MTD quality is only fair, at best. Maybe that will be good enough for you if you don't get that much snow...only you can decide. The extra $ for a Simp or Ariens buys a lot of quality. Another thing to consider is--who will service the MTD machine? Your chances of getting service and parts support are better with the Simp or Ariens--especially if dealing with a dealer rather than HD or Lowes. Where in OH are you? I'm curious to know how much snow your area receives. You can find out by checking the NOAA site.

Here is a link that might be useful: Snowfall-Average Total in Inches

I'm in Powell, and while I like Simplicity the nearest dealer is in Grove City, which is pretty far from me. Local JD doesn't carry Deere, but rather Honda. Home Depot carries Ariens units but I hear THEY are now made by MTD (or maybe MTD makes the HD Ariens, while "true" Ariens units are sold elsewhere?).

As for snow, no we don't get too much of it, but we do get a fair amount that has a layer of ice on it, and given the price differential between 1 and 2 stage isn't that great, I'd just as soon get a two-stage.

Is all MTD the same quality? Any differences in Yard Man vs. Troy-Bilt snowthrowers in terms of quality?

my dealer services any brand of snowblower...you just have to pay him.

"my dealer services any brand of snowblower...you just have to pay him."

Of course he does. My question is: If the MTD machine breaks down in the middle of winter, will he be able to get the parts to fix it before NEXT WINTER arrives?

Yes, all MTD quality is pretty much the same. Although I own MTD lawn equipment, I hesitate to recommend MTD snowblowers because for most folks, snow removal is something that absolutely has to get done...it's mission-critical. So, how bad off would you be if at the worst possible time your snowblower was broken? If not too bad-then get the Troy-Bilt. The good thing about the Simplicity is that's it's such a good machine, you probably won't need the dealer very often. BTW, the Ariens is definitely NOT made by MTD.