Topic: 3 Stage Snow Blowers

[pi314]

I'm guessing your driveway is smaller?

I have no use for a large one (in fact getting it out of the garage with both cars inside would be tough) but I can certainly see people with 150'x40' driveways wanting something larger

[ArticSteve]

The hv is 2200 vs 2300 for the ariens, it also has a hydrostatic transmission vs gears on the ariens and the hv has a five year vs three year warranty

For long term ownership go with the gears.  If you have hydrostatic leaks or general failure out of warranty you might as well through the entire unit in the metal recycling bin.  The only hydrostatic I'd buy is the Honda.

Make sure you hear these things running, some are brutal.

[Hammy]

The hv is 2200 vs 2300 for the ariens, it also has a hydrostatic transmission vs gears on the ariens and the hv has a five year vs three year warranty

For long term ownership go with the gears.  If you have hydrostatic leaks or general failure out of warranty you might as well through the entire unit in the metal recycling bin.  The only hydrostatic I'd buy is the Honda.

Make sure you hear these things running, some are brutal.

,
On Home Depot a very similar ariens is only 1900, it doesn't have quite as large of a motor but everything else looks the same, the dealer one is sho, but this one is not For $500 less since there is no pdi charge seems like a decent deal. 

[Snowman]

I would buy from a brand dealership rather than a big box store. Typically the big box outlets sell the cheapest models in bulk with bushings and other lower quality parts to keep costs down. I bought my Husky from a local dealer for $250 more than at Home Depot but it has real bearings and they actually service what they sell.

[Hammy]

I would buy from a brand dealership rather than a big box store. Typically the big box outlets sell the cheapest models in bulk with bushings and other lower quality parts to keep costs down. I bought my Husky from a local dealer for $250 more than at Home Depot but it has real bearings and they actually service what they sell.

I just went to Home Depot, they look identical except for the engine to me.  Of course there are none in stock but you can order online.  I'm going to give the hv the once over on Monday and decide.  The hv dealership is also tight around the corner from my house.  That being said in my 7 years with the toro I have never had to go to a dealership for anything.

[KD]

So today I got a chance to finish off tuning up the blower for the season and figured I may as well install the new belts I bought 4 years ago thinking they may be the reason it's not chucking snow that far any more.  Took the belt cover off and noticed a lot of movement coming from the lower pulley on the auger drive shaft. Took out the flashlight for a better look and noticed the main bearing is destroyed.  Also looks like the impeller beat the hell outta the casing while it was thrashing around...   Having a hard time though getting the main pulley off to get at the bearing.  Tried heating, prying and banging it out but no luck yet.

Anyway, I'll try and get a new bearing at the first of the week and have a look at some new blowers while I'm there.  I'll fix this one, but looks like it may be time for a new one...   Like Snowman I don't mind paying extra at a specialty dealer that service and have knowledge about what they sell.  I've heard the same issue as Hammy regarding how difficult tracked units are to manoeuvre.  Besides for the money they want for a decent sized honda I figure I should be sitting down with heat blaring at me while the snow is being chucked.  I also want something big enough so I'm not spending half a day blowing out my yard.

[ArticSteve]

How old is that unit?

[KD]

I said 12 earlier, but checked the invoice later and it was purchased in Oct 2001, so its now 13.  It's been over worked though as it's only 24" and my gravel driveway is around 150' long and 40' at the widest point.  I also have a walkway to the back door and another to my shed that I keep clear, so way too muck work for this little unit. 

[ArticSteve]

So if you were to get a new unit, would it be hydrostatic or fiction disk?  (exclude Hondas).

[bridgecity]

Changed the belt on mine today too.  Auger was starting to slip.  Easy job to split in half.

Unit is a craftsman like the huskies and Poulan pro,  with some cost cutting here and there, but it doesn't get a heavy workout.  It's 7-8 years old and still looks like new.


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[KD]

So if you were to get a new unit, would it be hydrostatic or fiction disk?  (exclude Hondas).

Not sure.  I really wasn't expecting to buy one so haven't kept up to what is available.  Any suggestions?  I've always had good dealings with the place I bought my toro.  Bought lots of stuff from them over the years and always had good service and prices are competitive.  They are also the authorized service centre for HD. 

[bridgecity]

If I were you KD, with your size of drive, I'd take a look at the Ariens Professional series.  Not sure if Toro or Husky have a similar line.  Mind you, it appears you've beat the hell out of your Toro and it lasted 13 years, so it doesn't seem you can go wrong that way either.

Like I mentioned previously,  on the outdoor power equipment forum I posted earlier, Ariens and Toro were spoken very highly of.  It may be worth your time browsing the forums there and seeing what is the latest and greatest.  I haven't spent any time on there in a few years.

[Hammy]

I've been cruising the snowblower forums and they seem to love the ariens.  Makes me think it is the best way to go.

[KD]

If I were you KD, with your size of drive, I'd take a look at the Ariens Professional series.  Not sure if Toro or Husky have a similar line.  Mind you, it appears you've beat the hell out of your Toro and it lasted 13 years, so it doesn't seem you can go wrong that way either.

Like I mentioned previously,  on the outdoor power equipment forum I posted earlier, Ariens and Toro were spoken very highly of.  It may be worth your time browsing the forums there and seeing what is the latest and greatest.  I haven't spent any time on there in a few years.

My preferred dealer sells both Ariens and Toro, so I'll see what he has available.  They recommended Toro last time around, but that may have changed.  I did check out that forum and good info there for sure...thanks!

[Hammy]

If I were you KD, with your size of drive, I'd take a look at the Ariens Professional series.  Not sure if Toro or Husky have a similar line.  Mind you, it appears you've beat the hell out of your Toro and it lasted 13 years, so it doesn't seem you can go wrong that way either.

Like I mentioned previously,  on the outdoor power equipment forum I posted earlier, Ariens and Toro were spoken very highly of.  It may be worth your time browsing the forums there and seeing what is the latest and greatest.  I haven't spent any time on there in a few years.

My preferred dealer sells both Ariens and Toro, so I'll see what he has available.  They recommended Toro last time around, but that may have changed.  I did check out that forum and good info there for sure...thanks!

The forum guys seem to love the ariens blowers.  I always have my smaller toro 826 for backup as well.  I mean the toro might be fine but it would suck if it broke or I found it takes too long to clear the snow once we are into the middle of winter without a snowblower to be found. 

[KD]

If I were you KD, with your size of drive, I'd take a look at the Ariens Professional series.  Not sure if Toro or Husky have a similar line.  Mind you, it appears you've beat the hell out of your Toro and it lasted 13 years, so it doesn't seem you can go wrong that way either.

Like I mentioned previously,  on the outdoor power equipment forum I posted earlier, Ariens and Toro were spoken very highly of.  It may be worth your time browsing the forums there and seeing what is the latest and greatest.  I haven't spent any time on there in a few years.

My preferred dealer sells both Ariens and Toro, so I'll see what he has available.  They recommended Toro last time around, but that may have changed.  I did check out that forum and good info there for sure...thanks!

The forum guys seem to love the ariens blowers.  I always have my smaller toro 826 for backup as well.  I mean the toro might be fine but it would suck if it broke or I found it takes too long to clear the snow once we are into the middle of winter without a snowblower to be found.

I think the dealer I mentioned above is also a Husq dealer.  I know the sell Husq chainsaws because I was looking at them there this spring when i was buying a new saw.  If that's the case it will be easier to compare them to each other.  They seem to be the ones I'm most interested in anyway. 

[Hammy]

Ok,

So after extensive research I settled on a 2 stage Arien's Platinum 30 SHO which I bought at the local dealer for $2300 + tax.  Looks like a great machine and it has this new auto turn system that looks like it works very well.  I was surprised how few parts are inside one of these things after watching a few youtube videos on them.

[redman]

Ok,

So after extensive research I settled on a 2 stage Arien's Platinum 30 SHO which I bought at the local dealer for $2300 + tax.  Looks like a great machine and it has this new auto turn system that looks like it works very well.  I was surprised how few parts are inside one of these things after watching a few youtube videos on them.

30" wow takes up a lot of space, but if you have a big driveway it will do the job. Can't go wrong with Ariens. Has not failed me yet. Congrats of the new snow toy.

[bridgecity]

Ok,

So after extensive research I settled on a 2 stage Arien's Platinum 30 SHO which I bought at the local dealer for $2300 + tax.  Looks like a great machine and it has this new auto turn system that looks like it works very well.  I was surprised how few parts are inside one of these things after watching a few youtube videos on them.

Congrats on the new machine, it will serve you well.  When I first bought my machine I too was surprised how simple they are, almost archaic in design.  But if its simple, works, and keeps the costs down, then why not.  I'm sure the hydrostatic machines have a lot more to them.

[Flinter]

Ok,

So after extensive research I settled on a 2 stage Arien's Platinum 30 SHO which I bought at the local dealer for $2300 + tax.  Looks like a great machine and it has this new auto turn system that looks like it works very well.  I was surprised how few parts are inside one of these things after watching a few youtube videos on them.

Congrats! My 24" deluxe also has the auto-turn feature. Before trying it I was a bit skeptical thinking that it might result in the machine mistakenly activating auto-turn if the blower hit an obstacle like a piece of ice etc. However, I tried out my blower this weekend and the auto-turn works pretty seamlessly. As you try and turn the blower, it seems to automatically disengage the inside wheel and it can rotate on a dime. I didn't feel like I was fighting the machine at all.

Curious what is involved with the "SHO" version of the Platinum 30? IIRC it means super high output but I'm not sure what is different about the machine??