Abby’s Guide > Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) > Discussions > ariens or husqvarna?
Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions |
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patches
Joined: Sep 11, 2006
Points: 2
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ariens or husqvarna?
Original Message Sep 11, 2006 8:43 pm |
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Hello People, I was in Lowes the other day and I was looking at their snow blowers.I looked at the Troy built , when I was checking it out I noticed that the augers seemed to be three separate pieces and they were kind of loose and sloopy.When I checked out the Husqvarna the augers were nice and tight and also liked the controls. Went to Home depot and checked out the Ariens and the augers were nice and tight.The only thing that bothered me was the control for the chute,the chute turned to the right no problem ,but when I tried to turn it back to the left it seemed to get jammed and would not move.I guess it could have been from other people checking it out from time to time. But then I could possibly take that as an indication of what could happen if I would buy one and end up using it alot.I don't know.Maybe it wasn't put together right by one of the employees.They had the 926le for $999.99 with the remote deflector. The Husqvarna two stage blowers have the remote deflector standard on all the models. You might find it strange,but I seem to care for the remote deflector than the manual because of the certain situations I would run into by snow blowing around the house and some of the elderly neighbors I would be helping out. Also I seem to recall that the Machines are powder coated not just spray painted.A local dealer has the 924sbe,tecumseh snow king L-head engine,and the fd-gear transmission( i don't know what that means) for $939.95. The snow blower that I buy is going to be my first one ever and like most people, I don't want to buy a inferior machine. I post this question here because i see were some people have had alot more experience in snow blowers of all kinds. The Ariens are made in Wisconsin and Husqvarna in Sweden. Both seem to be well built . But again I have not had the experience in operating any of these Machines. Local Arien dealer says he will not have any Ariens in until a few weeks. Any suggestions will be welcomed from any people who have had the opportunity to operate any of these machines. Have been driving myself crazy the past few weeks trying to come to a conclusion. thanks, Jim
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royster
" It is the use of power tools that separates man from animals"
Location: New Brunswick, Canada
Joined: Feb 11, 2011
Points: 284
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Re: ariens or husqvarna?
Reply #11 Feb 25, 2011 1:00 pm |
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I have to disagree that while there are a lot of similarities there are some differences. Whether those differences are significant is where most of the discussion comes from. Things to look for: - Is the chute plastic or metal? I prefer metal.
- Is the connection between the chute and the remote control metal?
- The Ariens remote control has a locking mechanism that might have been engaged when you were testing it;
- Take a look at the auger gear box, some are aluminum, some are cast iron
- All machines have traction control either:
- Locking and unlocking one or both wheels, trigger control is nice; or
- Having a true differential, even nicer.
- Is the engine OHV or an L-Head? (I like OHV)
- Does the traction unit use wheels or tracks ( most people have troubles with tracks)
- Don't get too hung up on clearing width. the difference bwtween 26" and 28" is neglible for most driveways.
- I hardly ever use electric start but it has been handy a few times, I suspect a block heater would be better.
- I think the bearings used in the higher end machines are better quality although probably not significant uless you clear a lot of driveways.
- You can get a machine that is too big. Maneuverability is also important. as is storability
Personally I've been lusting after an Ariens 926DLE. You are correct. Although there are only a few different mamufacturers, these machines are sold under many names. Some are only painted a different color. But there is Ariens And Husqvarna who build machines that are different from the machines built by MTD and the machines built by Briggs and Stratton. My personal choice are the Husqvarna models like the hydrostatic 16530EXL , and the Husqvarna built hydrostatic Craftsman models 52993 and the 52070 . These models also have only Briggs engines.
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aa335
Joined: Nov 29, 2008
Points: 2434
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Re: ariens or husqvarna?
Reply #13 Feb 25, 2011 1:36 pm |
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You are correct. Although there are only a few different mamufacturers, these machines are sold under many names. Some are only painted a different color. But there is Ariens And Husqvarna who build machines that are different from the machines built by MTD and the machines built by Briggs and Stratton. My personal choice are the Husqvarna models like the hydrostatic 16530EXL , and the Husqvarna built hydrostatic Craftsman models 52993 and the 52070 . These models also have only Briggs engines. Are you from NJ?
Do you realize that this thread is over 5 years old? Most of the posters of this thread hasn't been active for half a year. :) If you want to discuss about Husq snowblower, feel free to start a new thread. It's quite apparent that we now all know that Husq, hydrostatic, and you have lots in common...
This message was modified Feb 25, 2011 by aa335
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royster
" It is the use of power tools that separates man from animals"
Location: New Brunswick, Canada
Joined: Feb 11, 2011
Points: 284
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Re: ariens or husqvarna?
Reply #14 Feb 25, 2011 3:31 pm |
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Below is a link to the current Craftsman line-up for the US market. Which one is the hydrostatic model? Offerings change with a single season...just imagine how much they change over a five year period.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/dap_10153_12605_DAP_Compare+All+Models?intcmp=snowexp THe Hydrostatic models in the Craftsman snowblowers are:
Model 52993 27 inch Briggs and Stratton 305 14.5 torque Model 52070 30 inch Briggs and Stratton 342 16.5 torque
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royster
" It is the use of power tools that separates man from animals"
Location: New Brunswick, Canada
Joined: Feb 11, 2011
Points: 284
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Re: ariens or husqvarna?
Reply #15 Feb 25, 2011 3:42 pm |
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THe Hydrostatic models in the Craftsman snowblowers are: Model 52993 27 inch Briggs and Stratton 305 14.5 torque Model 52070 30 inch Briggs and Stratton 342 16.5 torque
After looking at the 2010-2011 Craftsman snowblowers for sale in the USA , I have found that the models sold in Canada are entirely different. It looks like that there are no hydrostatic models sold in the USA.
And, It doesn't look like any of the US models are built by Husqvarna.
This message was modified Feb 25, 2011 by royster
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FrankMA
Location: Merrimack Valley/Northeastern Mass
Joined: Jul 1, 2010
Points: 587
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Re: ariens or husqvarna?
Reply #16 Feb 25, 2011 4:06 pm |
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Are you from NJ?
Do you realize that this thread is over 5 years old? Most of the posters of this thread hasn't been active for half a year. :) If you want to discuss about Husq snowblower, feel free to start a new thread. It's quite apparent that we now all know that Husq, hydrostatic, and you have lots in common... You're a funny ba$tard aa335! I'm still laughing....
Toro Wheel Horse 522xi GT, Honda HS928TA, Honda HS621AS, Honda HS520A, Toro CCR3000 (work in progress), Honda HS624WA (sold 08/23/2010), Stihl BR550 Backpack Blower, Stihl MS250, McCulloch MS1635, Honda EM6500SX Generator
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royster
" It is the use of power tools that separates man from animals"
Location: New Brunswick, Canada
Joined: Feb 11, 2011
Points: 284
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Re: ariens or husqvarna?
Reply #17 Feb 25, 2011 6:10 pm |
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Are you from NJ? Do you realize that this thread is over 5 years old? Most of the posters of this thread hasn't been active for half a year. :) If you want to discuss about Husq snowblower, feel free to start a new thread. It's quite apparent that we now all know that Husq, hydrostatic, and you have lots in common... I am not from NewJersey. I am from Canada, and until a little while ago, I did not know that the Craftsman models offered in the USA are completely different from those offered in Canada. Craftsman in Canada does offer 2 models built by Husqvarna with Hydrostatic drive. After looking at the line of US Craftsman models, I don't even see any that resemble a Husqvarna.
"The thread is over 5 years old and most of the posters haven't been active for half a year" Yes I am aware of that, It is time it was updated. But I am sorry for you, because in Canada , both Craftsman and Husqvarna offer us so much more.
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aa335
Joined: Nov 29, 2008
Points: 2434
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Re: ariens or husqvarna?
Reply #18 Feb 26, 2011 12:35 am |
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I am not from NewJersey. I am from Canada, and until a little while ago, I did not know that the Craftsman models offered in the USA are completely different from those offered in Canada. Craftsman in Canada does offer 2 models built by Husqvarna with Hydrostatic drive. After looking at the line of US Craftsman models, I don't even see any that resemble a Husqvarna. "The thread is over 5 years old and most of the posters haven't been active for half a year" Yes I am aware of that, It is time it was updated. But I am sorry for you, because in Canada , both Craftsman and Husqvarna offer us so much more. Sorry, for a moment I thought the feathers came from the same bird. :) The quacking sounds familiar, just different tune. Yes, it is sad that Canada gets all the nicer models from Husqvarna, Honda, and Yamaha. But then again, I'm glad not having to pay Canadian prices. I was interested in several Husqvarna products, including a string trimmer, but decided it wasn't for me. Dealership carrying Husqvarna products are non-existent here. A few dealers began this year selling Husqvarna snowblower. It's too new and I don't think they figured out how to sell them when a Snapper, Simplicity, and Ariens is sitting on the same floor. As good as you say Husqvarna snowblower is, it's going to be a dead brand around here if they don't market it properly. I mean they make webpages showing all the various products and models that they have, but where can I go to see it and buy it? For now, Husqvarna is purely vaporware for the midwest area.
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