Hi Myron, Yes, there is a snow blower on the market for everyone. I’m glad you found yours.

I do want to remind the rest of the readers about how to get good service with your new snow blower. The manufacturers like Ariens have phone numbers you can call but those numbers handle general questions and typically are not manned by experts or decision makers. Some companies don’t even use their own personnel for those phone numbers. So,

Just like your auto and most other products, the place you purchased it from is responsible for the customer service. If you contact a manufacturer directly, most of the time they will send you right back to the place you purchased it from. So – If you have any problems with an Ariens (or Toro, Cub Cadet, Troy-Bilt, Husqvarna) product you start with the place you purchased it from. For example, If you buy from Home Depot you start the conversation at the store where you purchased it. If it’s under 30 days they usually return it and over 30 days then ask them for the local dealer that does their service. That dealer will help you troubleshoot the machine. If it does need a repair that servicing dealer takes care of it. Of course, no one covers bad fuel so always use fresh fuel with a stabilizer and stored in a sealed gas can.

Hi John, Engine size really doesn’t matter between the Honda and the Ariens Deluxe/Platinum. The Ariens has a larger impeller and discharge which gives it greater capacity. In fact, the 24 inch Ariens Platinum has over 30% more capacity than the Honda 28 inch! – And almost 50% more capacity than the 24 inch Honda. You will get done quicker and it will not plug on wet, heavy snow.

What worries do you have with the Auto-Turn? It has the fewest parts of all the power steering systems in snow blowers, it’s a mechanical system so you don’t have to worry about overheating or fluid maintenance like you do with the hydro in the Honda. It does not use any clutches or cables to bind or wear out. Yes, the original Ariens with Auto-Turn wanted to wander around but that was only on the 30 inch. Ariens redesigned the axle placement for 2016 so now there are no issues with it at all. The Auto-Turn is tough enough that Ariens and Toro are both using it and Ariens is using it in their commercial units. It just works and you will not have to worry about it for many years.

I’ve been researching very intently on what to potentially purchase in a snowblower. I think I’ve narrowed it down to the ariens platinum 24 sho and either the track 24 inch or 28 inch Honda. I’m worried about the auto turn on the ariens and I’m worried about the Honda being underpowered. We don’t get tons of snow but we do get once in awhile the occasional 3 foot snow storm. My biggest concern overall is the snow left by the plows and wet snow in general. I have a cement driveway about 3 cars wide and 2 cars deep plus sidewalk. Just not sure what to go with. Enough so as to skip buying one until next year and hope Honda models get a larger engine. Thanks in advance.

Hi Brian, Do you have an ATV? A blade on that would be your best choice.

According to Google, you don’t get a lot of snow so any good 28-30 inch 2 stage snow blower would work well. Ariens Deluxe, Cub Cadet, Craftsman, etc. The only snow blower to stay away from is the ST320P Husqvarna. It does not like wet, heavy snow and the skids shoes won’t last long on that long of a driveway. The 28 inch Cub Cadet at Tractor Supply is a good choice.

Paul,

Thanks a ton, balanced and pragmatic position as usual. My old Honda is actually still running fine if you can believe. The Craftsman was to update/upgrade. I was thinking about getting rid of the Honda, but as you described, maybe there’s room for both depending on the situation and I end up with more focused tools for the given task, hopefully also stretching out their lifespans by the split duty work. One of the key things I learned among many other things snowblower related from your site, is the importance of maintenance like you just mentioned. I’m definitely noting that and will do. Thanks again for everything, awesome info here, keep up the great work.

@RS, Yes.

OK, I’ll tell you why.

The Craftsman is a good machine and with regular maintenance will last 10 years and more. Of course if you leave it outside to rust all year long, never change the oil, never treat the fuel for storage and never replace the parts that wear (like skid shoes and belts) it won’t last.

Something to think about…..Many of us have a two-stage for the snows that are deeper than 6 inches and a single stage for those light days. The single stage snowblower will be faster for any snow less than 6 inches. The single stage gas snow blowers also clean down to the pavement even if the snow has been driven on.

The 2-stage is faster on any snow over 6 inches and will consistently throw the snow farther. So, it time is money for you – two machines may be the best value. If not you will enjoy the Craftsman.

Great site, I’m a fan of your work. Thanks for all contributions and insight. Another question recently came in about a Canadian Craftsman 155014_J/W-7152533 (24” 208cc quiet motor, power steering, 15 wheels, heated grips, light, 4 way chute control, black body red auger). I’m asking about the same one. I’m in London Ontario and have a single wide about 160-170ft of level asphalt driveway and a small walkway. Annual snow fall is about 70-80”, but really it’s more like 4-5 days a season where snowfall in a day is over 4”, the rest of the season is under that a day. I realize by most accounts this 208cc is under powered for the conditions. To contrast though, I’m coming from 14 years with a single stage 163cc Honda HS621 same driveway and manage just fine even through the record snowfall years (I always liked how nimble and fast it can be used in the light stuff). You have to slow down on the heaviest stuff but with patience and consistency, the little Honda got through it all. I keep odd hours and really value the quiet motor in the Craftsman. I like the other features as well. I don’t mind a bit of patience during the heaviest days and getting out to clear more frequently. My question with all that said, do you think the Craftsman will still get the job done and be reliable long term (it’d be good to get 10 years or more out of it) with the right maintenance? Appreciate your thoughts.

Thanks Mike, I hate the mouse on this Mac….