help with snowblowers...

[rh71]

Wound up with the Craftsman (I have their mower with the Briggs & Stratton engine also which is good)... is that considered junk too or did you only mean the Toro ?

 

[Ornery]

<Gulp> My father-in-law bought a Craftsman last year. Snow was left in the impeller, and the next time he started it, it burned up a fan belt because it was frozen. It seems to be of low quality all around, but was about half the price of an Ariens or Toro. I'd rather buy a quality used unit, than a poorly constructed new one. He's on par with my dad when it comes to spending money for quality tools. He got a snow removal contract this year...

Edit: I see now that it costs about $1,300.00 to get an Ariens with a Cast-Iron Gear Case. Their $800.00 units are aluminum. I don't blame anybody for not wanting to spend so much, but I'd still rather have a used one with Cast-Iron Gear Case, and heavy sheet metal construction. They still "make 'em like they used to", but damn they cost a lot!

 

[LeadMagnet]

I bought my dual stage 8HP Toro 824 with electric start off eBay for $400 DELIVERED to my house!, I just did a search of auctions within 100 miles, over the course of a month ,I was in 5 auctions and won one.

I would never buy a Snow Thrower with less than 8HP or without electric start.