Topic: New 2-stage Snowblower
started by: Stone-Magnon
Posted by Stone-Magnon on Aug. 30 2011,8:42 pm
Anyone have any favorite brands here?
Posted by n0esc on Aug. 30 2011,9:23 pm
Something to keep in mind. All of these are made by < MTD > regardless of the color of paint or stickers on it. < Ariens > is pretty much the only residential grade snow blower that is still manufactured in the US that is a stand alone brand.* Bolens
* Craftsman
* Cub Cadet
* Hardware Hank
* MTD
* MTD Pro
* Troy-Bilt
* Yard Boss
* Yard Machines
* Yard-Man
Posted by Stone-Magnon on Aug. 30 2011,9:35 pm
Thanks, that appears to be very good advice. I'm liking the Ariens model with the briggs and stratten engine and iron cast gear box. I think it's probably the best machine for the money. But for even less you can get the Craftsman and the 5 year in home warranty repair service. How often do the gear boxes go bad on these things and how often do you replace the shear pins.
Posted by hymiebravo on Aug. 31 2011,7:39 am
Wow something actually made in the U.S.A. That's amazing!
I was going to suggest a nice Montgomery Ward snow blower.
Posted by n0esc on Aug. 31 2011,7:43 am
Sadly MTD made those too... 
Posted by hot84svo on Aug. 31 2011,7:57 am
MTD is a USA based company from Valley City, Ohio.
Posted by Whiskero on Aug. 31 2011,11:32 am
Husqvarna, Toro, and Snapper are made in USA also
Posted by Wolfie on Aug. 31 2011,1:09 pm
US based is one thing, US made is quite another.
Posted by hymiebravo on Sep. 02 2011,8:47 am
I just remember them all being orange mostly. The Briggs and Stratton motors seemed to never wear out really. Now they're probably just disposable throw away crap like everything else. The thing that seemed to make the most difference performance wise.
Was putting chains on the tires.
Posted by GEOKARJO on Sep. 02 2011,11:17 am
I have a craftsman it is approximatively 15 years old I have replaced several shier pins over the years and had the 5 year service warranty in which they came out and serviced the unit every years (but I let that drop after 5 years and do it myself now). I am still using it with no problems just remember to clean it after every use and not let the snow sit in the augers stages to melt and turn into ice. Ice from melted snow on the unit is what causes the most damage.
Posted by Glad I Left on Sep. 02 2011,11:35 am
I have a Ariens from 1987 (belonged to my parents) and other than the electric start motor going out the B&S engine runs awesome. Never had anything break on it mechanically. Wouldn't trade it for anything.
Posted by Expatriate on Sep. 03 2011,9:12 pm
Stone, I've owned a Ariens 5 horse 24" and also a Craftsman 5/24.both from the 1980's, both still running.IMO the Ariens is a superior machine for moving heavy snow, the Ariens is greasable on the impeller shaft
I've never had shear pin go on the Ariens, had a little trouble with the carburetor float.
The Craftsman isn't greasable, I seem to go threw a few shear pins a season.
One nice thing about the Craftsman is Sear's online Parts Catalog and diagrams, makes getting replacement parts easier.
The reason I went with a five horse was to keep the weight down for the wife, she's never used either!!
the lazy woman would rather pack it all down and have me struggle to bust it up later...grrrrrrr