Age Old Debate: Ariens, Toro, or Simplicity for snow!

18 years ago

I've seen this hashed out a bit on different forums, but no recent 2007/2008 updates. Based on experience and spec sheets, where do people sit in the Approx. 10HP range (9-11) in Pro models between the 3 makes.

I have a couple local dealers, both are adequate but neither stand out.

They are not that interested in delivering a test machine.

So, it is really down to the machines themselves on paper and based on internet recommendations.

I'll make the trips and look at them and feel the controls, but I'm more interested in ease of use and long term viablity based on real world experience (yours).

I'm looking at:

Toto - 1028 LXE/38640:

http://www.toro.com/home/snowthrowers/gastwostage/1028LE.html

* 10 hp** Snow King TecumsehÂ® 4-Cycle Engine

* 28" Clearing Width

Ariens - 9526DLE Professional

http://www.ariens.com/snow_products/professional_sno_thros/9526_dle/

9.5 HP Snow KingÂ® OVH

Clearing Width: 26" (66cm)

Simplicity - P10524E

http://www.simplicitymfg.com/products/specs.cfm?ps_id=23

10.5 Briggs & Stratton Intek Snow OHV

Clearing Width (in.) 26"

I heard Simplicity is closing down a plant?

Does that bode ill for their long term parts and service?

My information:

150 ft Driveway, up hill.

We do get plowed, so I basically clear the EoD as needed.

Square up the boundries, and clear the mailbox (about 50 feet).

I also run a path around the house and do a 'loop' across the lawn to the compost area.

I live in Maine, so we get moderate to heavy snow falls and conditions from light fluff to rain drenched snow pack.

Here are some summer views of my house.

(pardon the tractor - took it for another forum)

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Comments (5)

bhshaman
Original Author
18 years ago
Based on a question in another forum:

Plow guy does one car width down the drive (which is almost 2 cars wide). Once a snow storm our drive and garage bays get plowed. However, eventually we get boxed in due to the snow. So I have been using an old, old snowthrower to move the boundaries of the drive out to its edges and to clear the sides of the parking area.

I also make a circle around the house to keep a clear path from each of our doors. I have two younger children and my wife wants a path in case of fire so we wont have to struggle through 2 or more feet of snow to get to the driveway while carrying kids. And from that path I make a loop across the back lawn out to our compost.

I broke the path early and have kept it clear through all the snow storms.
Only issue is the current snow thrower only clears about 10 feet and hardly any height. so my paths are getting boxed in on one side and I can not clear the banks in some places now.

Watching videos of all the newer machines (the one I am using is 30 years old) they throw like 8-10 feet high and 20-40 feet out. AMAZING!

So,

Driveway:
I have an incline.
I make probably 3 passes on each side at 24" width to expand the drive from one car to two cars wide.

Mail Box and End of Drive:
I clear 50ft of street plowed embankment to let the mail lady get to our mailbox. If the plow guy does not make it before 5:30am, I clear the EoD and then my wives Subbie and my Frontier crawl up the drive and out.

House Paths
I keep the area between the garage of the side of the house clear, and..
I circle the house with a loop to the compost.
99solara
18 years ago
add a clarence impeller kit and u just saved 1300 or so dollars.
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johndeere
18 years ago
I have a Simplicity Pro mine is a few years old and has the Techumseh Snowking.11hp I think and 32''.I like mine and have put it through its paces a few times now.The deeper the snow the further it blows.I use it on a gravel drive way with no issues.

When I bought mine I narrowed my choices down from it and an Ariens.It was a hard decision ended up going by the dealer I preffered.I also have a JD LX277 they look good side by side.
bushleague
18 years ago
Our drive here on the Cape is blue stone. Whatever you get put the shoes all the way down and always mind the windows while using the machine. This method leaves a skim coat of snow for the Sun to melt.
jdgt225innh
18 years ago
Go with the Simplicity and discontinue the plow service and do it all yourself. That's what I did here in NH. If you live near Greene, try Ferris equipment. That's where I got mine 10 years ago. It was worth the drive. And by the way, my 9hp 28" still runs and looks new.

Dave