Most reliable snow blower?

[Greatwhitewing]

My POS Home Despot blower let me down again finding Nemo. I just had it serviced and wouldn't even sputter when I needed it most.

Looking for the best brand for reliability starting. Ariens seems to be pretty well reviewed.

Nothing better than going to the tool geeks though... I mean that in the best possible way..

 

[kossuth]

Well honestly the best snow thrower is you. They will all have issues from time to time. Now I realize that was not your intended answer. But let's see if can help you get it going. First thing I would check is does the one you have now have spark when you turn it over? If it doesn't then I would remedy that problem. Could be a shorted shutdown switch or a little critter decided to build a nest up along the coil pickup. If it has spark I will bet the gas either has water in it and has frozen up the carb/fuel line. Some fresh gas as long as the carb is fine should get it going. If the carb is iced your gonna have to get some heat into it to thraw it. That's kinda a dicey deal but if your snowed in your safe and quick options are limited if you can't heat your garage.

If your dead set on a new unit there are plenty of good units out there. The MTD brands are ok. You also have Arines which are good. Mostly what it boils down to though is the electric start models are easier to get going though.

 

[Jsf721]

I have an Ariens that has been reliable with minimal maintenance. Really just use it 3-4 times per winter though. Electric start is sweet.

 

[clark_nicholas]

Toro

 

[Greatwhitewing]

Has spark so the safety switch isn't hindering. I am sure it's the carb, always is.

Yes, I use stabilized fuel. It even started a few days ago. yes I checked for fouled plug.

 

[IMStuner]

I have a 20 yr old Honda hs828 track drive and starts up with one pull every time.

 

[kossuth]

Has spark so the safety switch isn't hindering. I am sure it's the carb, always is.

Yes, I use stabilized fuel. It even started a few days ago. yes I checked for fouled plug.

Carb is probiably iced up. Probiably no way to to get heat in the garage or safely heat the carb? That issue will happen regardless of brand though. That's more of a product of the ****** gas they sell anymore which pulls water into by its nature.

 

[Greatwhitewing]

Carb is probiably iced up. Probiably no way to to get heat in the garage or safely heat the carb? That issue will happen regardless of brand though. That's more of a product of the ****** gas they sell anymore which pulls water into by its nature.

all the other snow blowers were working today...

Had dry gas from still from the recent service.

 

[Skin]

assuming you don't want to spend 2+ grand for a new snowblower you're left with just 2 engine choices. Chinese Honda clones which **** and Briggs and Stratton which **** less.

for a decent 2 stage that really only leaves you with Ariens and Simplicity. Everything else either uses sub par materials and or a Chinese engine. If it doesn't say Briggs on it, its Chinese. I say this as most everyone, including Toro and Ariens (depending on the model) is slapping their name on said Chinese engines as a house brand.

 

[Motorhead Extraordinaire]

I have had my Ariens ST8-24 for 22 years, and the Ariens before that for 20 years before I gave it to my brother and he used it for another 10 years.

Rock solid reliability for 42 years. Guess what brand I am buying next? An Ariens with a B&S engine.

 

[honcho]

Used to be that Tecumseh Sno King engines ruled in the snowblower market with good price / performance ratio. However, I'd look for something OTHER THAN MTD with a Honda GX engine--probably a Honda snowblower with a GX series engine.

 

[John316]

http://gold.mylargescale.com/scottychaos/ariens/

 

[zkling]

Is it a 2 cycle or 4 cycle powered blower? What engine is on it?

98% of the time the problem with the 2 cycle engines is that the fuel passages get plugged up. A quick dissemble of the carb and blow out with an air compressor will solve the problem. Careful not to blow out the needle seat. Most of the 2 stroke blowers I have seen use float type carbs, so not many critical gaskets to fail unlike the smaller chainsaws and weedeaters.

I have been very happy with our small Toro 5hp 2stroke Tecumseh powered blower. It works great for the ~5" and under snow we get here in southern Ohio. Granted it is going on 10 years old so not sure what the new quality is.

As for electric start.... If you blower won't pull start within 4 pulls you have an engine problem. I personally think the electric starts are just a pain, add weight and expense to the units. Then again I am a younger guy.

 

[JoeyMitch]

ARIENS ARIENS ARIENS ARIENS!!!!! They are the best of the best!! We bought the 11528 3 years ago and had a 26" storm after we bought it and it was fantastic! We do the neighbors and everyone else just for fun too. We also have an Ariens 722 single stage that we use on <10" storms. The lifetime warranty paddles are nice but too bad they don't sell that blower anymore. We bought both of ours from a dealer and the dealer is great because he was very helpful. We had a Craftsman and it was good for one year and then we blew the head gasket. Once you buy an Ariens you will not look back. I like that they are pretty much all metal and both of ours are MADE IN USA!!! Below is a video of our Ariens 11528 Deluxe in action with 25" of snow (My dad is the one using it). Sorry the quality is bad. The camera got a little wet. I also have two other videos of us starting them after sitting all summer. Hope this helps!!!

 

[Egghaus]

My dad has a Honda HS55, must be 25 years old. Starts on the first pull every time.

 

[buco]

Honda. The best.

 

[firebox40dash5]

Old Gravely walk behind with a snowthrower... incredibly overbuilt, and overkill.

My uncle has a 10hp Pro IIRC, with a 34" snowthrower that I had rebuilt for him last year. It had been sitting for years, but amazingly fired right up for me. The downside is you'll get almost as much of a workout as you would shoveling, but it's the fun kinda workout. I weigh about 185, and with that snowblower on it, it takes my full weight on the bars to lift the front off the ground.

 

[PinchPoint]

My Wife!

 

[rct]

My Simplicity blower with the 8 hp Briggs engine has been reliable and easy to start for 11 years. Essentially all the current major players (Simplicity, Ariens and Toro) use Briggs and Stratton engines and Honda snowblowers use, well Honda. I think larger 2 stage snowblowers with easier to service 6+Hp 4 stroke engines are better than the smaller blowers with smaller 2 or 4 stroke motors for long term ease of starting. Living near Buffalo, I never once drained the blower, but did run it once-twice each summer. I think I changed the oil once and still on the original plug.

 

[b1ghwx]

My shovel starts every time, needs very little maintenance and keeps running until I am ready to quit.

If you need a blower - the brand really doesn't matter one wit..... you have to maintain it. The most frequent problem is the carb. I would always run some seafoam or similar in the gas to keep the fuel system clean.

 

[PinchPoint]

I had a John Derre 10 hp 32" wide it never failed me for a good 10 years. Then in November my neighbor burned my garage to almost the ground. And the big green machine was toast.

 

[the1nonlyjl]

got the craftsman yearrrrrs back i think in 2001...9 hp 29" with electric start... two stage... its still hanging in there like an ox.

 

[Greatwhitewing]

4 cycle

Is it a 2 cycle or 4 cycle powered blower? What engine is on it?

98% of the time the problem with the 2 cycle engines is that the fuel passages get plugged up. A quick dissemble of the carb and blow out with an air compressor will solve the problem. Careful not to blow out the needle seat. Most of the 2 stroke blowers I have seen use float type carbs, so not many critical gaskets to fail unlike the smaller chainsaws and weedeaters.

I have been very happy with our small Toro 5hp 2stroke Tecumseh powered blower. It works great for the ~5" and under snow we get here in southern Ohio. Granted it is going on 10 years old so not sure what the new quality is.

As for electric start.... If you blower won't pull start within 4 pulls you have an engine problem. I personally think the electric starts are just a pain, add weight and expense to the units. Then again I am a younger guy.

 

[Greatwhitewing]

My shovel starts every time, needs very little maintenance and keeps running until I am ready to quit.

If you need a blower - the brand really doesn't matter one wit..... you have to maintain it. The most frequent problem is the carb. I would always run some seafoam or similar in the gas to keep the fuel system clean.

This was 25 inches of heavy wet snow for a large driveway. NOW WAY with a shovel..

 

[j.c.whitney]

Bought a 1970 Toro SnowHound 20" from the School District in 1986. Replaced the belt and both tires about 10 years ago, starts first or second pull.

 

[zkling]

4 cycle

What model or style of engine? Have you cleaned out the carb thoroughly? And replaced the diaphragm?

 

[Greatwhitewing]

What model or style of engine? Have you cleaned out the carb thoroughly? And replaced the diaphragm?

It was recently serviced professionally because it wouldn't start and started when done. Had the POS serviced3 times now..

 

[silver2000]

I have found that Hondas to be the absolute best, nothing else ever came close for me. I have bought numerous Honda's kept them got a slightly better and now use on of their HS1132 Tracked model, just worked great for our Mass blizzard.

I have also bought every one of them used, always get them off season and if you get the right person who wants to sell you can save more than 60% and many times find one like new.

I love them but don't think I could pay full retail.

It should be noted that this message is courtesy of me running on a Honda generator since we have had no power for almost 2 days now, the Honda small engines are phenomenal.

 

[twincam00]

Honda makes THE BEST snowblowers, but the insane price of them keeps them from being popular

I would go with an older Ariens, theyre pretty bulletproof and hold their value well

 

[zkling]

It was recently serviced professionally because it wouldn't start and started when done. Had the POS serviced3 times now..

Wow I would definitely be talking to those "professional" service shops. Something is not right here. What is the make and model of engine on it?

I just hate to see you give up on a unit that may need a minor adjustment.

 

[Greatwhitewing]

I have to go look, don't remember..

 

[jdjm]

In Oct. 2011 we bought a toro with a B&S engine on it. Its a 26 cut. I was told by the dealer that this was the last year Toro was using B&S engines. They now will have a chinese engine built to Toro specs just like the honda uses.

 

[kc-steve]

I've heard good things about Ariens but I bought what was available with a big storm bearing down on me two years ago. I bought the last one they had, a mid-sized two-stage 27-inch Snapper (with reverse).

Since then I haven't had the chance to find out about all the bells and whistles it has (no snow) but recently had a difficult time getting it started using the pull start.

HOWEVER, I noticed an extension cord in the package. It was an AC plugin for using the electric start. That dude cranked over fast and started right up using the electric cord.

Even though I take good care to maintain it, start it up from time to time, I'll never buy another without an electric start.

Steve

 

[padronanniversary]

Honda without a doubt. I have had ariens cub cadet, Jd

And they have all failed me. My Honda bought three years ago starts up every time, throws heavy **** the others would bog down on.

I only wish the one I bought had the joystick for the chute rather than cranking it

 

[Slip_Kid]

My Wife!

Sweet!!

 

[MDI09]

My POS Home Despot blower let me down again finding Nemo. I just had it serviced and wouldn't even sputter when I needed it most.

Looking for the best brand for reliability starting. Ariens seems to be pretty well reviewed.

Nothing better than going to the tool geeks though... I mean that in the best possible way..

If it was just serviced call whoever serviced it and get your money back. I work on the side as a mechanic and I would want to know if I failed or could help. Edit: I have a two stroke Toro I got for free because it wouldnt run. Used it the last two years.

 

[Slip_Kid]

My 21 year old MTD with B&S engine is still going strong. It struggled today with 24in of wet snow but it got the job done. When this one dies I would like to get a used Honda. I would not be without my Honda generator, it never let me down yet.

 

[Terra Nova]

Whatever one that you use fuel stabilizer in and run it out of gas if it'll be sitting more than a couple days. Seriously. I have an Ariens and would recommend that, a Toro or a higher end Simplicity.

My shovel is 100% reliable but it gets annual tune ups too (sharpen with flap wheel, wax, tighten any loose rivets or replace with stainless steel bolts & nyloc nuts...)

 

[Skin]

Honda's are built like tanks but are WAY overpriced for what they are. Literally double the price of the higher end competition. Electric starts aren't standard across the model ranges like most other brands and infact aren't even offered on 2 stages until you hit $2800.00 price range, and they dont have other newer options like a differential or the ability to unlock an axle to pivot steer. For 1400-1600 you can get a really nice Ariens Platinum, electric start is standard and its got an automatic differential built into the axle so just a little turning pressure disengages one axle allowing turning on the spot. Simplicity is priced higher with the nice units starting around $1800 but they're easily built as well as a Honda with higher end Briggs engines and they pivot steer by a simple trigger system.

Quality wise of the chassis if Honda and Simplicity are a 10, Ariens are a solid 8, still leagues better than the common Craftsman, MTD and Murray units sold today.

I like Toro too but as stated their larger PowerMax models are all equipped with Chinese engines now.

 

[vssjim]

I have had a Snapper with a Techumse engine for ten years, but every spring it gets full service and fuel drained out them fogged before storage. Only parts have been some shear pins in the augers which is normal to shear on ice blocks.