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There are changes in the model lineup which
allow you to more specifically choose between form and
function.
- PRO =
Strong, actually easier to use,
historically speaking- lasts decades!
- DELUXE =
value
priced.
- COMPACT = As implied...
for smaller driveways.
- SINGLE STAGE= For walks,
decks, small driveways, etc.

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Snow scoop with mount is standard. |
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Drift bars are standard |
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Increased impeller size |
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Re-engineered chute directional control |
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Remote chute height control on all pro models |
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Ariens Pro
models have a Cast Iron Gear box |
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Extra heavy duty gearbox for long lasting use.
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Steering the
Unit: |
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Depending upon the model,
steering is accomplished by:
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Live axle (toughest to
turn, cheapest to buy).
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Click to disengage only 1
wheel.
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Auto-Traction where unit
automatically makes it easy to turn in any direction.
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Differential, which is the
strongest, easy to steer drive
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Serrated Augers |

Helps to break up ice and hard packed snow. |
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Big Box store purchase... or not?
Our "10 Points of Light"
- Our prices are usually the same as big box
stores for like
product models.
- We try to educate you in the buying process,
to ensure you are getting just what you want and need.
- We assemble all equipment that leaves here as
part of the price.
- We fill it full of oil, and even put some
fuel in it.
- We run up the machine and adjust to ensure
everything is working correctly.
- We instruct you on how to use and maintain
your machine.
- We don't sell cheaply performing products
that need apologies later on.
- All of our units are repaired on premises by
factory certified techs.
- We have a tremendous supply of parts right on
hand when you need it most.
- All service is performed 'in house', not in
an 'out-house'.

Why would anyone go to a big box store
to buy power equipment? Hey, we all learn from our
mistakes... it's ok.
Snowblower ideologies:
If you think the machine might be a 'little'
small for the job, it probably will be too small during a blizzard.
You don't get a second chance during a snow storm. The roads are
closed, and the stores are sold out.
We say, plan ahead
effectively. In our neck of the woods, 1' snows are pretty common,
2' snows much less common, but certainly not unheard of. I'd much
rather plan for the worst, and be ready with a smile, than plan for
the 'common', and work a lot harder.
After all, the tool
should be doing the work, not you! (That is why you
bought the tool, right?) I want to let you in on a secret.
Smaller snowblowers may LOOK less intimidating, and easier to use... But when you start using that machine in heavy snow, you will
soon find out you are working as hard as the machine (pushing it
thru heavy snow, man-handling it in corners, going super slow thru
deep snow, and the list goes on).
Things we look at
- Also, the product design makes a difference.
The better units will have a steering assist (although even the
cheap units now are trying to imitate this concept). Meaning
some device that allows turns to be very easily.
- The better units will also have a smoother
operating chute control, not ones that bind up because of poor
design.
- Better machines will use thicker metal, this
is especially crucial in the scraper area (I'm not talking about
the scraper itself, however). If the impeller housing bends
easily, it will bend out of shape, and that's the end of that.
At best, you will never have an effective cleaning of the
blacktop. At worst, the unit will destroy itself because of the
impeller hitting the housing.
- Smarter designed units will have an effective
chute height control that actually works! Cheaper units
usually fail miserably in this area. If the chute height control
freezes in the down position, then what?
- The list goes on and on, but you get the
idea. You get what you pay for.
Needless to say, when you buy a quality snowblower,
you expect to have it for a long time. So ensure the model you are
purchasing today is going to be compatible to your body 25 years
from now!
If you are 25 yrs old now and in good shape, and
your wife or father-in-law won't use it, then you can chintz out a
bit and get away with it this time around. We'll have this
conversation again then; I'll be in my rocking chair in the back by
the spittoon.
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Quick Stick™ chute control on
PowerMax 2 Stage units make changing chute direction and height
quick and easy.

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PowerMax™ snow 'recycling'

This revolutionary system meters snow intake. Snow that's not immediately
thrown is returned back into the auger, providing maximum
travel speed and snowthrowing capacity.
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Freewheel Steering
for effortless maneuverability, wheels can be disengaged
independently or simultaneously, with handle-mounted trigger
controls. This makes turning, and steering adjustments
easy for anyone. Left control for
left wheel, right control for right. Well thought-out design,
gearing is made of metal!
Available on 828 LXE, 1028 LXE, and 1128 OXE
Power Max models. Check out Power
Max virtual tour for a freewheel demonstration.
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Toro does not use
shear bolts. They use hardened grade 5 bolts. "Geesh, won't that
hurt the gearbox?", asks conventional wisdom. "Nope," says the
Toro man, and I have to agree. We see extremely few Toro gearbox
issues, if at all.
What
a quality snowblower
can do for you?
Click here and
see if yours can do this. I took this picture of an 8hp
Toro in our back test field.
For This season:
Can you say Lay-It Aside?
If you don't have room
for your new machine, just tell us when you purchase it. We'll
hold it until at least Christmas, if need be. But... don't
take too much advantage of our generosity -- get that garage or
shed cleaned out now, while it's still warm out!
Don't wait.
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