariens 926DLE.  So all of the sudden my price ceiling has been raised to 1500 for the PRO, and I know a few hundred doesn't sound like a lot to some, but it does to us. 

So I found a great price on a Toro 828LXE ($1200 in NH, no tax!) and the best price I could find on an Ariens 926DLE was $1470 tax incl.  The same dealer has the 926LE for $1050 tax incl.  I was pretty close to pulling the trigger on the Toro, after hearing the chute control and steering control were excellent.  Then I picked up my reel mower from the sharpener who services OPE and he said he's not a big fan of Toro, go Ariens but get the PRO.  I know it's just one (professional) opinion, but others on this board gave me the impression the LXE is a more consumer grade offering than the Ariens DLE.  But I am a consumer afterall, not a Pro, argggggggggggg!  You are probably starting to sense my personality traits that make decisions like this so painful (especially for my dear wife!)

So long story short, and the reason I am actually posting, is that I have also found a great deal on the two Husqvarna OHV models in my price range.  But I've yet to find a lot of info on this board or others about the quality of the Husky's.  I did talk to one dealer in So Portland (Yerxa's) who highly recommended the Husky XP series.  They are a Toro dealer as well, and says the Husky's are more rugged (linkage instead of cables, heavier gage steel, etc) and they're OHV!  Seems to me the Husky 927SBE-XP compares very favorably in features to the Ariens 926DLE (OHV, "power steering", etc.) but is $1100 vs. $1500.  I am sure I will hear the it is no Ariens, and I guess I'm willing to accept something slightly less, but is it simply reputation?  I think the Husky is made by AYP, so is it essentially a Poulan?  If so, I can see why it is considered less quality.

So if someone could help me out here, I might actually be able to blow snow this winter!  Any opinions/experiences with the Husky would be best, as well as any other options in the 8-10hp, 26-30", preferably OHV class that I may be missing.