Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

Hello and thanks in advance for your thoughts.

I originally had my sites set on the Craftsman 88790 which Consumer Reports had listed as a "best buy" for overall rating with regard to price. After a considerable amount of reading here and at other sites I think I'll pay a little more and stay with one of my local dealers.

I have an Ariens and Toro dealer nearby, one 8 minutes, the other 12 minuets, so availability is easy.

Quality machine that is EASY to handle is my criteria.

I started looking at the Ariens 926LE but salesman really thought I should consider the DLE with the differential. I like the idea of the differential and the trigger to lock them together when needed. The 926DLE looks very nice. I know Ariens makes quality equipment.

Today I looked at the Toro LXE series with the two handle mounted trigger controls to completely disengage either wheel for easy maneuverability. Again, this also looks like a very nice machine (828LXE and 1028LXE identical, one at 8 hp, the other at 10hp. Consumer Reports rated them very well.

One machine use differential as default, and you lock them up when needed.
The other has them locked up as default, and you release one or other when needed.

Two different ways to run a machine. Very interested in hearing thoughts from people that have used one, the other, or both of theses.
-Thanks

I haven't used the Toro, but my 926DLE is a great machine. For normal blowing I have no need to lock the diff, so the default configuration is fine. Getting rid of a huge icy  EOD sometimes requires locking the axle, but that doesn't happen very often in my situation.

I think having to continually manipulate the levers to maneuver would get old REAL fast.

Get the Ariens.

John Davies

I too considered these two models amongst others. I'm now leaning towards the Toro as there's not much space between my neighbor's houses and mine: The Toro will allow me to blow snow exactly where I want it to due to it's easy-to-use chute controls. I'll probably buying the Toro tomorrow as 2 out 3 local dealers have already sold out the Toro 1028 LXE models. We looked at the Ariens 926DLE and found it's controls to be too stiff or just not working properly. My wife managed to wheel around a Toro 1028LXE but found the 926DLE tricky manouver around. Even the speed control on the Toro is MUCH smoother than on the Ariens. Cheers, Sabesh.

Having a machine with the steering triggers can be a real pain if you get a little water in the cables and they freeze up. The craftsman I had had this problem, then again if you have a heated garage this shouldn't happen.

The toro looked like a good machine, but I bought Ariens because of the heavy construction and the 3 year warranty.

toolpig wrote:
This would eliminate most of the high-end blowers .... Sabesh.

I chose the 828LXE over the 926DLE b/c it was easier for my wife to deal with the joystick for the chute control. I would have bought either but she may need to use while I am away on business & the Toro was easier for her to use.

I forgot to mention, price plays into the decision a bit as well, ... though ease of use is primary, the 1028LXE is about $250 lower than the 926DLE and the 828LXE is another $100 cheaper yet.
You do get electric hand warmers on the DLE, all metal construction (for some a plus, others a minus), and 3 year warrenty instead of two (3 is nice) and OHV engine which is a bit more fuel effiecient and mayby a bit more quiet.

but for $200-$300 cheaper the LXE series looks what I leaning toward.

Keep the discussions going !
I'll let you know when it gets delievered!
-Ray

rdcvsmith: That's odd .. 926DLE, 828LXE & 1028 LXE are all priced very close together over in my area (Mississauga, Ontario, Canada):

Ariens 926DLE: CAD $1929
Toro 828LXE:    CAD $1900
Toro 1028LXE:  CAD $2000

So, price wasn't a factor for me. I chose purely on ease-of-use and features. Cheers, Sabesh

Interesting how prices vary in different regions.
Here in Central Connecticut:
(approx.)

Arines 926DLE $1550
Toro 1028LXE $1320
Toro 828LXE $1220

-Ray