Consumer Reports Snow Blowers Issue - Look below so I noticed that Consumer Reports rated snowblower brands in a recent magazine. The higher the percentage, the more problems the owner reports. Honda had less and Husqvarna more problems. The proportion of machines surveyed for each brand is assumed to be the same. I wish I knew which model blowers were most represented and which specific problem was reported. It exhausts stale gas, user error. Interestingly, Troy Bilt, an MTD brand, is in second place. WTH? I love the Husqvarna 300 series blowers, but now I base them on this data. Any "real" Husqvarna snowblower owners care to comment on the reliability of their machines? Especially the new 300 series. I know there are many ways to interpret this data, but it's something. Seriously, though, Troy built?
I personally take a lot of stock in CR. This is just my opinion. I can give them no compelling reason other than not to trust them. I definitely do not guide you to buy or buy using their research and reports.
Consumer Reports Snow Blowers Issue
Micah68kj said: I personally don't take much stock in CR. This is just my opinion. I can give them no compelling reason other than not to trust them. I definitely do not guide you to buy or buy using their research and reports. Click to expand... In my 10 to 12 hours, I was impressed with this little guy this winter with the 224 P.
Ariens 926078 Snow Blower Review
Great thread and it raises some interesting points. MTD products often get a bad rap here, although many members here have had good experiences with their Cub Cadets or Craftsman machines. Generally Consumer Reports states that a difference of less than 5% in reliability ratings is insignificant. The rating they posted for Husqvarna is alarming. Their 300 series machines seem to be better built than their 200 series offerings. I own one of their chainsaws and was not impressed with their customer support regarding the Ariens, which sets the bar high in terms of customer support.
Regarding the Consumer Reports test method, I'm not 100% sure wet dust is the correct way to test a snowblower, I know manufacturers use this method when snow is not available. He rated the Arion's Deluxe 28 as the best of the bunch of small sized 254cc engine plows and when I owned it I felt it was almost underpowered to the point of stalling, I traded it in for a more powerful unit, which I own. Fortunately ratings give you some information but not the whole picture, read many reviews that are either very positive or very negative. Find a dealer you can trust.
I looked long and hard before getting my ST324P this year. I will say that we don't have much snow now so I have had limited use so far. But I will say that it works perfectly fine. After I looked at Ariens and talked to a few people who had done auto rotation I decided it wasn't for me. Grab something on the edge of the bucket and she'll want to turn around. Except that no one complained about the Arians. Toro dosnt build HD on a 24." Then I looked at Honda. Too much money. Couldn't justify the cost. Then Husqvarna came along. I did some research and liked what I saw. The machine I have shares the same. 254 cc. Ariens use LCT engine. The hydrostatic drive is a hydro gear SST. It's the same unit that Honda uses. It's not BS, I don't care if Honda uses it. It uses ball bearings in the auger. Not shaft bushings. The gearbox is cast iron. It only has a cast iron 4 blade impeller. I'm all about it. High hopes and so far has done what I asked for, starts easy, runs great, transmission is smooth, blows snow like a champ. Hope this helps. As far as customer reports go I'm staking everything on their opinions.
Yes, I agree with the 5% thing. So if you factor it in, all the brands are in the same category, but Hudqvarna is still in the 20% range. It's a little worrying, but without knowing the details about the issues, it's hard to evaluate the Husqvarna brand.
Simplicity Snow Blower Reviews
I think they describe some of their models on their webpage as having reverse augers (which don't work). I couldn't buy it...
Ducky said: I looked long and hard before getting my ST324P this year. I will say that we don't have much snow now so I have had limited use so far. But I will say that it works perfectly fine. After I looked at Ariens and talked to a few people who had done auto rotation I decided it wasn't for me. Grab something on the edge of the bucket and she'll want to turn around. Except that no one complained about the Arians. Toro dosnt build HD on a 24." Then I looked at Honda. Too much money. Couldn't justify the cost. Then Husqvarna came along. I did some research and liked what I saw. The machine I have shares the same. 254 cc. Ariens use LCT engine. The hydrostatic drive is a hydro gear SST. It's the same unit that Honda uses. It's not BS, I don't care if Honda uses it. It uses ball bearings in the auger. Not shaft bushings. The gearbox is cast iron. It only has a cast iron 4 blade impeller. I'm all about it. High hopes and so far has done what I've asked for, starts easy, runs great, transmission is smooth, blows snow like a champ. Yeah hope this helps. As far as customer reports go I'll put them all in their opinion. Click to expand...
Ducky, everything you say is how I feel about Erins and the Honda engine and hydro. If I was going with a friction disc machine I would probably go with the Toro. The Toro Longsin engine bothers me though. I have more faith in Loncin sourcing parts vs LCT engines in the long run Taurus. Maybe Toro dealers have access to the logos engine diagrams/parts table, but I can't find any on the customer end. It hurts my heart. LCT shows all internal parts and associated part #'s.
Regardless, I think I'll be happy with the hydro st327p, but I'm crazy and read hundreds of posts and forums to support the decision. I will get there one day. Ps, I'm the weirdo who doesn't care for Hondas electric chute and would love a slick or Toro quick stick or electric drop as an option.
Ryobi Ry40850 Snow Blower Review
If parts sourcing is an issue, I would definitely focus on that as a priority. Whatever the brand, you have to live with it.
Fishstick487 said: Ducky, everything you said is how I feel about Erins and Honda machines and hydros. If I was going with a friction disc machine I would probably go with the Toro. The Toro Longsin engine bothers me though. I have more faith in Loncin sourcing parts vs LCT engines in the long run Taurus. Maybe Toro dealers have access to the logos engine diagrams/parts table, but I can't find any on the customer end. It hurts my heart. LCT shows all internal parts and associated part #'s. Regardless, I think I'll be happy with the hydro st327p, but I'm crazy and read hundreds of posts and forums to support the decision. I will get there one day. Ps, I'm the weirdo who doesn't care for Hondas electric chute and would love a slick or Toro quick stick or electric drop as an option. Fishstick Click to expand... I researched non-stop for days. My wife was ready to leave me. I have come to the conclusion that the st324p is the perfect machine for me. A weight was lifted off my shoulders. This was sent to me today by snowblower direct.com. I am 100% sure CR is not based on the new 300 series rating. From what I have read about 300 tanks were built.
Fishstick487 said: Ducky, everything you said is how I feel about the Ariens and the Honda machine and the hydro. If I was going with a friction disc machine I would go with the Toro. The Toro Longsin engine bothers me. It seems I have a lot of faith in Lonsin on sourcing parts for the LCT engines
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