2010 Craftsman 26 inch 208 cc Snow Thrower Model 88691 With Power Steering Review

Buy Here From Sears: Craftsman 88691 Snow Blower

It’s not which is the best snow thrower.  It is which snow thrower is best for you!

You should seriously consider this snow thrower before any other machine on the market. It features Power Steering and the new 4 way chute control.  The power steering makes this medium size snowblower easy to use for anyone and the 4 way chute control is much stronger and easier to operate than the cable system that was on previous models.

The Craftsman Model 88691 is designed to clear lots of snow quickly.

Craftsman 88691

The design of this machine is true to the Craftsman reputation.  It is a good reliable snowthrower.

Yes this snow thrower is a good sized unit for the money and will quickly clear a normal suburban driveway. It has a price tag that is reasonable for the features and size and it a great value compared to the snowblowers offered from the other big four manufactures. You should seriously consider this machine if you regularly blow more than 3-6 inches of snow on driveways in the 16 feet by 80 feet range.

Is this the right snowblower for you?

You should seriously consider this snow thrower before any other machine on the market.  Especially if you ever thought “snowblowers are too hard to use.”  Almost everyone will be able to use this snowblower including your Grandmother.  Why? With the  power steering you no longer have to “manhandle” the unit.  Just pull a small lever on the handle and the snowblower turns for you.  It is balanced well and easy to use.  The controls are simple and intuitive.  With the power steering even smaller people and people with back problems can use this machine.

This snowblower will go through a door 28 inches or larger.  The 26 inch width and the skid shoes need 28 inches or more.  If you regularly use the garage side door or go out the back to clean a spot off the patio this model will easily fit through your doors.

Do you have to put the snow in precise locations? My neighbor has a spot where he has to blow the snow into a 4 foot wide area.  The 4 way chute control allows for precise and quick chute changes.

Do you have a beautiful drive or patio? The poly skid shoes will NOT leave brown (rust) marks on your drive.  If you have stained concrete or a nice patio this snow thrower won’t destroy it.

This is a medium sized snow thrower with a well matched motor and all the basic features you need.  The 4 way chute makes it easy to operate and control where the snow goes.

Here is a rundown of the Features and Benefits of this new snowthrower:

Single Handed Operation: You can drive the snow thrower easily with one hand to make adjustments to the chute or change speeds without stopping

Power Steering: This feature allows anyone to easily control the snow blower. Once you use power steering on a snowblower you will never want to go back to one without it. A small trigger located on the bottom of each handgrip allows you to effortlessly change the direction of the snow thrower. It really saves the back muscles from having to wrestle a snowthrower without power steering around.

4 cycle, 208 cc Overhead Valve Motor: This Craftsman motor is larger than the one on the 24 inch snowthrower. It has plenty of power to bust through plow drifts and move the heavy snows. The 4 cycle Overhead Valve (OHV) engine is quiet.

26 inch clearing width: The 26 inch width is wide enough to make short work of most large areas yet small enough to easily work around most obstacles. It is small enough to fit through the side door on your garage. You can quickly clear most sidewalks in two passes.

21 inch intake height: The intake is high enough to tackle most drifts. You can purchase optional drift cutters to help keep a clean edge when working the really deep stuff.

Four-Way Joystick Control: One of the best changes to the entire Craftsman snowblower line this year is the new Four-Way Joystick Control. As may of you know the previous cable joystick was not heavy enough, got sticky easily and wore out after only a few seasons. This new system uses gears and shafts to rotate the chute. The gearboxes are sealed and should not give you the icing problems the cable system was accused of.

Electric Starter: Of course this Craftsman snowthrower has push button electric start. Just plug the 110v power cord into any wall outlet and push the button.

12 inch serrated auger with 12 inch impeller: The 12 inch impeller is large enough to handle most snowfalls (6 to 9 inch snowfalls) You may have to drop down a gear when throwing heavy wet snow. The serrated auger effectively chews up the snow before throwing it into the impeller.

6 forward, 2 reverse speeds: Plenty of speed choices so you can get your snow blowing done quickly and efficiently.

Tires: 15 X 5 X-Trac Tires Provide Great Traction for this size snowblower.

Optional Headlight: I don’t know about you but there are times when I am out early in the morning or late at night getting the driveway cleared. The optional Arnold headlight is a welcome addition to this snow thrower.

2 quart fuel capacity: 2 quarts of fuel on a snowblower is just fine. You should be able to run quite a while before you have to fill up.

Extended Chute/Extreme Chute Capacity: The new longer and larger chute creates better throw patterns than the old short chutes. When blowing light snow this will help a lot to keep it from blowing back into your face. The longer chute will allow you to throw the snow farther with more control to put in the right spot.

Warranty: 2 year manufactures defects warranty with up to a 5 year optional protection plan (read Are Protection Plans Worth It on Craftsman Snow Throwers)

Learn More: You can learn more and purchase this new Craftsman Snow Thrower here. Buy Here From Sears: Craftsman 88691 Snow Blower

To Get your Craftsman 26 Inch Two Stage Model 88691 Snow Thrower: This is one of the more popular snow throwers in the Craftsman line. I really expect this snowblower to sell out a few times this year so I would suggest you get the machine as soon as possible. Don’t wait to get this snow blower at the first snowfall.

Here is the easy way to get your new snowthrower:

Go to Buy Here From Sears: Craftsman 88691 Snow Blower

Order it online. This will save you a trip to your local store if they don’t have it in stock and have to order it.

After you order it online you can pick it up at your nearest store and not get charged for shipping. You can get your new Craftsman snowblower delivered to your home from the store for a normal charge. Sears has a 14 day price guarantee so you can buy it, watch the sale ads and come into your local Sears and get the difference refunded to you if they come up with a better deal.

NOTE: Some of the stores are now taking your new snow thrower out of the box and setting it up for you. If they do be sure to thank them and make sure you get the plastic bag with the manual, keys and electric starting cord. If you have the snow thrower delivered it may be delivered in a box.

Assembly is simple: If you do end up with a box, assembly is simple. Cut the end out of the box and drag the snow thrower out onto the floor. Find the manual and read the assembly directions. It will only take you about ten minutes to position the handles and attach the chute.

After you use your new snowthrower for a while, come back and tell us how well you like your snow thrower (scroll down for the comment section)

I expect Sears to put this snow thrower on sale regularly and they are starting out the season with a really great deal.

If you are looking for a smaller Craftsman Snow Thrower take a look at this model: Craftsman Model 88970

If you are looking for a larger Snowblower take a look at this model: MTD Pro 277cc 28 inch Two-Stage Snow Thrower

If you can’t decide which size Craftsman snowthrower or Craftsman Snow Blower you need watch this video:

Video: Which Snow Thrower Is Best For You?

Accessories:

Here are the common accessories and wear items for your snow blower.  I strongly recommend you purchase a bag of shear pins now!  Tape them to the handle of your snow thrower.  Change your oil every year.  I also suggest you buy the belts and hang them on your garage wall.  They should last years but a heavy, wet snow, ice chunks, or a garden hose can easily burn out a belt.  Read the manual and learn how to change them out.  It is an easy operation IF you have practiced it when it is still warm out.

Craftsman Snowblower Shear Pins or Standard Shear Pins

Universal Poly Skid Shoes

Standard Snow Thrower Cab

Large Universal Snow Thrower Cab

Replacement Snowblower Belts Your 2 stage snowblower takes two belts. An Auger Belt and a Drive Belt. Go through this list and pick the two that match your model. (Free shipping from Sears.com) If you can’t find your belt use the banner in the right hand column to go to searspartsdirect.com. Be sure to write down the coupon code for your 10% discount.

4 cycle Snow Thrower Oil

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