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starwarrior

Name Peter
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Date Joined Oct 27, 2010
Date Last Access Feb 12, 2011 6:46 am
starwarrior's last  
Re: Please help! Ariens 1124 Pro, should I buy?
#1   Feb 11, 2011 2:59 pm
midfiman wrote:
Hello all,

This is my first post on this forum so I hope it's okay to ask the following questions.  So, with all of the snow we've had lately, I've been looking at getting a new snowblower.  I want something that will last and is a solid machine, not something that will work great for a couple of years and then give lots of problems.  Most of the reviews/research, etc I've done has said pretty much the same thing.  Buy an Ariens, Toro, Simplicity or Honda.  I would really prefer not spending $2000 on a machine as that's quite a bit of money.

That being said, there is someone who is selling a fairly lightly used Ariens model 1124 Pro for $850 which sounds like a great deal.  There is no rust on the machine and he said it was not used much at all.  My questions are as follows:

1.  Does this sound like a good deal?  It seems like a great price for a pro model which seem to sell for pretty pricey used.

 2.  Would I better off with this pro model vs. buying a new Compact of Deluxe Ariens?  I would expect that the pro models are made to last.

3.  The Toro 828 looks like an incredible machine.  I've seen lots of videos of it in action throwing snow 30-50 ft.  It also goes for something like $1600-$1700 new.  I'm assuming this machine could keep up with something like that, yes?

4.  The guy sellng it isn't sure how old the machine is because he's selling it for his elderly father who doesn't need it.  I can't find anything on how old this machine is or what the model number designation is.  Any help here would be great.  Maybe if someone knew when this model Ariens was built. 

Any other insight you could offer would be great.

Thanks in advance for your help!!!

OK The short answer is NO

Your are contimplating the purchase of  an older machine that will need parts, repairs, or maintinance either now or in the near future which will add to your overall investment cost. Why when you can buy a brand new off-brand for the price you are paying for used machine and will significantly increase your reliability factor?

Whether  you are looking for a top of the line machine or a suitable offshore model I would suggest you find a comfortable price range hit the ground running with a brand newbee.

It's your call but for my money I would tend to choose the reliability of a  new machine over the unknown quantity of a used one and forget about the brand name facad.

Ariens Pros are great machine's, I own one but used is used and the wear and tear can be decieving.

A snowblower not going to break down in the middle of July it is going to break down while you are trying to clear your driveway after a storm and there is nothing worse than having to revert back to the shovel while your machine is in the shop because the parts that you never expected to break broke.

Starwarrior

Re: Who's best? Ariens, Simplicity, John Deere, Toro?
#2   Jan 28, 2011 2:27 pm
coasteray wrote:

I'm considering updating from a 1993 Ariens ST824 to a newer machine.  Recently, I've been looking at a few Ariens Platinum and Pro models, a few of Simplicity's Large Frame and Pro models, the John Deere 1330SE, and the Toro 1128OXE, as well as used but recent models with a Tecumseh OHV engine or Briggs OHV.  Wheel and chute controls are an issue with a lot of people, so does anyone have experiences to share?

Differentials:

1)  Does anyone have experience with Ariens' "Automatic Traction Control or John Deere's 1330 SE differential ?  Does the Ariens know when to go to locked-wheel drive, or when to come out of it back to differential?  Will this design hold up after many years of usage?  Does the JD stay in differential mode, or does it have the locked-wheel option?  How do these blowers feel in operation?

2)  How does Simplicity's "Easy Turn" feature feel when turning left or right?  Don't you also have to stop the machine to go into and out of this mode ?

3)  Same questions about the Ariens Deluxe models with that left-hand trigger release feature.

Chutes:

1)  Then there are those new electric chute controls on the Simplicity Large Frame models and John Deere 1330SE.  Does anyone have any stories about these?

 2)  Toro has their "Quick Stick" feature, but how long can it last before the plastic parts break?

3)  Ariens' "Quick Turn" feature seems pretty nice, but I'm not sure about that cable release lasting long, and many guys have complained about having to constantly re-adjust it, or it flops around too much.  Also, the chute  deflector cable seems to freeze up a lot with some users.  Any comments here?

4)  Why can't Ariens just go back to a crank system that doesn't allow the chute to wander around at all?  Ariens, I hope you are listening.


 


I purchased an Ariens 926 Pro this year that has the Traction control gearbox. I can honestly say after 3 bouts with Ol Man Winter the machine is very manuverable and  powerfull. I was somewhat apprehensive at first since my previous machine was a MTD track drive with trigger controls and it turned on a dime but after using this machine I am not dissapointed.  The quick turn chute is fast enough that I don't have to worry about blasting my car or the mailbox. I can't really comment on the other machines since I never owned or operated one but as far as I am concerned Ariens is a hands down winner.

Starwarrior

Re: Snow blowing Hat
#3   Jan 13, 2011 7:16 am
OK Here you are, I really like this one.  It handles the blowsnow also.

Just don't accidentally wear it to the bank.

Re: can I put hand warmers on my ariens st926le snow blower?
#4   Jan 10, 2011 1:31 pm
They have a universal set of handwarmers available and they are sold in department stores like Kohls.

Available in left and right versions.

Sizes Available: Small / Medium / Large

LOL

Starwarrior

Re: Can This engine be Saved by Honning
#5   Jan 9, 2011 6:51 am
I would simply replace the engine. It is most likely going to cost you more in parts than a  replacement engine will cost and your effort will be better served retrofitting a new engine.

Without getting into the semantics of the manufacturing process, aluminum crank cases unless they have sleeved cylinders undergo a special treatment process that conditions the cylinder walls.

A fine example as a result of not checking the oil beforehand.

Starwarrior

 

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