Hello all! First post here on this forum. I need a little help on some snow-blower issues and thought this would be my best bet.
So last fall, I moved into my first house. It has a 100 ft long level, paved driveway. Since I am still relatively young, I figured I'd be able to shovel it. Well, that didnt work. Our first storm was wet, heavy snow, and luckily my dad was able to plow for me, as I do not have a truck to plow with.
So this year, I decided to get myself a smaller, inexpensive snow-blower to keep my driveway clean. I went out and bought a Craftsman 22/5, 22" cut, 5 hp motor. It is a model "536.886540". Has the electric start (which is nice). It runs mint, and I'd rate it a 7.5 on the "cosmetic" side. Has some rust on the sides of the bucket, but the major parts are all solid. I paid $175 for it, and I put another $20 or so into it (changed the oil, new plug, extra shear pins). Got it all prepped and ready to go.
So this weekend, a friend of mine dropped off an older Ariens snow-blower in my driveway. He was supposed to give it to me last year, but he didn't, and I figured he got rid of it. I obviously wasn't expecting it, so I bought the Craftsman. He said it ran fine the last time he used it, but with the ethanol gas, the carb is now shot and needs either a re-build or a new carb. But on the plus side, he gave it to me for free.
The Ariens is a model 922003, 20" cut, 5 hp motor. From what I can tell, it looks like an early 70's model. Cosmetically, I'd rate it a 9.5. No rust on it, all original condition. Needs a good washing, but all the factory paint is there etc. However, I do not know how this one runs. I did put the cord (no electric start) and it has good compression, so that's a good start.
So this is where I need help. Part of me is thinking about fixing the Ariens and selling it, as the Craftsman is a little bigger and has the electric start. However, the Ariens looks like a more solid, heavy duty unit, even though it's a little smaller.
What do you guys suggest?
So last fall, I moved into my first house. It has a 100 ft long level, paved driveway. Since I am still relatively young, I figured I'd be able to shovel it. Well, that didnt work. Our first storm was wet, heavy snow, and luckily my dad was able to plow for me, as I do not have a truck to plow with.
So this year, I decided to get myself a smaller, inexpensive snow-blower to keep my driveway clean. I went out and bought a Craftsman 22/5, 22" cut, 5 hp motor. It is a model "536.886540". Has the electric start (which is nice). It runs mint, and I'd rate it a 7.5 on the "cosmetic" side. Has some rust on the sides of the bucket, but the major parts are all solid. I paid $175 for it, and I put another $20 or so into it (changed the oil, new plug, extra shear pins). Got it all prepped and ready to go.
So this weekend, a friend of mine dropped off an older Ariens snow-blower in my driveway. He was supposed to give it to me last year, but he didn't, and I figured he got rid of it. I obviously wasn't expecting it, so I bought the Craftsman. He said it ran fine the last time he used it, but with the ethanol gas, the carb is now shot and needs either a re-build or a new carb. But on the plus side, he gave it to me for free.
The Ariens is a model 922003, 20" cut, 5 hp motor. From what I can tell, it looks like an early 70's model. Cosmetically, I'd rate it a 9.5. No rust on it, all original condition. Needs a good washing, but all the factory paint is there etc. However, I do not know how this one runs. I did put the cord (no electric start) and it has good compression, so that's a good start.
So this is where I need help. Part of me is thinking about fixing the Ariens and selling it, as the Craftsman is a little bigger and has the electric start. However, the Ariens looks like a more solid, heavy duty unit, even though it's a little smaller.
What do you guys suggest?