andrelaplume

I have a relative with a landscaping / snow removal business.  He is always picking up 'good buys' as spare equipment.  I had him check the unit out as well as check with the person he uses for repairs.

Neither like the plastic chute...they eventually succumb to cracking.

The major knock was on the Chinese engine and availability (or lack there of) of getting parts.  Supposedly there is one distributor on the east coast with a week wait on parts.

Now they are in the bussiness of snow removal and obviously use the equpiment in a different manner than a home owner.  They also need a quick turn around on parts.  So, I guess you could take all this with a grain of salt.

They reccomeneded waiting till I could affor the $799 (on sale for $729) orange model and likely never worry about purchasing another or getting parts.

Oh crap...snowman said that... WHERE's TEH SNOWMAN?!!!

you are saying you used the 5HP snow tek and it performed ok?  How did the chute hold up?  Is this something to move on?  Sounds like a good deal.  How fast does an engine wear out...I mean we might get 3 -4 snow falls a year where I am...everynow and then we get 6+ inches and I feel like I am straining my single stage when this happens.  How is the Snow Teck 5hp in 6+ inches...THANKS!

So, now a year later...(I just kept my Two stage Toro last year) and HD is back with a Special Buy;  24" Electronic start Snow tec by Ariens for $499.  Anyone care to comment...these have been around a few years now...chinese engine and all....whacha think after a few years on the market?

Well, in all fairness it may not have been on the website when I first posted this last year.  I agree on the all black but one could put an orange stripe or something on it.  Regular Ariens start at $699, not 1K so these are a hundred bucks less. Just curious if anyone has any real world experience with one...