cuseguy

Yes a few Craftsman models have used the joystick knockoff. However it is the MTD design which is currently used on Troybilt and some other MTD brands. It consists of a single long-length cable going directly to the shoot collar. In other words, it will not hold up over time, but it works great in the box stores as long as it doesnt get wet and frozen. It's an insult to compare it to Toro's design. If you search the net, you will find many unhappy consumers who are already having issues with it 1-2 seasons in, and are looking to convert to the old style crankt-type shoot control already. IMHO stay away from it!

Thanks for your help. I tweaked it myself rather than sending it in for warranty work and I got it set up nicely. 1st "gear" is much slower now, probably very close to figures you posted.  I actually took the bottom plate off while I adjusted it, so I could see where the friction wheel was contacting the platter for myself. Piece of cake really.

Hi coyote, I live in Syracuse, so we have very similiar weather and driveways (mine is 60ft, double-width, straight) I bought a Ariens 9526DLE Pro a few weeks ago. I looked at 3 brands;  Ariens, Simplicity and Toro. All have good points, for me the dealer makes the difference when all else is equal. I do like the Ariens differential the best. I was just playing in my driveway with my new machine showing my wife how easy it turns. Its amazing for a 270 lb machine. (yes, I know its 83 degrees out!) Simplicity uses a trigger system which only allows one wheel to freewheel for easy right-hand  turns. This system turned me off somewhat. My previous machine was a 8hp MTD that I bought used and I knew I wanted a little bit more power for those slushy late winter snowfalls and bad EOD (end of driveway) plow buildup. You really can't go wrong with any of these 3 brands imho. I think a 9-10hp machine is ideal for our weather conditions. I don't think the 924DLE is a normal lineup model. Search the forum for that model, maybe you can find out a little more about it and what is a fair price for it.

Simplicity uses a trigger controlled drive-unlock that allows the left wheel to freewheel, making only right hand turns easier. Since I have to blow right to left, with all left hand turns, due to prevailing wind conditions, this was one small factor that made me decide on an Ariens and their nice differential design. The Ariens differential is as close as you'll get to having power steering on a snowblower imo. My 110lb wife whips our new 270lb 9526 around like its nothing. Of course winter will be the real test, but I may have competition from her when it comes time to use the blower, since she loves it. She struggled with our old MTD 8HP to the point of not using it.
The previous Ariens Pro models (mine's a leftover 07) have used a trigger only to lock both wheels together when conditions warrant, otherwise its auto. There has been talk that the new 07-08 Ariens have done away with the trigger, at least on the Pro's and replaced it with a nifty fully auto differential. Either design is good IMO. Snowmann knows more about it, and he might explain if you ask him nicely.  Both brands make very nice machines and its just a matter of personal preference, dealer proximity/reputation and of course price. Toro makes a very nice machine also for a comparable price and was my second choice after the Ariens Pro line.

Nibbler, the skateboard idea seems to be the best at this point. I have toyed with the speed lever adjustment in every possible way. At once point, I "maxed" the connecting  rod and didn't even have a R1 or R2, which in theory should have given me the lowest possible speed, and the machine still didn't slow down. So, I followed the manual and reset the rod according to factory specs. Since "1st gear" is pretty quick, I thought I'd try the higher "gears" (I know they're not gears) Anyway, in 6th, the machine is downright dangerous if you arent prepared to take off in a sprint. I know its a transport speed and all that, but believe me, this machine is running WAY to fast. I don't have the equipment to check RPM, so I think I'm gonna talk to the dealer.  Haven't I heard of owners actually changing the friction disk size?