srgallan

Hi,

Just looking to replace an underpowered craftsman self propelled mower.  Looking at the Cub Cadet, Toro, Lawnboy, Husq self propelled mowers, in particular I noticed a cub cadet rwd with honda motor on for $379 ($100 off) at the local orange store.  Any thoughts of any of those brands in terms of quality?  I realize they all have higher tier editions as well, I am trying to stay under $500.....I have between 1/3 - 1/4 acre lot with some trees (Canada).

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.

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.

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? 

I figured if I did not post my feedback now I would completely forget.  I got passed some of the initial hurdles from when I received it by getting it serviced by the local retailer of Ariens equipment.

So today we received 15 cm's of snow in my area of the east cost which equated to about 14-18 inches if wet snow/slush in my driveway.  It performed flawlessly, struggled a bit at the end of the driveway if you were taking it in too quick but going at a decent speed while using 1/2-3/4 of a bucket worked like a charm.  For such wet snow it threw it a good distance, better than I expected.  It was just fair in control I would say and since it did not have power steering it could be tiring for bigger driveways or someone much smaller than I am.  The chute control (manual) was great and the wheel lock system worked perfectly once setup correctly.  It took about 30 minutes to clear a double width 3 car length driveway taking my time on the slow speed.

All in all I was quite pleased with the price/performance ratio and doubt I could of gotten any better.  We'll see towards the spring how it held up over the winter, we have another similar dump of wet snow forecasted for tonight so I'll be taking it out tomorrow morning again I assume.

SG