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Abby’s Guide > Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) > Discussions > They just dropped off the new machine!

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fishwater


Joined: Oct 14, 2005
Points: 9

They just dropped off the new machine!
Original Message   Nov 17, 2005 4:28 pm
My local dealer just dropped off my new snow thrower. I decided to go with a Toro 828 LXE. I was going to buy the 926 DLE, the dealer had both side by side on the floor. I know the Ariens is built a little better but my wife & I both liked Toro's joystick & freewheel steering. I was a little dissapointed in the fact that the Ariens chutes were tough to move & would bind even when adjusted perfectly. I tried 7 units & found they all were more difficult to move vs. the Toro.  The Toro is a nice unit, the plastic concerns me a little but I think it will be fine over the long haul. In the end it was all about getting the machine that was easiest to use in case she needs to use it when I am away on business. Thanks for all the help in the decision process. Now all I have to do is wait for snow to make sure I bought the right machine for the job!

I also picked up a 10hp Billy Goat blower, I borrowed my neighbors last week & fell in love. This new house is costing me a fortune in OPE. My wife asked me if this was FINALLY enough power equipment, of course it is hun, of course

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drumsonly2002


Joined: Oct 27, 2005
Points: 42

Re: They just dropped off the new machine!
Reply #1   Nov 17, 2005 5:29 pm
I like the plastic alot as per rusting and snow sticking issues. Not any complaints to my knowledge on the net about the plastic failing. In 5 years we will know, but plastic seems like a good choice. I am partial to Toro's for that reason.
plugger


Joined: Dec 14, 2004
Points: 39

Re: They just dropped off the new machine!
Reply #2   Nov 19, 2005 8:23 pm
I just picked up an Ariens 926DLE and find it hard to believe anything could be easier to move.   The differential makes turning so easy I tried to pull the unit backwards to verify that the wheels were actually being driven.  The chute rotates in the blink of an eye and takes very little effort.  The joystick on the Toro is more convenient though because of it dual functionality and placement on the right hand side of the machine.  With the Ariens I have to either release the wheel drive or reach across the machine with my right hand.  Were all these machines at the same dealer?

Chevy  K1500,
Fisher 760LD,
Ariens 926LE Pro
drumsonly2002


Joined: Oct 27, 2005
Points: 42

Re: They just dropped off the new machine!
Reply #3   Nov 19, 2005 9:34 pm
Hate to back track on my decisions, but now looking at Ariens. The more I read about them the more  I like them. Home depot in my area has them on sale. Toro and Ariens at thew moment are my top picks. (Honda too expensive)
sabesh


"There's too much blood in my alcohol system"

Location: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Joined: Nov 8, 2005
Points: 22

Re: They just dropped off the new machine!
Reply #4   Nov 20, 2005 2:39 am
Powered or not, I somehow find the Toro 1028 LXE much easier to  turn simply because it's about 40lbs lighter that the Ariens 926DLE. I wish it had a B&S OHV engine 'though.
Garandman


Location: South Boston, MA
Joined: Mar 10, 2005
Points: 341

Re: They just dropped off the new machine!
Reply #5   Nov 20, 2005 7:00 am
There are quite a few reviews here by people who've used these machines to blow snow.

Last season I used my snowblower in nine snow events, ranging from 30 minutes to three hours per session and perhaps 15 hours total.

Time I would have saved last season with a faster chute control: about 100 seconds

Time I would have saved with a unit easier to turn [than my old locked axle machine] about 500 seconds

Time I would have saved by being able to throw snow farther, in higher gear: hours.
plugger


Joined: Dec 14, 2004
Points: 39

Re: They just dropped off the new machine!
Reply #6   Nov 20, 2005 7:37 am
sabesh wrote:
Powered or not, I somehow find the Toro 1028 LXE much easier to  turn simply because it's about 40lbs lighter that the Ariens 926DLE. I wish it had a B&S OHV engine 'though.
Are you sure your talking about the 2006 926DLE (Pro model)?  Your not picking it up to turn are you?

Chevy  K1500,
Fisher 760LD,
Ariens 926LE Pro
sabesh


"There's too much blood in my alcohol system"

Location: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Joined: Nov 8, 2005
Points: 22

Re: They just dropped off the new machine!
Reply #7   Nov 20, 2005 8:32 am
plugger: No, I was referring to the Toro which I find easier to turn.

Garandman: Wow, I'm not even sure why snowblowers these days have chute controls & turning mechanisms. Time it took for me to adjust the chute on certain snowblower: 100 seconds. Time taken to turn it: 500 seconds :)

Cheers, Sabesh
fishwater


Joined: Oct 14, 2005
Points: 9

Re: They just dropped off the new machine!
Reply #8   Nov 20, 2005 9:08 am
Plugger, yes both machines were on the showroom floor next to each other at the same dealer. Without a doubt I feel the Ariens is a better built machine, I would feel better as far as the long haul is concerned with the Ariens. The reality though is how long term are we talking? If I get 10-15 years out of the Toro vs. 15-20 out of the Ariens will it really matter? My concern would be if the Toro falls apart in 5 years (which I doubt) then I would be upset for NOT buying the Ariens. Also, the Ariens chute control was more difficult to use than the Toro, I really feel Ariens could easily have a better system without too much trouble.  For me it came down to my wife being more comfortable using the Toro over the Ariens. If I am gone & she needs to blow snow the last thing I want is her frustrated with a piece of equipment.
plugger


Joined: Dec 14, 2004
Points: 39

Re: They just dropped off the new machine!
Reply #9   Nov 20, 2005 9:09 am
sabesh wrote:
plugger: No, I was referring to the Toro which I find easier to turn.

Garandman: Wow, I'm not even sure why snowblowers these days have chute controls & turning mechanisms. Time it took for me to adjust the chute on certain snowblower: 100 seconds. Time taken to turn it: 500 seconds :)

Cheers, Sabesh

And your comparing it to the Ariens 926 Pro?

Chevy  K1500,
Fisher 760LD,
Ariens 926LE Pro
sabesh


"There's too much blood in my alcohol system"

Location: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Joined: Nov 8, 2005
Points: 22

Re: They just dropped off the new machine!
Reply #10   Nov 20, 2005 11:37 am
Plugger: No, I was comparing it to the Toro 1028 LXE.  See, one thing I noticed about traction drive/differential equipped machines is that they have a "whiplash" effect during powered turns. So, I specifically looked for trigger release wheel disengagement systems. The combination of the Toro's lighter weight and the trigger release steering made it easier to turn (for me at least). Also note that some Ariens owners are stating that they have to "shake" their machines to get the traction system to engage (Pro models).

Here's my advise if you must get an Ariens blower: Make sure that the dealer assembles it perfectly before shipping --> Eliminate the need to shake the machine to engage the tracktion system; Make sure the chute controls work the way they are supposed to. Cheers, Sabesh.

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