smit

AnthonyT wrote:
Congrats on the purchase!  I bough the JD 928E today.  I think the extra we've spent now will be worth it in the long run.  I paid $1300 for mine & the 1038 in my area is going for $1700.  I went looking on Wednesday and they had 3 928's.  When I went in this morning to take a final look before deciding...one of them had a sold ticket on it, another sold over the phone while I was there...leaving only one and no more coming in!  So I made an offer and he accepted.  The Toro dealer wouldn't budge off MSRP on the 826 (don't blame him, he doesn't have to, it'll be sold in the next couple days I'm sure).  SB's are so hard to get this year in Eastern Canada...anywhere really...seems to be shortages everywhere.

borat wrote:

I ended up buying the JD 928E this morning.  It does have the 305cc  Briggs.  I think it's basically the same machine as your Simplicity.  They certainly look the same and the key specs are identical. The chute rotation control & mechanism is different, the wheel/axle lock-up mechanism looks different, & different size tires seems to be all that is different.  Taxes in was $1446 CDN delivered for me. Thanks for your help :).  I hope I'm as happy with mine as you are with yours.

Confirmed today the JD 928E does indeed come with the 305cc Briggs.  The unit we were looking at had a sticker and a card that showed 249cc but a mechanic confirmed that the engine on the unit was indeed the 305cc.  So JD 928E with the 305cc Briggs or the Toro 826 with the 249cc, smaller 26" bucket, no electric start, no light, but $250 less? What would you do?

Please take my opinion for what it's worth...I'm about to purchase my first blower.  I have done plenty of research (online research, visited and spoke with dealers, friends, mechanics, etc) and the consensus seems to be that the quality of the Simplicity/JD/Snapper (essentially all the same machine) blowers is far superior to any MTD.  The heavier gauge steel, cast iron gear boxes, higher quality impeller & auger, and internal guts will last much longer and give you less problems than an MTD machine, Although there are many stories of MTD's lasting 15+ years it seems there are more stories similar to yours (7-10 year life) so seems like there is more risk with the MTD's.

I haven't seen the T-B you mentioned but I have seen their version of the joystick on other MTD models and it just seems flimsy and unreliable, especially compared to the design they're trying to copy...the Toro.  As for the handwarmers...I guess there's always the option of using warmer gloves or mittens?? 

For me, I know I can get more features for my money with an MTD but I'd rather pay a bit more ang get a sturdy, relaible workhorse I can count on for 15-20 years.  The JD 928E is on my shortlist, the Simplicity & Snapper are too pricey in my area, but the JD is basically the same machine (different tires & chute control is about it).  My other finalist is a bare bones Toro 826.  It has a smaller Briggs engine at 249cc, and a smaller bucket at 26" but it's also $250 less than the JD.  The Ariens 927 was on my list but is impossible to find in my area so I've given up on that unit.

Good luck with your decision.

Yup, identical cast iron gear case, auger, impeller, & bucket on the Simplicity I looked at and the JD928E.  Basically same machine other than the differences I pointed out above and the paint color, of course. I'm hoping the JD928E really does come with the 305cc and the one I saw today was an exception with the 249cc.  Will wait for a response from the dealer.  From your comments and Snowman, it seems the 305 is a better option with this 28" bucket and auger/impeller system/setup.