Snowblower 2020 edition - simplicity ariens etc ?

[MarvinBerry]

Found some older threads but nothing current so here we go...

Gonna buy a new machine in the next couple 3 weeks. Have local dealers for simplicity ariens and toro. Have visited all 3 in the last week. I'm also sorta debating an ego 56 volt... replacing a worn out 20 year old Sears & roebuck cman.

Want a compact single stage machine. Price no object. Trying to avoid box dealers. Not interested in older used machines.

Toro dealer has nothing in stock. Said things should've been in weeks ago. Says covid delays but they're coming.

Simplicity dealer has machines in stock but, Briggs went into bankruptcy couple months ago. Not really sure it's a cause for concern.

Ariens dealer has stock ready to go.

Experiences? Thoughts?

Possible factor & looming concern is at some point in the near future I'll be moving, most likely out of state and don't want to buy a machine I can't get parts & service for. Kinda feel like that's a **** shoot.

Eh?

 

[jonesg]

complaints on new machines is they're light and flimsy, plastic controls such as joysticks break. I bought a very old heavy simplicity and installed a 9hp preditor from HF.
Starts first pull.
The original engine was a Briggs, so I wouldn't worry bout them going under, HF fits perfect as its a clone. Same bolt holes.

 

[kabinenroller]

I had an Ariens for 30 years until it finally gave up. Five years ago I bought a new Ariens 28” Deluxe, it’s a great machine except for the “power steering” it has torque steer real bad and is hard to make it go straight when blowing more than a few inches. I dropped it of at the dealer today, they said that it should not have that problem and they would look into the differential. If they can’t fix it I will trade it for a unit without a differential like my old unit had.

 

[Flash and Flare]

Buy an older well cared for Simplicity Large Frame

Sent from my Pixel 4 using Tapatalk

 

[jonshonda]

I am not up to date on newer single stage machines, but the old toro 2 strokes with the fins not the chute last forever and clear light snow well. But you will be reaching for a shovel at the end of the driveway where the plow left snow.

Honda builds single stage units, and this might be ignorant to say publicly, but i pretty much trust anything honda power equipment even if i have never used it. They are expensive, but build good sh!t.

If you were convinced to go with a 2 stage unit, the Ariens compact 24 (names and sizes may change year to year) is a pretty small and light unit. But i honestly never felt that the low end Ariens was much better then other big box brands. You need to step up to deluxe or platinum before the machines really start to be good heavy quality.

 

[goblue1998]

I also had an Ariens with the power steering. It was fine going straight, but my driveway has a gentle curve. It didn’t like that. I sold it and bought a used Honda single stage (older one with the gx commercial engine). I’m happy with it so far.

 

[Bigblockyeti]

Does Toro still make 2-strokes? I know you're not interested in a older machine but if available a new Toro 2-stroke would be my only consideration. I had two, both CCR??? one was had a 4.5hp Suzuki 2-stroke, the other was a 5hp Tecumseh or Briggs 2-stroke. Both performed great and would fire on the second pull after sitting for 8 months with gasohol in the tank. They worked great in everything from a light dusting to 8" of wind blown hard pack, anything heavier cut down on performance but at that point the 2-stage Ariens came out as it was **** in light, shallow snow but did fantastic in deep, dense snow.

 

[rct]

Not on your original list, but please look at a Honda snowblower. Although I had good service for years from a 2 stage Simplicity before i went to a larger blower on my tractor, the upheavels in the small power equipment market with Ariens using LCT engines and Briggs filing for bankruptcy make Honda worth a peek. Although the Honda's are impressive, I also see alot of commerical snowplowers around Buffalo with a small Toro in the truck for sidewalks. That said, any new machine with good maintenance is likely to serve you well.

 

[PatY]

I purchased an Ariens Pro 28 six years ago and it has been flawless. I'd buy again without hesitation.

 

[DMAR]

I bought an Ariens last year, really nice machine. Problem is that it didn’t snow last year...!

Took it out on the one storm we got; less than 2”... I was embarrassed to be using it, but I just had to try it, worked great. Thought about selling it, but then we’ll get 4 blizzards...

 

[theoldwizard1]

Want a compact single stage machine. Price no object. Trying to avoid box dealers.

In the single stage machines, Toro is still king. After that I would look at Honda.


Personally, I am a big fan of the older 2 stroke Toros ! The bigger the better !!

 

[Skin]

For single stages, Toro and Honda. The old Ariens single stages were bulky and clunky and when they brought them back a few years ago after giving up the market not much had changed. The chute and and upper plastic body in particular always struck me as being made out of that plastic that just feels like its going to shatter with some age. Toro plastics have always been top notch and I believe Honda still uses a metal chute.

The real Simplicity manufacturing facility is small(ish) and doesnt make single stages nor their cheaper line of 2 stages. The only real Simplicity snow blowers are the Signature series which cost $$$$. The other stuff is made in Briggs/Murray factories so you'll see a lot of commonalities with the cheaper Briggs/Murray line that they also sell. In short they're slightly tweaked and rebadged.

 

[MarvinBerry]

Thanks good stuff so far.

Looking at single stage for a couple reasons. One is I don't have the room to store a big 2 stage and the other is I really don't need that much juice. Driveway gets plowed so I'm basically digging out the one car parked outside, walkways and cleaning up whatever's left from the plow.

Honda wasn't really a thought I'll have to see where the local dealer is or if they point me to the box stores.

What I did was visit the 3 independent shops I know of and see what they sell & service. The Toro dealer is right up the street and fixes anything... Have brought em the old cman in past years but wasn't sure what they sold new.

 

[MoonRise]

Toro.

Unless they really dropped the ball and redid their single stage machines for the worse, their single stage machines are THE ones to get.

Multiple pro snow removal contractors running plows and two stage machines will often have a Toro single stage machine as well.

IIRC, they had 2 single stage machines in their line up. Get the 'bigger' one if you are dead set on getting a single stage machine.

disclaimer : no connection to Toro or any other OPE supplier, but am a satisfied customer of a 'big' Toro 'pro level' two stage machine I picked up about 3 years ago. It replaced a worn out 10+ year old MTD (auger gearbox completely wore out the gears). Same width on the two machines, but the Toro has a little more power on the engine specs but a bigger impeller and more 'real world' power and has cut my time to clear my driveway and sidewalks in HALF.

 

[MoonRise]

Just took a quick look at the current Toro snowblower listings.

If only looking at Single stage machines, I'd go for the 821 QZE.

100 lbs, 21" width and 12" max height opening, approximately 8 hp, handle folds up, at least some chute adjustment up on the handle (still have to adjust the chute height down on the chute though).

Remember that single stage machines run the paddles onto the ground and use that ground friction to propel the machine (as well as 'chew' the snow and throw it). The paddles are a wear item and WILL have to be replaced regularly.

I chose a two stage Toro, as I mentioned.

 

[MarvinBerry]

Yeah, like I said earlier the problem with Toro right now is nothing is in stock and arrival is unknown because of production issues related to covid.

Depot is listed as a dealer and when I look at store inventory it's 1 here, zero there so they don't anything to buy either.

Meanwhile the Ariens & Simplicity are in stock ready to go. Likewise I was Lowes yesterday and they had rows & rows of blowers on display. Mostly craftsman & I'm not buying one of those!

Granted it's early in the season but not that early and I don't want to wait until mid November and first termination dust to make a purchase.

 

[Firefighter1406]

Ran a single stage Ariens for 3 years snow plowing. It was a good unit but never did well with wet and heavy stuff. I also understand that’s more a 2 stage territory. But after the 3 years I sold it to my neighbor who still uses it and bought a Toro. Will never buy another brand. Great machine, always starts on the first pull and that’s even spending all night in the bed of my truck. Throws snow farther then the two stage I had and does quite well in wet heavy snow. I would say it’s worth the weight for a Toro unit. I bought mine from a dealer and have been extremely happy. Change the oil once and year and run synthetic through it. Have had to change paddles once but they lasted a lot of sidewalks when I had the snowplow business.

 

[valentine]

About five years back I got a great deal on a Craftsman single stage machine.
The machine was new but it was missing some parts and I can’t remember what I paid but it might have been a hundred bucks or so.
Before I threw it in my truck the salesman told me I could look in the back room where they kept damaged/returned machines and I might be able to scavenge the parts I needed from there.
As luck would have it, I found everything I needed and headed home.
I would normally not have purchased a Craftsman machine because it had a China made motor and I donÂ’t really like their outdoor power equipment much anyway.
The deal was really just too good to pass up, so home it went.
The machine ran strong the first few times I used it and after it had about 5 or 6 hours of running time I decided to change the oil.
The first oil to come out of the machine looked like it had glitter in it.
The motor never hiccuped even once but I couldnÂ’t believe the amount of metal suspended in the used oil.
I did a second oil change after another 5 hours running time.
Still some glitter, but not like the first oil change.
Another 5 hours running and then a third oil Change.
Third time was the charm because there were no more metal shavings in the used oil.
I’ve had the machine for about 5 years and it’s never missed a beat. Never!
And I have not been easy on it.
Craftsman builds their stuff lightly but I have to admit it runs really well.
I’m going to give it to one of my sons who’s buying his first house and he doesn’t have extra money for outdoor equipment.
I’m trying to decide what I will replace it with.
I have had good experiences with two cycle Toro machines and I do believe that their current offerings are very good as well.
It’s going to come down to price; I need to get a good deal on it.
I don’t worry too much about brands because I can keep just about any snow moving machine running pretty well.
Ariens has some nice single stage stuff as well.
Gotta get a good price on whatever I decide to go with.

 

[soloz2]

I have an Ariens compact 24. It starts right up and will tackle 2' deep snow, but it's smaller than other comparable units. I think you really have to go to the deluxe and up to get good Ariens quality. My neighbors Cub cadet out performed my Ariens. It's got small wheels that struggle to grip, and it's lighter so it sometimes runs up instructions of staying on the ground. Granted I live in WNY and we get snow! It is underpowered for what I need. I moved 2 years ago, and last year I picked up a used Briggs pro series 38" I think. It's a beast compared to the ariens, but it's what I need. The ariens compact series folds down smaller, and the drift cutters fold down as well. It doesn't take up much more space than a single stage unit does. I know I haven't been really talking it up, but as can be seen in this picture, I've got a long driveway, and this is only half! Too much for the little 24" to handle.
I'm going to be selling the ariens shortly.

 

[kngelv]

Honda is what a I would buy. My parents still have a 30 year old one that starts on the first pull.

James

 

[CJM8515]

I like honda but the price tag is high, yamaha is another contender if you have a dealer nearby but again pricey for what ya get.



I cleared driveways professionally for a few winters helping a buddy and he had a 12hp toro with joystick that worked VERY well. I find that the more metal the machine has the better. Also power-a 5hp unit will work, but 8+ is what I would want really as it can chrun thru heavy wet snow better

 

[Skin]

Last I checked Yamaha are only sold in Canada. They also don't make a single stage and they're made in China which is a bit of a turn off.

 

[setfocus]

when I was young, my parents had a tiny Toro "snow pup" from the '90s, 2stroke paddle blower. It was horrible in wet snow, couldn't throw the snow far enough, anything more than 2-3" wet/heavy and it was useless. Could maybe handle up to 5-6" dry with some patients.

When my grandparents moved to a condo, we got their Toro auger blower. Was probably from the '80s or earlier. 5hp 4stroke, 3 forward gears, 2 reverse gears, all metal construction, plug in electric start and pull start, had chains for the tires. The thing was built like a tank. We never saw snow that it couldn't handle with ease in SE Michigan

Unfortunately it quit running correctly, the winter before I moved out, I think it was just a bad carb. I told my dad he should take it in to be worked on but he got rid of it after I moved out and replaced it with new a Toro, auger type, self propelled, little smaller. It looks so much cheaper than the old Toro. Thinner gauge metal and lots replaced with plastic, but I've never used the new one. I live on a little city lot now, only need to clear the sidewalk and bottom few feet of driveway. Not worth having a snowblower... unless milwaukee comes out with a snowblower attachment for their M18 powerhead, ryobi has one

 

[theoldwizard1]

Toro.

Unless they really dropped the ball and redid their single stage machines for the worse, their single stage machines are THE ones to get.

Their 4 stroke models are a lot heavier than the old 2 stroke.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Ran a single stage Ariens for 3 years snow plowing. It was a good unit but never did well with wet and heavy stuff. I also understand that’s more a 2 stage territory.

The single stage throwers were always on the weak side. The Toro CCR 3650 (6.5HP) 2 stroke cured that problem !

 

[Den69rs96]

I sold my 2002 Ariens 24 8hp Classic Deluxe a few years back after I hit a huge rock that was plowed into the end of my driveway. It stopped the engine cold. At the end of the season, I heard a rod knock so I sold it as needing engine work. I still got $250 for it.

I ended up getting a Ariens 28 Deluxe SHO. Its much more powerful and I like it. Nice metal chute and very little plastic. My driveway is hilly and a bit rough, so the auto steer was an issue going down my driveway. So I tired the composite or plastic skid shoes. The metal skid shoes are more aggressive and bite more than the plastic ones. As the weight of the machine shifted towards the front going down my driveway, the shoes would bite causing the machine to want to turn. The plastic shoes solved this issue. Now it turns when I want it to turn. Since I put on the plastic skid shoes, I love the new Ariens. Its easy to start, quiet, and throws snow pretty far.

 

[mudcat]

I have a Toro CCR2450 that is going on 14 seasons and it has been absolutely great. Unfortunately it doesn't work very well on the end of driveway, plowed in snow and ice. I end up shoveling that if its to much for the Toro. I currently take care of 2 neighbors driveways plus my own with 2 more neighbors requesting my snow clearing services. For probably the last 7 years I have looked at adding a 2 stage self propelled snow blower but always end up not pulling the trigger because I am short on storage space. The Toro folds up so compact and light that I store it in the top of my small shed.

 

[MarvinBerry]

Came to a decision on a new machine, called the dealer and will be picking it up end of the week.

Rather then spill it now, since there's good discussion lets keep it going...

I'll say if anyone's been thinking about a new blower do it asap. Doesn't seerm to matter what brand your looking at the supply is really limited this year.

 

[motoretro]

Just put a new drive belt on my 29 year old Honda Single Stage, 1st one. Starts easy, does a good job. No complaints.

 

[honcho]

I have a crappy MTD unit that was given to me. Briggs engine is fine, but the drive system is susceptible to corrosion that requires too much maintenance from year to year to keep it operational. Given the small amount of snow we get, it's just a space hog.

 

[laser3kw]

Found some older threads but nothing current so here we go.... I'm also sorta debating an ego 56 volt... replacing a worn out 20 year old Sears & roebuck cman.

Want a compact single stage machine. Price no object. Trying to avoid box dealers. not interested in older used machines.
Eh?

Came to a decision on a new machine, called the dealer and will be picking it up end of the week.

Rather then spill it now, since there's good discussion lets keep it going...

I'll say if anyone's been thinking about a new blower do it asap. Doesn't seerm to matter what brand your looking at the supply is really limited this year.

Weren't you looking for an electric / battery job ?

 

[engineer2]

If you get a 2-stage, the impeller mod really helps with wet snow.

 

[MarvinBerry]

Weren't you looking for an electric / battery job ?

Battery like the ego gear was a thought for 30 seconds... decided not to go that route for a handful of reasons.

Wound up buying an Ariens will pick it up on Friday.

For one thing they had the machine I wanted in stock and the guys at that store were the easiest to deal with.

Toro dealer still has nothing in stock and the machine I fiddled with at Depot... ok maybe assembly was lacking but it felt like it was gonna fall apart. Lots of cheap feeling plastic including the chute which seemed like it'd fall off if I rotated it one more time.

Simplicity dealer acted like he didn't want my money, kept pushing me towards at $3k machine and couldn't verify stock. I suspect the Briggs bankruptcy played a role??

But in stock? No ******** from the dealer? 10 minutes from my house? Winner!!

 

[Den69rs96]

Congratulations. What model did you get?

 

[laser3kw]

Battery like the ego gear was a thought for 30 seconds... decided not to go that route for a handful of reasons.

Wound up buying an Ariens will pick it up on Friday.

For one thing they had the machine I wanted in stock and the guys at that store were the easiest to deal with.

Toro dealer still has nothing in stock and the machine I fiddled with at Depot... ok maybe assembly was lacking but it felt like it was gonna fall apart. Lots of cheap feeling plastic including the chute which seemed like it'd fall off if I rotated it one more time.

Simplicity dealer acted like he didn't want my money, kept pushing me towards at $3k machine and couldn't verify stock. I suspect the Briggs bankruptcy played a role??

But in stock? No ******** from the dealer? 10 minutes from my house? Winner!!

Good deal! Pics when you get it home!
For $3K around here you can get a pick up with a blade on it.

 

[Showkey]

In real snow country with 5-8” snow on 0* day, 100’ driveway 12’ wide........like to see that battery blower in action.