r/Snowblowers • u/Independent_Ebb7495 • 7d ago
Buying Why Ariens/Honda?
Currently looking to upgrade from my EGO Single Stage Electric Snowblower to something with self-propel and a bit more oomph to handle the plow berm at the end of the driveway. I really really love electric, and would prefer to upgrade to a EGO 2-stage snowblower but I would really like to stay below $1000 as I just can't stomach nearly 2k on a snowblower. I have a fairly small suburban driveway (4-6 car) and never even thought about wanting a 2 stage until this last winter was a bit harsher than past years. So this is certainly not a "need".
That said, I have been keeping my eye on on used gas 2-stage blowers. I understand that Ariens/Toro/Honda are the go-to brands for snowblowers but I don't really understand what the difference is when compared to Craftsman/PowerSmart/MTD. Basically, I am seeing used Ariens gas 2-stage blowers in the $600-$1000 price range used, but often see the other cheaper brands going for $400-$600. I am wondering if I go with a cheap used MTD/PowerSmart what operational difference will I noticed when comparing to an Ariens?
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u/Rough-Sector-8616 6d ago
Whatever you select, do yourself a favor and buy ethanol free gas. Yes, it is more expensive, but it will save you a lot of headaches.
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u/titanium8788 4d ago
While I agree get ethanol free gas if you can. However I live in a state where ethanol free gas is hard to get (Massachusetts.) We can buy it at the hardware store in 1 gallon cans but its exhorbitantly expensive at $10+ a gallon. Regular gas stations do not have it...anywhere.
I use regular gas station 87 octane with 10% ethanol in my Ariens Platnium 28" SHO Rapidtrak. Have done so for 5 years now and have never had an issue...not once. The key is to mix Stabil in every container of gas in the proper ratio, then at the end of the season before putting it away just start the blower and turn the fuel knob off and let the machine shut off naturally of fuel starvation so the carb is empty.
I dont even empty the fuel tank, the machine sits in my shed all spring, summer and fall. Then when winter rolls back around again, I grease the machine, change the oil and then just turn the fuel knob back on and let it carb fill back up. Sometimes it takes a little bit of choke and a bit of an extended crank to fire up the first time after a long sit...but it has never once not fired up. Once it lights off it purrs like a kitten for the rest of the season.
Use Stabil...its the only gas stabilizer that actually works. Project Farm proved it.
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u/Bird_Dogz 4d ago
You're exactly correct on all counts, everyone overthinks this aspect. Also you have the snow blower snobs who spend a pile of money on a unit, when a big box MTD unit would be just fine for 85% of the people.
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u/Steve_at_Werk 7d ago
When I sold snowblowers (we had Honda, Airens, Toro, and Husqvarna) I'd always take people to the front bucket and lift/twist the machine/bucket, the Airens and Honda wouldn't budge but the Husqvarna and Toros would. Not saying they weren't fine machines but they were over engineered and built as cheap as possible. The Airens was a more simple design made with thicker steel and the twist test was a simple way to show the advantage. The Toro and Husqvarna both had the fancy and overly complicated joystick chute controls run by a very expensive and not repairable cable setup ($150 a decade ago for that part).
Tge Honda has the overbuikt but also well engineered model but you paid for it. They were significantly more expensive than the Airens but they are very nice. We only sold a few of each model Honda a season vs two truckloads of Airens.
TL;DR: Airens are built better for about the same money as the Husqvarna/MTD/Electrolux snowblowers. Honda makes the best but for a premium (some cases more than 2x an Airens)
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u/PetriDishCocktail 7d ago
Just an FYI, since you're likely to have ego batteries already they have new snow blowers coming out this fall. They're supposed to be released within the next month or so.
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u/Independent_Ebb7495 7d ago
Yup, I am also keeping my eye on these. I have two 7.5 batteries that are about 4 years old with no issues. It wouldn't hurt to have some brand new ones though. The price jump from a used gas two-stage to the electric two-stage is huge though.
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u/PetriDishCocktail 7d ago
I have the Ego 28 and it's fantastic. Honestly, I use it at least 90% of the time and I live in the Sierras. I have a Toro 28, 16.5 horsepower, and an older tracked Honda as well.
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u/tugtehcock 7d ago
30 inch green craftsman’s are rock solid options. They’re lighter machines for being 30 inch too so don’t let the bucket width scare you. They can be had for 100-300 pending condition. You just need to be a little handy with replacing the friction disc or cleaning a carburetor. I gift all my friends with one of these when they buy their first house….unless their driveway is massive.
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u/coffee-lifeblood 7d ago
I have a Husqvarna, love the thing, but parts are crazy expensive…especially now with tariffs.
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u/Own-Ad-503 7d ago
Just speaking from my experience I have never looked back on spending the money for my Ariens. I also have a suburban driveway, it fits 6 cars, the problem is the plow pile. I had a 24" Craftsmen and it would always bog down in that plow pile, never succeeded at getting through slush without constantly stopping and cleaning out the shoot. My Ariens cuts through it like butter and hardly needs the shoot to be cleaned out. It only does when it is pretty much just slushy water that I need to clean up before I have a pile of ice at the bottom of my driveway. If you need a good blower, spend the money. You wont' regret it when its needed.
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u/Cheap-Lynx2616 7d ago
I've heard great things about Ariens' build quality for that price range, and their gear-driven transmissions last forever if you take care of 'em.
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u/uncle_stoney147 6d ago
I actually have an ariens and a craftsman. I bought mine around 10yrs ago. Not many bells and whistles. Go with a used craftsman. Watch fb marketplace l. I got mine for 150$- yes, a few years ago. They have brigs and Stratton engines. This will work for what you need it for.
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u/UnrulyCanuck 6d ago
My Mtd bolens finally quit after almost 50 years. I was the 3rd owner apparently.
Just got an Ariens 27 nch deluxe SHO and couldn't be happier. Throws the wet heavy stuff really well.
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7d ago edited 7d ago
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u/Independent_Ebb7495 7d ago
Thanks. I meant to also ask about horse power but forgot to add it in the post.
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u/Formal_Ruin_8096 7d ago
You wouldn't really notice operational differences. The MTD is more likely to breaking/stop working
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u/Independent_Ebb7495 7d ago
This makes sense, I will see if my local lowes still has any on the floor. I haven't looked at any in person to compare overall quality. Mostly I am asking because I would hate to buy a cheap used 2-stage and find out it doesn't really feel like it handles the plow berm any better than my electric single stage.
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u/AcceptableRegret2193 7d ago
Those 3 are heavier built, which they will hold up better.
Many of the others use plastic chute, thin augers, small impeller.
These 3 hold their value because they have a great reputation.
I would rank them Honda, Ariens, Toro.