I did extensive (trust me, extensive LOL) research last year before my purchase and bought an Ariens from Pat's Power in Exeter (NOT Home Depot......though they ARE the same Ariens as a dealer, theirs are assembled "shoddy" quite often and all out of adjustment......horrible....for literally only a FEW bucks more, go to the dealer!!!)
I found out a LOT of eye openers about Cub Cadet, John Deere, Husqvarna, Toro, Troy Built......etc etc etc......watch out. You'd be surprised how many of these are the same exact machine, made by the same exact company, just with different paint jobs.
I went with the Ariens 9526DLE Professional. I was throwing snow last winter up and clear OVER my father's shrink-wrapped 26 Fortier, on its stands, and with it's huge frame built to support the wrap LOL.
As an engineer, let me tell you, this.....the Ariens is built like a brick shithouse.
For the record, I own a Husqvarna zero-turn. NOT the cheapo home-owner "Z" version (also made to low standards), but the "EZ" model, which is a totally different animal. I wouldn't touch one of their snowblowers. They are the same as the crapsman, with different paint.
Wanna know how to help gauge a good snowblower? Look at the transmission (mine is cast iron), look at the size of the auger in comparison to the opening. Ariens fills the opening well, while most others are half the size of the opening. So you bite a chunk of snow and sit there while the auger catches up. Look at the gauge steel used in the chassis and wear-points. Look at the tire type (get one with REAL tires, not the jokes that need chains that will tear everything up).
VERY IMPORTANT......look at the chute controls!!! So many are awkward to adjust the chute side to side (cranks and other jackass controls).......the Ariens, you have to try to believe how easy and nice it is! And you'll find yourself adjusting the chute often, most likely.
****EDIT....added some info******
Another thing.....DON'T BE FOOLED BY HORSEPOWER MARKETING!!!!!!!
Mine is a 9.5 HP Briggs. ALL of the engines from the 9.5 up to the 13 HP (in this case) are the SAME ENGINE....SAME.....SAME SAME SAME...... just have different carburetion! This is basically the case with the TUCK-A-SUCKs as well!
The 9.5 I have literally throws snow better than most (unless you're talking an Ariens of the larger HP, which I can't speak for) 12-13 HP models. It's not in the horsepower, it's in the design of the machine, and the build quality! Pay attention to those things, and almost ignore the horsepower.
I threw heavy, wet, dense snow with this thing so damned far, it was incredible LOL......my driveway alone is 200' long, plus a 6-vehicle parking area, plus paths around the yard. I'm done so quick, I feel "guilty" LOL.
FYI, for under $1,000, they have a nice 7.5 HP model (I think it's 7.5, check their site).
It would be more than sufficient for most people! Again, don't be fooled by it's size or HP! Dead serious. Even that one would outperform, say a 12 HP Crapsman. Different animals.
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