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4

Awkward handling

By 

from Sault Ste. Marie, ON Canada

About Me Do-It-Yourself

Pros

  • Maneuverable
  • Throws Far

Cons

  • Left hand chute control

Best Uses

  • Driveway

Comments:

You can release the right side auger handle with left hand wheel control engaged and the augers will stay engaged. It is then awkward to reach with right hand across to adjust chute direction on the left side. It also does not slide very well on packed snow. The front tends to grab the snow and with the easy steering it wants to wander left or right. Very hard to manoeuvre.

1

Snowblower sold faulty, missing pin

By 

from Merrimac, MA

About Me Novice

Comments:

We bought this snowblower before snow season so that we would be prepared. We used it the first time it snowed, and when we went to start it the second time it snowed it would not work. We brought it in to be repaired under the warranty, and it turns out it was a manufacturing problem- it was missing a pin, a 2 dollar pin, which caused a ton of damage. We brought it to the dealer who realized the problem. The only answer Ariens had was that it was covered under warranty, and that it would be repaired. So we spend all of that money on a snow blower that immediately had to be repaired- we might as well have bought a refurbished one at this point for less money. They would not replace the broken machine that they sold us- they do not do that. Terrible customer service and definitely no way to stand by your product.

1

Not sure I would go for this brand again.

By 

from Buffalo, NY

About Me Do-It-Yourself

Pros

Cons

  • Difficult to Start

Best Uses

Comments:

It has typically been difficult to start, even when plugged in. Usually takes about 15 minutes or more to get started no matter the choking, or the pressing of the squirter. Seems like the fuel lines are inferior in this brand, as the fuel seems to have problems reaching the engine.

4

Deluxe 24 comparison with my 10 year old Classic 24

By 

from Bigfork, MT

About Me Handyman

Pros

  • Throws Far
  • Quieter
  • Clears to the Pavement

Cons

  • Feels heavier because axel has been moved back.
  • Gas tank is too small.
  • Snow throwing angle shorter than on my Classic24

Best Uses

  • Driveway
  • Yard

Comments:

I had my 10 year old Ariens Classic 24's gearbox stripped out and brought it in to replace the gearbox which would be about 3 weeks before I would get it back. Because we were getting a lot of snow I decided to buy the Deluxe 24 so I wouldn't get behind. I was able immediately to tell the differences between the two. The 3 benefits to the Deluxe was it was quieter, and threw the snow a little farther and you could adjust the throw from the panel. The disadvantages are my arms were way more tired because of the weight shifted to the front which made it feel much more heavy. I don't like the auto steer at all which made it more difficult to keep going straight when it would catch on something. I only need positraction when I'm clearing piles of snow that slid off the metal roof. I wish the Deluxe would allow to disengage the positraction for the 90% of the time I didn't need it. My Classic had the newer heavier duty gear box installed and after 2.5 hours or so my arms were not nearly as tired as with the Deluxe. Also I had to refill the gas tank in order to finish the job where the Classic had gas left over after I was finished. The main negative on my Classic is the Tecumseh is pretty loud. Lastly, I would have liked if the newer Deluxe's throwing angle was more than 180 degrees like my Classic to throw the snow a little behind me when I needed to.

2

Miss my old one!

By 

from Boston, MA

About Me Do-It-Yourself

Pros

  • Throws Far
  • Easy to start

Cons

  • Hard to control
  • Awkward Handle height

Best Uses

  • Driveway

Comments:

Bought this to replace my 35 year old 8HP 24" Ariens which served me well and could go through anything. Many things have changed from the old design. The new machine has a taller chute which allows you to throw snow further and with better control. It also starts easier and chews through icy plow piles better with the serrated auger. I stayed with this size unit even though the price is about the same as a 28" unit because I have a narrow driveway with walls on each side and it is a tight fit between the walls and the cars. I have to say I am most disappointed with the units jumpiness and the auto-turn steering. The old gearbox with the manual locking differential was a much better-performing system. I was able to improve on the new system somewhat by adjusting the speed selector as low as it would go without the machine going in reverse instead of first (forward) speed. What this machine really has is two speeds in reverse, one forward for normal to heavy snow and four forward "transport" speeds. Even in this slowest speed, the machine is jumpy and unpredictable. Our asphalt driveway has depressions in spots from the weight of the cars, every time I go over these spots, the machine jerks unpredictably, coming dangerously close to the cars. This was never an issue with my 35 year old model. The "auto-turn" steering may work well if you have a smooth-as-glass driveway, but I find myself constantly fighting against it. The handles have also been moved up about 6 inches to a height that I find awkward to work with. I am average height and the handles cause my hands and forearms to cramp up if I am not finished in less than about 30 minutes. Overall, the machine is capable, but hard to steer. I suspect it would add hundreds to the price to bring back the old gear-drive differential, but that system's performance was far superior and probably worth the extra money. Generally a fair to good machine, but Ariens can do better.

5

So far, so good

By 

from Ellicott City, MD

About Me Do-It-Yourself

Pros

  • Throws Far
  • Maneuverable

Cons

  • Difficult to Start

Best Uses

  • Driveway

Comments:

Used only for one snow so far, but looking forward to many more. Need to throw snow a long way from parts of the drive and this performs the task exceptionally. I've had a little trouble with it taking multiple times to get it started, but I'm hoping this improves as the engine breaks-in.

5

great product

By 

from buffalo,ny

About Me Handyman

Pros

  • Throws Far
  • Maneuverable

Cons

    Best Uses

    • Driveway

    Comments:

    great product that delivers with power.

    3

    Why no recall?

    By 

    from Lynnfield, Mass.

    About Me Do-It-Yourself

    Pros

    • Easy to start
    • Good on gas

    Cons

    • Doesn't stay in straight line
    • Can't Handle Wet Snow

    Best Uses

    • Driveway

    Comments:

    I always wanted an Ariens, and after always buying Craftsman, I finally got one this year. The snowblower would not stay straight, which was very strenuous. Dealer stated that many other customers had a similar problem, and Ariens said replacing the skid shoes would correct it. The new skid shoes did help, but did not eliminate 100% of the problem. I was very dissappointed and surprised, based on the great reputation Ariens has. The snowblower was expensive, but I was confident I would "get what I paid for". This time, that was not the case.

    4

    Easy to use and very powerfull

    By 

    from Cranston RI

    About Me Do-It-Yourself

    Pros

    • Clears to the Pavement
    • Throws Far
    • Electric start works well
    • Maneuverable

    Cons

    • could use a slower speed gear for deep snow

    Best Uses

    • Driveway
    • Side walk

    Comments:

    Use for home and rental property. Easy to get on and off trailer

    5

    Did the job fine!

    By 

    from iowa

    About Me Do-It-Yourself

    Pros

    • Maneuverable
    • Clears to the Pavement

    Cons

      Best Uses

      • Driveway

      Comments:

      I only got a chance to use it once, which figures. You buy a new piece of equipment and it only snows enough to use it once. Oh well, the one time I did use it, it performed well.

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