OT- Favorite Brand Snowblower?

you get what you pay for, MTD costs less to buy but you have to do more maintenance

appears to be 2 levels of Ariens with considerable price difference between them

saw an opened up, upside down Simplicity at Ace Hardware, that was one impressive machine, price to match, will it to the grandkids

neighbor has a small Toro that will out-throw anything on the block, prices down at the dealer are stunning, I try not to drool as I walk by

I'm about as cheap as they get, I cruise the streets in my pickup with some ramps during spring cleanup, grab those machines the yuppies throw away, fix them up or strip the good parts off, almost free mowers and snowblowers

Toros are pricey but a good buy, new or used.

My research boiled down to the Toro 828 and the Ariens equivalant. I purchased the Toro with the finger-
tip steering and the plastic impeller housing & chute with a joystick control, and it is fantastic. I do a similar driveway, around the house, back to the deer feeders, and to the shed. With the recent death of my bro-in-law, I do his family's drive and walks between houses.

This blower is effortless to start and turns on a dime. No need to 'lock in' a wheel-hub to axle for two wheel drive and tough steering. Touch a trigger and it goes this way, touch the other and it goes that way. Pull both and pull it back. Take a good look at the construction of a machines impeller (second stage). Many are not strong enough and icy snow bends them. Also look at the auger construction. You don't want weenie sheer pins. A dead giveaway of poor auger welds. I prefer bearings over bushings, but bearings and repeated water/salt exposier burn out in no time. All carry the same engines/ Techumsa or Briggs'. There are TSB's on every machine out there - so get a look at those before you purchase. Good luck.

I use a Honda 520 snow thrower. Works great.

If you go with a big one, look at Simplicity, they have a nice 9 h.p. snowblower.

It's and 11HP engine and it will throw a lot of snow (and pebbles, sod, leaves and sticks too!)

They are expensive though, and honestly, I'm not sure it was worth the extra dough. I do like Honda engines, but the main reason I got it is for the tracks vs. tires which I felt that I needed on my steep, long drive.

Based only on me looking at the brands they have at Home Depot and Lowes vs. the Ariens at my power equipment dealer, I would go with Ariens. They look like they are well built and a value for the price. Look for yourself. To me, a telling feature is how the mechanism for turning the shute is designed. Some look like they wouldn't last the first storm.

Also, every other blower I see being used in the neighborhood is an Ariens.

As for the engines, I think most have Tecumsha Snow Kings which seem to be fine engines.

Don't get anything less than 8HP! You'll regret it the first time you need the governor to rev the engine to through some slush, or deep snow.

Good luck.

Rod

Most all the lawn equipment has been bought up by " MTD " ...not saying thats all bad but if you look close many of the main working parts are the same..... look them over closely and shop price....I have an "8HP MTV" with 110v elect start...I LOVE IT,after 4 years, the only problems are the skids need replaced...and high speed carb jet plugs up in spite of aditive.....