starwarrior

Hello all,

This is my first post on this forum so I hope it's okay to ask the following questions.  So, with all of the snow we've had lately, I've been looking at getting a new snowblower.  I want something that will last and is a solid machine, not something that will work great for a couple of years and then give lots of problems.  Most of the reviews/research, etc I've done has said pretty much the same thing.  Buy an Ariens, Toro, Simplicity or Honda.  I would really prefer not spending $2000 on a machine as that's quite a bit of money.

That being said, there is someone who is selling a fairly lightly used Ariens model 1124 Pro for $850 which sounds like a great deal.  There is no rust on the machine and he said it was not used much at all.  My questions are as follows:

1.  Does this sound like a good deal?  It seems like a great price for a pro model which seem to sell for pretty pricey used.

 2.  Would I better off with this pro model vs. buying a new Compact of Deluxe Ariens?  I would expect that the pro models are made to last.

3.  The Toro 828 looks like an incredible machine.  I've seen lots of videos of it in action throwing snow 30-50 ft.  It also goes for something like $1600-$1700 new.  I'm assuming this machine could keep up with something like that, yes?

4.  The guy sellng it isn't sure how old the machine is because he's selling it for his elderly father who doesn't need it.  I can't find anything on how old this machine is or what the model number designation is.  Any help here would be great.  Maybe if someone knew when this model Ariens was built. 

Any other insight you could offer would be great.

Thanks in advance for your help!!!

I'm considering updating from a 1993 Ariens ST824 to a newer machine.  Recently, I've been looking at a few Ariens Platinum and Pro models, a few of Simplicity's Large Frame and Pro models, the John Deere 1330SE, and the Toro 1128OXE, as well as used but recent models with a Tecumseh OHV engine or Briggs OHV.  Wheel and chute controls are an issue with a lot of people, so does anyone have experiences to share?

Differentials:

1)  Does anyone have experience with Ariens' "Automatic Traction Control or John Deere's 1330 SE differential ?  Does the Ariens know when to go to locked-wheel drive, or when to come out of it back to differential?  Will this design hold up after many years of usage?  Does the JD stay in differential mode, or does it have the locked-wheel option?  How do these blowers feel in operation?

2)  How does Simplicity's "Easy Turn" feature feel when turning left or right?  Don't you also have to stop the machine to go into and out of this mode ?

3)  Same questions about the Ariens Deluxe models with that left-hand trigger release feature.

Chutes:

1)  Then there are those new electric chute controls on the Simplicity Large Frame models and John Deere 1330SE.  Does anyone have any stories about these?

 2)  Toro has their "Quick Stick" feature, but how long can it last before the plastic parts break?

3)  Ariens' "Quick Turn" feature seems pretty nice, but I'm not sure about that cable release lasting long, and many guys have complained about having to constantly re-adjust it, or it flops around too much.  Also, the chute  deflector cable seems to freeze up a lot with some users.  Any comments here?

4)  Why can't Ariens just go back to a crank system that doesn't allow the chute to wander around at all?  Ariens, I hope you are listening.