Tecumseh use to be the engine of choice for Ariens, however, they are out of business now and Briggs and Stratton have taken over. They are solid reliable engines that have been around for years. Shouldn't have any issues with them whatsoever.

Most dealers will be sold out of snowblowers by now. I know I got mine just after Thanksgiving a few a years ago and there were only two left out of fifty plus. If you can hold out, start looking in early fall. If anything a good dealer will be able to order you one then and you might get a little bit of break on a price by purchasing it earlier in the season.

Try Craigslist too, you'd be surprised how many people get sick of snow and cold, pack up to move south, and just want to get rid of a snowblower cheap. Thats how I got my father a nice used one for about $350.

 

In no particular order.
Ariens/john deere.
Honda.
Poulan/husqvarna.
Toro.
Local dealers are the best to deal with over national chain stores.
Better warranty with the locals also.

 

Yea 7 or 8 hp for 249cc briggs. The 29" Crapman in the shop has a 9.5 hp and that's a 305cc. They say 10" on the ground by Wednesday here, - I won't even use the Craftsman for that. The little 2 stage Honda only has a 5 hp engine, w/22" cut, but it's fun to use and it will relocate just as much or more or the white stuff per hour than the larger machine. Plus that one climbs stairs lol.

I purchased the Honda @ Home Depot back in 03 for $798. The Craftsman was a little over $800 two years ago.

Everything that is Plastic breaks on that thing. When you go to purchase one , make sure the chute and controls aren't made of flimsy plastic and stay with a "Briggs" engine , -unless you go with a Honda. Tecumseh's are the absolute worst engine as far as reliability IMO.

 

You need one of these. I also have a barley used Ariens 8hp 26in cut walk behind that I have not used since I got this toy.

 

You need one of these..

...zap!

 

That's awesome right there

 

Thats the best one yet, when snow sees little red X's it just melts away.

 

 

After all these years I am going to try and see if I can post a picture without screwing it up.

 

Thanks Jbrew.

 

Nice toy.

 

Thanks where I live you definitely need a toy like that.

 

Wow I would say so. How much snow do you get annually out there?

 

I prefer one of these:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QenN5DVuLtw

or if you like the old school thrower style:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCqEBdjaXpM

- NCSU

 

It all depends on how much (and how hard) you're going to use it. For occasional / easy use, buy something from Lowes or Home Depot. In my opinion though, they're all junk. You do get what you pay for though.

As far as motors go, I wouldn't buy a Briggs if my life depended on it. They're just plain junk. The best motors going are flat out Honda. An older Techumsa is also a great motor.


If you want something good that will last and take lots of hard work, but a commercial grade Ariens or a Honda.

So what do I have? I run a 1993 Ariens 8 HP / 24" cut and it's been awesome. My son has my old Ariens - a 1963 4 HP/ 24" cut that starts on the second pull and gets worked pretty darn hard. (We average 100" of snow a year.) Oh yea, and it's never been tuned up. They truly don't make them like that anymore!