Need to upgrade from my single stage to a dual stage snow blower. Any recommendations on brands or models? Toro or Ariens any good? Primarily for long concrete / asphalt driveway
Maggie’s Snow blowers
- Thread starter Jigstick
- Start date
We have an Ariens Compact 24", it works well...the 110VAC electric start is nice...just have to have an extension cord and plug it in to an outlet.
The Ariens seem pretty common in my area. What has me interested in the Toro is it’s joystick controller for the chute
I have always used Ariens and have never looked back. I had one for 12 years and sold it in a day when I moved to SoCAL. When I moved back 14 years later. I bought a new one. It is 8 years old and works like a dream. Super easy to work on (general maintenance)as well.
The only "issue" I've had doing maintenance on the Ariens is the lack of clearance removing and reinstalling the spark plug. Not a big deal, but annoying. Chalk up another "aggravation 'win'" by the engineer(s) that designed it.
We have a big 30” Ariens Deluxe and a 24” Toro with the joystick chute control (his and hers if you will). Both are trouble free, start easy (100LL fuel), etc... They’re used primarily for sidewalks, approach to the shop, and to get snow out to where the big blower can get to it.
The weight of the Ariens will wear you out if you fight it or try to man handle it. The chute control is great as is the unlocking “differential” for 180 degree turns. Heated grips are nice. The 414cc engine makes torque in spades.
The Toro is light and easy for her to handle. A touch under powered in 8” of snow or more. You’re then relegated to taking a half swath or halving it spill out the side requiring a clean up pass. The joystick chute control works fine. It lacks the unlocking ability for tight turns.
We run a plastic/neoprene aftermarket skid/shoe on both which glides better on concrete. It does wear more quickly than the stock steel shoes.
The weight of the Ariens will wear you out if you fight it or try to man handle it. The chute control is great as is the unlocking “differential” for 180 degree turns. Heated grips are nice. The 414cc engine makes torque in spades.
The Toro is light and easy for her to handle. A touch under powered in 8” of snow or more. You’re then relegated to taking a half swath or halving it spill out the side requiring a clean up pass. The joystick chute control works fine. It lacks the unlocking ability for tight turns.
We run a plastic/neoprene aftermarket skid/shoe on both which glides better on concrete. It does wear more quickly than the stock steel shoes.
I've got an Ariens that I've had a couple issues with. The carburetor gummed up after only a single season. Cleaned it and started using non-oxygenated fuel and haven't had any other problems with that. Also, in the second stage, there was too much clearance between the 'fan' blades and the housing, that caused the discharge chute to get plugged up all the time. Added pieces of conveyer belt to the fan blades and solved that problem. Otherwise, it's been a good machine.
I've had my Ariens 824 for 20 years. Still starts with 1 or 2 pulls max. I did pick up a Pro 28 a couple of years ago because a friend needed to sell it when he was moving.
My 824 made it through the year when we got over 10 feet of snow. It's been trouble free. I did replace the friction disk, tensioned the cables, changed the oil, and replaced 1 shear pin over it's life. So basically trouble free.
My 824 made it through the year when we got over 10 feet of snow. It's been trouble free. I did replace the friction disk, tensioned the cables, changed the oil, and replaced 1 shear pin over it's life. So basically trouble free.
You guys have the brands sorted out pretty good, to be honest if the machine is made in the states you'll be ok.
About 90% of the machines are made in Cleveland Ohio.
Here's what to keep in mind if you want a long service life.
Keep extra shear pins on hand as they break when you least expect it.
If you have a new machine take the cutting edge off the bottom of the bucket and have one made out of 1/4" steel.
Keep an eye on the runners on the side of the bucket,keep them adjusted, I switched to the poly runners and never looked back.
Use good gas and store your machine properly, drain the gas, change the oil and fog the engine.
I have an old 26" Toro that's almost 20 years old other than regular maintenance it's been problem free.
About 90% of the machines are made in Cleveland Ohio.
Here's what to keep in mind if you want a long service life.
Keep extra shear pins on hand as they break when you least expect it.
If you have a new machine take the cutting edge off the bottom of the bucket and have one made out of 1/4" steel.
Keep an eye on the runners on the side of the bucket,keep them adjusted, I switched to the poly runners and never looked back.
Use good gas and store your machine properly, drain the gas, change the oil and fog the engine.
I have an old 26" Toro that's almost 20 years old other than regular maintenance it's been problem free.
VCI bags double layered with a dessicant also help for storage...or just any bag double layered with a dessicant.
After waking up to this on Monday and having to do the old fashioned shovle I'm getting a blower.
I have an Ariens Pro Rapidtrak Hydro that has been bulletproof. Overkill for most residential applications, but I like overkill. I also considered a tracked Honda model that is the Ariens closest competitor. Both are excellent machines, but in the end I liked the Ariens more powerful engine and heavier duty build.
I've had pretty good luck with Honda blowers, but Ariens are solid and made in the USA. I do prefer track drive vs tires, but if you don't have any significant slopes, tires with chains work well. The track drive are bit less maneuverable. Something to consider if you have tight spaces to work around.
So youre looking for something that does a good job of blowing white stuff?
I have a Craftsman 28" which is a Troy Built painted dark green. It has been in use for 25 years and was used for several years on a long compacted gravel driveway and many years on a concrete driveway and still starts on the 2nd pull. One new drive belt and the occasional service.
If you have walk ways, try and get a snowblower that is not wider than the walkways, you will be happier not digging into the grass on either side. Electric starters are nice especially for the occasions your wife or kid might use it.
I try and end the year with as little gas as possible in the tank. If you get snow in March, don't fill it to the brim if you do not need too. StaBil is great before you park for the season.
If you have walk ways, try and get a snowblower that is not wider than the walkways, you will be happier not digging into the grass on either side. Electric starters are nice especially for the occasions your wife or kid might use it.
I try and end the year with as little gas as possible in the tank. If you get snow in March, don't fill it to the brim if you do not need too. StaBil is great before you park for the season.
I have a 60" plow on the rancher. Drive a loop around the block, down the alley, and I'm done.
My dad bought a John Deere 28" blower.
I still run the 4 wheeler over and plow his sidewalks and driveway because the snow blower is a pain in the ass and slow.
My dad bought a John Deere 28" blower.
I still run the 4 wheeler over and plow his sidewalks and driveway because the snow blower is a pain in the ass and slow.
True. Unfortunately for us in the suburbs, the snow blower is the better option than the shovel. In a few years we're moving out of "town", then we'll have something decent to move snow with...if we're still living where it snows. I can't stand winter...it was fun as a kid, on the farm, when we had tractors and snowmobiles.
What's stopping you from having a snowmobile now?
The 163 RMK in my truck gets me through working outside in the winter. I was beginning to hate snow, so I bought a snow toy to get excited about it again!
I live in Marylandistan, snow doesn't stick around long...and being in the suburbs, it's probably "frowned upon". I just wait for better weather and get on my "sled" (Street Glide), not as fun as the real sled, but riding though the hills surrounding the Susquehanna River here and up in PA is fun, just have to make sure there's no ice on the roads...that get's "sporty".
