Snow blowers

Comment:

This blower is so slow! Don't buy it unless you enjoy taking all day to clear your driveway. It''s okay for snow under 4 but anything over that particularly wet snow really bogs it down. I'm giving it to my son and getting a real blower.

How long have you owned it:

One-to-three months

Bottom Line

No, I would not recommend this to a friend.

Comment:

In my opinion this Ariens machine is a fake product or CRIPPLEWARE as it is designed to be so inefficient and slow as to persuade buyers that they need to buy something more expensive. And that is false for most people who need to move average amounts of snow.<br /><br />If you live in an area of regular heavy snowfalls, then you may need a larger more expensive snowblower, or plod along behind this entry-level toy as it slowly chews through wind-hardened drifts, its only designed purpose. But most people need an easy to handle light weight machine to deal with only 2 to 8 snowfalls with the occasional heavier snowfall. As such this Ariens machine is a poor choice for most people.<br /><br />It is crippled with a so-called single-speed wet clutch transmission that is frozen at the slowest of snowblower speeds. So in comparison to a multi-speed snowblower, this machine is set and cannot be changed to anything except the slowest speed. That speed is so slow as to make this unit unserviceable for all but the larger of snowfalls. Hand shoveling is much much faster.<br /><br />There is no reason to have crippled this machine, as the same size engine is used in larger snowblowers, so a shortage of power is not the issue. It is noisy and vibrates like it is a powerhouse, but does little actual work unless you are clearing at its designed for 10 snow depth.<br /><br />And that is why you will see these snowblowers (20 and 22 single speed)described as seldom used when advertised as used machines for sale. They are so inefficient for average snowfalls as to be left in the garage while hand shoveling is done instead.<br /><br />If your budget is less than $600, I would recommend a higher end single stage blower before considering this CRIPPLEWARE product or any SINGLE SPEED dual stage unit. If you are committed to a lower priced dual stage unit, look at the 24 instead which offers multiple speeds (aprox $799)<br /><br />I bought this and cannot return it and was forced to buy another snowblower instead. I went with a single stage instead which is the design I have used for the last 20 years and have been happy with. BUYER BEWARE!

How long have you owned it:

A month or less

Bottom Line

No, I would not recommend this to a friend.

(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

Comment:

After struggling for years with an old Toro single-stage, I bit on [@] sale for this new machine.It sure gets the job done faster on our new pavestone driveway, using the optional polymer skids. Once adjusted for scraper clearance, it clears down to the surface just fine. The engine has an oil dipstick, making that check a breeze, and it starts right up every time, even using the pull starter.The only problem I had was with an erroneous torque spec for the filler plug on the gear box; I stripped the threads on the top cover, but Ariens sent me a replacement plus a bottle of gesr oil, plus a revised torque spec, when I notified them of the problem.Lacking independent wheel drives does make it hard to turn, but I work around that with prudent planning of the clearing route.Best feature is that it works so well that I can't help clearing my neighbors' walks and drive, and that's garnered me some yummy Christmas cookies!

How long have you owned it:

Three-to-six months

Bottom Line

Yes, I would recommend this to a friend.