I'm not familiar with the models you refer to, but the 2-stroke Toros really work well. Simple, one-stage models and can handle almost any snow, even wet snow, if not too slushy.

Even the large models don't work well when you try to remove plowed snow that contains slush, frozen ice, and hard snow.

Sometimes it can't be done at all if you don't get it right away.

Many thanks Baymee.

i think we are going to go with the Toro brand ..one stage model... i think it will do us very well.

thanks again.

I love my Ariens, always runs smooth. one of the nicest running engines I have owned.
I would always have great things to say about this machine.
I absolutely Love it.
Maybe old gas or your carb got gummed up?
I always use StableÂ
I usually donÂt join or post. But this Machine is worth boasting about. American made and Made right, now thatÂs worth mentioning to me. Six years of flawless service. I pull it out and every year and it starts just like when I put it away. Never needed to drain gas or play around with it. Runs on old gas just as good as the new gas. I have owned the HondaÂs, the ToroÂs, Sears. But this Machine has all them beat.
DoesnÂt throw real far, but I cant stall it when it comes to the deep or heavy stuff and believe me I have tested it. No problem with ice and it cleans up the small stuff. Never been serviced. Hell I even ran a few News papers through it.
Nothing more I could ask for with this machine.

thanks for the review of the Ariens..well, we went for the Toro..gonna snow pretty soon..it is a smaller machine..we went for the smallest Toro..but it will be fine for us..i think

alice