Snowblower Recommendations

[gregory r]

I would suggest Ariens or Toro.
I bought a 2019 Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO, with heated grips and drift cutters, used 5 hours, for $900 on Facebook marketplace.
That thing blows snow like nothing I have ever used. The Auto-turn makes it super easy to maneuver.
My son and I blow 17 driveways each storm, and the 28SHO never even bogs with 17 end of drive plow mess.
Just got a second 2016 28SHO from marketplace. Used 2 hours, for $650.00.
1 new 28 SHO would have cost me as much as both of these.

 

[Okhotnik]

If a 196cc engine, 4,000 dollars and 300lbs is what you are looking for, sure. I have one. It’s built well but gets beat out by my ariens Great Lakes machine in every metric.

I found one a few years ago used in summer for $1200. Great dependable machines

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I found one a few years ago used in summer for $1200. Great dependable machines

Yup, they are good machines. I’m just pointing out that with the current shortages and pricing, the ariens machines are much higher performance for about half the price. My ariens Great Lakes edition rips through wet, solid snow 2+ feet thick much faster and throws the snow farther than my Honda. The Honda is good and reliable but again, current pricing for new ones is around 3500.00 plus shipping and they only have a 196cc engine. I’ve come to care more about the power of the machine over time.

 

[BadDogPSD]

My Honda 1332 has a 389cc engine. Plenty of power.
The 928 has a 270cc engine, only the smallest 724 blower has the 196 engine.

 

[Musky]

Well, I appreciate everyone's input here. Honestly, I don't think there is a terrible choice in the top three or four tier brand names. Due to availability I ended up picking up the Cub Cadet 30" HD 3 stage model. On tires instead of tracks, no tracks available. It is severe overkill for my current situation but with our future plans this will fit nicely and it's a slight step above what I was coming from. See pic for reference. Already took it for a test drive this evening and I couldn't big this thing down if I tried, and I tried. Full width of cut full depth and it ate it like nothing in 3rd gear. Everyone had great points and I appreciate the input and discussion!

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Well, I appreciate everyone's input here. Honestly, I don't think there is a terrible choice in the top three or four tier brand names. Due to availability I ended up picking up the Cub Cadet 30" HD 3 stage model. On tires instead of tracks, no tracks available. It is severe overkill for my current situation but with our future plans this will fit nicely and it's a slight step above what I was coming from. See pic for reference. Already took it for a test drive this evening and I couldn't big this thing down if I tried, and I tried. Full width of cut full depth and it ate it like nothing in 3rd gear. Everyone had great points and I appreciate the input and discussion!
View attachment 362163

There’s really 2 top brands and everything else is far from those.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

My Honda 1332 has a 389cc engine. Plenty of power.
The 928 has a 270cc engine, only the smallest 724 blower has the 196 engine.

And again my point is the smallest, tracked Honda costs 2x and has 40% less power than what you can get from ariens. I’ve also found ariens to be easier to work on. Again, I have both and after using them side by side here in Alaska, it’s ariens all the way.

 

[Musky]

There’s really 2 top brands and everything else is far from those.

Well you're not wrong, simply speaking from a popularity stand point it's always Ariens, Honda, Cub and Toro. That's all I meant. I'd love to own a Honda but I wasn't interested in that price range to power ratio. Although I do really love my Honda mower.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Well you're not wrong, simply speaking from a popularity stand point it's always Ariens, Honda, Cub and Toro. That's all I meant. I'd love to own a Honda but I wasn't interested in that price range to power ratio. Although I do really love my Honda mower.

Yeah, like I’ve been saying, Hondas are built well but the cost to what you get is not good at all with current prices. I’ve found the ariens to be better in every way when used side by side with a Honda. Heck, even my previous ariens deluxe 24” smoked the Honda when it came to really moving snow. I’ve never had toros or cub cadets or anything like that.

 

[Superdoo]

Go to Canada and get yourself a YAMAHA!!!!!

 

[Justin Crossley]

Well, I appreciate everyone's input here. Honestly, I don't think there is a terrible choice in the top three or four tier brand names. Due to availability I ended up picking up the Cub Cadet 30" HD 3 stage model. On tires instead of tracks, no tracks available. It is severe overkill for my current situation but with our future plans this will fit nicely and it's a slight step above what I was coming from. See pic for reference. Already took it for a test drive this evening and I couldn't big this thing down if I tried, and I tried. Full width of cut full depth and it ate it like nothing in 3rd gear. Everyone had great points and I appreciate the input and discussion!
View attachment 362163

My limited experience with Cub products has been nothing but positive. I'm sure this machine will serve you well.

 

[Catchfish]

I’m curious about these Ariens now, anybody had one for a long time. Over 10 yrs would be better curious how they hold up long term.

 

[Musky]

I’m curious about these Ariens now, anybody had one for a long time. Over 10 yrs would be better curious how they hold up long term.

The one I replaced we've owned for 15-20 years. The older it gets the more maintenance has been required just to keep it running/starting. More maintenance than I was willing to put in during negative temperature weather.

 

[gregory r]

I’m curious about these Ariens now, anybody had one for a long time. Over 10 yrs would be better curious how they hold up long term.

I havent had mine for ten years, but I can tell you my reasons for choosing Ariens.
First is the lack of plastic parts. Dash, chute, everything is metal.
Second is the lack of cables, and such to control the chute. I prefer dependability over bells and whistles.
Third is the Auto turn feature.No levers to mess with. I can push the handlebars down with one hand, and spin it in circles in my garage, and it is a big heavy blower.
Lastly, but very important if you regularly get wet heavy snow, is 14 inch auger, and 14 inch impeller. The larger impeller throws regular snow farther, and never clogs with wet snow.
I would never buy any brand with a 10 or 12 inch impeller again.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I’m curious about these Ariens now, anybody had one for a long time. Over 10 yrs would be better curious how they hold up long term.

I had my ariens deluxe for 6-7 years. I found that if I shut the fuel line off when I was finished and kept the fuel stabilized when it was being stored and ran it once every few weeks it worked perfectly. I never had to do more than replace a cable, belt or shear pin. Never had a single reliability issue.

I got my Honda from a guy had bought it new then loved away before winter, I thought it would be an upgrade but it really wasn’t. I was in anchorage a few months later and came across the Great Lakes edition ariens platinum and couldn’t pass it up. If there’s a better machine, I can’t imagine what it is.

As mentioned, the ariens are all metal, other than the hood to get to the belts. They are super easy to work on if you have to and they are made in the USA. Ariens is called the “king of snow” for a reason.

 

[Schism]

I've had my Ariens for over 10 years and it has been flawless. I purchased it after several recommendations from coworkers that had been using theirs for 10-15 years before I bought mine. I know at least one still uses his Ariens that has to be 25 years old.

 

[Trial153]

Honda, no question

What he said ^^ not even close

 

[thinhorn_AK]

What he said ^^ not even close

It isn’t even close. Ariens beats out Honda in every side by side test I’ve done.

 

[Catchfish]

I don’t see any tracked ariens, is that true, I’ve only tried wheel blowers of others and never liked them, is there any issues with that

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I don’t see any tracked ariens, is that true, I’ve only tried wheel blowers of others and never liked them, is there any issues with that

Ariens makes several tracked models. In my experience, it’s mostly personal preference. The area I clear is fairly large but mostly flat so I have no issue with wheeled machines. If you have terrain you deal with, a track might work better. I’ve also had my tracked Honda sort of climb the snow which made me have to go back and do it again. A wheeled machine though will dig itself in and then….you have to go back and do it again. Having used both side by side for the past few years….I’m convinced that wheels and tracks both have strengths and weaknesses, neither absolutely wins any sort of competition.