snowblowers

[rbargeron]

Yup, those older Ariens are great machines. I was always an Ariens fan until about 6 years ago my dealer suggested a Troy-Bilt he had started selling instead. I have to say the Troy is great too - very well designed controls for drive and blower - and great hand warmers!

 

[wdchyd]

Old Ariens are great tough machines, I have my dads from 1965 and a neighbor chucked one from the 70's...these machines chuck snow better than my neighbors newer ones.......maybe the HP ratings back then were under rated....

That said, I wouldn't buy a new one as they seem to cheapen up on materials and such......friends have troubles keeping the newer models running.....stuff breaks on the newer ones that doesn't on the older ones...

 

[KubotainNH]

Old Ariens are great tough machines, I have my dads from 1965 and a neighbor chucked one from the 70's...these machines chuck snow better than my neighbors newer ones.......maybe the HP ratings back then were under rated....

That said, I wouldn't buy a new one as they seem to cheapen up on materials and such......friends have troubles keeping the newer models running.....stuff breaks on the newer ones that doesn't on the older ones...

So true, many 20 to 30 year old blowers were built like tanks. Most new ones are not made to last, it's sad seeing they cost so much.

 

[wdchyd]

So true, many 20 to 30 year old blowers were built like tanks. Most new ones are not made to last, it's sad seeing they cost so much.

My dad's old Ariens was $375 new in 1965 (I wonder how much that would be in todays money) and the thing still chuggs.....the engine says 5 HP but the block is so much beefier than any 5 HP from today.....seems more like 8 or 10 HP......

FIL Had an Areins from the late eighties and it had plastic wheel hubs.....which eventually broke each side (another project for me to fix).....the chute welds broke, drive parts under engine broke too.....I want to say he spent around $1100 to 1200 IIRC when it was new.......That machine got junked a couple years ago......

I didn't want to beat up on Ariens.....sorry.....

 

[crazyal]

My old (early 70s) 7hp Aries finally dies, well the engine did. Not sure why but the engine just locked up. I ended up with a newer 10hp Aries my father bought from HD when he passed away. I kind of toyed with what to do with the old snow blower. I finally ended up putting a new engine on it, you just can't beat the steel worm gear housing over the newer aluminum.

As to which is better, I would ask do they have the same model engine? Have you seen both in person? If so try out the chute rotator. The old Aries took more rotations to go from side to side but is more accurate. The new one worked fine at first but now the vibrations of the engine makes the handle settles facing down and always seams the chute doesn't face exactly where I want it to.

 

[wdchyd]

Unfortunately seems like a good time to try them out is during tough winter season with a lot of snow, but then supply would be limited when you're looking......

 

[BeezFun]

whats a better machine Ariens or Simplicity .hp is about the same

I bought a 30" ariens used in the middle of July about 10 years ago, still going strong. That's definitely the right time to get a good price. Only problem I've had is because the wife headed off into the forest preserve to plow a path for her horse, made it two and a half miles before she tore the bearings out of the shaft that drives the auger. I'm not sure exactly what happened out there and why the shear pin didn't break, maybe she got something in the impeller. When I took the bottom plate off, bearings went everywhere on the garage floor. Companies should hire her to test their equipment, she can break anything.

 

[wdchyd]

My next one will be mounted on the tractor.....:thumbsup:

 

[Ironhand]

You might also consider a Honda. They are a bit spendy, but the hydro trans and reliability are amazing. I love mine.

 

[lovemytoys]

i been trying to get a honda but they are no where to be found