nibbler

I got a 10 year old Sears NOMA about 5 years ago and have done 10-20 driveways every year since. It has required maintenance such as belts but I expect to get a couple more years out of it. I am lusting for an Ariens 9526DLE but until the NOMA dies its not worth it.

At $500 it sounds like a very good deal.

Having one of the wheels free wheel during the turn is the thing that gives the most benefit. I have a pin lock system and don't notice much difference turning left or right when the wheel is free. I have not tried the Toro system but I suspect that there is little difference between releasing one side or the other. To me it sounds more like a sales feature ( helps make the sale) than a real difference. The joystick operated chute control on the other hand is a true innovation.

The system is more complicated that just having a trigger on each side so I would expect that having it on just one side is mechanically less complicated and possibly more reliable. I have seen other blowers out there with dual triggers, Poulan and some Craftsmen come to mind.

srgallan wrote:
The interlock only works for one hand and not the other, try holding down the attachment lever. I don't know why they did it that way, holding down either one should keep them both down, that lets me make the decision as to what I can do with the free hand, not them.

The remote wheel lock is a toggle lever, press it once an the left wheel runs free, press it again and it is locked. With both wheels locked to the axle you have more traction since both wheels are getting power. It is harder to turn since both wheels want to revolve at the same rate and the inside wheel on a turn needs to revolve less. That's why cars have differentials on the driven wheels.  Releasing the wheel before you make a turn makes performing the turn a lot easier. On less sophisticated blowers they use a pin lock system, you stop the blower, reach down to the wheel hub, pull the pin out and put it in its alternate position. The remote control makes it a lot easier. The so called professional Ariens models use a true differential.

This question gets posted every so often, generally without any criteria ( money, usage pattern, area to be cleared etc). Try doing searches in the archives there is a lot of good discussion there and you will get some guidance on how to ask the question.

Given that the unit is well maintained and working properly I'm guessing that it is a bit too heavy for you. Try going to a dealer and see if a slightly smaller machine is a better fit for your physique. I've found that the big units are less agile than the smaller units. They also require more muscle at times since they are bigger and heavier.

The sweet spot for me seems to be one size down (9/24) from what I have (10/26).

If you have to use more than a couple of pulls to start the unit then there is either an operator or maintenance issue. My first suspect would be gummed up carburetor. I'm surprised the unit doesn't have an electric start.

You don't state why you have problems getting the unit up the driveway. If the engine is on then it should be a matter of steering it up.