kman522

Thanks for the reply guys.  I use to run an older JD snowblower, TRS 26.  Now I know I am going to sound like my father,  but my old JD just seemed to be so much more beefy than this Ariens.  Not knocking the Ariens brand, I am all for buying any American well made product when I can, but everything now a days seems to be cheaper.  My JD gearbox seemed twice as big as the Ariens.  On a bad snow storm, my JD did the job which I am sure this Ariens will do to.  I guess I am thinking if I move into the Platium series or anyones heavy duty series snow blowers, are they really made better than their regular models???

My JD was my fathers who owned it for 15 years then sold it to me and I used it for another 8.  I dont mind paying a little more for a higher end snowblower if they really are made better than the standard models.  Just not sure about that.

Thank you

OK, I picked up a site unseen Ariens Compact 26 snowblower for a good deal.  Now that I see it (and own it) I am not sure I want it.  I have about a 300' long driveway and live in the country where I get lots of drifing snow.  I am in the market for something bigger.  I am thinking 30" wide and I sure do like the idea of handwarmers.  I have been looking at several.  The Platinum Ariens, John Deere, Troy Bilt 3090 XP.  I know John Deere is not making their snow blowers anymore.  I heard they are made by Murry??  Anyone know if there is truth to that?

Looking for suggestion on which is the best to buy.  I live in NE Wisconsin and we get plenty of snow.  I want big, no tracks and something most importantly that is going to last with a little TLC.  If I pick a model without hand warmers, can I add them?

Thanks