Pros: This machine is 45 inches wide with a 16 inch impeller.  This model new model has a 342cc Briggs & Stratton engine.  The cc’s equates to about the same horsepower last years 13 hp Tecumseh motor.

The 342cc Briggs & Stratton engine is large enough to handle the 16 inch auger and 16 inch impeller on the machine.  The 16 inch impeller allows you to throw snow much farther than the 12 inch impeller on a lawn tractor snow blower attachment.  The large impeller also gives the machine more capacity so you can move snow quicker and not have to “wait” for the snowblower in heavy snow.

It is easy to use and drive.  It has 6 forward and 2 reverse speeds.  It uses triggers to control each wheel so you have ”power steering” with this machine.  It weighs in at almost 500 lbs so it is too heavy to push down on the handles and turn so the trigger control steering is the only way to turn it.  The power steering is nice.  It allows any adult to easily operate this snow blower.  In spite of it’s size it is one of the easiest snow throwers to use and control.

The steel shoes are reversible so you can get lots of life out of them.

Besides the power steering it has four-way joystick to control the discharge chute, and a clutch lock so you can control the snow blower with one hand while you shift gears and move the chute.  This machine is large enough to handle the toughest conditions winter can throw at you.

Cons: I really have very few concerns about this snow thrower.

The machine does not come fully assembled as stated on the Sears website.  It takes about 15 minutes to install the discharge chute, drift cutters and adjust the skid shoes.  Be sure to check the tire pressure and reduce it to 15-20 lbs and even on both sides of the machine.

A few reviewers stated that the dual wheels easily clogged up with snow and they lost traction.  I understand this.  If you want more traction in winter a narrower tire works better than a wide one.  I would suggest if you have this problem with your new machine to remove the duals and use a single set only.

There seems to be a problem with the plastic chute on the 2007 and older models.  I’m going to check with Sears Service and see if there are update kits for this problem.

Make sure you have extra shear pins.

My Opinion: If you need a large snowthrower or one that’s easy to use this is a good machine for your money.  Yes, it’s big and almost double the cost of a homeowner version, but if you have a lot of snow to move and want a machine that will last this is the best one to get. In my opinion Tecumseh makes the best snow engines and Craftsman/MTD has opted to replace that with a Briggs so I WOULD STRONGLY SUGGEST YOU PURCHASE THE OPTIONAL PROTECTION PLAN FOR THIS SNOW THROWER.  Yes Briggs makes good engines, but I am not familiar with this particular one.  If you have the need for this large of snowblower, you are most likely going to use it a lot.  The optional protection plan at $199 for 5 years is a good value for this machine.  All parts and labor is covered for any problem you may have with it for the full five years.  The only items not covered under the protection plan are tune-ups and flat tires.

You can read more about this snow thrower and order it online using this link Craftsman Professional 342cc 45″ 2- Stage Snow Thrower Model 88845.  If you order it online you can pick it up at your nearest store and not get charged for shipping.  Sears has this model on sale a lot for $50 to $150 dollars off the retail price.  They also have a 30 day price guarantee so you can buy it, watch the sale ads and come in and get the difference refunded to you.