Welcome to the forum! You had a little typo which I thought was funny " snowflowerforum.com".

Like the other websites you came across some members are somewhat biased toward their favorite machines. Of the three machines you chose, if price is important, I would choose the Ariens. Ariens is known for quality, longevity and for knowing how to move snow. If price were not an issue then the Honda.

I am not sure where you are from. But in the US, there are very good examples of both in the used market place. The majority of the folks here would suggest that you stay away from the modern Craftsman snow blowers. Let us know what you decide.

 

Thank you for your answer my friend. The typo has been fixed .

As to where I live. It is in Canada.

Hi, I am a new member here and I have been looking around the web for info.

I live in Montréal, Québec and we can receive around 300cm of snow per year. My driveway is 65' x 25' and it is flat so I don't need tracks, wheels will do the trick .

I'm really leaning toward the Ariens. The price of the Honda is so high. It is double the price of the Ariens.

Price

• The Honda is 3450$ (with tax)
• The Ariens is 1725$ (with tax)

Price per year

• If the Honda last me 20 years. It will cost me around 175$ per/year
• If the Ariens last me 10 years. It will cost me around 175$ per/year

So at this point, it is really hard to make a choice. It will not be over-used each seasons and it is not for commercial.

 

Thank you for your answer my friend. The typo has been fixed .

As to where I live. It is in Canada.



I'm really leaning toward the Ariens. The price of the Honda is so high. It is double the price of the Ariens.

Price

• The Honda is 3450$ (with tax)
• The Ariens is 1725$ (with tax)

Price per year

• If the Honda last me 20 years. It will cost me around 175$ per/year
• If the Ariens last me 10 years. It will cost me around 175$ per/year

So at this point, it is really hard to make a choice. It will not be over-used each seasons and it is not for commercial.

I would think of them more like this:

Price per year

• If the Honda last me 40 years. It will cost me around 86$ per/year
• If the Ariens last me 40 years. It will cost me around 43$ per/year

Both machines should make it to 40 years easily!
with good maintenance and upkeep.

Scot

 

Yep, take away the Craftsman and put a Toro there.
Then you have the big 3.

I think I am the only one here who likes my Craftsman.

 

Blowers



Ed's not the only one that likes Craftsman's but then again he has one of the better older units (Murray built with the Tecumseh transmission).

Unfortunately the newer ones aren't up to the same quality.
Honda, Ariens or Toro, I wouldn't have a problem recommending someone take a look at any of them.

Big thing is gauge the size and HP to your normal snowfall.

Good luck

 

I feel that you really want the Honda but the price is putting you off. In Canada, aren't Yamaha snowblowers available? They appear to be identical to the Hondas but for a better price.

 

I just checked Yamaha web site and they have similar prices as Honda, I would opt for Honda first I think. I have a dealer at 5 minutes from here.

 

I like the Toro products and use a Toro 1132 from 1979. I also have a Troy Bilt Storm 1030 from 2003, still going strong, tecumseh engine, paid $11oo for it new, never been to the mechanic.

I agree with adding Toro to your list. Service is important, decide how far you want to travel to have your machine serviced, if you won't service it yourself.

 

I would also agree that the Yamaha would be the better purchase if you can get one, since you are in Canada.

Yamaha Motor Canada :: Products :: Snowblowers :: Snowblowers

Is just over $2K USD. And would be arguably the best choice given the level of quality and its uncompromising performance.

I own a tracked Honda 928 and would have bought a Yamaha if there was dealer support and if the unit was for sale in the US, but because there wasnt I bought what I felt was a much more superior unit in the Honda.

Also the Ariens you are comparing is no where near the Honda as far as engineering, but still a great unit. If you can get your hands on a Pro model, or a Platinum, or SHO version those will be good comparisons for you.

 

If you don't mind saying so Karlitos but for a driveway 65' x 25' you can take care of this easily with a Ariens SHO 24" and save some money with a dependable machine. There are members here that talk highly of them.
Just a thought.

 

IS the Arien Deluxe 30 worse than the SHO? The Home Depot in Canada doesn't seem to hold any SHO?

 

It is not a question of worse but matching the equipment with your driveway size, it will take less space in the garage and as a high recommendation you should try to purchase from a dealer that sells Ariens and I can help easily with the dealer locator on the Ariens site.
At Home Depot the snow blowers assembly is less to be desired and if ever you need warranty servicing you have to go to a dealer who will serve his customers first which is quite normal.

 

I have plenty of space in my shed. It is not heated though! Is that a concern? But I have 120v in it.

 

Or if you really want the Honda I would make a few calls to dealers in the USA (in New York State) and take a drive down and get a 928 if they are still available. The 928 retails for around $2,600 in the USA.

Look up the nearest zip code for the USA near Montreal and drive a pick up truck over and get one. I am not sure what the duty is going back but might be worth your time.

I live near Detroit and I know Canadians are always over here shopping and taking big ticket items back. A few years ago my buddy bought a granite counter top in Canada and brought it back; no problem and no duty.

 

Thank you very much for the offer mate. I have a Honda dealer at like 5 minutes from here. I need to pay them a visit tomorrow.

So Im probably a bit bias. . .
If your budget is 2000. and under I would look at dealer only!

Ariens Pro 28 I believe is under 2000 or dam close.
Ariens SHO models I think have some good offerings.

I will say buy something you can get service and parts for.

Good Luck.

I will really look into Ariens and Honda. I just noticed that I have a Ariens Service + Parts dealer close to where I live. So that leave Ariens and Honda on ly list

Ariens - Find an Authorized Dealer Near You<

No concerns at all these snow blower engines are meant to be in the cold and will start on first pull with choke and some primer.

Give me your postal code or if you want it not viewed by all just pm me and I can find you Ariens dealers if you are interested.

I just moved in my awsome new house in July so this is my old Postal Code j6k0c2 (Canada)

I'll be the devils advocate. Buying the Craftsman will save you some money on the front end. It may not hold up as well as the Ariens or Honda if you run into it with your car but if you pay attention to it, maintain it, replace wear parts before they fail and cause other problems a light or medium duty Craftsman will also last for years and years and toss snow where you want it.

I'm one of those guys who speaks highly of the old stuff and of certain new brands if you have the money.
In my opinion my old Craftsman and Ariens are pretty equal. They are old, heavy over engineered and over built machines that were not taken care of but still made it 40 years out there moving snow. The cheaper made newer machines aren't going to tolerate that and have failures in main parts or assemblies much sooner if not properly maintained.
I don't see a problem with the craftsman. In your three blower lineup it is the bottom pick but it's far from the actual bottom. Those are three nice machines that will get the job done.
Is your driveway paved or gravel ??

I just eradicated Craftman from my list. I just wished it was still 1984.

Ed's not the only one that likes Craftsman's but then again he has one of the better older units (Murray built with the Tecumseh transmission).

Unfortunately the newer ones aren't up to the same quality.
Honda, Ariens or Toro, I wouldn't have a problem recommending someone take a look at any of them.

Big thing is gauge the size and HP to your normal snowfall.

Good luck

Of course I will take care of my machine, but I want as less maintenance as I can.

if you are dead set on those 3. I would get the red one. and that is all I am going to say on that 1. ALOHA to the forms..

Thanks for the suggestion.

good news in montreal on 24 sho 1725.00 tax in check your messages
i like the 24 sho and toro 826oxe more towards going for the toro

Just saw your PM, I replied.

 

Ariens

So Im probably a bit bias. . .
If your budget is 2000. and under I would look at dealer only!

Ariens Pro 28 I believe is under 2000 or dam close.
Ariens SHO models I think have some good offerings.

I will say buy something you can get service and parts for.

Good Luck.

 

I'll be the devils advocate. Buying the Craftsman will save you some money on the front end. It may not hold up as well as the Ariens or Honda if you run into it with your car but if you pay attention to it, maintain it, replace wear parts before they fail and cause other problems a light or medium duty Craftsman will also last for years and years and toss snow where you want it.

I'm one of those guys who speaks highly of the old stuff and of certain new brands if you have the money.
In my opinion my old Craftsman and Ariens are pretty equal. They are old, heavy over engineered and over built machines that were not taken care of but still made it 40 years out there moving snow. The cheaper made newer machines aren't going to tolerate that and have failures in main parts or assemblies much sooner if not properly maintained.
I don't see a problem with the craftsman. In your three blower lineup it is the bottom pick but it's far from the actual bottom. Those are three nice machines that will get the job done.
Is your driveway paved or gravel ??

 

if you are dead set on those 3. I would get the red one. and that is all I am going to say on that 1. ALOHA to the forms..

 

good news in montreal on 24 sho 1725.00 tax in check your messages
i like the 24 sho and toro 826oxe more towards going for the toro

 

Toro is definitively a nice blower as Ariens. Just try to buy from a dealer if possible.

 

Is this one any good?

Ariens | Ariens Platinum 30 Electric Start 30 Inch Two Stage Snow Thrower With Auto Turn | Home Depot Canada

They ship it for free. Ariens dealer are really far from me. And I cannot really visit them.

 

damm fine machine in my opinion!

 

This blower would do just fine but I checked the link for home depot you gave and be prepared to have to assemble it and they show delivery time of 28 days for online purchases. With your postal code Ariens site gives you a dealer at 3 miles and another at less than 10 miles.
I would again stress to buy from a dealer but it is your decision.
Good Luck

 

I agree 100%. Go thru a dealer if you can. Nutt'n worse than having some issue with the machine AND trying to convince the dealership (you did not buy it from), your a great guy and need a favor to have it fixed before the next snowfall.

Smelling what I'm stepping in?

 

It's what I would like to buy.....but it is quite a bit more expensive than the 30" Deluxe. The only problem was I phoned Home Depot in Canada to ask if they actually had any of these. They told me that a number of stores had brought these in on a special promotion, and they were not getting any more in....so if your store doesn't have them, you may be out of luck. Phone your local store.

 

The 30" deluxe will work just fine and or 24" for your driveway size.
Home Depot is sometime cheaper because it doesn't come with service as opposed with a good dealer.

 

Are the Stanley Snowblowers any good?

http://www.staples.ca/en/STANLEY-36...ow-Blower-Electric-Start/product_581899_2-CA_1_20001?cid=CSE:SBD:SHOPBOT:581899

(I have checked so many things about snowblowers today and yesterday, I bet I will dream about that tonight)

 

Are the Stanley Snowblowers any good?

STANLEY 36" Commercial Two-Stage Gas Snow Blower, Electric Start | Staples®

(I have checked so many things about snowblowers today and yesterday, I bet I will dream about that tonight)

http://www.snowblowerforum.com/foru...rum/general-snowblower-discussion/6058-new-stanley-36-commerical-two-stage.html

http://www.snowblowerforum.com/foru...repairs-maintenance-forum/7586-36-inch-stanley-already-broken-2.html#post132817

 

Nope.

 

Ok, thank you.

I feel like this.

 

Just buy one of each.

 

If you actually visually and tactilly feel the difference, you will understand.

 

Update: I'm now heading to Honda and Ariens dealer, which one should I do first?


__________________________________

EDIT

I just called a dealer and he told me he has Cub Cadet in stock, he says they are the best, I need your advice guys!?!

http://www.cubcadet.ca/equipment/fr...uipment/fr/cubcadetcanada/cub-cadet-snow-throwers/3x-28hd-31bh57sy596-3x28hd--1

 

Karl. It appears the more research you do, the more you are sliding down the quality line.

Cub cadet is part of the MTD family. Quality is not there.

Listen to what all 5 pages of this thread are telling you.

Stick with TORO, ARIENS, or HONDA.

 

Don't worry, I was very sceptic anyway, when an old man tells me "It's the best thing on the market, the other brands suffers since they release 3 stages. I looked on youtube and they look like crap. I want Ariens or Honda since the begginning anyway.

So which dealer should I do first? Ariens?