After 20 years I have decided it is time to replace my Honda snow blower. It is an auger assisted model because the self propelled were too costly. And still are. Around $3k. After spending most the day researching I'm planning of buying a Ariens Deluxe 24" for $1.4k. This video goes into great detail buy a reviewer who I believe lives in the Buffalo NY area and has reviewed lots of blowers.


Any other thoughts are welcomed.

 

I've had two different Ariens over the years and they held up very well. They always started first time, every time.

 

In Kentucky it's seldom that we receive any accumulation that needs to be shoveled, but my neighbor just ordered a snowblower and expects to get it sometime this week. Don't know what kind he ordered, but he told me not to worry about snow shoveling again.

 

When and if I desire to see snow, I can either look out my window and see the Sierras in the distance or drive up to the cabin near Donner Pass.
I use an electric blower to clear the driveway all year.

 

The Ariens 24" 2-stage snow blower my dad purchased circa 1980 in Bingingham NY became mine when he moved to coastal North Carolina and remained in service by me until I moved from the NE Ohio snow-belt. A buddy still reports it in service -- 45 years. Sample of one (1) and the likelihood of any parts commonality is doubtful.

The city would plow my driveway shut so I just blew it all back into the center of the street. I'd do my double wide driveway then all the sidewalks on my block.

Here in Richmond my leaf blower handles all the snow we get.

-- Chuck

 

I think the one we have is an Arien. I'll have to ask Rick about the specs. We've had it at least five years (likely more, time flies) and we've had no issues.

 

Dave, I've got an ariens pro-28. sort of same thing, but with bigger motor. ( insert tim the toolman clip here)
It's a beast. I've gone through snow that was right up to the top of the entry chute. 22" deep.
It will even throw slush. normal snowball snow consistency will throw about 40 feet, powdery stuff 60+ feet.
It has the larger 420cc motor. somewhere around 15hp.

I could even think about getting the 36" hydro drive
finish up in half the time.

 

I had an Ariens, and my neighbour was a snowblower fanatic who also ran an Ariens (he would snow blow the entire street ). I always used the electric start, it would be the only way I would have a gas snowblower today, I always found they started better on electric start. Dave I would run one without any worries. My only complaints with snow blowers are the fumes, I absolutely hate the smell, but the 4 strokes are better than 2 strokes.

 

Dave, that’s exactly the model I have. I bought it at Home Depot in 2004. After the first year, the Tecumseh short block was replaced under warranty because of a microcrack that drained the oil during summer storage. Other than that, it’s been completely trouble-free. I just change the oil each season and empty the fuel tank before storing it.

 

If you keep them a long time, try to do what you can to keep the metal body from rusting as they do rust, but they should last a very long time.