Great News! The biggest change in the Snow Blower Market this year is Troy-Bilt is now at The Home Depot! Settle in get comfortable. This article is only 5532 words

My Opinion: 

I have no problems suggesting the Troy-Bilt Storm Models below for any area of the country that averages up to 80 inches of snow a year including Chicago, Denver, Detroit, Pittsburg, Minneapolis, Long Island, and New Jersey.

I have no problems suggesting the Heavy Duty Arctic Storm 30 and 34-inch models. They can handle any snow you get, no matter where you live in the U.S. They love heavy, wet snow like the East Coast regularly gets.

Why the change?

Troy-Bilt will now get the recognition they deserve. Troy-Bilt makes a complete line of well-built residential snow blowers ranging from the most economical to the largest capacity residential machines. Now that The Home Depot will be carrying Troy-Bilt you will be able to easily purchase the model you want and get the great service The Home Depot offers. (I’m also noticing a lot more local dealers and farm stores carrying Troy-Bilt.)

My opinion:  Since Lowes is now going to be the “exclusive” big box store for new Craftsman products and since floor space is finite at these big stores Troy-Bilt will have even less floor space than they had in the past. So, I’m very glad Troy-Bilt is now available at the Home Depot. The real winner now is you because you will have better access to the complete line of dependable Troy-Bilt snow throwers.

As you most likely know Stanley, Black & Decker (SBD) purchased the Craftsman name this year – but not the products. What that means for snow blowers is Stanley, Black & Decker will be independently developing their own line of Craftsman snow “throwers”, parts, and a repair network. At this time it looks like Lowes will be the primary seller for these new models. (My local ACE Hardware doesn’t have a clue if they will get the SBD Craftsman) The models at Lowes are completely different from the Craftsman at Sears models you know (and love). With the new models at Lowes, you will have to get parts, warranty work, and service through Stanley, Black & Decker. The four Craftsman (SBD) models currently for sale at Lowes are made by MTD but it’s unclear if SBD will continue to use that manufacture in the future, switch to another manufacturer, or build their own.

Problems with Troy-Bilt Snow Throwers:

If you have spent any time at all researching snow blowers, the Internet is full of horror stories about all brands or models of snow throwers. You can ALWAYS find someone who is unhappy with their purchase. In reality, snow throwers from major brands like Troy-Bilt are dependable and will last many years if you size it properly for the area you have to clear, and the amount of snow you usually get. Read the operator manual before you use it the first time, and perform a few simple preventative tasks every fall/spring.

I don’t like the fact that there will be a group of Internet trolls that will make you think twice about buying a Troy-Bilt for your suburban driveway. Across the board, Troy-Bilt is one of the best value brands out there. Troy-Bilt Storm models are well designed, good snow blowers for about 90% of the U.S. They will last years with a little maintenance once in a while.

Reliability: Consumer Reports is the only organization that regularly asks readers to rate the snow blowers they own. Owners rate Troy-Bilt snow blowers as the second best of all the brands. (Honda is first – Husqvarna is last) Reference: CR Subscription Required

Parts & Service: Parts and repairs are easy to get. Parts can be ordered through MTDParts.com, the Troy-Bilt website, your local Troy-Bilt service center, Amazon.com, and The Home Depot. Shear pins and belts are even available at most Walmarts and Menards that stock snow blowers. (Arnold is MTD’s parts division)

Special Offer For MovingSnow Customers! Sign Up & Save 10% On Your Next Order at MTDParts.com! Coupon Applied After Sign-Up.

Build Quality: Of course – you get what you pay for with most brands and Troy-Bilt is no exception. With Troy-Bilt, you get a good price on a better than average snow blower across the entire line. The current models are all built well, built to last, and easy to use.

Check out all the Troy-Bilt snow throwers at THD here: Troy-Bilt Snow Bowers at The Home Depot

Troy-Bilt has one “game changer” feature that no one else has!

Troy-Bilt has airless tires on select models never go flat, offer great traction in all conditions, and make even the solid axle machines easy to turn. These tires are an industry game changer for solid axle snow blowers.  I’ve used them for two years now and I actually like the design better than the Michelin Tweel. I like them so much I would like to see 20-inch and 24-inch versions for lawn tractors and zero-turns. The airless tires really make a difference.

How this article is laid out:

I’m going to list the 2-stage and 3 stage snow throwers together by size. I’ll leave the single stage Squall machines for last.

Let’s get started!

24 inch Troy-Bilt Snow Blowers

Troy-Bilt has two 24-inch snow blowers that are inexpensive, yet do the job for many homeowners. The machines use the same quality parts as the more expensive machine – they just don’t have as many features.  They have the same warranty as the more expensive models. One model, the Storm 2460, is one of the best value snow blowers on the market today.  If you live in a subdivision with a 2 car driveway and get 60 inches of snow or less a year it’s a great choice.

Troy-Bilt Storm 2460 MY 24 inch Best Value Choice: The 24 inch Storm 2460 keeps up the tradition of one of the best value snow blowers on the market. It can easily handle a 12-inch snowfall but can also clear that 24-inch drift as needed.  The high intake also means it can clear that huge snow plow drift the snow plows left you overnight. I highly recommend this snow blower if you have a 2 car driveway about 80 feet long, (or single car equivalent) get an average snowfall of 60 inches or less a year. It’s designed to work on gravel, turf, cement, and blacktop. The 208cc engine is just the right size for this snow blower. The airless tires really make a difference. They give you all the traction of the 15-inch X-Trac pneumatic tires but the tread design makes them VERY easy to turn on this solid axle snow thrower. It also has the poly skid shoes so it won’t scratch your stamped and decorative driveways and patio. Last but not least, the long discharge chute puts the snow where you want it and the EZ chute control is fast and very easy to use. (My opinion) This model does not have power steering but is light enough and with the airless tires – it’s very easy to use for most people. Yes, there are a lot of bigger, larger, and more expensive snow blowers on the market, but if you just want a decent 2-stage to clear your “typical” suburban driveway this is one of the best choices. 

Troy-Bilt Storm 2410 If you have to have the least expensive 2-stage snow blower on the market this is the one.  The 208cc 24 inch Storm 2410 is most like your old 5 hp Troy-Bilt, Craftsman or Murray that you are replacing it with. It’s a simple snow blower capable of handling 8 to 12-inch snows and can clear that end-of-driveway drift. This snow blower will take you longer to clear your driveway than any other 24 inch that Troy-Bilt sells – but it will still get the job done. It’s a much better snow blower for most people than a single stage snow thrower and built better than the Chinese imports. It’s one of the few snow blowers in this price range with electric start. The intake is higher than your 20-year-old Murray which means it can clear that 21-inch snow plow drift the snow plows left you overnight. This is a decent snow blower if you have a 2 car driveway about 40-50 feet long, (or single car equivalent) get an average snowfall of 50 inches or less a year. It’s designed to work on gravel, turf, cement and blacktop. The deep lug tires are the right size for this snow blower. It also has the poly skid shoes so it won’t scratch your stamped and decorative driveways and patio. This model does not have power steering but is light enough for most people to use. Don’t expect this model to clear heavy, wet snow well, throw the snow more than 25 feet or have a lot of traction for clearing the snow plow drift.

Troy-Bilt Vortex 2490 I’m not a fan of this snow blower but that doesn’t mean it’s not the best one for you. The combination of the huge engine and 3rd stage allows this snow blower to throw snow much farther and has about twice the capacity of the Storm 2460 above. It has all the premium features Troy-Bilt offers – power steering, hand warmers (that work), 4-way chute control, long discharge chute, and headlight. It absolutely loves 12-15 inches of normal snow and it’s fun to watch how far it will throw the snow! What I don’t like about this snow blower is the front – 3rd stage auger spins about 10 times faster than the side augers. In 2 to 4 inches of snow that “fan” just splatters snow all over the place. That means to clean your driveway in one pass you always have to have the uncleared part of your driveway to the right of the machine. In other words, you have to start in the middle of the driveway and keep turning left at the end of the pass. I have not been able to plug this snow blower but in wet snow, it tends to pack the snow inside the housing and you’ll have a lot of cleaning to do before you put it away in your garage.

Sears Stock Item #	Storm 2410	Storm 2460	Vortex 2490
engine	4-cycle / 208 cc OHV	4-cycle / 208 cc OHV	4-cycle / 277 cc OHV
starter type	electric	electric	electric
clearing width	24”	24”	24″
intake height	21”	21”	21″
auger / impeller	12” serrated auger / updated 12” impeller	12” serrated auger / updated 12” impeller	12” serrated auger / 12” 3rd stage/impeller
speeds	6F/2R	6F/2R	6F/2R
Drive Control	Solid Axle	Solid Axle	Trigger Power Steering
operation control		single hand control	single hand control
chute control	crank / manual	EZ Rotation Chute	4-Way Joystick
tire size	13” x 4” X-Trac	15” x 5” Airless	15″ x 5″ X-Trac
headlight		Yes	Yes
skid shoes	Small Glide-Tech	Glide-Tech	Glide-Tech
handle	steel	steel	steel
warranty	2 year limited	2 year limited	2 year limited
extended chute		Yes	Yes
Other Options			Hand Warmers
Typical Sale Price	$599	$699	$1099
Buy Here From THD ->	Troy-Bilt Storm 2410	Troy-Bilt Storm 2460	Troy-Bilt Vortex 2490

When you read snow blower reviews you are going to find reviews that state “the engine would not start,” “the engine won’t stay running.” and “the engine runs rough.” You will find these reviews for all brands and sizes of snow blowers.

98% of the time engine problems with snow blowers are either fuel or operator related. Snow engines run/operate differently than your lawn mower engine. Educating yourself on how to store fuel, how to keep your fuel clean and how/why your snow blower engine runs the way it does will go a long way towards liking your new snow blower. Please read this article to learn more: Buying A New Snow Blower FAQS – Read This For The Truth

26 inch Troy-Bilt Snow Blowers

If a 28-inch snow blower is too big for your garage but you want something larger than a 24 inch, a 26 inch is a good choice. Troy-Bilt offers the inexpensive Storm 2660 and the great value Storm 2665.

Troy-Bilt Storm 2660 The Storm 2660 is the 26-inch version of the Storm 2460 above, It has the good 208cc Troy-Bilt engine, solid axle, good tires, and extended chute. It does not have a remote deflector control.

Troy-Bilt Storm 2665 MY 26 inch Best Value Choice! New! Exclusive to The Home Depot! The Storm 2665 adds a larger 243cc Troy-Bilt engine and a remote deflector. Solid axle, good tires, and extended Quick EZ-Rotation chute. At $799 it is one of the best value 26-inch snow blowers. I can highly recommend this snow blower for most people who get up to 80 inches of snow a year, have a 2-car 100-foot driveway and want more power than the snow blower you now have.

Troy-Bilt Storm Tracker 2690XP If you have a small, steep driveway this is the best choice on the market today! The Storm Tracker 2690XP is one of the most underappreciated snow blowers around. It has the best traction of any 24-26 inch snow blower. It has heated handgrips, power steering, and a good 208cc engine. In other words, it has all the features of the high-end residential snow blowers plus tracks for a reasonable price. In fact, it has a larger engine and all the features of the Honda 24 inch tracked snow blower for HALF THE PRICE! Yes – it will last just as long. 

The electronic 4-way remote chute/deflector control on the Storm Tracker 2690XP is the best electric chute design on the market. All the gears, motors, and controls are sealed up under the dash so it’s protected from any moisture. The joystick right by your right thumb is the easiest to use.  This electronic chute control has been around for over 10 years and has proven to be completely reliable.

Sears Stock Item #	Storm 2660	Storm 2665	Storm Tracker 2690XP
engine	4-cycle / 208 cc OHV	4-cycle / 243 cc OHV	4-cycle / 208 cc OHV
starter type	electric	electric	electric
clearing width	26”	26”	26″
intake height	21”	21”	21″
auger / impeller	12” serrated auger / updated 12” impeller	12” serrated auger / updated 12” impeller	12” serrated auger / updated 12” impeller
speeds	6F/2R	6F/2R	6F/2R
Drive Control	Solid Axle	Solid Axle	Trigger Power Steering
operation control	single hand control	single hand control	single hand control
chute control	EZ Rotation Chute – No deflector control	EZ Rotation Chute	Electronic 4-Way Chute
tire size	15″ x 5″ X-Trac	15″ x 5″ X-Trac	D-Track with SelecTrac
headlight	Yes	Yes	Yes
skid shoes	Glide-Tech	Glide-Tech	Glide-Tech
handle	steel	steel	steel
warranty	2 year limited	2 year limited	2 year limited
extended chute	Yes	Yes	Yes
Other Options			Hand Warmers
Typical Sale Price  (Sales Change Often)	$781	$799	$1199
Buy Here at THD ->	Troy-Bilt Storm 2660	Troy-Bilt Storm 2665	Troy-Bilt Storm Tracker 2690XP

Troy-Bilt snow blowers are among the most popular snow blowers for price and capacity. The Storm models are just the right size and power for the majority of the homes and driveways north of Interstate 70.  In other words, if you normally get 2-14 inch snows and average 40-80 inches a year these are great machines. They all have a 21-inch intake height so they will handle drifts and the occasional blizzard. No, they don’t have the capacity of the heavy-duty, “snow belt” machines that cost hundreds more, but for most of us, they are just the right combination of features, power, and price.

Troy-Bilt Storm 2860 Best Value 28 inch! The Storm 2860 does not have power steering but with the airless tires, it is still VERY easy to use. The extended chute with remote deflector puts the snow where you want it. The EZ Chute rotation control is fast, easy and won’t wear out. The 243 cc engine has plenty of power for snows up to 14 inches but it still can handle those 18-20 inchers if you drop it down a gear.  I have used this snow blower extensively over the last two years and it has been up to the task for any snow I’ve gotten up here in Northern Wisconsin! You can check out my videos on YouTube/Paul Sikkema to see it in action. It’s a great value snow blower and even includes heated hand grips that work!

Troy-Bilt Storm 2890 Best Value 28 inch with Power Steering! It’s also the Quietest Gas Powered Snow Blower on the Market! The Storm 2890 has all the features of the Best Value 2860 above and adds power steering and the Troy-Bilt quiet engine (with Noise Guard Technology) for only $100 more. 

Troy-Bilt Storm Tracker 2890 Best Value Tracked Snow Blower! The Storm Tracker 2890 has all the features of the Storm 2860 and 2890 models and adds a larger engine and 3-point track drive! Yes, it has power steering that works perfectly and hand warmers that work. The combination of power and 3-point tracks make it the best choice for steep driveways. For the price, this is an exceptional deal if you need a tracked snow blower! One of the unique features of the Troy-Bilt Storm Tracker over a wheeled unit is you can adjust the skid shoes to clean your smooth driveway and patio well but you can also raise the front of the snow blower up just a little to clear soft gravel driveways, turf and other “rough off road” areas just by moving a lever on the side of the machine. Using the same lever you can also lock the front down so you can easily scrape hard packed snow off your driveway. This snow blower, with the 3-point tracks, has a lot more clearance under it than the $3000 Honda snow blowers and the Chinese made machines with the old 2-point drive system. Because of that fact it won’t get stuck as easily clearing paths and trails as the 2-point models. 

28 inch Troy-Bilt Snow Blowers

Sears Stock Item #	Storm 2860	Storm 2890	Storm Tracker 2890
engine	4-cycle / 243 cc OHV	4-cycle / 243 cc OHV Quiet Engine	4-cycle / 277 cc OHV
starter type	electric	electric	electric
clearing width	28”	28”	28″
intake height	21”	21”	21″
auger / impeller	12” serrated auger / updated 12” impeller	12” serrated auger / updated 12” impeller	12” serrated auger / updated 12” impeller
speeds	6F/2R	6F/2R	6F/2R
Drive Control	Solid Axle	Trigger Power Steering	Trigger Power Steering
operation control	single hand control	single hand control	single hand control
chute control	EZ Rotation Chute	EZ Rotation Chute	EZ Rotation Chute
tire size	15” x 5” Airless	15” x 5” Airless	D-Track with SelecTrac
headlight	Yes	Yes	Yes
skid shoes	Glide-Tech	Glide-Tech	Glide-Tech
handle	steel	steel	steel
warranty	2 year limited	2 year limited	2 year limited
extended chute	Yes	Yes	Yes
Other Options	Hand Warmers	Hand Warmers	Hand Warmers
Typical Sale Price  (Sales Change Often)	$899	$999.99	$1299
Buy Here at THD ->	Troy-Bilt Storm 2860	Troy-Bilt Storm 2890	Troy-Bilt Storm Tracker 2890

Troy-Bilt Storm 3090

Troy-Bilt Storm 3090 The Storm 3090 is one snow blower that I love to hate. Let me explain. This snow blower has been around in various forms and colors for over 10 years. It’s been sold under many names, Craftsman, Craftsman Pro, Cub Cadet, Troy-Bilt, MTD, MTD Pro Yard Machines, Remington and even the new Craftsman at Lowes. The engine and controls change but the rest of the machine has stayed the same. (I have the Troy-Built XP version here with the electronic joystick.) It’s a dependable snow thrower. It doesn’t break. The current engine on the Storm 3090 has plenty of power, starts well, and is very reliable. You will rarely break a shear pin (unlike the 3-stage snow throwers) and belts last for years. But:

The problem I have with the snow thrower is the front auger flights are too close together and that design severely limits its capacity.  If you have 4-8 inches of snow to clear, the Storm 3090 (and it’s cousins) does a good job. But, if you try to clear 10, 12, or more inches these tightly spaced auger flights limit the amount of snow going into the snow blower and the snow piles up in front of the machine. If you keep driving the snow blower it actually looks more like a snow plow than a snow blower because the snow piles up in the front.  Its even worse in heavy, wet snow – the front auger will plug up into a solid cylinder of snow and no snow can get to the impeller.

If you look at the front auger on this 30-inch snow blower the six closed auger flights are much closer together than the four flights on the 28-inch machine. The extra auger flights are too close together and that’s where the bottleneck is with this otherwise good snow blower. 

So, if you need a snow blower to clear a large area and only get up to 10 inches of snow the Troy-Bilt Storm 3090  can be a good choice because its a dependable machine at a good price but if you get that occasional heavy-wet snow or regularly get snows deeper than 10 inches a better choice is the Troy-Bilt Arctic Storm 30 below.

Troy-Bilt Arctic Storm 30-34 Heavy-Duty, High Capacity Snow Blowers

Yes, I saved the best for last! Last year Troy-Bilt introduced the new heavy duty 30 and 34 inch Arctic Storm snow blowers to replace the old, tired 33 and 45-inch models but no one really explained why it’s such a leap forward for Troy-Bilt… I won’t spend any time explaining why the old MTD built models were so bad. Let’s just say – they are gone! – and move on.

The Troy-Bilt Arctic Storm 30 and  Troy-Bilt Arctic Storm 34  snow blowers are a new design and very heavy-duty. They feature thicker steel, better components including all steel discharge chutes, 14-inch high capacity impellers, and 14-inch front auger systems. These new snow blowers even have handle supports so using them is much easier than the old models.

It’s big and awesome but balanced well and surprisingly easy to use. I highly recommend the 30-inch heavy duty snow blower if you have a long driveway to clear, or you get large doses of heavy, wet snow. The 34 inch is has a larger engine and will throw snow as well as the best red and orange commercial snow throwers. These are high-end homeowner snow blowers, not commercial machines but I would have no problems recommending the 34-inch version to a church or other business that needs to clear large areas once or twice a week.

Compare this new heavy-duty Troy-Bilt Arctic Storm, Ariens Platinum 30, Husqvarna ST330P and the Toro PowerMax HD 1228.

I’ll say it – “For half the price as the Honda 32 inch you get a snow blower that will perform the task faster.”

In 2017 Consumer Reports rated this snow blower and the $3000 Ariens Rapidtrak – as the two of the best 2-stage machines. In addition, it scored just as well as the Cub Cadet 3X HD. 

Troy-Bilt Arctic Storm 30  If you live around Lake Tahoe, on the East Coast or any other area of the country that gets a lot of heavy, wet snow this is one of the best value, heavy-duty snow blowers on the market. It has large 16″ X 6.5″ X-Trac tires for great traction. It has the large 14-inch impeller and 14-inch front auger to quickly move all types of snow through the machine. It has the highest intake height of any of the current snow blowers so it will take on deep drifts efficiently. The snow blower including the chute is made of heavy, reinforced steel so it will last. 

The 357cc engine on the Troy-Bilt Arctic Storm 30 has plenty of power for this snow blower. Yes, there are other 30-inch snow blowers with larger engines but this engine is a good choice for both power and fuel economy.

The 420cc engine on the Troy-Bilt Arctic Storm 34 has over-the-top power. In two years I have not found snow deep enough to slow this 34-inch monster down.

Heated handgrips and the electronic 4-way chute make it fun to use. Don’t listen to your grouchy old neighbor who tells you electric chute controls break and are not worth the money. I’ve sold thousands of MTD made snow blowers with this specific control and it is bulletproof! It’s easy and fun to use and much faster than the Honda electric chute control!

One of the unique features that I really like on this snow blower is the square tube running from the top of the handle down to the frame. This reinforces the handle assembly and makes the snow blower very solid and easy to turn. This is the only residential snow blower that has this “commercial” feature.

I highly recommend this snow blower for homeowners who have long driveways with drifts. The trigger power steering allows the snow thrower to move in a straight line without much effort on your part. If you want to turn or make a small course correction just pull the small trigger under the handle.

You can check out my videos on YouTube/Paul Sikkema to see the Arctic Storm 34 in action.

Sears Stock Item #	Storm 3090	Arctic Storm 30	Arctic Storm 34
engine	4-cycle / 357 cc OHV	4-cycle / 357 cc OHV Quiet Engine	4-cycle / 420 cc OHV
starter type	electric	electric	electric
clearing width	30”	30”	34″
intake height	21”	23”	23″
auger / impeller	14” serrated auger / updated 14” impeller	14” serrated auger / updated 14” impeller	14” serrated auger / updated 14” impeller
speeds	6F/2R	6F/2R	6F/2R
Drive Control	Trigger Power Steering	Trigger Power Steering	Trigger Power Steering
operation control	single hand control	single hand control	single hand control
chute control	EZ Rotation Chute	Electronic 4-Way Chute	Electronic 4-Way Chute
tire size	16” x 6.5” X-Trac	16” x 6.5” X-Trac	16” x 6.5” X-Trac
headlight	Yes	Yes	Yes
skid shoes	Glide-Tech	Glide-Tech	Glide-Tech
handle	steel	steel reinforced	steel reinforced
warranty	2 year limited	2 year limited	2 year limited
extended chute	Yes	Yes	Yes
Other Options	Hand Warmers	Hand Warmers  drift cutters	Hand Warmers  drift cutters
Typical Sale Price  (Sales Change Often)	$1099	$1499	$1699
Buy Here at THD ->	Storm 3090	Arctic Storm 30	Arctic Storm 34

21-inch Troy-Bilt Single Stage Snow Blowers

Troy-Bilt makes a snow blower for just about every driveway in the U.S. but I’m not a fan of owning a single-stage snow blower as your only, primary snow clearing tool. Why? Yes, single-stage snow throwers are faster to use on that light dusting to 4 inches of snow but they don’t handle that end-of-driveway pile the city snow plow leaves you well at all.  Yes, the Troy-Bilt models will clean packed down snow a 2-stage can’t but if you have to throw the snow in a certain spot, over bushes or over a wall they don’t have the throwing distance to perform those tasks. They do make a great “second” snow blower and compliment your 2-stage for tasks the 2-stage is too big for.  They do work well for patios, raised decks, 2-4 inchers, and cleaning snow off the sidewalks and around the doorway to your business. In other words, if you live North of Interstate 70 you should not consider a single-stage snow blower for your primary snow removal tool. If you do buy one I suggest the 208cc models. The 123cc is too small and the 179cc engine has a history of being hard to start.

New! Exclusive to The Home Depot! Squall 208 EX

Sears Stock Item #	Squall 123R	Squall 179E	Squall 208 EX	Squall 208 XP
engine	4-cycle / 123 cc OHV	4-cycle / 179 cc OHV	4-cycle / 208cc OHV	4-cycle / 208cc OHV
starter type	recoil	electric	electric	electric
clearing width	21″	21”	21″	21”
intake height	13”	13”	13″	13”
auger / impeller	9 ” reinforced paddle	9 ” reinforced paddle	9 ” reinforced paddle	9 ” reinforced paddle
speeds	Will pull itself if you lift the handle	Will pull itself if you lift the handle	Will pull itself if you lift the handle	Will pull itself if you lift the handle
Drive Control	NA	NA	NA	NA
operation control	single hand control	single hand control	single hand control	single hand control
chute control	Manual Chute	Manual Chute	Manual Chute	Remote Crank Chute
tire size	8” x 2”	8” x 2”	8” x 2”	8” x 2”
headlight			LED headlights	LED headlights
skid shoes	NA	NA	NA	NA
handle	Deluxe Folding	Deluxe Folding	Deluxe Folding	Deluxe Folding
warranty	2 year limited	2 year limited	2 year limited	2 year limited
extended chute	NA	NA	NA	NA
drift cutters	NA	NA	NA	NA
Typical Sale Price  (Sales Change Often)	$359	$399	$499	$599
Buy Here at THD ->	Squall 123R	Squall 179E	Squall 208 EX	Squall 208 XP

The post 2018 Troy-Bilt Snow Blower Review – What’s New – Which One Is Best For You? appeared first on MovingSnow.com.

First, let me review a few of the features/specs of the Troy-Bilt and Ariens and why  – on paper –  one may be best for you.

1. I classify the Troy-Bilt Storm 2860 as a “residential” snow blower and is a good choice for most of us who own suburban driveways and get up to 60-70 inches average snowfall a year. It will handle 2-15 inch snows and will clean the snow plow drift at the end of your driveway.  It has a 12-inch impeller, 12-inch front auger and around a 250 cc engine. The controls are convenient and it handles well for the price. At $799 it’s a good value snow blower. Most brands like Craftsman, Toro, Cub Cadet, Husqvarna, Briggs & Stratton, and Ariens have 24, 26, 28 and 30-inch snow blowers in this price/capacity range so the Storm a good choice to demonstrate the capabilities of these “typical” residential snow blowers. For about $150 more you can get models with power steering.
2. I classify Ariens Deluxe series as a “heavy duty” residential snow blower. On paper, it has a little more capacity with its 14-inch impeller and 14-inch auger so it should be able to handle areas that get up to 100 inches of snow a year. The Deluxe has about the same power-per-inch ratio as the residential models. The Deluxe series cost a few hundred dollars more but if you get deeper drifts or heavy-wet snow it won’t plug as quickly as the residential models. Power/automatic steering is standard. Cub Cadet and Toro also have models that use the 14-inch impeller.

By the way: The Troy-Bilt Storm 2860 in the video has the airless tires. I like them a lot. The Ariens Deluxe 30 has the EFI option – just turn the key and pull the starter rope. It always starts on the first pull.

Enjoy the video and feel free to ask questions and tell me which one you like the best for your driveway.

If you would like me to make more videos like this please subscribe to my YouTube channel. Paul Sikkema – TheToolboxhero

The post Ariens Deluxe 30 EFI or TroyBilt Storm 2860 Hands On Test Which One Is Best For You? appeared first on MovingSnow.com.

I’ll also be adding another video soon that compares it to a typical residential snow blower.

Enjoy the video and if you would like me to make more like it please subscribe to my YouTube channel. Paul Sikkema – TheToolboxhero

Feel free to check out the Ariens website for more details and specs on this snow blower: Ariens RapidTrak at Ariens.com

The post Ariens RapidTrak Hydro Pro First Time Use appeared first on MovingSnow.com.

That is NOT a shear pin

Here is a video from Toro to explain more: 

The post Why Are There No Shear Pins On Toro Two-Stage Snowblowers? appeared first on MovingSnow.com.

Why review a commercial snow blower?

• Many more people today are looking for snow blowers that will do the job well, be very easy to use and will last and last. That combined with the fact that today’s automotive fuels are simply problematic for lawn & garden engines many people are not afraid to spend well over $1000 to get a machine they can trust will start every time and one that will do the job quickly.
• Even Consumer Reports has realized how the market has changed and they have upped their game this year. CR has started to review the deluxe, high capacity and commercial snow blowers. Of course, this commercial 2-stage Ariens RapidTrak Hydro Pro just blows away everything else they have tested before it.

Who is this snow blower for?

• If you have a huge area to clear.
• If you get a lot of deep, wet snows.
• If you have to clear areas that vehicles drive on.
• If you have to clear sidewalks that get snow piled on them from the city snow plow.
• This is a very easy to use snow blower. Yes, it’s big and heavy but with the tracks in the “wheel” position the weight is balanced and that makes it easier to turn and maneuver than any other model with trigger style power steering. Even moving it around inside your garage is a breeze.
• The hydro is designed so you can vary the speed and shift directly into reverse without stopping the snow blower. If you have a lot of corners to clear and obstacles to go around this is your dream machine.
• If you have a sloped driveway that is too steep for a wheeled snow blower. This snow blower is a good choice for you.
• The Ariens RapidTrak Hydro 28 Pro is built for the commercial user but anyone else who wants the very best in capacity, long life and ease of use will appreciate this snow blower. It’s newest feature is the RapidTrak system that allows you to have the speed and maneuverability of a wheeled snow blower and also the traction and cleaning power of a tracked unit. The RapidTrak is completely different than any other track drive on the market. I go into detail about those differences in the first video below.
• It features a commercial grade Briggs & Stratton Pro engine that combined with the design of the machine gives this snow blower more power and throwing capacity than any other 28 inch snow blower on the market.  It’s an engine that the commercial users trust to last them years and years. In fact, it has 38% more listed capacity than it’s only competitor  – the Honda HSS928ATD. (Listed Specs on the Honda site are 57 tons per hour versus 79 tons for the Ariens)

Enough writing – I made videos!

Below are two videos on the new Ariens RapidTrak Hydro 28 Pro.

• The first video goes into detail on all the components of this new snow blower.
• The second video looks inside the belt area and inside the transmission case.

If you like these videos and would like me to make more please click on the Youtube logo in the bottom right corner of video window. That will take you to YouTube. Then hit the big red subscribe button.

I’ll be posting videos of the snow blower in action soon.

Feel free to check out the Ariens website for more details and specs on this snow blower: Ariens RapidTrak at Ariens.com

The post Ariens RapidTrak Hydro Pro In-Depth Walk Around Review With Videos. Is this the best snow blower on the market? appeared first on MovingSnow.com.

Here are three short videos that will help you answer that question.

The snow blower in this video is available at The Home Depot and your local Ariens dealer. Home Depot Link: Ariens Deluxe 30 EFI

Feel free to ask questions in the comment section below.

The post Is the Ariens EFI worth the extra money? appeared first on MovingSnow.com.

 Most of you reading this already have a good 2 or 3-stage snow blower and if you live north of Interstate 80 that should be your primary machine. I know you are very happy with the 2 or 3 stage snow blower I helped you choose, but I also know that many of you will also wish it was faster – especially for those pesky 1-6 inch snows.

While three-stage snow throwers and two-stage snow throwers are suited for heavier, deeper snow and used for mid- to large-sized cleanup spaces, gas-powered single-stage snow throwers are a great timesaver for accumulations up to 6 inches or so of snow. I’ll list a few other reasons in this article where a gas-powered single stage snow thrower can greatly reduce your snow clearing duties, making it less of a chore.

FYI: Single-stage machines are usually called snow throwers instead of snow blowers because they grab the snow and throw it out of the machine using just one paddle.

15 Reasons Why You May Also Want A Gas Powered Single-Stage Snow Thrower

The following is a list in no particular order of reasons why you may also need a single stage snow thrower to compliment you 2 or 3-stage machine.

1. If you live in an area that gets a lot of 2-6 inch snows. Here in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin we usually get three or four  8-20 inch snows but we also get another 20 inches of snow – one to four inches at a time. So after the 3rd or 4th time that 2 inch’er shows up overnight you are dreading having to dig the big snow blower out of the garage and clearing that small amount. A gas-powered single stage is perfect for that type of snow. It will clear your drive as fast as you can walk and clean it right down to the pavement – even if your spouse or teenage has already driven over it going to work or school.
2. Most of your family can use it. If your family members are old enough and mature enough to use a push mower they can use a single stage snow thrower. Since the rubber paddles touch the ground they also pull themselves through the snow making them self-propelled. Models with electric start are also very easy to start. They are also lightweight so almost anyone can drag one up or down a step or two and even with a helper can load it into the back of a car or SUV to take over and clean Grandma’s driveway.
3. You travel a lot and your spouse may have to use the snow blower. Single stage snow throwers are not only easy to use but very lightweight and maneuverable. Your smaller spouse will feel confident using a single-stage snow thrower while you are away. It won’t help them with the heavy snows or blizzards but it will work great for the smaller snows.
4. 2 or 3 stage snow blowers are overkill. Single stage snow throwers I recommend at the end of this article will clear up to 6 inches of snow as fast as you can walk. When clearing these small amounts of snow they are much faster than 2 or 3-stage snow blowers.
5. Your tracked snowblower is too slow. Tracked snow blowers are great when you have to clear rough areas and really deep snow but they can be agonizing to walk behind when clearing 2 inches of snow off a 200-foot blacktop driveway. It feels like you will never get done and you begin to wonder why you ever bought that track drive powerhouse.
6. You live in an area that gets a lot of snow but your driveway/sidewalks slope and your family can slip and fall if snow is left on the driveway. Or, You insist on having all the snow cleared off the driveway or sidewalk. This may be for public safety or just a personal preference.  With all the single stage snow throwers I’ll list the front, rubber paddle touches the pavement. This clears all the snow. In most cases, this makes the area much safer to walk on.
7. You want to clean up your driveway the day after a storm. You used your big snow blower to take care of the deep stuff but since then the wind or city snow plow has blown a little more snow here and there. A Single-stage snow thrower makes the cleanup fast. They also work well for that last pile fo slop the city snow plow let you overnight. (They won’t throw it very far but they will clean down to the pavement.
8. You want to clean snow packed down from vehicles or foot traffic. One of the real advantages of gas powered single stage snow throwers is their ability to clean right down to the pavement. If you lift up on the handles just a little the rubber paddle will clean even packed down snow.
9. You have your 2 or 3 stage snow blower adjusted for gravel or turf. If you clear your cement or blacktop driveway and a gravel area, a few paths out to outbuildings and an area on the lawn for your dogs you probably have your big snow blower adjusted so the gap under there is a 3/8-1/2 gap under auger housing.  If you don’t like that your big snow blower leaves snow on the pavement a single stage can quickly clean that off.
10. Your driveway or sidewalks have a lot of edges sticking up that catch the 2-stage scraper bar. Similar to #9 if your old cement drive or sidewalk have a lot of edges sticking up you most likely have your big snow blower raised up so it doesn’t catch on all those cracks. The rubber paddle on a single stage rides right over those cracks.
11. You have to go up or down more than two steps to your deck, patio or sidewalks. I know many of you have steps to get to your deck or patio. A single stage snow blower is relatively light (70-90 lbs) so it is easy to pull up multiple steps. Of course, make sure you have your balance when moving it up the steps.
12. You have a large deck or patio. You may have steel skid shoes on your 2-stage snow blower and you don’t want to scratch your nice deck or patio with them. A single stage snow thrower won’t harm those delicate surfaces.
13. Your 2 or 3-stage snow blower is too big to go through the door out to your deck or patio. Ok, you bought that 30-inch snow blower for your 200-foot driveway but it’s too wide to fit through the side door out to your deck or patio. A single stage snow thrower is a much better choice than installing a wider door.
14. You have handicap ramps and access area that have to stay clean. As mentioned before a gas-powered single stage will take all the packed on snow off quickly.
15. You don’t want to use snow melt or salt. Last but not least. I don’t like to use salt or chemicals on my cement driveway or around my landscaping. Having a gas -powered single stage snow thrower around lets me clear areas all the way to the pavement so I don’t need to use salt or chemicals to keep those areas free of packed down snow.

Before I leave the list I would like to point out two types of single stage snow throwers that are different than gas-powered single stage snow throwers.

1. Gas powered single stage snow throwers versus electric single stage snow throwers. Electric corded and cordless snow thrower paddles don’t touch the ground. Because of that, they will not clean snow that has been walked on or driven on. The cordless versions like the EGO are as wide as the gas-powered versions so they are also harder to push through the snow. Many owners of the EGO are finding clearing snow down their sloping driveway is fine but they can’t safely push it back up the slope.
2. Gas Powered single stage snow throwers versus the Toro Snow Master. The Toro Snow Master is a wonderfully fast, self-propelled machine. Technically a single stage snow thrower but it acts like a 2-stage machine.  What that means is the front paddle does not touch the ground and it has skid shoes and a scraper bar.  It will not clean down to the pavement like a gas powered single stage snow thrower.

My Best Picks For Single Stage Snow Throwers.

There is a huge selection of single stage gas powered snow throwers for use as a second machine.   All the major brands carry two or three good models. The majority I’ll show you are 21 or 22-inch snow throwers. There are three basic engine sizes.

• 123-160 cc for light clearing
• 179-208 cc for “normal” clearing
• 250 cc’ish for more power than you need with a single stage.

All machines are 4 cycle so there is no need to mix oil and gas. Unless noted all have a plugin 110v push button electric start

The machines are rated below by first how well they clean the surface, second how far they throw heavy, wet snow, and third other factors like headlight, chute controls, etc.

Electric Start Models:

Here are my picks in order of the ones I like best. Note: I make a little commission when you buy through the links below.

1. Toro Power Clear 721 QZR Model 38744. Best cleaning, best throwing, best long life. Best Chute Control. This model has all the features including remote chute. Home Depot Link: Toro Power Clear 721 QZR Model 38744. Free Shipping at ACME Tools: Toro Power Clear 721 QZR Model 38744
2. Toro Power Clear 721 E Model 38742. Same Snow Thrower as above without the remote chute. Home Depot Link: Toro Power Clear 721 E Model 38742. Free Shipping at ACME Tools: Toro Power Clear 721 E Model 38742
3. Troy-Bilt Squall 208XP Snow Thrower Model No. 31AM2T7G766. This is basically the same snow thrower as the Cub Cadet below with a new dual-LED headlight and handle design. And a better price! FYI: Amazon’s Protection Plan is inexpensive and includes most anything that could go wrong with your snow thrower. It’s well worth the money Home Depot: Troy-Bilt Squall 208XP.
4. Cub Cadet 1X 21 LHP. Consumer Reports gives this single stage snow thrower one of the highest ratings. I like it too! Home Depot Link: Cub Cadet 1X 21 LHP.
5. Honda HS 720AS. Highly recommended – very overpriced. If you have to buy a Honda this is the only one with electric start. Cleans the pavement very well. Throws snow well. Home Depot Link: Honda HS 720AS. Free Shipping at ACME Tools: Honda HS 720AS
6. Briggs & Stratton 22 in. 205cc Single Stage Electric Start Gas Snowthrower with Snow Shredder Auger. This snow thrower gets a lot of press. It does clean the pavement well and throws snow a little better than the rest of the list below. I like the price! Home Depot Link: B&S Snow Shredder. Amazon: B&S Snow Shredder
7. Ariens Path Pro Model 938032. The Ariens cleans well and throws snow well. I like it because the engine is exposed so you can change the oil and spark plug easily. I like the price! Home Depot Link: Ariens Path Pro

1. Toro Power Clear 518 ZE 18 in. This is the smallest and lightest snow thrower with electric start. I recommend it for paths, patios, decks, stairs and going up and down stairs to clear snow. It doesn’t throw snow as far as the rest on this list but it does a great job of cleaning those small areas that are hard to clear with your big machine. Home Depot Link: Toro Power Clear 518 ZE 18 in.
2. Husqvarna ST 151 21-in Single-stage Push-button Electric Start Gas Snow Blower with Headlight. It doesn’t clean as well as the rest of this list but it throws snow well and far for a single stage. I especially like the chute controls and the six LED headlights. It’s a great snow thrower for working in the dark. Amazon: Husqvarna ST 151

Recoil Start Models

Pro 21 Smart Lift

1. Ariens Commercial SS 21 in. 208cc Single-Stage Remote Chute or Ariens Commercial SS 21 in. 208 cc. These are commercial snow blowers so they have heavy duty frames and steel side panels. They are designed to slide easily into your pickup. Home Depot Link: Ariens Commercial 21.
2. Toro Power Clear 721 RC. Toro’s commercial version of the 721 above. Very rugged snow thrower. No frills – it just works and meant to take a beating. Home Depot Link: Toro 21RC.

The post 15 Reasons Why You Need Also Need A Single Stage Snow Thrower. appeared first on MovingSnow.com.

This article has been updated. Please go here:

2018 Ariens Snow Blower Review – What’s New – Which One Is Best For You?

Ariens has been very busy:

1. New Classic Series: This looks like a model they have had before – but it’s not.  New engine, new metal chute, better capacity and throwing distance. For the price and features this may become my new “best value” 2-stage snow blower.
2. New Engine on Compact Series: New more powerful 223cc Ariens AX engine. This snow blower has always been built well so it can handle the extra horsepower.
3. Deluxe and Platinum Series: The Deluxe and Platinum Series snow blowers were tweaked last year so there are no changes. These are arguably the best 2-stage snow blowers if you need a heavy-duty machine.
4. Professional Model Upgrades: New 420cc Ariens AX EFI: Two Professional Models now with Ariens AX EFI engines
5. RapidTrak: Two new Professional models with RapidTrak adjustable track drive. This exciting new track drive gives you the speed and maneuverability of a wheeled snow blower with the traction and drift digging power of a tracked machine. In addition these new snowblowers have over-the-top power and the largest per hour capacity. If you have large areas that need to be cleared, triple digit average snowfalls or just want the best on the market this is clearly the new snow blower that lives up to Ariens “King of Snow” slogan.
6. Professional 21 inch Single Stage:  This a is a newly designed single stage snow thrower that is purpose-built specifically for the snow contractor but it has many features homeowners may like. Many snow contractors carry a snow thrower in the back of their plow truck for cleaning up corners and sidewalks.  These snow throwers are often just tossed in and out of the truck and don’t last long. Because of that the Professional 21 was constructed with strength, durability and light weight in mind. The new design includes metal reinforced housing sides. Large, high impact wheels and a reinforcing steel rod inside the auger housing to help with the durability. The Smart Lift handle design allows a single person to lift the machine in and out of a truck with ease. One of the features I really like is a heavy-duty spring-loaded scraper bar to adjust to the contours of the ground. In addition the Professional 21 snow thrower also features commercial grade auger paddles. These paddles that are twice as thick as residential single stage snow throwers and you can tilt the machine up so it cleans stuck on snow off the hard surfaces. All this without increasing the weight.

How this article is laid out:

This is a very comprehensive article so it will take you a while to read through it. I’m going to start with the new Classic Series and Compact Series models. After that I’ll review the heavy-duty Deluxe and high performance Platinum models. Then the Professional (Commercial) models including the Professional 21 single stage. I’ll leave the single stage Path Pro for last.

Reading Ariens Snow Blower Reviews:

1. When you read snow blower reviews you are going to find reviews that state “the engine would not start,” “the engine won’t stay running.” and “the engine runs rough.” You will find these reviews for all brands and sizes of snow blowers. 98% of the time engine problems with name brand snow blowers are either fuel or operator related. Snow engines run/operate differently than your lawn mower engine and because of that I suggest educating yourself on how to store fuel, how to keep your fuel clean and how/why your snow blower engine runs the way it does will go a long way to liking your new snow blower. Please read this article to learn more: Buying A New Snow Blower FAQS – Read This For The Truth
2.  Aggregate reviews. Many websites scour the web for reviews and then post them on their website. In other cases one disgruntled owner will write the same or similar review in as many places as they can. So what you end up is many reviews about one specific issue from only one person. I see this quite a bit on The Home Depot and Ariens sites.  Just remember, for every bad review there are thousands of Ariens snow blowers sold and doing well. Please read the date the review was written and the wording to determine if there is an actual problem.
3. Auto-Turn Problems. All Auto-Turn problems were fixed two years ago. There were no issues in last years snow blowers. The Auto-Turn (DI300 differential) is now used in many snow blowers from many different manufactures.  So if you read or hear anyone slamming Ariens because of the Auto-Turn just walk away.
4. Don’t bother to read Ariens reviews that are negative and more than 2 years old.  Just so you know, Ariens is a company that really listens to their dealers, reads reviews and interacts on Social media.  So, when there is an issue they identify it quickly, immediately root cause it and determine if there is a product problem or training issue. Then it gets fixed.

By The Way – All Opinions are Mine.

Keeping up with snow blowers is almost a full time job. The U.S. manufactures currently sell about 140 different models made here in the U.S. alone. In addition, there are always another dozen or so foreign manufactures trying to wedge their way into your pocketbook. By the way – a quality $500 two-stage snow blower no longer exists. The base regular price is now $649-$699.

I normally spend most of July and August talking to the different snow blower manufactures about the new models they have coming for the fall. Usually, in September the manufacturers are shipping the new models to the dealers and I spend the time I need to inspect the new models as local dealers put them out on the sales floor. Sometimes that also involves traveling to the manufactures assembly plants or corporate offices to look at, demo and talk to the snow product managers. For example, last week I traveled over to the Ariens plant in Brillion, WI. I spent the day with Amanda Marsicek, Snow Product Manager. In October, I travel to the GIE-EXPO in Louisville, KY. GIE-EXPO is the largest lawn and garden equipment dealer show. There I get a chance to demo machines plus talk to the engineers and company management about all the features, fixes and new rumors.

Ariens now has a place where you can go and see all the new Ariens products in one location. The Ariens “Concept Store” is located right across the street from the factory in Brillion, WI

In addition, I keep 12-15 of the current snow blowers at my home for testing and answering your questions. I use these snow blowers when it snows and post those videos on YouTube.

Path Pro Single Stage Snow Throwers

Since 95% of you reading this article actually need a 2-stage snow blower I am going to move the single stage Path-Pro models to the end. The Path-Pro’s have not changed for 2017

2017 Ariens Classic/Compact Series

Even though the new Classic and the Compact Series are different I’m throwing them into this one section for easy reading.

At first glance, the Classic looks a lot like the Sno-Tek line sold at The Home Depot but it’s actually a very different snow blower. First, it’s an all-metal snow blower. The 4-way chute, dash, and all other parts are metal.  Other small features like the discharge chute gear cover have been upgraded to the heavy-duty Ariens parts. It has a high-speed impeller and according to my calculations will actually move more snow per hour than the $2399 Honda HSS724AW/HSS724AWD. It’s really a good value at $699.

If you are looking for a good machine that will clear your 2-car, 60-80 foot driveway, sidewalks, patio and also go out on the lawn to clear a section for your dogs. The Classic snow blower can easily be adjusted for gravel driveways. I recommend this size for areas of the country like Chicago, Omaha, Detroit, Columbus, Pittsburgh and Long Island that average 40 to 60 inches of snow per year.

I would compare the Ariens Classic to the Craftsman 88173, Toro Powermax 724 OE, Troy-Bilt Storm 2460 , Cub Cadet 524 SW, Husqvarna ST224 and the Honda HSS724AW. All of these snow blowers including the Ariens are solid axle snow blowers and have no power steering.  The Ariens Classic one of the lightest 24 inch 2-stage snow blowers in this group so most people can turn it without an issue.

The Compact series adds a few features including the legendary Ariens cast iron gear case, larger tires, and a new larger engine.

The Ariens Compact (and most likely the Classic) has an image problem.  Why?  When you walk into a typical Ariens Dealer or read a snow blower forum thread most of the time the first thing they say about the Compact Series is, “You don’t want a Compact – get the Deluxe instead.” But the truth be told – they are trying to oversell most of you.  In reality, the Ariens Classic and Compact are very capable and affordable snow blowers for people not living in a snow belt. If you have watched my videos on YouTube you see that the Classic or Compact will work just fine on my property and I’ll bet they’ll work well for you also. 

Model Name	Classic	Compact 20	Compact 24	Compact Track 24
Ariens Model Item #	920025	920026	920027	920028
Also Sold at The Home Depot?	Buy Here:	Dealer Only	Buy Here:	Buy Here:
Amount/Type Of Snow	All Types 50 in per year	All Types 60 in per year	All Types 60 in per year	Midwest with steep slope
ENGINE BRAND	Ariens AX208	Ariens AX223	Ariens AX223	Ariens AX223
ENGINE POWER	208 cc (9.5 ft/lbs)	223cc (10 ft/lbs)	223cc (10 ft/lbs)	223cc (10 ft/lbs)
STARTING SYSTEM	120V/Recoil	120V/Recoil	120V/Recoil	120V/Recoil
STAGE TYPE	Two Stage	Two Stage	Two Stage	Two Stage
CLEARING WIDTH	24 inch	20 inch	24 inch	24 inch
HOUSING HEIGHT	20 inch	20 inch	20 inch	20 inch
THROWING DISTANCE	3-40 ft	3-40 ft	3-40 ft	3-40 ft
CHUTE TURNING RADIUS	205	205.00	205	205
DEFLECTOR CONTROL	Remote	Remote	Remote	Remote
TIRE SIZE	13 in x 4 in	15 in x 5 in	15 in x 5 in	15.5 in three point track
TIRE TYPE	Snow Tread	Directional Snow Tread	Directional Snow Tread	Directional Snow Track
STEERING	Solid/Pin Lock	Solid/Pin Lock	Solid/Pin Lock	Solid
DRIVE TYPE	Disc-O-Matic	Disc-O-Matic	Disc-O-Matic	Disc-O-Matic
SPEEDS	6 forward 2 reverse	6 forward 2 reverse	6 forward 2 reverse	6 forward 2 reverse
LENGTH	51.9 in	53.9 in	53.9 in	53.9 in
WIDTH	26.4 in	22.4 in	26.4 in	26.4 in
HEIGHT	43.3 in	44 in	44 in	44 in
WEIGHT	180 lbs	183 lbs	187 lbs	220 lbs
GEAR CASE	Top Loaded Aluminum	Cast Iron	Cast Iron	Cast Iron
GEAR CASE WARRANTY	5yr Cons, 1yr Comm	5yr Cons, 1yr Comm	5yr Cons, 1yr Comm	5yr Cons, 1yr Comm
IMPELLER PROFILE	3-blade high speed	Steel 3 blade	Steel 3 blade	Steel 3 blade
IMPELLER DIAMETER	12 inch	12 in	12 in	12 in
AUGER DIAMETER	11 in	11 in	11 in	11 in
AUGER TYPE	Serrated Steel Open	Serrated Steel Open	Serrated Steel Open	Serrated Steel Open
SKID SHOES	Steel Reversable	Steel Reversable	Steel Reversable	Steel Reversable
SCRAPER BAR	Steel Adjustable	Steel Adjustable	Steel Adjustable	Steel Adjustable
PRODUCT WARRANTY	3 yr Cons, 90 days Comm	3 yr Cons, 90 days Comm	3 yr Cons, 90 days Comm	3 yr Cons, 90 days Comm
CHUTE ROTATION	2.5X Quick Turn	2.5X Quick Turn	2.5X Quick Turn	2.5X Quick Turn
TONS PER HOUR	58 Tons/Hour	59 Tons/Hour	59 Tons/Hour	59 Tons/Hour
TYPICAL PRICE	$699	$799	$899	$1399

2017 Ariens Deluxe Series

Most 2 and 3-stage snow blowers use a 12 inch or smaller impeller. Most have relatively small discharge chutes. The Ariens Deluxe Series is different. If you are always complaining about your current snow blower plugging up I strongly suggest looking at the Deluxe Series with a 14 inch impeller. The Ariens Deluxe is an economical heavy-duty 2-stage snow blower that uses the large impeller and other components to give you an all metal, high-capacity, heavy-duty snow blower.  If you are willing to spend a thousand dollars or more for a snow blower the Ariens Deluxe Series gives you a lot of bang for the buck.

These snow blowers work very well in areas that get moderate snowfall but the snow is typically heavier, wet snow and your yearly snow fall is 100 inches or less. Boston, West Virginia, Lake Erie shore, Muskegon, MI, Portage, IN, Alsip, IL, Flagstaff, AZ are areas of the country that get snow like this. This series also works well in places that get lots of drifts like southern Minnesota, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas and other Plains States. If you average more than 100 inches I suggest moving up to the Ariens Platinum or Professional Series. The Platinum and Pro models have a larger engine and high output impellers to move a lot of snow fast.

Personally, I like the Auto-Turn feature on the Deluxe, Platinum and Professional Series a lot. Auto-Turn is power steering simplified. All you do is steer the snow blower with the handles. There are no triggers to pull, no extra cables to fray and little plastic levers to break.

I have a lot of readers ask, “What’s better – Auto-Turn or the Trigger Style Power Steering?” My answer is always, “It depends ”  If you have a long, crowned driveway or need to clear across a longer sloped area the trigger steering is nice because the snow blower continues in a straight line until you tell it to turn by pulling one of the little steering triggers. The Auto Turn works OK in those situations but you will need to have both hands on the handles when walking along those slopes.

Auto-Turn works really well if you have a lot of maneuvering to do. You don’t have to think about pulling a trigger to steer, the snow blower does it automatically when you move the handles. The Auto Turn is so simple to use you don’t even know it’s there.

You already know with a solid axle (locked or pin lock) snow blower when you turn the snow blower the inside wheel keeps turning at the same speed as the outer wheel. That can be hard to use, especially if you are smaller or not as physically fit as the average user. Power steering releases that inside wheel so it is easier to turn he machine.  With a trigger style power steering you have to pull both triggers to zero-turn. The Auto Turn does it automatically. If you want to turn around in-place the snow blower lets you without any extra input on your part.

There were no changes made to the Deluxe Series this year.

Model Name	Deluxe 24	Deluxe 28	Deluxe 28 SHO	Deluxe 30	Deluxe 30 EFI
Ariens Model Item #	921045	921046	921048	921047	921049
Also Sold at The Home Depot?	Buy Here:	Buy Here:	Dealer Only	Buy Here:	Buy Here:
Amount/Type Of Snow	All Types 80 in per year	All Types 80 in per year	All Types 100 in per year	All Types 80 in per year	Snow Belt 120-200 in per yr
ENGINE BRAND	Ariens AX254	Ariens AX254	Ariens AX306	Ariens AX306	Ariens AX306 EFI
ENGINE POWER	254cc (12.5 ft/lbs)	254cc (12.5 ft/lbs)	306cc Gen 3 (15 ft/lbs)	306cc Gen 3 (15 ft/lbs)	306cc EFI/E-Gov (15 ft/lbs)
STARTING SYSTEM	120V Electric	120V Electric	120V Electric	120V Electric	120V Electric
STAGE TYPE	Two Stage	Two Stage	Two Stage	Two Stage	Two Stage
CLEARING WIDTH	24 inch	28 inch	28 inch	30 inch	30 inch
HOUSING HEIGHT	21 in (53.3 cm)	21 in (53.3 cm)	21 in (53.3 cm)	21 in (53.3 cm)	21 in (53.3 cm)
THROWING DISTANCE	3 ft – 50 ft (.9 – 15.2 m)	3 ft – 50 ft (.9 – 15.2 m)	3 ft – 50 ft (.9 – 15.2 m)	3 ft – 50 ft (.9 – 15.2 m)	3 ft – 50 ft (.9 – 15.2 m)
CHUTE TURNING RADIUS	200°	200°	200°	200°	200°
DEFLECTOR CONTROL	Remote	Remote	Remote	Remote	Remote
TIRE SIZE	16 in x 4.8 in	16 in x 4.8 in	16 in x 4.8 in	16 in x 4.8 in	16 in x 4.8 in
TIRE TYPE	Directional Snow Tread	Directional Snow Tread	Directional Snow Tread	Directional Snow Tread	Directional Snow Tread
STEERING	Auto-Turn	Auto-Turn	Auto-Turn	Auto-Turn	Auto-Turn
DRIVE TYPE	Disc-O-Matic	Disc-O-Matic	Disc-O-Matic	Disc-O-Matic	Disc-O-Matic
SPEEDS	6 forward 2 reverse	6 forward 2 reverse	6 forward 2 reverse	6 forward 2 reverse	6 forward 2 reverse
LENGTH	58 in	58 in	58 in	58 in	58 in
WIDTH	26.4 in	29.9 in	29.9 in	32.4 in	32.4 in
HEIGHT	45 in	45 in	45 in	45 in	45 in
WEIGHT	245 lbs	250 lbs	268 lbs	276 lbs	276 lbs
GEAR CASE	Cast Iron	Cast Iron	Cast Iron	Cast Iron	Cast Iron
GEAR CASE WARRANTY	5yr Cons, 1yr Comm	5yr Cons, 1yr Comm	5yr Cons, 1yr Comm	5yr Cons, 1yr Comm	5yr Cons, 1yr Comm
IMPELLER PROFILE	Steel 3 Blade	Steel 3 Blade	Steel 3 Blade	Steel 3 Blade	Steel 3 Blade
IMPELLER DIAMETER	14 in	14 in	14 in	14 in	14 in
AUGER DIAMETER	14 in	14 in	14 in	14 in	14 in
AUGER TYPE	Steel Serrated	Steel Serrated	Steel Serrated	Steel Serrated	Steel Serrated
SKID SHOES	Steel Reversable	Steel Reversable	Steel Reversable	Steel Reversable	Steel Reversable
SCRAPER BAR	Steel Adjustable	Steel Adjustable	Steel Adjustable	Steel Adjustable	Steel Adjustable
PRODUCT WARRANTY	3 yr Consumer 90 Comm	3 yr Consumer 90 Comm	3 yr Consumer 90 Comm	3 yr Consumer 90 Comm	3 yr Consumer 90 Comm
CHUTE ROTATION	2.5x Ice Drill	2.5x Ice Drill	2.5x Ice Drill	2.5x Ice Drill	2.5x Ice Drill
TONS PER HOUR	62 Tons/Hour	65 Tons/Hour	72 Tons/Hour	71 Tons/Hour	71 Tons/Hour
TYPICAL PRICE	$999.00	$1,099.00	$1,199.00	$1,399.00	$1,699.00
BUY AT HOME DEPOT LINK	Model # 921045	Model # 921046	NA	Model # 912047	Model # 921049

Accessories For Ariens 2-Stage Snow Blower Buy Here:

Ariens 2-Stage Snow Cab Enclosure Gas Snow Blowers

Ariens Non-Abrasive Skid Shoes

Ariens Shear Pins

Ariens Sno-Thro Deluxe/Platinum Drift Cutters for Snow Blowers

• 2017 Ariens Platinum Series

The Ariens Platinum Series takes the Deluxe snow blower and adds “creature features, larger engines and high output impellers to give you snow blower that will pretty much take on any type of snow and amount of snow. For example, if you need the larger capacity of the Deluxe because your old machine plugs up all the time but also want heated handgrips, Quick Chute control, etc. the Platinum is the snow blower for you. In addition to more features, these snow blowers have over-the-top power and capacity for their size. If you ever get the chance to use one of these snow blowers on 20 inches of “Nore-easter” snow or Lake Tahoe snow you’ll quickly understand what I mean. I recommend these snow blowers for any “snow belt” area like Buffalo, NY, northern Idaho, Boston, Northern Michigan and so on.

If you see a picture in a newspaper on the Internet of an orange snow blower throwing snow up and over a 15 foot snow blank you can bet it’s one of these Platinum Series snow blowers.

Model Name	Platinum 24 SHO	Platinum 24 SHO EFI	Platinum 30 SHO	Platinum Track 28 SHO
Ariens Model Item #	921050	921053	921051	921052
Also Sold at The Home Depot?	Dealer Only	Dealer Only	Dealer Only	Dealer Only
Amount/Type Of Snow	Snow Belt 120-200 in per yr	Snow Belt 120-200 in per yr	Snow Belt 120-200 in per yr	Snow Belt with steep slope
ENGINE BRAND	Ariens AX369 EFI	Ariens AX369	Ariens AX414	Ariens AX369
ENGINE POWER	369cc (17 ft/lbs)	369cc EFI/E-Gov (17 ft/lbs)	414cc Gen 3 (17 ft/lbs)	369cc EFI/E-Gov (17 ft/lbs)
STARTING SYSTEM	120V Electric	120V Electric	120V Electric	120V Electric
STAGE TYPE	Two Stage	Two Stage	Two Stage	Two Stage
CLEARING WIDTH	24 in	24 in	30 in	28 in
HOUSING HEIGHT	21 in (53.3 cm)	21 in (53.3 cm)	21 in (53.3 cm)	21 in (53.3 cm)
THROWING DISTANCE	3 ft – 55 ft (.9 – 15.2 m)	3 ft – 55 ft (.9 – 15.2 m)	3 ft – 55 ft (.9 – 15.2 m)	3 ft – 55 ft (.9 – 15.2 m)
CHUTE TURNING RADIUS	200°	200°	200°	200°
DEFLECTOR CONTROL	Remote	Remote	Remote	Remote
TIRE SIZE	16 in x 4.8 in	16 in x 4.8 in	16 in x 4.8 in	5.5 in 3 point track
TIRE TYPE	Directional Snow Tread	Directional Snow Tread	Directional Snow Tread	Directional Snow Track
STEERING	Auto-Turn	Auto-Turn	Auto-Turn	Auto-Turn
DRIVE TYPE	Disc-O-Matic	Disc-O-Matic	Disc-O-Matic	Disc-O-Matic
SPEEDS	6 forward 2 reverse	6 forward 2 reverse	6 forward 2 reverse	6 forward 2 reverse
LENGTH	58 in	58 in	58 in	58 in
WIDTH	27 in	27 in	32.4 in	29 in
HEIGHT	45 in	45 in	45 in	45 in
WEIGHT	286 lbs	286 lbs	294 lbs	307 lbs
GEAR CASE	Cast Iron	Cast Iron	Cast Iron	Cast Iron
GEAR CASE WARRANTY	5yr Cons, 1yr Comm	5yr Cons, 1yr Comm	5yr Cons, 1yr Comm	5yr Cons, 1yr Comm
IMPELLER PROFILE	High Speed Steel 3 Blade	High Speed Steel 3 Blade	High Speed Steel 3 Blade	High Speed Steel 3 Blade
IMPELLER DIAMETER	14 in	14 in	14 in	14 in
AUGER DIAMETER	14 in	14 in	14 in	14 in
AUGER TYPE	Steel Serrated	Steel Serrated	Steel Serrated	Steel Serrated
SKID SHOES	Steel Reversable	Steel Reversable	Steel Reversable	Steel Reversable
SCRAPER BAR	Steel Adjustable	Steel Adjustable	Steel Adjustable	Steel Adjustable
PRODUCT WARRANTY	3 yr Consumer 90 Comm	3 yr Consumer 90 Comm	3 yr Consumer 90 Comm	3 yr Consumer 90 Comm
CHUTE ROTATION	Quick Turn	Quick Turn	Quick Turn	Quick Turn
TONS PER HOUR	73 Tons/Hour	73 Tons/Hour	83 Tons/Hour	77 Tons/Hour
TYPICAL PRICE	$1,499.00	$1,799.00	$1,799.00	$2,099.00
BUY AT HOME DEPOT LINK

2017 Ariens Professional Series

Other manufactures have snowblowers that are named Pro. These snow blowers are true Professional/Commercial snow blowers. Square tube, extra strong handlebars. Largest 16 inch serrated front auger. Choice of Hydrostatic or Disk-O-Matic Drive. These snow blowers will clear up to 102 tons of snow per hour and throw snow 60 feet. (That is a higher capacity and throwing distance than the $8000 Honda HS1336iAS.) These are the biggest and baddest walk-behind snow blowers you can get.

Model Name	Professional 28	Professional 28 Hydro EFI	Professional 32	Professional 36 Hydro EFI
Ariens Model Item #	926065	926068	926071	926070
Also Sold at The Home Depot?	Dealer Only	Dealer Only	Dealer Only	Dealer Only
Amount/Type Of Snow	Commercial Snow Belt	Commercial Snow Belt	Commercial Snow Belt	Commercial Snow Belt
ENGINE BRAND	Ariens Polar Force B&S	Ariens AX420 EFI/E Gov	Ariens Polar Force B&S	Ariens AX420 EFI/E Gov
ENGINE POWER	420cc (21 ft/lbs)	420cc (21 ft/lbs)	420cc (21 ft/lbs)	420cc (21 ft/lbs)
STARTING SYSTEM	120V Electric	120V Electric	120V Electric	120V Electric
STAGE TYPE	Two Stage	Two Stage	Two Stage	Two Stage
CLEARING WIDTH	28 in	28 in	32 in	36 in
HOUSING HEIGHT	23.5 in (59.7 cm)	23.5 in (59.7 cm)	23.5 in (59.7 cm)	23.5 in (59.7 cm)
THROWING DISTANCE	3 ft – 60 ft (.9 – 18.2 m)	3 ft – 60 ft (.9 – 18.2 m)	3 ft – 60 ft (.9 – 18.2 m)	3 ft – 60 ft (.9 – 18.2 m)
CHUTE TURNING RADIUS	200°	200°	200°	200°
DEFLECTOR CONTROL	Remote	Remote	Remote	Remote
TIRE SIZE	16 in x 4.8 in	16 in x 4.8 in	16 in x 6.5 in	16 in x 6.5 in
TIRE TYPE	Directional Snow Tread	Directional Snow Tread	Directional Snow Tread	Directional Snow Tread
STEERING	Auto-Turn	Auto-Turn	Auto-Turn	Auto-Turn
DRIVE TYPE	Disc-O-Matic	Hydrostatic	Disc-O-Matic	Hydrostatic
SPEEDS	6 forward 2 reverse	Variable	6 forward 2 reverse	Variable
LENGTH	60 in	60 in	60 in	60 in
WIDTH	30.2 in	30.2 in	34.2 in	38.2 in
HEIGHT	47 in	47 in	47 in	47 in
WEIGHT	339 lbs	352 lbs	333 lbs	353 lbs
GEAR CASE	Cast Iron	Cast Iron	Cast Iron	Cast Iron
GEAR CASE WARRANTY	5yr Cons, 5yr Comm	5yr Cons, 5yr Comm	5yr Cons, 5yr Comm	5yr Cons, 5yr Comm
IMPELLER PROFILE	High Speed Steel 3 Blade	High Speed Steel 3 Blade	High Speed Steel 3 Blade	High Speed Steel 3 Blade
IMPELLER DIAMETER	14 in	14 in	14 in	14 in
AUGER DIAMETER	16 in	16 in	16 in	16 in
AUGER TYPE	Steel Serrated	Steel Serrated	Steel Serrated	Steel Serrated
SKID SHOES	Commercial Reversable	Commercial Reversable	Commercial Reversable	Commercial Reversable
SCRAPER BAR	Steel Adjustable	Steel Adjustable	Steel Adjustable	Steel Adjustable
PRODUCT WARRANTY	3 yr Consumer 1 yr Comm	3 yr Consumer 1 yr Comm	3 yr Consumer 1 yr Comm	3 yr Consumer 1 yr Comm
CHUTE ROTATION	Quick Turn	Quick Turn	Quick Turn	Quick Turn
TONS PER HOUR	79 Tons/Hour	79 Tons/Hour	91 Tons/Hour	102 Tons/Hour
TYPICAL PRICE	$2,199.00	$2,799.00	$2,499.00	$3,499.00
BUY AT HOME DEPOT LINK

2017 Ariens Professional RapidTrak

Ariens has developed a new track system for 2017 that will change the way track drive snow blowers are used. The new RapidTrak system will not only give you the digging traction and flotation of a tracked snow blower but also the speed and ease of turning of a wheeled machine. Combined with a heavy-duty hydrostatic transmission and Auto Turn you can adjust the speed of this snow blower to whatever you need from a slow crawl to a fast walking pace.

RapidTrak has three positions or modes. 1. In regular mode the track is flat against the ground for  good traction when clearing snow. 2. In wheel mode the rear of the track is raised giving you the same “footprint” as a regular tire. This allows it to be just as easy to turn as a wheeled unit. 3. The third position, called “dig-in mode” puts all the weight of the snow blower on the rear portion of the track. This give you the ultimate in pushing and digging power when working with hard packed drifts and driven on snow.

You can very easily switch between the modes with a metal lever below right handlebar.

Read more about the Ariens RapidTrak here: Ariens RapidTrack Series

Model Name	Professional 28 RapidTrak	Professional 32 RapidTrak
Ariens Model Item #	926060	926069
Also Sold at The Home Depot?	Model# 926060	Model 926069
Amount/Type Of Snow	Commercial Snow Belt	Commercial Snow Belt
ENGINE BRAND	Ariens Polar Force B&S	Ariens Polar Force B&S
ENGINE POWER	420cc (21 ft/lbs)	420cc (21 ft/lbs)
STARTING SYSTEM	120V Electric	120V Electric
STAGE TYPE	Two Stage	Two Stage
CLEARING WIDTH	28 in	28 in
HOUSING HEIGHT	23.5 in (59.7 cm)	23.5 in (59.7 cm)
THROWING DISTANCE	3 ft – 60 ft (.9 – 18.2 m)	3 ft – 60 ft (.9 – 18.2 m)
CHUTE TURNING RADIUS	200°	200°
DEFLECTOR CONTROL	Remote	Remote
TIRE SIZE	5.5 in wide	5.5 in wide
TIRE TYPE	High Speed Adjustable	High Speed Adjustable
STEERING	Auto-Turn	Auto-Turn
DRIVE TYPE	Hydrostatic	Hydrostatic
SPEEDS	Variable	Variable
LENGTH	60 in	60 in
WIDTH	30.2 in	34.2 in
HEIGHT	47 in	47 in
WEIGHT	337 lbs	341 lbs
GEAR CASE	Cast Iron	Cast Iron
GEAR CASE WARRANTY	5yr Cons, 5yr Comm	5yr Cons, 5yr Comm
IMPELLER PROFILE	High Speed Steel 3 Blade	High Speed Steel 3 Blade
IMPELLER DIAMETER	14 in	14 in
AUGER DIAMETER	16 in	16 in
AUGER TYPE	Steel Serrated	Steel Serrated
SKID SHOES	Commercial Reversable	Commercial Reversable
SCRAPER BAR	Steel Adjustable	Steel Adjustable
PRODUCT WARRANTY	3 yr Consumer 1 yr Comm	3 yr Consumer 1 yr Comm
CHUTE ROTATION	Quick Turn	Quick Turn
TONS PER HOUR	79 Tons/Hour	91 Tons/Hour
TYPICAL PRICE	$3,099.00	$3,399.00
BUY AT HOME DEPOT LINK	Model# 926060	Model 926069

2017 Ariens Professional 21 Single Stage.

This is a new single stage snow blower that’s built for the commercial snow plow operator. Why do they need a special snow blower?

When I owned snow plow trucks in the Chicago area we always kept a single stage snow thrower with us in the pickups. We’d clear the driveways and parking lots and then pull the snow thrower out and clean up around the mailboxes, sidewalks and in front of businesses. It was so much faster than using a snow shovel. We were very hard on these snow blowers – throwing them into the truck and dropping them on the pavement. At the time (mid 90’s) there was only one model that would hold up for more than one season.

To make a long story short, a while back Ariens found that many of the snow plow operators in Chicago were still clearing snow the same way. Clear the large areas with the truck and then clean up with the single stage. Because of that, they introduced the single stage Path Pro a few years ago. It has been a good machine at a good price point but the Professional Operators still wanted something more rugged. More metal, longer lasting paddles, easy service and easier to get in and out of the truck. (Today’s 4-cycle snow throwers are about 25 lbs heavier than the old 2-cycle units I used)

Pro 21 Smart Lift

The bottom of the handles are smooth so they won’t catch on your tailgate or trunk lip. It has built in grips to make loading easier. Look at the handles closely. Extra welded plates at the bottom – extra brackets where the handle bolts together. Locking nuts, cable guides for the safety bar. Then there is the additional brace from the wheel axle to the housing….If you are a homeowner this is a great idea so you can pull it up onto your deck or even the step from the back patio to the garage.

Reinforced Steel Housing. Not just stampings in the sides for rigidity but also steel rods to give it extra strength. You will be able to wear down the side of the housing and the rod will keep it from wearing too far.

These auger paddles are much thicker than other brands.

Easy to maintain open engine design. Larger wheels than the only other competing commercial snow thrower.

Model Name	Professional–21	Professional–21
Ariens Model Item #	938024	938025
Also Sold at The Home Depot?	Yes	Yes
Amount/Type Of Snow	Any- Commercial 6 in Homeowner	Any- Commercial 6 in Homeowner
ENGINE BRAND	Ariens AX208	Ariens AX208
ENGINE POWER	208 cc (9.5 ft/lbs)	208 cc (9.5 ft/lbs)
STARTING SYSTEM	Recoil	Recoil
STAGE TYPE	Single	Single
CLEARING WIDTH	21 inch	21 inch
HOUSING HEIGHT	12.1 inch	12.1 inch
THROWING DISTANCE	3-35 ft	3-35 ft
CHUTE TURNING RADIUS	210	210
DEFLECTOR CONTROL	Manual	Manual
TIRE SIZE	7.5 in x 2 in	7.5 in x 2 in
TIRE TYPE	Semi-pneumatic	Semi-pneumatic
STEERING	Free Wheel	Free Wheel
DRIVE TYPE	Auger Propelled	Auger Propelled
SPEEDS	NA	NA
LENGTH	50.8	50.8
WIDTH	21.2	21.2
HEIGHT	41.7	41.7
WEIGHT	87 lbs	89 lbs
GEAR CASE	NA	NA
GEAR CASE WARRANTY	NA	NA
IMPELLER PROFILE	NA	NA
IMPELLER DIAMETER	NA	NA
AUGER DIAMETER	8.375 in (21.3 cm)	8.375 in (21.3 cm)
AUGER TYPE	Thick Rubber Paddle	Thick Rubber Paddle
SKID SHOES	NA	NA
SCRAPER BAR	Spring Loaded Floating	Spring Loaded Floating
PRODUCT WARRANTY	3 Year Consumer, 1 Year Commercial	3 Year Consumer, 1 Year Commercial
CHUTE ROTATION	Manual	Remote
	Smart Lift Handlebar System, Hour Meter	Smart Lift Handlebar System, Hour Meter
TYPICAL PRICE	$599.00	$649.00
BUY AT HOME DEPOT LINK	Model # 938024	Model # 938025

2017 Ariens Path Pro Single Stage Snow Throwers

THE SINGLE-STAGE BLOWER THAT PERFORMS LIKE A TWO-STAGE.

In my opinion if the Path Pro had the same intake height as the Toro SnowMaster you would not be able to tell the difference in snow clearing ability.

It’s lightweight and easy to move. But it’s no lightweight. With a beastly Ariens-built engine, a 12.2” housing height and 8.375” paddles, the Path Pro clears up to 9” of snow all the way to the pavement. Available electric start. Blows snow up to 35 feet and features a clearing width of 21”. Starting at an affordable $399.

Model Name	Path-Pro	Path-Pro	Path-Pro	Path-Pro
Ariens Model Item #	938034	938031	938032	938033
Also Sold at The Home Depot?	Not Sure	Yes	Yes	Yes
Amount/Type Of Snow	6 in Homeowner	6-9 inches Homeowner	6-9 inches Homeowner	6-9 inches Homeowner
ENGINE BRAND	Ariens AX136	Ariens AX208	Ariens AX208	Ariens AX208
ENGINE POWER	136cc (7.0 ft/lbs)	208 cc (9.5 ft/lbs)	208 cc (9.5 ft/lbs)	208 cc (9.5 ft/lbs)
STARTING SYSTEM	120V/Recoil	Recoil	120V/Recoil	120V/Recoil
STAGE TYPE	Single	Single	Single	Single
CLEARING WIDTH	21 inch	21 inch	21 inch	21 inch
HOUSING HEIGHT	12.2 in (31 cm)	12.2 in (31 cm)	12.2 in (31 cm)	12.2 in (31 cm)
THROWING DISTANCE	3-35 ft	3-35 ft	3-35 ft	3-35 ft
CHUTE TURNING RADIUS	210	210	210	210
DEFLECTOR CONTROL	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual
TIRE SIZE	7.5 in x 1.75 in	7.5 in x 1.75 in	7.5 in x 1.75 in	7.5 in x 1.75 in
TIRE TYPE	Semi-pneumatic	Semi-pneumatic	Semi-pneumatic	Semi-pneumatic
STEERING	Free Wheel	Free Wheel	Free Wheel	Free Wheel
DRIVE TYPE	Auger Propelled	Auger Propelled	Auger Propelled	Auger Propelled
SPEEDS	NA	NA	NA	NA
LENGTH	35.5 in (90.17 cm)	35.5 in (90.17 cm)	35.5 in (90.17 cm)	35.5 in (90.17 cm)
WIDTH	23.5 in (59.69 cm)	23.5 in (59.69 cm)	23.5 in (59.69 cm)	23.5 in (59.69 cm)
HEIGHT	23 in (58.42 cm)	23 in (58.42 cm)	23 in (58.42 cm)	23 in (58.42 cm)
WEIGHT	91 lbs	91 lbs	95 lbs	97 lbs
GEAR CASE	NA	NA	NA	NA
GEAR CASE WARRANTY	NA	NA	NA	NA
IMPELLER PROFILE	NA	NA	NA	NA
IMPELLER DIAMETER	NA	NA	NA	NA
AUGER DIAMETER	8.375 in (21.3 cm)	8.375 in (21.3 cm)	8.375 in (21.3 cm)	8.375 in (21.3 cm)
AUGER TYPE	Reinforced Rubber	Reinforced Rubber	Reinforced Rubber	Reinforced Rubber
SKID SHOES	NA	NA	NA	NA
SCRAPER BAR	Polymer Adjustable	Polymer Adjustable	Polymer Adjustable	Polymer Adjustable
PRODUCT WARRANTY	3 Year Consumer, 1 Year Commercial	3 Year Consumer, 1 Year Commercial	3 Year Consumer, 1 Year Commercial	3 Year Consumer, 1 Year Commercial
CHUTE ROTATION				Remote
TONS PER HOUR
TYPICAL PRICE	$449.00	$469.00	$499.00	$599.00
BUY AT HOME DEPOT LINK		Ariens Path-Pro SS21 21 in. 208cc Single-Stage Gas Snow Blower Model# 938031	Ariens Path-Pro SS21E 21 in. 208cc Single-Stage Gas Snow Blower Model# 938032	Ariens Path-Pro SS21E 21 in. 208cc Single-Stage Gas Snow Blower Model# 9380323

The post 2017 Ariens Snow Blower Review – What’s New – Which One Is Best For You? appeared first on MovingSnow.com.

This top 20 list of the best snow blowers is based on my hands-on reviews over the last 15 years, plus discussions, interest, intent to buy and sales of residential snow blowers on MovingSnow.com. This list is not reflective of actual sales by the manufactures or retailers. Other websites and forums will have a different viewpoint than MovingSnow.com. For the record: No one pays me to review their product but a few manufacturers do let me use their products for testing. When they do I always will tell you up front. The information here –  like my snow blower videos on YouTube is to help you decide which is the best snow blower for you – not to promote a product for you to buy.

“Best” means different things to different people. Some of you look at Amazon’s best-selling snow blowers, while others read every word of Consumer Reports Recommended Snow Blowers list. Please remember, the best snow blower as rated by a review site, online review or even by MovingSnow.com is not the always the best snow blower for you. It may be too big or too small for your particular driveway/area to be cleared. It may not be able to handle the heavy/wet snow your area gets a lot.

There are many factors that you should consider including the area you want to clear, the surface you want to clear and how much snow you usually get.  MovingSnow’s goal is to help you find the best snow thrower for you. You can read this article to help: Buying A New Snow Blower FAQS

This article may also help: What Is The Best Snow Blower For Me? – All Your Questions Answered Here!

I will be making many more YouTube videos about snow blowers this year so please click on this link and subscribe YouTube/Paul Sikkema

All of the “best buy” lists including mine only cover residential snow blowers. Specifically, economy, homeowner, and a few heavy-duty models.  No list that I am aware of covers all the snow blowers currently for sale. (There are well over 400 U.S. made alone) So, If you need/want to make money with a snow blower, if you have miles of sidewalks to clear, if you pay someone to operate your snow blowers for hours at a time go here  5 Best Commercial Snow Blowers 2018-2019

Yes, You need a new gas can! Check out The Best Snow Shovel, Ice Scraper, and Gas Can To Compliment Your New Snow Blower

Canadian Snow Blower Buyers:

Snow blowers in Canada are similar but not always exactly like the models offered in the U. S. You can see the models offered at Lowes.ca and HomeDepot.ca here: Feel free to ask me about a specific model in the comments below.
LINK: Snow blowers at Lowes Canada. FYI – I do NOT recommend Snow Beast or DEK!
 LINK: Snow Blowers at The Home Depot Canada. FYI – I do NOT recommend Snow Beast or DEK!

Top Twenty Snow Blowers for 2018-2019

When you are done with the list below you can go to these pages to read more about each snow blower and brand:

• 2018 Ariens Snow Blowers – What’s New – Which One Is Best For You?
• 2018 Toro Snow Blowers – What’s New – Which One Is Best For You?
• 2018 Husqvarna Snow Blowers – What’s New – Which One Is Best For You?
• 2018 Troy-Bilt Snow Blowers – What’s New and Exciting!
• 2018 Craftsman Snow Blowers – What’s New – Which One Is Best For You?
• 2018 Cub Cadet Snow Blowers – What’s New – Which One Is Best For You? 
• 2017 Honda Snow Blowers – What’s New – Which One Is Best For You? Just a list and includes electric start models. Reviews Coming Soon.
• 2018 Briggs & Stratton Snow Blowers – What’s New – Which One Is Best For You?
• What Is The Best Snow Blower For Me? – All Your Questions Answered Here!
•  6 Best Track Snow Blowers For 2018-2019

NOTE: All the links below will take you to a retailers website where you can read more and buy. If you want to know more before you buy go to the articles listed above. Please feel free to ask questions in the comments below. If I send you to another website like The Home Depot and you purchase a snow blower there, please assume that I make a little commission from that sale. That money is used to maintain MovingSnow and TodaysMower. It’s also used to buy demo and operational equipment to improve these sites. 

Please note: To make it easier for you to decide I have changed the list this year so the best snow blowers are rated by size – not one big list like everyone else uses. This list changes slightly from year to year and there are a few new snow blowers for the fall of 2018 that may make the list.  

 20-24 Inch Single Stage

I don’t talk much about single stage snow throwers because all of them except the Toro SnowMaster are too small to be your primary machine if you live anywhere in the U.S. north of Interstate 70. None of them (except the Toro SnowMaster) will throw snow more than 20 feet or so. Because of that, you will end up with much taller piles of snow along your driveway which can cause more drifting right on your driveway the next time it snows.  For example, I use 2-stage snow blowers most of the time so the piles next to my driveway are never more than 2-3 feet. My neighbor across the street has a single stage and his piles are always so high that they block his view of the road when he leaves his driveway in his pickup! The ones listed here are the best snow blowers and make a good choice to “compliment” your 2-stage machine. They are great for quickly cleaning that 2-4 inch snow you got last night or cleaning snow off a pavement/sidewalk that has been driven/walked on.

1. Toro SnowMaster 724 QXE 24 inch, 212cc single stage.  The SnowMaster will clear 2 inches to 14 inches well and is faster to use than a 2-stage. Even though I really, really, really like this snow thrower it is for a very specific buyer. Who is it for? It’s really fast to use if you have a hard surface, smooth patio/driveway. It throws snow as well as a $700-$999 2-stage machine. With Toro dropping the price to $699 I feel it is one of the best value snow blowers on the market.  It may not be the best for you because it’s so lightweight it will run out of traction trying to clear 10 inches or more of heavy/wet end-of-driveway snow. The paddles do not touch the surface like other single-stage snow throwers so it won’t clear packed snow. You can clear gravel and lawn without damaging the machine but with the Personal Pace controls, it’s very hard to do. Because it’s so lightweight you will also have problems going up a steep driveway and even more problems going down that steep driveway.  If you go “offroad” with your snow blower  – buy the 2-stage Ariens Classic, Troy-Bilt Storm 2460  or Husqvarna ST224P instead.  There is another more powerful model,  Toro SnowMaster 824 QXE 24 inch, 254cc single stage. With a larger engine, it’s my pick for areas that get 2-18 inches of snow at a time. BUY HERE at The Home Depot: SnowMaster 724 QXE 24 in. Single-Stage Gas Snow Blower
2. Toro PowerClear 721 E   21 inch, 212cc. It just works really well and lasts a long, long time. Has electric start.
3. There is a new Ariens Commercial Single Stage without electric start that is a better choice if you haul your snow blower around to clear other people’s driveways Ariens Commercial SS 21 in. 208 cc Single-Stage Manual Chute Recoil-Start Gas Snow Blower
4. Briggs & Stratton 22 in. 208cc with Snow Shredder Auger. Just a good full-featured single stage snow thrower that gets good reviews.
5. Honda HS720AS 20 in. 190cc. Honda’s best single stage. It’s a Honda – but it’s more expensive than the top performing Toro models. A lot of owners hate the chute controls but like the way the snow blower throws snow.

 24 Inch. 2-Stage.

The 24 inch models are the best snow blowers for 1-2 car driveways, up to 60 feet long. They are relatively small and easy to handle. The models with automatic or power steering are the easiest to use for anyone who can walk and use both hands. There are dozens of 24-inch models that will handle most Midwest but only a few that will handle the heavy, wet snow the east coast gets on a regular basis.

1. Ariens Deluxe 24. 24 inch 254cc. There are only three heavy-duty 24-inch snow blowers on the market that will handle heavy snow and not clog. This is one of them. What makes is so special is it uses a 14-inch impeller and auger. All the other brands use a 10 or 12-inch impeller so they will clog more and won’t throw the snow as far. Yes, it’s more expensive – but if you get heavy wet snow and have a small driveway it’s the best choice.  It’s a very basic snow blower that blows snow better than most. It has power steering (automatic – no triggers), simple crank chute control, locking deflector control, and a headlight.
2. Husqvarna ST224P 24 inch, 208cc. For four years in a row now this is the highest rated gas snow blower on Amazon. 4.7 out of 5 Stars! Works well for a 2-car by 80-foot driveway. This model has power steering and can handle any type of driveway including gravel and turf. It is great for areas that get up to 60 inches a year. It has a unique feature where you can adjust the handle height for short people. BUY HERE at Amazon: Husqvarna ST224P
3. Troy-Bilt Storm 2460 24 inch, 208 cc. My favorite best value snow blower. For all types of snow, about 60-inch average snowfall a year, and will clear gravel/turf areas. It does not have power steering but uses the new airless tires that give you great traction yet turn easily. 
4. Best Value: Cub Cadet 2X-24.  This 2-stage snow blower with power steering is one of the best values on the market. It’s a great price at $799. It’s been around for a long time and it’s always my first choice for people who average about 60 inches a year with a 2 car 60-foot driveway and want an easy to use snow blower. It works well for gravel, hard surface and turf. It’s balanced well and the handlebars are lower than most other snow blowers so it works well for shorter people. In fact, if you are under 6 Feet, can walk and use both hands you can use this machine. It comes with long-wearing poly skid shoes that won’t scratch your delicate pavers or leave brown rust stains on your concrete. It has all the features of the more expensive machines except hand warmers but they can be installed by your local Cub Cadet dealer.
5. I also like the Ariens Classic a lot for a best value snow blower. It is basically an updated and improved Ariens Sno-Tek that has been Home Depot’s best selling snow blower for quite a while. It does not have power steering.
6. Briggs and Stratton 1696614 Dual-Stage Snow Thrower with 208cc Engine and Electric Start. This is just a good, excellent value machine. This is one of the most popular 2-stage snow blowers on Amazon. It does not have power steering.
7.  Cheapest: Troy-Bilt Storm 2410  If you must have the least expensive snow blower, this is the BEST least expensive snow blower available. There is no need to even consider a Chinese made snow blower anymore. For $599 you get a good engine, 6 speeds forward, 2 reverse, good tires, poly skids and a machine that will handle your 40-60 inch Midwest winters. It’s simple, easy to operate and has an excellent review rating. It does not have power steering.
8. Tracked: There two tracked 24-inch snow blowers available but are no tracked 24-inch snow blowers that I can recommend. If you want a small tracked snow blower for steep driveway and trails look at the Troy-Bilt Storm Tracker 2690XP
9. Snowmageddon:  Ariens Platinum 24 Sno-Thro 24 inch, 369cc with EZ-Launch EFI Engine. This machine has over-the-top power and can handle any type of driveway including gravel and turf. Yet, it is very easy to use. Some of you will feel the price is too high but this heavy-duty 24-inch snow blower with Electronic Fuel Injection will not have the starting issues carbureted engines have on today’s fuels. If you have a small driveway but get a lot of snow this is a great choice. It will clear any amount/type of snow. It will not clog on heavy/wet snow. Because it has a larger engine and more capacity than all other 24 inch machines it works well for 2-3 car wide by 80-120 foot driveways. It has great traction for sloped driveways. This is one of the few snow blowers I recommend for Lake Tahoe and their 200-400 inches of snowfall per year. Please use the dealer locator at Ariens.com to find a store near you:

 26 Inch. 2 car driveway, up to 80 feet long

The 26-inch models are the best snow blowers if you want something bigger than a 24 inch but still want a lightweight, easy to maneuver machine. A 26-inch snow blower will easily go through a 32-inch door without scratching the door or the door frame. All of the models listed here are good dependable snow blowers with the Toro PowerMax 826 OXE being the best for heavy, wet snow.

1. Best Value: Cub Cadet 2X 26″ HP. MY 26 inch Best Value Choice! There is a lot to like about this Cub Cadet and it is a great choice for people who average up to 80 inches a year and have about a 100-foot 2-car driveway.  I really like the chute controls and the dash with 2 LED headlights. One feature most people miss is it now has taller tires so it will have better traction and the handles will be just a little taller than the older models (like the Craftsman). Power steering, metal chute, long lasting skid shoes make this a great snow blower for the price.  Note: Picking the Number One snow blower is an impossible task. This snow blower is very comparable to the No. 2 listed Toro Power Max 826 OXE below. The Toro handles wet snow just a little better than this one but the Toro is $200 more.
2. Toro Power Max® 826 OXE (37799) 26 inch, 252 cc engine, automatic steering,  and Toro’s famous Quick-Stick Chute Control. Picking the number one best choice for a snow blower is the most difficult task I have. Does it throw snow well? Does it clear heavy, wet snow? Is it easy to use? Can most people use it? Is it built well and will last a homeowner many, many years? Does it have a nationwide parts and service network? Will the dealers service it even though you bought it at a Home Improvement Store? This snow blower answers all those questions with a resounding YES!.  The only reason the snow blower never made the list before was it had small tires (Model 37781) but for 2017 they installed the larger tires it needed!    Home Depot Link: Power Max 826 OXE 26 in. 2-Stage Electric Start Gas Snow Blower. My Review Link. 2018 Toro Snow Blowers Note: This is not a high-capacity snow blower but it does have auto/power steering, a good engine, handles all types of snow well, great chute control and is very easy to use for most people. It is a very good choice for a typical 2 car wide driveway 60-120 feet long.  It works well for the snow falls you typically get if you live in Minneapolis, Omaha, Chicago, Detroit, Pittsburgh or Long Island  (average 40-100 inches of snow a year). If you live in areas that get 100-200 inches like Boston, Buffalo, Salt Lake, and Lake Tahoe please look at the heavy-duty Toro Power Max HD 928 OAE instead.
3. New! Exclusive to The Home Depot! Troy-Bilt Storm 2665 New!  The Storm 2665 has a larger 243cc Troy-Bilt engine than most other 26 inch machines and a remote deflector. Solid axle – no power steering, good tires, and extended Quick EZ-Rotation chute. At $799 it is one of the best value 26-inch snow blowers. I can highly recommend this snow blower for most people who get up to 80 inches of snow a year, have a 2-car 100-foot driveway and want more power than the snow blower you now have.
4. Husqvarna Model ST227P, 27-Inch   27 inch, 254cc. Good all-around residential snow blower. 60 inch or less average snow per year. Note: I do not recommend the ST230P
5. Briggs and Stratton Model 1696619 27 inch, 250cc. Just a good value machine. It does not have power steering.
6. Tracked: Troy-Bilt Storm Tracker 2690XP This is one of the hidden gems in the snow blower world. It is priced $100’s less than all the other tracked machines and has a smaller 208cc engine. Yes, it has heated handgrips! It’s an excellent snow thrower at an excellent price for steep driveways that average less than 60 inches of snow a year!
7. Snowmageddon: I haven’t decided if there is an over-the-top 26-inch snow blower but the Husqvarna ST327P comes very close. I have one here I’ve been testing for a few years and it is a better-than-average snow blower.

 28 Inch. 2 car or larger driveway, up to 150 feet long.

The 28-inch models are the best snow blowers for most people and the most popular because the wider width lets you get done faster. The brands all have good value machines in this size.

1. Best 28 inch on the market! Ariens Platinum SHO Rapidtrak 28. This snow blower is a game changer in the residential snow blower market.  All the traction of a tracked unit and the speed and ease-of-use of a wheeled unit. In addition, it handles heavy/wet snow better than all other 28-inch snow blowers. If you have been considering a Honda seriously look at this snow blower instead. It has higher capacity, stronger engine and is considerably faster to use.
2. Best Value for heavy, wet snow! Ariens Deluxe 28 and Deluxe 28 SHO. 28 inch 254/306 cc. For driveways up to 150 feet and 100/150 inches of snow a year. They don’t clog when blowing heavy, wet snow. This is the standard heavy-duty snow blower that everyone else is trying to beat.  The Deluxe 28 a very basic snow blower that blows snow better than most. It has power steering (automatic – no triggers), simple crank chute control, locking deflector control, and a headlight.  The Deluxe SHO is one of the farthest throwing snow blowers on the market and has a much greater capacity than the Honda Snow Blowers that cost twice as much.
3.  New and Improved!  Power Max® HD 1028 OHXE Toro PowerMax HD snow blowers have been good machines for years and they have made some improvements this year including an all-metal double jointed chute and all metal impeller housing. 14-inch impeller, no shear pins, new gearbox. They are very easy to use. They now have two engine sizes for typical and heavy snowfalls.   Power Max® HD 928 OAE (265cc Auto Steering), Power Max® HD 1028 OHXE (302cc Trigger Steering) Power Max® HD series is also one of the farthest throwing snow blowers on the market and has a much greater capacity than the Honda Snow Blowers that cost much more.
4. Best Value: Troy-Bilt Storm 2890 Best Value 28 inch with Power Steering! It’s also the Quietest Gas Powered Snow Blower on the Market! The Storm 2890 has all the features of the Best Value Troy-Bilt Storm 2860 below and adds power steering and the Troy-Bilt quiet engine (with Noise Guard Technology) for only $100 more.
5. Best Value: Troy-Bilt 2860. See video here. Best Value 28 inch without Power Steering! The more I use this snow blower the more I like it. It’s very easy to use and has plenty of power. This is a great “basic” snow blower and one for the best value snow blowers! It does not have power steering but the airless tires make is very easy to use. This model has just the basics for a reasonable price.  It features the new airless tires and very simple and long-lasting chute control. Extended chute, and good hand warmers. No power steering or complicated 4-way chute controls. Of course, it has electric start. This is a nice size snow blower for most driveways that is surprisingly easy to use with the new airless tires – even though it does not have power steering. I consider this a great snow blower for most areas of the country that get 40-70 inches of snow a year. It can easily be adjusted for cement, blacktop, gravel driveways. It will fit through the 32-inch side door on your garage. With the long-wearing poly skid shoes, you can also use it on your stained concrete or nice patio. You can even adjust it for clearing a section of the lawn for your dogs.  Note: This is not a high-capacity snow blower. It is a very good choice if you live in Minneapolis, Omaha, Chicago, Detroit, Pittsburgh or Long Island. If you live in areas that get 100-200 inches like Boston, Buffalo, Salt Lake, and Lake Tahoe please look at the heavy-duty machines. 
6.  Good Value:  Cub Cadet 2X 28″ HP 28 inch, 272cc quiet engine. Full-featured, including power steering, decent power.
7. Tracked: Ariens Platinum SHO Rapidtrak 28. This snow blower is a game changer in the residential snow blower market.  All the traction of a tracked unit and the speed and ease-of-use of a wheeled unit. In addition, it handles heavy/wet snow better than all other 28-inch snow blowers.
8. Snowmageddon: Ariens and Toro both have over-the-top commercial 28-inch snowblowers that outperform anything else on the market. If you have large areas to clear and/or get over 100 inches of snow a year seriously consider one of these.  Toro 28 in. 420 cc Model 38843, or the Ariens Professional 28 Model 926065. The Ariens Professional RapidTrak 28 in. Hydro 420cc Model 926060is arguably the best snow blower for ALL conditions. With the high-speed RapidTrak, it will clear 15 inches or more as fast as you can walk!

 30 Inch. Large Areas But Easy To Use

The 30-inch models are the best snow blowers if you have large open areas to clear but still want a snow blower that is relatively easy to use. When trying to decide between a 28 inch and 30-inch snow blower remember. A 28-inch snow blower will clear an 8-foot wide driveway in two passes (round trips) A 30 inch won’t clear that long driveway any faster because you still need to make 2 round trips.

1. Starts Every Time! Ariens Deluxe 30 EFI. 30 inch with 15 ft. lb. EZ-Launch EFI Engine. This snow blower engine will not have the starting issues carburetor style snow engines have on today’s fuels. This is one of my favorite large area snow blowers. Auto-Turn makes it simple to use. Dual belt drive and simple chute controls make it dependable and easy to use. Works well for a 2-car by 200-foot driveway. This 30 inch snow blower is more expensive than most on this list but what it offers is well worth the money. BUY HERE or use the dealer locator at Ariens.com to find a store near you: Ariens Deluxe 30 EFI. 
2. Best Value:  Troy-Bilt Arctic Storm XP 30 Snow Thrower.  30 inch, 357cc. This machine will redefine large area residential snow blowers because it’s a very heavy-duty, high-capacity machine at a very competitive price.  Very easy to use. For any size driveway and any amount/type of snow. Consumer Reports has rated the 30-inch version as one of their best 2-stage picks.
3. Tracked: These are the best for any terrain. Driveways, turf, hills, ditches –  Pulling your car out of the ditch. (Am I kidding?) also Husqvarna Model# ST330T, 30 inch, 414cc engine, track drive. The ST330T best for any terrain. Driveways, turf, hills, ditches – The ST330T is one of the highest power snow blowers on the market and will go where no walk-behind wheeled snow blower will go. It is slower than the Ariens RapidTrak models but it has more under chassis clearance and more capacity  than the Honda HSS928ATD or Honda HSS1332ATD
4. Snowmageddon:  Ariens Platinum 30 SHO. Model 921051. This dealer only snow blower has over-the-top power and capacity and will last many, many, many years. It will clear 12-15 inches of snow as fast as I can walk and throw it 50 feet or more! If you average over 100 inches of snow a year seriously consider this snow blower. If you average over 200 inches it is probably the only residential snow blower that will do the job for you.

 32-36 Inch. Best For Large Open Areas.

The 32-36-inch models are the best snow blowers if you have large open areas to clear. Just keep in mind that most of these are considerably heavier than the 28-inch models and harder for most people to use.

1. Troy-Bilt Arctic Storm XP 34 Snow Thrower.  34 inch, 420cc. This machine will redefine large area residential snow blowers because it’s a very heavy-duty, high-capacity machine at a very competitive price.  Very easy to use. For any size driveway and any amount/type of snow. Consumer Reports has rated the 30-inch version as their best 2-stage pick.  (and I like it and the Craftsman version also)
2. New and Improved! Power Max® HD 1232 OHXE Toro PowerMax HD snow blowers have been good machines for years and they have made some improvements this year including a 32-inch version, an all-metal double jointed chute, and all metal impeller housing. 14-inch impeller, no shear pins, very easy to use. They now have two engine sizes for residential and commercial users.  Power Max® HD 1232 OHXE (375cc Trigger Steering) The Power Max® HD 1232 OHXE is also one of the farthest throwing snow blowers on the market and has a much greater capacity than the Honda Snow Blowers that cost much more.
3. Ariens has large area snow blowers but they are all commercial models.  5 Best Commercial Snow Blowers 2018-2019
4. Tracked: Honda HS1336iAS. You can check out this $8000 machine through the link to Honda’s website.
5. Snowmageddon:  5 Best Commercial Snow Blowers 2018-2019

The rest of the snow blowers that get all the publicity. Why they are not on the list.

3-Stage Snow Blowers:

Don’t let the advertising hype or dealer sales pitches fool you. A 3-stage is not better than a 2-stage – it’s just different. Yes, a 3-stage snow blower has about 50% more capacity than the same brand’s 2-stage machine but that does not mean they are better than another brand’s 2-stage snow blowers. Remember a dealer is always going to tell you their snow blower is better than the dealer’s across the street. Read more about 3-stage snow blowers here: Is a 3-stage better than a 2-stage? 

30-inch MTD Built Snow Blowers:

Troy-Bilt Storm 3090 357cc 4-cycle Electric Start Two-Stage Snow Thrower, 30 inch Craftsman at Lowes, Cub Cadet 30 inch 2-stage, and Craftsman 88396.   30 inch, 357cc. All of these models are all basically the same snow thrower – just different paint and repair support. It’s a dependable snow blower but for most people, it just doe not have the capacity of the more recent 30-inch designs. The closed front auger with 6 auger flites severely limits its capacity and the 12-inch impeller does not spin fast enough to throw snow as far as the more recent designs.

Husqvarna ST230P

The Husqvarna ST230P is another 30-inch snow blower that looks like a great deal because of the price but suffers from poor performance and impeller belt problems. If you live in an area that averages 40 inches or so a year it will work but if you live on the East Coast or anywhere else that get’s heavy/wet snow you will be severely dissappointed. If you alreadty own one I strongly suggest you keep a spare impeller belt on hand and know how to change the belt.

Cordless Electric Snow Throwers:

Myself, I really want a battery operated snow blower! I’ve replaced my trim mower and leaf blower with a cordless electric. I threw away my gas string trimmer because there are now excellent cordless ones to replace it. My cordless hedge trimmer will run for hours on one lithium battery. Ryobi even has a riding mower that works for up to 2-acre lawns.  Troy-Bilt now has a Lithium-ion battery powered riding mower. Why is developing a cordless snow blower that works for most people so hard?

EGO 21 in. 56-Volt Lithium-Ion Single Stage Electric Snow Blower with (2) 5.0Ah Batteries. I originally had this cordless electric on the top 20 list but with research and my testing, it’s not quite what I thought it was.  I’m leaving it off the list permanently. Yes, every other blog and YouTuber is raving about it.  So why do I have an issue with it? It looked like a great machine at GIE-EXPO but I didn’t ask the obvious question – how is it different from a gas single-stage snow thrower?

This snow thrower has the front rubber paddles like a gas unit but they don’t contact the ground and pull the unit forward like the gas-powered single stage snow throwers paddles do.  It’s like the other corded electric power shovels that you have to push yourself. It is hard to use on old snow and driveways that are not perfect. Since you have to push it through the snow I would be scared of trying to push it up a sloped driveway for fear that I would slip and fall. So I am only going to recommend it for smooth, level driveways, sidewalks, and patios. I can’t recommend it for older, rougher driveways, sidewalks and patios with cracks that stick up and catch the front scraper of the snow thrower. I can’t recommend it for sloped driveways.  If you are still interested please watch this video before you buy. The owner doesn’t push it up-hill and it leaves a little snow like a 2-stage machine. EGO 56 volt snow blower. Here is another practical video. Watch the sections where he is trying to clear the end-of-driveway snow.  EGO 56Volt snow blower,,,   I’m not saying “don’t buy.” I am saying that this is not like the snow blower you now own. If you can always get out and clear your snow right away, don’t drive over it with your car, and don’t let the end-of-driveway snow plow pile freeze this may work for you.  This model has enough battery capacity to easily clear a 2 car, 50 foot paved driveway.  There is a second model with larger batteries here. EGO 21 in. 56-Volt Lithium-Ion Single Stage Snow Blower with (2) 7.5 Ah Batteries

Here is a typical end-of-year review of the EGO Snow Thrower: “I too love cordless-the only gas equipment. All I have left is my lawn mower and snow-blower so I was eager to try this. However, the auger not touching the ground is a big problem for me. My single stage 208cc gas does and it helps to pull it along. I have a 75 ft single driveway and 200 ft of sidewalk (double lot on a corner). It had enough juice to do it, but constantly having to push, push, push to get through the snow-it was a major workout. It throws the snow fine-no problem there. But wow-it was a major pain pushing this thing. We’ve had over 100 inches of snow this winter (so far), so I’m glad I returned it.”

I’m guessing they don’t let the auger touch the ground because it would just use too much battery power…

I also wanted the Snow Joe iON24SB-XR 80V Max  to be on this list. But I have some real issues with how slow it travels. (There is a new 2017 model but I have not had a chance to check it out. I’m hoping the 2017 Black versions will have the speed issue fixed.)  I have spent some time with it clearing cement, blacktop, gravel, and an old, rough patio. It throws snow really, really well. It’s a unique snow blower and is very, very quiet. Here is a video: Snow Joe iON 80V 2-stage tested in snow – Is it for you?.

Honda 2-Stage Snow Blowers

Honda HSS928ATD, Honda HSS724ATD, and Honda HSS1332ATD. Yes, the Honda 2-stage machines did not make the list and probably won’t. Yes, I know they have the Honda engine, everyone, raves about. Yes, They trow a wonder plume of snow a long way. But, they are just too expensive for no electric start, (a $200 option), underpowered, plug with wet snow and are using an antique track drive system (read slow).  Just so you know, the models Home Depot is carrying this year do not have electric start. You can actually buy the Troy-Bilt Arctic Storm XP 34 Snow Thrower. or Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO for half the price and have a much higher capacity, more heavy-duty snow blower. If you need a tracked machine Ariens, Troy-Bilt, and Cub Cadet all have competitive models that will do the job faster for a lot less money.

Poulan Pro and Jonsered Snow Blowers have dropped off the list. The snow blowers continue to be good machines but you can now buy a Husqvarna with better dealer service for the same price. Husqvarna, Jonsered, and Poulan Pro are made in the same factory and Husqvarna’s have more features. Update September 23, 2018. Husqvarna just announced they are closing the snow blower assembly plant in Georgia and moving it to their South Carolina assembly plant. They also stated they are discontinuing gas-powered, walk-behind lawnmowers, roto-tillers and garden-lawn tractors at lower price points.

Faster and easier to use is the wave of the future. The Toro SnowMaster is just the beginning……

If you have questions feel free to leave a comment below.

Thanks for reading this very long post.

The consumer is now in charge.

 Today’s buyer doesn’t go to the dealer first. Instead, they do all their research online and only go to the dealer if they can’t get the product online or at a local retailer. Today’s buyer wants the online interaction of the manufacturer, dealer, and retailer. It’s no longer what a report or article says is best. The consumer can now do the research and make the decision without ever looking at the info hidden behind a subscription or walking into a dealer.  Today’s consumer talks not only to his neighbor but also his peers, family, and friends. And they are all just a keystroke away.

The post The Twenty Best Snow Blowers – September 2018 – Which Snow Blower Is Best For You? appeared first on MovingSnow.com.

This article is about the 2018 Craftsman Snow Blowers at Sears but first:

As you most likely know Stanley, Black & Decker (SBD) purchased the Craftsman name this year – but not the products. What that means for snow blowers is Stanley, Black & Decker will be independently developing their own line of Craftsman snow “throwers”, parts, and a repair network. Because of that, I will first explain the three different Craftsman snow thrower lines available this year. Then I will go through the Craftsman at Sears machines you know and love.

Three Different “Craftsman” snow blowers this year.

 1. Craftsman At Sears

Craftsman at Sears is the trusted name and products you know.  Snow Blowers are sold through Sears.com and your local Sears store. All the parts, warranty repairs, and service are the same as before through SearsPartsDirect.com and Sears Repair Services.

Craftsman at Sears will continue to have a complete line of snow throwers ranging from the most economical to models with all the features you want. In fact, they added new models this year to improve and expand the line.

2. Craftsman At Sears Hometown Stores

Sears Hometown Stores is independently owned and separate from Sears and Stanley, Black & Decker. Currently, they carry Craftsman (at Sears) snow blowers and the residential series Husqvarna machines. You can view snow blowers on the Sears Hometown Stores website but you have to go to your local HomeTown store to purchase them. They will offer you a purchase or lease option.

3. NEW BRAND! Craftsman At Lowes, ACE. Craftsman.com, etc.

As you most likely know Stanley, Black & Decker (SBD) purchased the Craftsman name this year – but not the products. What that means for snow blowers is they will be independently developing their own line of Craftsman snow blowers, parts, and repair network.

The model numbers are completely different. You will have to get parts, warranty work, and service through Stanley, Black & Decker.  Apparently, Craftsman.com was also sold to SBD and currently states,

WHO SHOULD I CALL FOR PARTS & REPAIR?
If you are in need of parts and/or repair for your CRAFTSMAN product, please call our customer service line, 888-331-4569.

WHERE CAN I GET MY TOOLS/EQUIPMENT REPAIRED?
For all repairs, call 888-331-4569 or email us at craftsman@sbdinc.com and we’ll handle all your repair needs.

(Specifically for Snow Throwers:) WARRANTY SERVICE
With proof of sale, call this number to obtain the warranty coverage stated below: 1-888-331-4569.

The four Craftsman (SBD) models currently for sale at Lowes are made by MTD but it’s unclear if SBD will continue to use them, switch to another manufacturer, or build their own.

What’s New For Craftsman At Sears

I repeat – Craftsman at Sears is the trusted name and products you know.  Snow Blowers are sold through Sears.com and your local Sears store. All the parts, warranty repairs, and service are the same as before through SearsPartsDirect.com and Sears Repair Services.

Craftsman at Sears four new models for this fall:

New 2- stage Model 88781: The old 24 inch 88172 is getting a new larger 208cc engine. Check it out here: Craftsman 88781 24″ 208cc Electric Start  At around $599 it’s a great deal if you want an inexpensive snow blower.

New 2- stage Model 88789: This new model adds the “Quiet Engine” to the best value 24 inch,  88173. The 88173 was one of the best value snow blowers and with the addition of the new engine is also one of the quietist! Check it out here: Craftsman 88789 24″ 208cc Quiet Dual-Stage Snow Thrower with Electric Start

New 2- stage Model 88794: This is a new 28-inch value model. It has the long chute with the quick turn feature, 243cc engine and power steering all for around $899. It’s $100 less than the 28 inch 88394 with the Quiet Engine making it one of the best value 28 inch snow blowers! Check it out here: Craftsman 88794 26″ 243cc Dual-Stage Snow Thrower

New Single Stage 88980: This new 21 inch, 208cc snow thrower features a new remote chute and deflector control at a much better price than before. Check it out here: Craftsman 88980 21″ 208cc Single Stage Snow Thrower with Electric Start

In addition, expect EXTREMELY AGGRESSIVE PRICING and all models this fall!

How this article is laid out:

I’m going to start with the economy models first and then the most popular Deluxe models. After that, I’ll review the heavy-duty models followed by the 3-stage snow blowers. I’ll leave the single stage machines for last.

Reading Craftsman Snow Blower Reviews:

When you read snow blower reviews you are going to find reviews that state “the engine would not start,” “the engine won’t stay running.” and “the engine runs rough.” You will find these reviews for all brands and sizes of snow blowers.

98% of the time engine problems with snow blowers are either fuel or operator related. Snow engines run/operate differently than your lawn mower engine. Educating yourself on how to store fuel, how to keep your fuel clean and how/why your snow blower engine runs the way it does will go a long way to liking your new snow blower. Please read this article to learn more: Buying A New Snow Blower FAQS – Read This For The Truth

Let’s get started!

2-Stage Economy Craftsman Snow Blowers

Craftsman has 2 snow blowers that are inexpensive, yet do the job for many homeowners. The machines use the same quality parts as the more expensive machine – they just don’t have as many features.  They have the same warranty as the more expensive models. One model, the 88781 is one of the best value snow blowers on the market today.  If you live in a subdivision with a 2 car driveway and get 80 inches of snow or less a year it’s a great choice.

Model 88789: The 24 inch 88789 keeps up the tradition of the original 88173 to be one of the best value snow blowers on the market. It works well for 2 car driveways up to 80 feet or so and can easily handle a 12 inch snow.  The high intake also means it can clear that huge snow plow drift the snow plows left you overnight. I highly recommend this snow blower if you have a 2 car driveway about 80 feet long, (or single car equivalent) get an average snowfall of 80 inches or less a year. It’s designed to work on gravel, turf, cement, and blacktop. The deep lug tires and 208cc engine are just the right size for this snow blower. It also has the poly skid shoes so it won’t scratch your stamped and decorative driveways and patio. Last but not least, the long discharge chute puts the snow where you want it and is very easy to use. This model does not have power steering but is light enough for most people to use. Yes, there are a lot of bigger, larger, and more expensive snow blowers on the market, but if you just want a decent 2-stage to clear your smaller driveway this is one of the best choices. It is still one of the best value machines out there.

Model 88781: If you have to have the least expensive 2-stage snow blower on the market this is the one.  The 208cc 24 inch 88781 is most like your old 5 hp Craftsman that you are replacing it with. It’s a simple snow blower capable of handling 8 to 12-inch snows and clear that end-of-driveway drift. This snow blower will take you longer to clear your driveway – but it will still get the job done. It’s a much better snow blower for most people than a single stage snow thrower. It’s one of the few snow blowers in this price range with electric start. The intake is higher than your 20-year-old Craftsman which means it can clear that 21-inch snow plow drift the snow plows left you overnight. This is a decent snow blower if you have a 2 car driveway about 40-50 feet long, (or single car equivalent) get an average snowfall of 50 inches or less a year. It’s designed to work on gravel, turf, cement and blacktop. The deep lug tires are the right size for this snow blower. It also has the poly skid shoes so it won’t scratch your stamped and decorative driveways and patio. This model does not have power steering but is light enough for most people to use. Don’t expect this model to clear heavy, wet snow or have a lot of traction for clearing the snow plow drift.

Sears has many sales and special offers running all the time. Please click on the links below to see the latest.  Be sure to look under the special offers tabs on their product page.

Sears Stock Item #	88781	88789	88173 (Black Friday?)
engine	4-cycle / 208 cc OHV	4-cycle / 208 cc OHV Quiet Engine	4-cycle / 208 cc OHV
starter type	electric	electric	electric
clearing width	24”	24”	24″
intake height	21”	21”	21″
auger / impeller	12” serrated auger / updated 12” impeller	12” serrated auger / updated 12” impeller	12” serrated auger / updated 12” impeller
speeds	6F/2R	6F/2R	6F/2R
Drive Control	Solid Axle	Solid Axle	Solid Axle
operation control		single hand control	single hand control
chute control	crank / manual	EZ Rotation Chute	EZ Rotation Chute
tire size	13” x 4” X-Trac	13” x 4” X-Trac	13″ x 4″ X-Trac
headlight
skid shoes	Glide-Tech	Glide-Tech	Glide-Tech
handle	steel panel	steel panel	panel
warranty	2 year limited	2 year limited	2 year limited
extended chute		Yes	Yes
drift cutters
Typical Sale Price  (Sales Change Often)	$599.99	$699.99	(Black Friday?)
Check Sale Price – Buy Here ->	Craftsman 88781 24″ 208cc Electric Start	Craftsman 88789 24″ 208cc Quiet Dual-Stage	Craftsman 88173 24″ 208cc Dual-Stage Snowblower

Sears always has special financing offers for you.

Sears has many sales and special offers running all the time. Please click on the links to see the latest.  Be sure to look under the special offers tabs on their product page.

2-Stage Deluxe Craftsman Snow Blowers

Craftsman snow blowers are among the most popular snow blowers. Along with the Model 88789 above the Deluxe models in this group make up a large share of snow blowers sold in the U. S. They are just the right size and power for the majority of the homes and driveways north of Interstate 80.  In other words, if you normally get 2-14 inch snows and average 40-80 inches a year these are great machines. They all have a 21-inch intake height so they will handle drifts and the occasional blizzard. No, they don’t have the capacity of the heavy-duty, “snow belt” machines but for most of us they are just the right combination of features, power and price.

Model 88640: If I wanted a new snow blower this year for my 2-car Midwest driveway this snow blower would be on my shortlist. It has large tires for the best traction on gravel and turf and power steering so anyone can use it. The discharge chute is simple to use, won’t bind up and is long so the snow goes where you want it too. The engine controls have been redesigned so they are easier to see and use.

The intake is higher than your 20-year-old Craftsman which means it can clear that 21-inch snow plow drift the snow plows left you overnight. This is a decent snow blower if you have a 2 car driveway 60-80 feet long, (or single car equivalent) get an average snowfall of 80 inches or so a year. It’s designed to work on gravel, turf, cement and blacktop. The deep lug tires are better and larger than Craftsman has ever installed on a 24-inch snow blower so it will have excellent traction. It also has the poly skid shoes so it won’t scratch your stamped and decorative driveways and patio. This model has power steering and is light enough for most people to use. Don’t expect this model to clear heavy, wet lake effect snow, but it will handle the snow plow drift at the end of your driveway well.

Model 88794: This new snow blower is the big brother of the 88640 above. 28 inch, 243cc engine. All the same features – just a larger size. This is one of the best value snow blowers for your typical midwestern driveway. Best of all this snow blower is a good, quality American made snow blower that costs the same or less than the Chinese models that are trying to sneak into the country.

Model 88394: This is one of the better value snow blowers in the 28-inch size. It has all the features you want including headlight, drift cutters, long-lasting poly skid shoes and 4-way chute control. The power steering makes it easy to use the Quiet engine makes it a great engine to operate. If you need “stealth mode” to keep peace in the neighborhood this snow blowers engine is 45% quieter than the standard Craftsman 208cc engine. This is a great snow blower if you have a 2-car drive 100-150 feet long, live in an area that gets up to 80 inches of snow a year and also have gravel and turf areas to clean.

Model 88396: This is one of the large frame snow blowers that just about anyone can operate. It’s balanced very well and the controls are right where they need to be. The controls on the redesigned engine are easy to see and use. This snow blower has been around for quite some time and has proven to be an excellent, dependable machine. It’s great for larger areas and 16” x 6.5” X-Trac tires give it the extra traction and flotation needed to work well off the pavement. It is very smooth and easy to use so it works well on 2-8 inches of snow just as well as a 14-18 inch’er.  Yes, Like I’ve been saying for the last 10 years – the electric chute control and thumb-joystick on this snow blower is bulletproof.

Sears Stock Item #	88640	88794	88394	88396
engine	4-cycle / 208 cc OHV	4-cycle / 243 cc OHV	4-cycle / 243cc OHV Quiet Engine	New Engine Redesign 4-cycle / 357cc OHV
starter type	electric	electric	electric	electric
clearing width	24″	28”	28″	30”
intake height	21”	21”	21″	21”
auger / impeller	12” serrated auger / updated 12” impeller	12” serrated auger / updated 12” impeller	12” serrated auger / updated 12” impeller	12” serrated auger / updated 12” impeller
speeds	6F/2R	6F/2R	6F/2R	6F/2R
Drive Control	Power Steering	Power Steering	Power Steering	Power Steering
operation control	single hand control	single hand control	single hand control	single hand control
chute control	EZ Rotation Chute	4-way EZ Rotation Chute	4-way joystick	4-way electric
tire size	15” x 5” X-Trac	15” x 5” X-Trac	15” x 5” X-Trac	16” x 6.5” X-Trac
headlight		LED headlight	LED headlight	LED headlight
skid shoes	Deluxe Glide-Tech	deluxe Glide-Tech	deluxe Glide-Tech	Deluxe Glide-Tech
handle	deluxe panel design	deluxe panel design	deluxe panel design	deluxe panel design
warranty	2 year limited	2 year limited	2 year limited	2 year limited
extended chute	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
drift cutters			Yes	Yes
Typical Sale Price  (Sales Change Often)	$799.99	$899.99	$999.99	$1,199.99
Check Sale Price – Buy Here ->	Craftsman 88640 24″ 208cc Dual Stage Zero-Turn Snowblower	Craftsman 88794 26″ 243cc Dual-Stage Snow Thrower	Craftsman 88394 28″ 243cc Dual-Stage Snowblower with Quiet Engine	Craftsman 88396 30″ 357cc Dual Stage Zero-Turn Snow Blower

Did you know Sears.com has free layaway on snow blowers?

Sears has many sales and special offers running all the time. Please click on the links to see the latest.  Be sure to look under the special offers tabs on their product page.

Heavy-Duty Craftsman Pro Snow Blowers

Last year Craftsman introduced this new snow blower to replace the old, tired 33 and 45 inch models but no one really explained why it’s such a leap forward for Craftsman… I won’t spend any time explaining why the old MTD built models were so bad. Let’s just say – they are gone! – and move on.

The Model 88976 and Model 88978 snow blowers are completely new and very heavy-duty. They feature thicker steel, better components including all steel discharge chutes, 14-inch high capacity impellers, and 14-inch front auger systems. These new snow blowers even have handle supports so using them is much easier than the old models.

It’s big and awesome but balanced well and surprisingly easy to use. I highly recommend these snow blowers if you have a long driveway to clear, or you get large doses of heavy, wet snow. These are high-end homeowner snow blowers, not commercial machines but I would have no problems recommending them to a church or other business that needs to clear large areas once or twice a week.

Compare this new heavy-duty Craftsman Pro to the Troy-Bilt Arctic Storm, Ariens Platinum 30, Husqvarna ST330P and the Toro PowerMax HD 1028.

I’ll say it – “For half the price as the Honda you get a snow blower that will perform the task faster.”

This model has the new Craftsman sloped engine design. It’s much easier to see and use the engine controls.

This year Consumer Reports rated this snow blower and its fraternal twin – the Troy-Bilt Arctic Storm, as the two of the best 2-stage machines. In addition, it scored just as well as the Cub Cadet 3X HD. 

By the way, the only difference besides the service/parts between the Troy-Bilt Arctic Storm and the Craftsman Pro is the Craftsman has a separate hand crank for the chute and lever for the deflector. The Troy-Bilt uses the electric joystick. The Craftsman Pro also has drift cutters, LED lights and an extra front light. You can watch my videos of the Arctic Storm here to get an idea of how well this snow blower works: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=5&v=vNHWM3JYG4c and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASJb3_PqKoI&t=121s

Sears Stock Item #	88976	88978
engine	New Engine Redesign 4-cycle / 357 cc OHV	New Engine Redesign 4-cycle / 420 cc OHV
starter type	electric	electric
clearing width	30″	34″
intake height	23″	23″
auger / impeller	14″ serrated auger / 14″ impeller	14″ serrated auger / 14″ impeller
speeds	6F/2R	6F/2R
Drive Control	Power Steering	Power Steering
operation control	single hand control	single hand control
chute control	crank / remote pitch	crank / remote pitch
tire size	16” x 6.5” X-Trac	16” x 6.5” X-Trac
headlight	LED in dash plus LED light bar	LED in dash plus LED light bar
skid shoes	Large Deluxe Glide-Tech	Large Deluxe Glide-Tech
handle	deluxe panel design	deluxe panel design
warranty	2 year limited	2 year limited
extended chute	Yes – Metal	Yes – Metal
drift cutters	Yes	Yes
Typical Sale Price  (Sales Change Often)	$1,499.99	$1,699.99
Check Sale Price – Buy Here ->	Craftsman 31AH8DSH799 30″ 357cc Dual-Stage Snowblower w/ Power Steering	Craftsman 31AH8ESJ799 34″ 420cc Dual Stage Snowblower w/ Power Steering

You can also lease Craftsman Snow Blowers

Sears has many sales and special offers running all the time. Please click on the links to see the latest.  Be sure to look under the special offers tabs on their product page.

3-Stage Craftsman Pro Snow Blowers

Craftsman makes a snow blower for just about every driveway in the U.S.  So, they offer two 3-stage machines.  The snow blowers work well if you typically get 8-16 snows.  These snow blowers don’t work well on solid, frozen snow and tend to be a little messy when blowing snow falls less than 4 inches.

Someday I’d like Consumer Reports to explain how these two snow blowers rate lower than the Troy-Bilt and Cub Cadet counterparts. They are made for Craftsman by MTD and use the same parts and come off the same assembly line as the Troy-Bilt and Cub Cadet machines. The ONLY difference is the color. Maybe their way of testing is not as an exact science as they’d like you to believe…. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H451OQnNgzk

Sears Stock Item #	88870	88874
engine	4 cycle / 277cc OHV	New Engine Redesign 4-cycle / 357cc OHV
starter type	electric	electric
clearing width	24″	28″
intake height	21″	21″
auger / impeller	12″ / 12″ / 12″ 3 Stage System	12″ / 12″ / 12″ 3 Stage System
speeds	6F/2R	6F/2R
Drive Control	Power Steering	Power Steering
operation control	single hand control	single hand control
chute control	4-way joystick	4-way joystick
tire size	15″ x 5″ X-Trac	16″ x 6.5″ X-Trac
headlight	LED headlight	LED headlight
skid shoes	Deluxe Glide-Tech	Deluxe Glide-Tech
handle	deluxe panel design	deluxe panel design
warranty	2 year limited	2 year limited
extended chute	Yes	Yes
drift cutters	Yes	Yes
Typical Sale Price  (Sales Change Often)	$1,199.99	$1,399.99
Check Sale Price – Buy Here ->	Craftsman 88870 24″ 277cc 3-Stage Snowblower w/ Power Steering	Craftsman 88874 28″ 357cc 3-Stage Snowblower w/ Power Steering

Single Stage Craftsman Snow Blowers

Sears Stock Item #	11683	88780	88980
engine	4-cycle / 123 cc OHV	4-cycle / 179 cc OHV	4-cycle / 208cc OHV
starter type	recoil	electric	electric
clearing width	21”	21”	21″
intake height	13”	13”	13″
auger / impeller	Snow Claw	Snow Claw	Snow Claw
speeds	auger propelled	auger propelled	auger propelled
Drive Control
operation control
chute control	manual	manual	2-way joystick
tire size	8″ x 2″	8″ x 2″	8″ x 2″
headlight			LED
skid shoes	n/a	n/a	n/a
handle	ergonomic	ergonomic	ergonomic
warranty	2 year limited	2 year limited	2 year limited
extended chute
drift cutters
Typical Sale Price  (Sales Change Often)	$399.99	$499.99	$569.99
Check Sale Price – Buy Here ->	Craftsman 11683 21″ 123cc Single-Stage Snowblower	Craftsman 88780 21″ 179cc Single-Stage Snowblower w/ Electric Start	Craftsman 88980 21″ 208cc Single Stage Snow Thrower with Electric Start

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